Loading...
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - MINUTES - 10/9/2007 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO approved MINUTES OF MEETING HELD OCTOBER 9, 2007 Ald. Bob Melcher, Council President, called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ald. Melcher explained that he was chairing the committee in lieu of Mayor Johnson being out of the country celebrating 40 years of marriage. ROLL CALL Present: Ald. Melcher, Ald. Snead, Ald. Pavelko, Ald. Borgman, Ald. Werner, Ald. Schaefer and Ald. Fiedler. Department Heads/Other Staff present: City Administrator Sheiffer and Deputy Clerk Blenski. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE Deputy Clerk Blenski stated that the meeting had been noted in compliance with the open meeting law. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ald. Borgman moved to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ald. Schaefer moved for approval of the September 25, 2007 minutes with the following correction to the last two sentences: “Ald. Snead indicated that a lead company and one subcontractor has been discussed as a possibility.” “Ald. Fiedler stated that a contract with one company, agreeing with Ald. Werner’s previous statement, was an option to consider”. Seconded by Ald. Borgman, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Library Survey – Ald. Melcher noted that all aldermen had received a copy of the library survey and advised that the Library Board will be discussing this at a meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 11, 2007. Representatives from the Library Board will be present at the Committee Of The Whole meeting scheduled for October 18, 2007. Ald. Melcher briefly reviewed the questionnaire and noted that the staff received very good praise on their service. 2008 State Transportation Aids – The City Administrator distributed to the committee some general information on General Transportation Aids (GTA). She explained that the GTA program is the second largest line item in Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s budget. City Administrator Sheiffer explained that aid is determined on Committee of the Whole Page 2 October 9, 2007 a formula and she supplied the committee with an explanation she secured off of the website. The City has received notification of decreased aid of approximately 5% for 2008. She noted that this program may be re-appropriated by the State but that would be after the City’s budget has been adopted. Discussion on Fire Department Study – Ald. Snead voiced concerns and before she can make a decision, she would like to know how it is going to be more efficient, how it would be cost effective and how it would better serve our community. She stated that performance is not an issue so she wants to know how taxpayers will get on board and wants to know how it would be cost effective to explain to constituents. Ald. Borgman brought up the issue of better utilization of equipment and professionalism. Ald. Werner felt that having one agency in control of all of the fire activities would be cost effective. Ald. Werner and Ald. Fiedler stated that we are still waiting for audit information from one of the departments. He felt if we had one agency, it would be easier to monitor. He suggested that the City analyze the administrative costs. Ald. Snead would like to see all of the expenditures to this point. Ald. Fiedler felt that one department would improve cost efficiency and professionalism and eliminate duplicity. Ald. Snead questioned whether there would be one main administrator over the two fire departments. Ald. Werner felt that having one agency might solve a lot of issues. Ald. Schaefer state a lot of firefighters are scattered around the City and she felt that with one department they can belong to the station closest to their residence. Ald. Snead questioned if the four facilities will remain. Ald. Fiedler stated the four facilities would remain but there would be a sharing of all equipment. Ald. Pavelko agreed with Ald. Snead and would like to see a cost analysis. Ald. Fiedler felt that a decision has to be made as to whether the City would like to go with a single department or two departments and then proceed from there. Ald. Werner’s concern is with potential liability as to how equipment is dispatched within the City and the effectiveness of managing two departments. Ald. Snead questioned whether the committee proposed to be formed would make the decision as to whether it will be one department or two. Ald. Melcher felt that we have to give direction to this proposed committee as to whether they should be looking at two departments with one head or combining the two departments into one department. Ald. Fiedler felt the question was whether we are going with one department or two departments and he does not feel we are talking about another committee making that decision. Committee of the Whole Page 3 October 9, 2007 Ald. Werner would like a timeline for making this decision. He questioned whether there was any specific information needed by any alderman. City Administrator Sheiffer noted that neither she nor the Mayor, to her knowledge, have ever received a completed 2006 audit from Muskego Volunteer Fire Company and that their accountant is working on a variety of things for them, but we have not seen an end product in a format like we received from Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department. Ald. Melcher felt that cost savings would be in hiring one auditor instead of two, eliminating duplication of equipment, training costs and insurance. Ald. Snead agreed that she would like to see EMTs at all firehouses. Ald. Fiedler’s thought is joining the two departments and, in reading the contracts, MVFC is required to return all assets to the City and TCVFD would require the City to repurchase the equipment that the City has already purchased as well as other financial obligations that the City would have with a dissolution. He felt that the City could renegotiate a new contract with Tess Corners and follow through with the termination of the Muskego contract and then combining all in one department. He indicated that would be a decision to be made by the City’s attorney. Ald. Borgman felt they both should be dissolved and start with one new department. Ald. Snead would like to know the buy-out numbers if this would happen. Ald. Schaefer felt it would be necessary to negotiate Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Company’s dissolution agreement. Ald. Snead and Ald. Pavelko would like to see a spreadsheet on anticipated cost savings in making it one department, buy-out costs, etc, as well as the following: Equipment, insurance, audit fees, administration fee, cost for hiring a fulltime person, paid-on-call vs. volunteer. Administrator Sheiffer had concerns with providing valid numbers, as it would require a firm to do this analysis. Ald. Borgman wants an efficient department and that required things are being done in a timely manner. ADJOURNMENT Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:31 PM. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried. RECONVENING OF MEETING Acting Chairman Bob Melcher reconvened the meeting at 8:45 PM for the continuation of discussion on finalization of following list: Equipment, Insurance, Audit Fees, Administration (including Chief Stipend), Training, Paid-On-Call vs. Volunteer Committee of the Whole Page 4 October 9, 2007 Ald. Werner and Ald. Fiedler accepted responsibility for securing this information. Ald. Melcher would like to know the willingness of the two departments to come up with a five (5) year plan. The timeline was discussed. The committee would like to make a definite decision at rd the Committee Of The Whole meeting of October 23. It was decided that there would be a special Committee Of The Whole meeting on th October 18 at 6:00 PM, before the Budget Meeting, to discuss consideration of a fulltime mayor. There will also be a Committee Of The Whole meeting on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at 6:00 PM (or immediately following Finance Committee) to finalize discussion on Fire Department Study. ADJOURNMENT Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 8:45 PM. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Cathie M. Anderson Transcribing Secretary /ca