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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE -Minutes 20120925 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (COW) – CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved 10/9/12 MINUTES OF MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Ald. Madden, Schaumberg, Soltysiak, Glazier (arrived shortly after the meeting was called to order), Borgman, Harenda and Wolfe, Director of Finance and Administration Mueller, and Deputy Clerk Blenski. All the Department Heads were present during the course of the meeting as well as Public Utilities Superintendent Kloskowski. Police Captain La Tour was present for Chief Geiszler. There were no issues with the agenda. Mayor Chiaverotti stated there was a lot to accomplish. The levy and tax rate must be determined this evening. Discussion on the operating budget continued. Parade Funding The Mayor stated that the Parade Chairman Chuck Azzolina was present if there were any questions. Taking a straw poll was suggested to determine if there was interest in contributing toward the parade. How it would be funded could be determined later. Straw Poll: 6 in favor and Ald. Harenda opposed. Senior Taxi Funding Dan Henry, Jim Nichols, Bill Schneider, and Glenda Holms were present on behalf of the Muskego Senior Taxi. Ald. Soltysiak stated that the City initially gave the senior taxi funds to get the service started. However, the City has been giving the taxi service $5,000 annually. He believes there are other organizations in the City that would appreciate the same consideration. Ald. Soltysiak would like a certain amount of money budgeted for community organizations that request assistance. Waukesha County has a similar program. Criteria would have to be developed to determine how the money would be allocated. He believes this would make things more equitable. However, the City may decide not to fund any community organizations in the future. The Mayor asked the other Council members for their input regarding Ald. Soltysiak’s suggestion.  Ald. Borgman – It will become a matter of giving to all or nothing. The City does not have enough money to give to everything.  Ald. Schaumberg – No changes should be made for 2013. Discuss at a future COW meeting; don’t make changes until next year.  Ald. Harenda – He believes more fundraising needs to be done by the organizations. Mr. Nichols – The service now has three vehicles to meet the demands of the community. They provide over 450 rides per month. Muskego Regency does provide assistance. All the drivers are volunteers. The Board members are also volunteers and all have full time jobs with the exception of one person. Fundraising involves time and effort. The Muskego Regency assisted with fundraising for the taxi service for several years. They volunteered their paid staff for the event. Unfortunately, the Regency has discontinued the fundraising efforts, which has left Committee of the Whole Page 2 September 25, 2012 the taxi service in financial need. Mr. Nichols stated that Muskego’s taxi service is the only one in Waukesha County that will leave the city limits.  Ald. Glazier – He believes the Council can make judgments regarding these requests. Because the City gives to one organization does not mean that we have to automatically give to everyone. Agrees with Ald. Schaumberg’s point.  Ald. Wolfe – Will need to develop criteria if money is budgeted for community organizations. He does not object to supporting the senior taxi service. Currently the City is funding three entities. Should only those three receive financial assistance from the City?  Ald. Madden – Supports the senior taxi because it helps people in the community. Discussion about a potential pool of money should be held at another time.  Ald. Soltysiak stated he supports funding for the senior taxi service. However, the City has used random sources of funding. He believes if the City continues to fund the taxi service, money needs to be in the operating budget.  Mayor – there are too many questions regarding budgeting a pool of money. That discussion needs to take place at a special COW meeting. Tonight the focus should be on budgeting financial assistance for the parade, senior taxi and Jammin’ on Janesville. Straw Poll: 6 in favor of $5,000 and Ald. Harenda opposed. Jammin’ on Janesville – Chamber of Commerce The Mayor stated representatives were present, including the Director Tina Weiss. The Chamber is requesting $19,000 for the third year of Jammin’ on Janesville. Ms. Weiss clarified that the City contribution covers half the marketing costs. She noted that over half of the guests said they have patronized the participating businesses because of Jammin’. The businesses responded that 84% felt that the event was worth their time and effort. Over half the businesses indicated that they have generated customers because of Jammin. Ms. Weiss stated that following 2013, she believes the event will morph into something else. She is optimistic that the Chamber would be able to obtain a sufficient number of businesses to sponsor the event. Director Weiss stated the mission of Jammin’ on Janesville was to showcase the City and all its businesses. Ald. Soltysiak stated he has not seen sufficient data to show what impact the event had on the businesses. The City should see a return on its investment. Ald. Glazier stated the City is funding a considerable portion of the budget for the event. What does the City get for the $19,000? He does not believe if the Jammin’ events had not taken place, any of the businesses would have gone out of business. The amount requested from the Chamber is a substantial percentage of the event budget. He is not sure that is equitable compared to the $5,000 that the senior taxi requested. Straw Poll: Ald. Madden Yes, $10,000 - $12,000 Ald. Glazier No at current level $2,500 - $5,000 Ald. Wolfe Yes, $14,000 Committee of the Whole Page 3 September 25, 2012 Ald. Soltysiak Yes, $10,000 Ald. Harenda Yes, $2,500 Ald. Schaumberg Yes, $10,000 Ald. Borgman Yes, $19,000. This was a three-year commitment. The Mayor stated that as of now the money would come from TIF Residual Funds. She suggested that the final dollar amount and funding source be discussed at the next COW meeting. Acres of Hope and Aspirations Charitable Foundation, Inc. Lisa appeared on behalf of the foundation. She would be happy to give the Council members a tour and would be grateful for any support. Volunteer Fire Department Jeff Verburgt was present on behalf of the Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department. Ald. Harenda expressed concerns about the money budgeted in contingency as well as the amount of insurance. The Mayor stated that the contract the City has with the fire department requires $2 million in liability. Mr. Verburgt stated the department has a $4 million policy with a $10 million aggregate limit. He stated the department has a $2 million contractual liability to the City and the department’s assets exceed $2 million. That is the reason for the $4 million policy. Mr. Verburgt stated the $1,400 increase for insurance reflected in the 2013 budget is simply a rate increase. He noted that the overall 2013 budget was reduced by $3,000. Ald. Harenda would like the amount budgeted for contingency to be placed in the City’s account. Mr. Verburgt stated that prior administrations determined that contingency funds should be placed in the fire department budget. Two years ago, the fire department did have an issue; the funds in contingency were used and the department did not have to come to the City. If there is a surplus, the department reduces its operating budget for the next year. Ald. Madden stated what benefit will this change accomplish? Ald. Harenda believes the money is budgeted for, and if not used does not come back to the City. It was determined that a straw poll would be taken on the total amount of the 2013 fire department budget ($440,000), which includes the $10,000 for contingency. Straw Poll: 6 in favor and Ald. Harenda opposed. Budget Updates and Proposed Appropriations Ms. Mueller reviewed the budget updates (attached). The net total savings to the budget is $121,983. She stated the Mayor recommends placing the money in contingency. Ald. Soltysiak suggested increasing the 2013 budget by $50,000 to fully fund the new position for 2014. The following appropriations were discussed: Parks & Recreation – Additional Labor Costs $ 5,000 Wage Increases $85,000 (COLA-1% and Merit-Average 1.5%) Contingency $30,000 Committee of the Whole Page 4 September 25, 2012 The Mayor stated the amount in contingency could be revisited once the final transportation amount is received from the state. An earlier start date for the new position could also be discussed at that time. The net tax levy will remain as proposed, which reflects a 0.591% increase. Straw Poll: 7 in favor. Special Revenue – Park Dedication Fund There is approximately $120,000 savings from Park Arthur. It is proposed that $49,050 of the savings be used for making improvements to Idle Isle. Those include expanding the Idle Isle parking lot (increase of 20 spaces), improving the existing pathways, new entrance sign, removing the sailboat lift, dumpster enclosures. Expansion of the beach area and boat rinse station will be researched for 2014. Proposal is to reduce Park Arthur by $120,000 and increase Idle Isle by $49,050 in the Special Revenue – Park Dedication Fund. Straw Poll: 7 in favor. Proposed 2013 Water Utility Budget Ms. Mueller reviewed the proposed budget. All the fund balances are adequate to cover costs with the exception of the Operation and Maintenance Fund. A simplified rate increase may have to be reviewed in 2014. Proposed 2013 Sewer Utility Budget Ms. Mueller reviewed the proposed budget. The utility is doing extremely well. All funds have remained stable. The rising MMSD capital charges have to be monitored. Open Meeting Issue Mayor Chiaverotti distributed correspondence from City Attorney Eric Larson. Disclaimer should be included in e-mails. Budget Public Hearing The Mayor noted that the public hearing was scheduled for Monday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Ald. Borgman moved to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Soltysiak, motion carried. Jill Blenski, CMC Deputy Clerk