Loading...
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 10/18/2007 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved MINUTES OF MEETING HELD OCTOBER 18, 2007 Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Johnson, City Administrator Sheiffer, Aldermen Pavelko, Borgman, Werner, Melcher, Schaefer, and Fiedler (arrived at 6:10 p.m.). Department Heads/Other Staff present: Finance Department Supervisor Mueller, Clerk-Treasurer Moyer, Police Chief Geiszler, IS Director Sommers, Library Director Sanhuber and Deputy Clerk Blenski. Ald. Snead was excused. Library Board Members: Sylvia Gould, Kim Huebner, Josephine De-Vito-Scalzo (Ald. Melcher also serves on the Board.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ald. Borgman moved for approval of the September 27, 2007 minutes. Ald. Melcher seconded; motion carried. Ald. Borgman moved for approval of the October 9, 2007 minutes. Ald. Pavelko seconded; motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Discuss Consideration of a Full-Time Mayor Ald. Werner stated the discussion regarding the form of government that would best serve the City began in 2004. In May 2005, the Common Council proceeded to approve a job description and salary for the City Administrator position. In September of 2005, a candidate was selected to fill the position. In April of 2006, the advisory referendum regarding the Mayor’s position being full or part time was held. Of the 14,583 eligible voters, only 18% voted in the April 2006 election. The question of the Mayor’s position being full or part time was directly tied to the fact that the City had moved forward and hired an administrator. A yes vote for a part-time Mayor was a yes vote for the City Administrator. (Ald. Fiedler arrived.) Ald. Werner provided his rationale for the Mayor’s position to be full time:  Mayor’s office is key to community development.  The Mayor is the face of the City.  One-half of the Mayor’s responsibilities could be dedicated to community development, whether new development coming into the community, or redevelopment.  The City needs someone to bring the right kinds of businesses to support development of the Moorland Road corridor.  The current Mayor has generated more activity regarding the Parkland Mall site than his predecessors.  Currently, 91% of tax revenue is generated by residential development. Committee of the Whole Page 2 October 18, 2007  If the Community Development Director position is filled, the potential cost to the City is over $100,000 with benefits.  Yes, development will happen in time. He prefers sooner better than later. Ald. Borgman agreed that the City needs development. He expressed the following comments:  The person who would be hired as the Economic Development Coordinator would be deeply involved in the business communities.  We don’t know who the next Mayor will be. Perhaps the next Mayor will not want community development duties, or may not be able to handle them.  The City has a Community Development Authority (CDA) for development.  Plans had been submitted and approved for the Parkland Mall site prior to Mayor Johnson’s term. However, they had a very heavy financial implication.  Some of the reasons the Council chose to have a City Administrator were growth and the ability to provide continuity.  The referendum spoke. The City should not go away from the idea before trying it. Ald. Melcher’s comments:  Careful consideration was given to hiring a City Administrator; this was not done in haste.  He does not believe that the number of people that chose to vote at the referendum election should be a reason to now change the outcome.  The Council is currently dealing with a tight budget and the additional amount of money ($33,352) to increase the Mayor’s salary to full time is significant.  The secretarial position for the Mayor’s office also needs to be addressed if the Mayor is going to work on economic development.  The Plan Director is working to become a certified economic developer. He should have time to devote to economic development with building and planning activity down.  Future Mayors will focus on their own goals.  The Council should not go against the outcome of the referendum election. Ald. Werner’s responses:  The Plan Director will not be certified (as a community development director) for three to five years.  The fact that building activity is down is all the more reason to have someone pursue commercial development now. Ald. Borgman:  The development that is anticipated in the Moorland Road corridor is the desire of the developer; he is the one to bring the businesses here. It is not a result of anything the City did. Committee of the Whole Page 3 October 18, 2007 Ald. Pavelko:  With the hiring of a City Administrator, it was expected that the Mayor (as part time) would automatically have more time for community development.  He has a problem changing something in two weeks that was reviewed over two years.  In reviewing other voting statistics, the average turnout for off Mayoral elections was 20%.  The part-time scenario should at least be tried. If a change is desired, another referendum should be held. Nancy Salentine:  The Council cannot dictate the Mayor’s hours whether designated as part time, or full time. Suzi Link stated she was speaking as a small business owner and taxpayer. The following are her comments:  There was much activity in the past regarding the Parkland Mall site prior to Mayor Johnson taking office. The CDA was sometimes meeting weekly. The fact that development at the site did not occur was beyond the control of the City and the CDA.  If the position is paid as part time, she believes the savings would be $51,000 because benefits included with the full-time salary would be eliminated.  The current Mayor knew that this was the situation for the 2008 - 2011 term. The proposal to change the term should have been discussed much earlier since now it is too late to have another referendum.  She believes the past referendum was not connected to the Mayor in office at the time.  The citizens gave their input. If an individual did not vote, he/she does not have the right to complain.  Regarding economic development, the CDA should be more active regarding economic development. Under the current Mayor, the CDA has been put on the sidelines.  Another referendum should be held if the position is to be changed. Ald. Fiedler:  Received three contacts: two against and one in favor. Ald. Schaefer:  Received about 35 e-mails total. 95% for full-time Mayor. Keith Hammitt:  Muskego is going to experience a major facelift from now through 2015 with the Janesville Road project and development of the Moorland Road corridor. The timing supports the position being full time. Committee of the Whole Page 4 October 18, 2007  Believes the Mayor should be full time because of the accountability to the citizens of the community.  The current Mayor has worked aggressively recruited businesses. The Mayor stated this item would be on the 10/23/2007 Council agenda. Continue Review and Discussion on Proposed 2008 Budget The Mayor explained a worksheet that was distributed identifying proposed expenditures currently not in the 2008 budget and available funding sources. The net unfunded additions total $126,116, which includes an increase in the tax levy of $89,291. The following items are currently not in the 2008 budget: Department/Fund Description Amount 1. Mayor Full-Time Mayor (Without pension and life $33,352 insurance) Secretary Position (Part-time with pro-rated $43,595 benefits) 2. Police Detective Promotions $5,566 Sergeant Promotions $12,615 Vehicle $26,079 3. Information Systems Training (Vista) $900 Programming and Consulting $1,500 4. DPW Plow Truck $128,400 Transportation Aids $41,870 5. Library Part-Time Library I (19 hrs.week) $15,930 6. Aldermen Laptop Computers $14,000 7. Contingency Health Insurance Premiums (17% to 19%) $20,000 Total Unfunded Additions $343,807 Without Plow Truck ($128,400) $215,407 Additional Tax Levy Allowed Under Prior $(89,291) Levy Limit Net Unfunded Additions $126,116 Ms. Mueller reviewed some possible funding sources: 1. Increase the tax levy based upon prior year State levy limits. The tax rate could increase by .8% or $00.0371. That would provide the additional $89,291. This assumes that the City would be restricted to last year’s cap. 2. Use of Special Revenue Funds. Cable Fund projected to be $197,659 at the end of 2008, which would close out the account. Residual TIF/Capital Improvement Fund - $650,000 - proposed to be used for Janesville Road project. 3. Use of Capital Expenditure Fund - $300,000 - funded by landfill dollars. Committee of the Whole Page 5 October 18, 2007 Could be used for the police vehicle ($26,079) or DPW truck ($128,400). 4. General Fund - Fund Balance - $100,000 - $300,000 - also proposed to offset Janesville Road project expenses. 5. Personnel: Eliminate Intern Planning Position - $12,392. Summer Hours - Savings Unknown - Projected to be $0 to $13,500. 6. Funding for the Laptop Computers could be taken from a Special Revenue Fund called “Capital Improvements.” Mayor Johnson suggested that the Committee review each of the unfunded items and make a determination of yes or no. 1. Mayor Secretary Position - $43,595 The Mayor stated at the last meeting a proposal was made to have the Deputy Clerk sit in the Mayor’s office so funding could be eliminated from the budget for the secretarial position. Clerk-Treasurer Moyer appeared to discuss the proposal and the staffing in her department. There are other options that could possibly be looked at. She is requesting that the Committee consider her concerns and not move the employee from her department. The Deputy serves as the Clerk’s backup. The Clerk and Deputy reviewed the 2008 calendar and conservatively calculated that the employee would have to remain in the Clerk’s office for at least 24 weeks. She questioned if this will adequately serve the Mayor’s office. The Clerk’s office will definitely be understaffed if the Deputy is moved even on a part-time basis. Consensus: Yes 1. Mayor Full-Time - $33,352 Consensus: None at this time, on the 10/23/2007 Council agenda. 2. Police Detective Promotion - $5,566 Consensus: Yes (10/9/2007 COW meeting) 2. Police Sergeant Promotions - $12,615 Police Chief Geiszler was present to support the promotions because of supervisory issues. Personnel in supervisory positions need to be trained, and not put in charge because of seniority. There could be liability issues. In addition, officers put in charge are compensated for that, but some supervisory duties (such as discipline) are not performed and there isn’t the amount of accountability that there should be. Mayor Johnson did not agree with the promotions. Committee of the Whole Page 6 October 18, 2007 Consensus: Yes 2. Police Vehicle - $26,079 Consensus: Yes - Landfill Funds to be used. 3. Information Systems Programming and Consulting (Crystal Reports) - $1,500 Training (Vista) - $900 City Administrator Sheiffer stated that the IS Director was interested in the Crystal Reports training specifically for Phoenix. Other departments are interested in the training, but nothing has been budgeted. It is anticipated that if the IS Director receives the training, it may allow him to train other personnel. IS Director Sommers was present to request funding for the Crystal Reports and Vista training. The Mayor did not support the training for Vista because it may not be implemented in 2008. Consensus: Yes - Programming and Consulting (Crystal Reports) - $1,500 No - Training (Vista) - $900. Dept. Head can come back and request if needed in 2008. 6. Aldermen Laptop Computers - $14,000 Ald. Fiedler stated his concern about accessing City mail using personal or business computers. There is a potential that litigation could result in a request to view the hard drives of personal and/or business computers. Several of the aldermen are in a position that requires that their business computers be protected. He supports use of a separate, dedicated computer and believes the cost could be less than the proposed $2,000 amount. This is an issue of privacy that may drive people away from public service. He is open to other options, such as viewing the correspondence at City Hall. However, this could affect the ability of the aldermen to respond to their constituents on a timely basis. Ald. Fiedler continued to explain that this is not a matter of responding to open records requests. Not all of the aldermen would have to accept a laptop. Ald. Werner suggested that a policy be implemented regarding the usage. Consensus: Yes - Money could be taken from Special Revenue Fund. 5. Library Part-time Library I Position (19 hrs./week) - $15,930 Library Director Sanhuber was present in addition to members of the Library Board. A customer service/satisfaction survey was recently done. There was interest in having the library open on Sunday. Staff issues exist and if a new service is added, she is requesting that the part-time position be approved. If not approved in 2008, she will request in 2009. Ms. Sanhuber distributed a statistical summary for 2006. In an effort to provide Sunday hours, it is proposed that the Saturday hours would be decreased. Committee of the Whole Page 7 October 18, 2007 Ald. Melcher stated that the survey revealed that 188 people responded yes to Sunday hours and 347 responded no. The other issue was a need for an increase in the library’s materials. The consensus of the Board is to ask the Council to consider Sunday hours if the part-time position being requested is approved. Ald. Melcher noted that library staff is very efficient. He supports the part-time position and believes it is needed. Mayor Johnson stated he does not believe the results of the survey support Sunday hours. It is inconsistent to add service at a time when services in other areas are being cut. He does support an increase in the book collection. Consensus: Sunday Hours - No Funding for Sunday hours (approximately $11,000) is in the budget based on 2006 data. Money will be added back in. Part-time Position - No 4. DPW Plow Truck - $128,400 Consensus: No - Dept. Head indicated it could wait until next year. 7. Contingency Health Insurance Premiums - $20,000 Mayor stated other options, such as increasing the deductible, might be looked at. Ald. Borgman suggested that the City implement a cap on the annual increases with the employees having to bear more of the cost. Finance Department Supervisor stated that after going through all of the items and the funding sources, the unfunded amount is at $58,000. This is with the additional tax levy. Ald. Schaefer would like the operating budgets of the fire departments reviewed. The Mayor stated that he proposed a 15% increase noting that the request from each department was more. Additional Funding Sources Ald. Fiedler does not support funding the Plan Intern position ($12,392). The Mayor stated that the budget process would not be any easier next year. There are difficult decisions that have to be made and postponing them until next year may not be financially prudent. He suggests looking at staff in the Building Inspection Dept. in light of the substantial decrease in inspections. There is a potential retirement that may occur in August of 2008. That employee is certified to perform electrical inspections. The Mayor was not certain if the inspector with the least seniority could obtain certification to take over the electrical inspections once the employee retired. The consensus was that laying off the least senior inspector would be considered as an Committee of the Whole Page 8 October 18, 2007 option. Ald. Werner suggested providing funding if the employee would be laid off so the individual could potentially obtain the necessary certification and take over the responsibilities of the employee who will retire. The expenses would be reimbursable upon completion of the training/certification and require that the individual return to the employment of the City. Ald. Pavelko suggested looking at implementing a heating/cooling plan to save money. Ald. Schaefer noted that after reviewing the operating budgets of the fire departments, additional monies may be available. ADJOURNMENT Ald. Schaefer moved to adjourn at 9:07 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler; motion carried. Jill Blenski, CMC Deputy Clerk