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COWM20091008 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 8/10/2010 MINUTES OF MEETING HELD OCTOBER 8, 2009 Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Present were Ald. Snead, Harenda, Borgman, Werner, Schneider, Schaumberg and Fiedler, Finance Director Mueller and Deputy Clerk Blenski. Several Department Heads and employees were also present. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law. There were no issues with the agenda. NEW BUSINESS 1. Finalize City 2010 Operating and Capital Budgets 2010 Proposed Operating Budget Current Budget Summary: Mayor Johnson stated that any proposed changes to the operating budget should be done tonight as this is the last meeting scheduled prior to the public hearing. The combined General Fund and Debt Service tax levy increase is 2.67%. The tax levy limit cannot exceed 3%. The Council could determine to increase the levy to the 3% cap, which would generate an additional $38,000. Community Resource Officer (20-hour Reduction): The Mayor stated that the proposal is to have the employee serving as the Community Resource Officer fill the vacant patrol officer position. The Community Resource Officer (CRO) position would be filled by a part-time (20 hours) contracted employee. Police Chief Geiszler was present. He stated his concern about the proposal and reviewed the responsibilities of the CRO, which are the following:  Neighborhood Watch Program  Citizen’s Academy  Muskego Police Explorer Program  Crime Stoppers  Safety City  DNR Boating Safety Instructor, which requires certification through the State of Wisconsin  Safety Seat Installation Expert, which also requires certification.  Business Security Analyst, which also requires certification.  Gives safety and identity theft presentations throughout the community.  National Night Out Chief Geiszler stated that the CRO position was created several years ago. At the time, the Police Department believed it was important because it allowed them to be proactive rather than reactive. The position is very specialized. He stated the position requires 40 hours to properly maintain the existing programs. The presence of a sworn, uniformed officer is important to the programs. The community will take a step backwards if the position is reduced as proposed. Chief Geiszler believes if the position becomes part time, it will be difficult to fill because nighttime and weekend hours would Committee of the Whole Page 2 October 8, 2009 be required. He distributed 2007 data that reflects Muskego has one of the lowest per capita police costs. The Chief stated the department has been very fiscally responsible. The Mayor stated his proposal is based on the fact that in the last two weeks, the City learned it would receive $60,000 less in Transportation Aids. He feels strongly about the position, but there are choices that have to be made. Ald. Fiedler stated that the individual who currently serves as the CRO could maintain the certifications that he has and perform the services. Ald. Werner stated the position is very important. He suggested the Chief review other options, one of which is to retain the CRO as a 40-hour position and to utilize the funds for the part-time position for overtime on the street when it may be needed. Chief Geiszler responded that he does not want to short the officers on the street. He prefers that the CRO position then become part time. Ald. Snead stated that the position benefits the community and has resulted in the department receiving positive feedback. She would like to retain the position. Chief Geiszler left the meeting. Open Discussion: Mayor Johnson stated the budget needs to be finalized because the notice has to be sent for publication in a week. Ald. Harenda reviewed various suggestions that could possibly reduce some expenditures. Ald. Snead asked how increasing the tax levy from 2.67% to 3% would impact the taxpayer. Ms. Mueller responded that it would result in an additional $5 to $6 based on a property assessed at $300,000. A 3% tax levy increase would result in the City’s portion of the tax bill being approximately $25 higher (based on a home valued at $300,000). Ald. Borgman stated he does not support increasing the levy to 3%. Ald. Borgman inquired if the unions were asked to reopen their contracts. The Mayor stated bargaining units could not come to an agreement. He noted that Muskego employees received less of a cost of living increase with the 2009 - 2010 agreements compared to surrounding municipalities that saw 2.5% to 3% increases. He does not believe the City can effectively negotiate with the bargaining units until 2011. Mayor Johnson stated his goal is to make prudent financial decisions this year that will benefit the City’s budgets in the next few years. That is why he does not support furloughs. They are one-time fixes that only put you behind next year. The Mayor asked if anyone in the audience wanted to speak.  Public Works Superintendent Delikat proposed that his group take a cut for the next few years in order to retain the secretarial position for his department.  DPW Secretary Zaremba also noted that she offered a portion of her salary back to the City so the position would not be eliminated. The Mayor stated the position is paid for by Operating, Refuse & Recycling and Utility funds. He told the employee she is represented by the union; she should discuss her proposal with her union representative.  DPW Worker Marv Palubicki stated people are willing to make concessions and sacrifices over the next several years to help the City out. Would the City be willing to sign something that would increase wages in the future if concessions Committee of the Whole Page 3 October 8, 2009 were made now? He believes with the budget being as difficult as it is, a meeting should have been held with all the employees. The Mayor commented that he did not hear anything official from any of the bargaining units. During negotiations, the unions were well aware that in all likelihood, positions were going to be cut. Ald. Borgman commented that the position cuts are due to budget constraints and are not a reflection of the individual employees.  Ald. Snead stated the City is in this position today because of decisions made in the past. Her first year on the Council, there was a zero levy increase. 2010 Proposed Capital Budget Mayor Johnson stated there were still two capital budget items to be discussed: Agenda Management Software and a Replacement Pumper for the Fire Department. Agenda Management Software $20,000 Clerk-Treasurer Janice Moyer was present and stated the following regarding the proposed agenda software:  it will help manage the workflow related to the agenda.  it will help organize the documents received from various departments to create the Council packet.  it will allow public access on the web to the entire meeting packet.  it will allow packets to be archived for future reference.  it will eliminate the duplicate copying of material.  the cost of the software should eventually be recouped in staff time.  the software could eventually be used for all City meetings. Mayor Johnson stated the software purchase is the first step in going paperless. Ms. Moyer noted that it would be beneficial if staff could become familiar with the software prior to going completely paperless. A paper packet would still be created until a decision was made regarding hardware. Several aldermen suggested that the implementation of going paperless be phased in over a period of several years. Consensus Regarding Request: Approved. Replacement Pumper $460,000 Fire Chief Wojnowski was not present. The consensus was to invite the Chief to the 10/13/2009 COW meeting to discuss the proposed purchase. Mayor Johnson stated he wants the Chief to discuss the department’s long-term plans for future equipment purchases. 2010 Special Revenue Budget Park Dedication - Kurth Park Project Ms. Mueller noted that Director informed her that at the last Parks & Recreation Board meeting, there was a $12,000 reduction for the Kurth Park project. 2010 Proposed Operating Budget (Continued) The Mayor stated that final discussion and determination had to be made regarding the 2010 operating budget. He supports putting 20 hours/week back in for the Clerk Committee of the Whole Page 4 October 8, 2009 Secretary position versus eliminating it all together. If the position is eliminated, it has been proposed that the Floating Secretary would be assigned to the Clerk-Treasurer Department for a majority of the time. If the Clerk Secretary worked 20 hours, this would allow the Floating Secretary to be available to work in other departments. Ms. Mueller stated the cost would be $23,300. Ald. Borgman stated he supports retaining the Plan/GIS Intern position primarily to support the Phoenix system. The Mayor stated that would be his second recommendation. The consensus of the Council was not to increase the tax levy beyond the 2.67%. Ald. Werner left the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Regarding putting in 20 hours/week for the Clerk Secretary position, Ald. Snead, Schneider and Schaumberg expressed their support. The Mayor stated the final determination would have to be made at the October 13 meeting. 2. Review Water and Sewer Budgets Ms. Mueller stated that no rate increases are proposed for either utility. She reviewed the proposed Sewer Utility Budget first. The loss indicated on the Statement of Income and Expense is attributed to the increase in MMSD charges, which is out of the City’s control. The majority of budget revenues are generated by user fees. A 2% increase went into effect in 2009. She noted that the Rain Gauges and Flow Monitors would be financed primarily by MMSD reimbursements. Ms. Mueller reviewed the proposed Water Utility Budget next. The utility will recognize a $521,000 loss. She stated a simplified rate increase would most likely be requested in 2011, which could result in a 2% to 3% increase. The proposed increase is regulated by the Public Service Commission. Mayor Johnson reiterated that the next Committee of the Whole meeting would be held on October 13. It is anticipated that the Committee would adjourn to hold the Common Council meeting and then reconvene the COW meeting afterwards to finalize the remaining 2010 budget issues. ADJOURNMENT Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 8:27 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler; motion carried. Minutes transcribed by Deputy Clerk Jill Blenski