COWM20090714
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO approved 8/11/2009
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2009
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. and led those present in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Johnson, Ald. Snead, Harenda, Borgman, Werner, Schneider, Fiedler,
Schaumberg and Deputy Clerk Blenski. Also present, Finance Director Mueller.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Deputy Clerk Blenski stated that the meeting had been noticed in accordance with the
Open Meeting Law.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There were no issues with the agenda items listed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Borgman moved to approve minutes, of the October 2, 2008 and June 23, 2009
meetings. Ald. Schneider seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion regarding the 2009 budget and preliminary 2010 budget options. A
discussion regarding the building inspections services took place. Mayor Johnson
indicated that while working on the 2009 budget (in 2008), the council wanted a
review of the building inspection department services. He is looking for
clarification on what the council requested and some direction on how to proceed.
Ald. Borgman stated that as a result of the discussion justifying outsourcing of the
building department services and whether or not the city wants to continue with
business as it is now or consider changing it. Ald. Fiedler commended Community
Development Director for his oversight of the building inspection department.
Building is down and the city needs to look at possible outsourcing again. Ald.
Werner asked for a breakdown of what the inspectors do to include the number of
inspections, revenues, etc. Ald. Schneider indicated that more residents are doing
remodeling. Ald. Fiedler indicated that the revenue does not support that there is a
big increase in this area. Ald. Schaumberg asked how efficient the outsourced
company would be. Ald. Fiedler said that when this issue was discussed last year,
the goal was that the change (if outsourced) would be invisible to the residents.
The discussion went into the 2010 budget and Mayor Johnson gave an overview of
how the budget process works. He indicated that the State has “shifted” the
financial problems to the individual municipalities. Finance Director Mueller
explained the changes made to the 2010 forms and levy. Ald. Werner said that the
city has to decide what kind of services it wants to provide. Ald. Borgman had
made personal visits to the people in his district. Many of the residents have lost
their job or anticipate that they will in the near future. He can only support a 1%
levy increase. Ald. Fiedler has had constituents say that they would rather have
services cut vs. raising taxes. He supports a 1% increase, possibly 2% (prefers
Committee of the Whole Page 2
not to). Ald. Harenda discussed with his district initially when he was campaigning,
but wants to discuss again with them now. He doesn’t think much has changed
with the economy in the last four months. He initially talked about a 0% to 1% levy
increase, possibly 2%. Ald. Schneider expressed concern about the residents in
his district that have lost their jobs. He supports a 2% max increase. Ald.
Schaumberg is not sure at this time. Mayor Johnson said that during difficult
times, people want more from their government services. The city’s tax rate is still
quite low compared to others. He stated that he would proceed using a 2%
increase.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:29 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried
unanimously.
Claire Lederhaus
Executive Assistant