COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 10/10/2002
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO (Approved)
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD October 10, 2002
Mayor Slocomb called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Also present were Ald.
Salentine, Le Doux, Damaske, and Patterson, Finance Director Dawn Gunderson, and
those per the attached list. Ald. Sanders, Madden and Petfalski were excused.
All in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Slocomb noted the meeting was noticed in accordance with the Open Meeting
Law.
Minutes of the August 22, September 5, September 12, September 19, September 26,
and October 3, 2002 Committee of the Whole meetings were not available for approval.
Unfinished Business
1. Continue discussion of 2003 Capital Budget – Finance Director Gunderson
presented spreadsheets on the 2003 Capital Budget items and how they are
financed and also the 5-year Capital Plan. The spreadsheets reflect the requested
committee changes. Idle Isle remodeling was moved from 2003 to 2004. The vast
majority of Durham South construction was moved from 2003 to 2005, some of the
engineering expense was moved from 2003 to 2004 and land acquisition was moved
to 2003, 2004, and 2005. For Stormwater Management project - Tess Corners
Ponds the full amount was put in 2003 with funding from half of the grant being
applied and some funding from the County. Borrowing will have to be done for a
portion of it. Ewald-Engel property is included with $200,000.00 from Conservation
Fund and also the Martin property is included for $400,000.00. $500,000.00 is
included in 2003 for burying utility lines in the Tess Corners area. Added for 2003 is
an increased amount for the Freedom Square Ponds. Capital borrowing for 2003
projects will probably take place in November 2002 due to the low interest rates.
Dave Anderson of Ehlers & Associates provided debt schedules for the borrowings
for 2003 capital of $5.7 million to be broken down into two borrowings: a $4.1 million
GO Bond borrowing for land purchases, stormwater projects and road projects with
a longer-term borrowing and a 1.4 million GO Note borrowing for the other capital
items with a shorter borrowing schedule. A $2.1 million borrowing is projected in
2004 and a $6 million borrowing in 2005. The Committee discussed the fact that
there may be an impact on the 2003 Capital Budget if the City committed financial
support to the School Athletic Fields. The Mayor advised that Ald. Petfalski and Ald.
Patterson had volunteered to sit on a committee with the school to determine the
costs associated with the project and the City’s commitment to that project. Ald.
Salentine moved to send the 2003 Capital Budget to public hearing allowing for the
incorporation of support to the High School Athletic fields. Ald. Patterson seconded
and the motion carried unanimously.
2. Continue discussion of 2003 Operating Budget - Finance Director Gunderson
distributed a new summary of the operating budget along with a modified tax
calculation. The change reflected in the recap was a $53,000 reduction in the health
insurance costs. The budget was originally prepared with a 30% increase in health
care costs, but the renewal came in at just under 23%. The City is now looking at a
$6.30 tax rate, which is an increase of $.67. With the state computer tax credit
incorporated, the rate would drop another one cent to $6.29. Director Gunderson
Committee of the Whole Page 2
Minutes of Meeting Held 10/10/02
explained that the final renewal rates for liability and worker’s comp insurance were
not in at this time because of a change in the insurance provider for the League and
alternatives were being reviewed. The tax rate may drop more with the final quoted
insurances premiums. Ald. Salentine moved to send the 2003 Operating Budget, as
presented, to public hearing. Ald. Damaske seconded and the motion carried
unanimously.
3. Continue discussion of 2003 Special Revenue – Finance Director Gunderson
explained that the only difference between the budgets that were reviewed the week
before was the utilization of $200,000 from the Conservation Fund for property
purchase and a few minor changes with the RCA and TIF revenue funds as
recommended by the City’s Accounting Firm. With no additional discussion on the
Special Revenue funds, Ald. Le Doux moved to send the 2003 Special Revenue
Fund budgets, as presented, to public hearing. Ald. Damaske seconded and the
motion carried unanimously.
New Business
1. Review samples of customer service survey – Sample customer service surveys for
various departments were distributed to the Committee and Mayor Slocomb
reviewed them. The Committee requested that two additional questions be added to
the surveys. “How could we have served you better?” and “Do you wish to be
contacted?” It was explained that with the Police Department surveys, a rating of
fair or poor get follow-up phone calls. The Committee asked that this come back to
the Committee of the Whole one more time.
2. Review proposal for High School Athletic Field Development and Creation of Sub-
Committee – Mayor Mark Slocomb advised that Ald. Patterson and Ald. Petfalski
and one additional member from Park Board with be representing the City of a Sub-
Committee to review the proposal for the High School Athletic Field Development.
At least two meetings will be held.
Communications and Miscellaneous Business as Authorized by Law – The
Committee discussed the successful grand opening of the Kohl’s Department store.
Adjournment
Ald. Damaske moved to adjourn at 8:38 PM. Ald. Le Doux seconded; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn R. Gunderson, CPFO
Finance Director