FM20050222
FINANCE COMMITTEE - CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2005
The meeting was called to order at 7:17 PM by Mayor Slocomb with Committee
Members Salentine, Madden and Schroeder present along with Ald. Borgman, Melcher
and Patterson and Deputy Clerk Blenski. Those present recited the Pledge of
Allegiance. Ald. Buckmaster arrived at 7:24 PM. City Atty. Larson arrived during the
meeting.
Mayor Slocomb stated the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting
law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Salentine moved for approval of the minutes of the meeting held February 16,
2005. Ald. Schroeder seconded; motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Review of Request to Waive Park Dedication Fees - Ragus Property-Field Drive
This item was deferred at the 2/16/2005 meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Ragus and their son
were present. Mayor Slocomb stated the strip of land shown on the certified survey
map as being dedicated to the City is not for conservation purposes. It is for setbacks.
Ald. Salentine stated with this information, the Committee does not have the latitude to
waive the fees. Mr. Ragus said he was not selling the land. He is giving it to his son.
Mr. Ragus also said the delay in finalizing the land division was caused by the
surveyor. Mayor Slocomb said in order to accomplish the land division, the fees must
be paid. Research was done regarding waiving dedication fees or shifting them out to
be paid in the future. The City’s ordinance doesn’t allow for that.
Ald. Schroeder stated he and Ald. Madden had expressed concern about this exact
situation. He would like to put the issue on for discussion at the March Committee of
the Whole meeting. The Committee could determine if there are exceptions to the
ordinance in certain situations. The Mayor stated that Mr. and Mrs. Ragus could come
back and ask that their request be reconsidered if allowed with adoption of a new
ordinance. Ald. Schroeder wants them to be able to move forward. Ald. Salentine
moved to deny the request at this time. Ald. Schroeder seconded. Mr. Ragus said that
every situation is different. Ald. Schroeder said those issues would be discussed.
Motion carried. The Mayor was requested to have staff notify Mr. and Mrs. Ragus
when the item is on a future agenda.
Review and Recommend Approval of Business Credit Card Policy
This item was deferred at the 2/16/2005 meeting. Mayor Slocomb explained the three
options regarding issuance of business credit cards. Ald. Schroeder asked if any
Council member had a question regarding the Internal Auditing and Control page. Ald.
Buckmaster reiterated that if an administrator is hired, he wants the City’s policies to be
reviewed. He would like a designated compliance officer. Ald. Salentine agrees but
recommends waiting until a determination is made regarding the structure of the
Finance Department. Ald. Salentine moved to recommend the implementation of
Finance Committee Minutes Page 2
February 22, 2005
Option 2, which allows department heads a credit card limit of $3,000 and other
approved employees to have a credit card a limit of $1,000. Ald. Madden seconded.
Ald. Schroeder moved to change “Department Head” in the last sentence of the Internal
and Auditing Control page to “Finance Director.” Ald. Madden seconded. Ald. Melcher
questioned why the Finance Director would retain records of noncompliance and not
the department head who is responsible for evaluating the employee. Ald. Buckmaster
said this is a citywide policy. He wants a central authority who monitors compliance
and reports to the Finance Committee periodically. Ald. Schroeder noted that the
department head could keep whatever record necessary for evaluation purposes. Ald.
Patterson agrees there should be one central person to provide consistency. Motion to
amend the Internal and Auditing Control page carried. Ald. Schroeder stated he prefers
Option 3, which only allows credit cards to be issued to department heads. He is open
to a department head or the Mayor requesting a credit card for a specific employee. He
agrees that there probably are situations where the issuance of an additional card is
warranted. However, he does not want it to be wide open. Motion to recommend
Option 2, carried with Salentine and Madden voting “yes” and Schroeder voting “no.”
NEW BUSINESS
Review and Recommend Reapproval of Letter of Credit for Fireside Orchard
Mayor Slocomb stated that the Letter of Credit had to be reapproved because the
required deadline was missed. Ald. Salentine moved to recommend approval. Ald.
Schroeder seconded; motion carried.
Review and Recommend Approval of Lease Assignment and Modification
Agreement (Public Access to Big Muskego Lake)
Mayor Slocomb noted the agreement language has not been finalized. The language
has to be worked out between the two lessors. The Mayor stated that the term of the
lease and payment amount remain the same. Ald. Salentine moved to recommend
approval. Ald. Madden seconded; motion carried.
Denial of Request for Reimbursement - Lake Brittany (Weed Control)
Ald. Salentine moved to deny the request. Ald. Schroeder seconded; motion carried.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Ald. Salentine moved for approval of payment of General Vouchers in the amount of
$1,226,875.70, Tax Checks in the amount of $375,570.50 and Utility Vouchers in the
amount of $335,846.31. Ald. Schroeder seconded; motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Salentine moved to adjourn at 7:55 PM. Ald. Madden seconded; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk