FM20051108
FINANCE COMMITTEE - CITY OF MUSKEGO Approved as Corrected
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2005
(Audio Recording is Available)
The meeting was called to order at 5:04 PM by Mayor Damaske with Committee
Members Melcher, Madden and Salentine present along with City Administrator
Sheiffer, Clerk-Treasurer Moyer, Deputy Clerk Blenski and those per the attached
sheet. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Mayor stated the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Salentine moved to approve minutes of the meeting held October 25, 2005. Ald.
Melcher seconded; motion carried.
PERIODIC LICENSE REVIEW
As a condition of the Operator’s License issued to Katie Schell, a periodic review was
done. The report submitted by the Police Department did not reveal any new issues.
NEW BUSINESS
Approve Expenditure of up to $1,900 for Holz Island Shoreline Restoration
Ald. Salentine move to approve expenditure of $1,900 from Conservation funds for
engineering and design work for shoreline restoration on Holz Island. Ald. Madden
seconded; motion carried.
Recommend Approval of Lease Agreement with the Chamber of Commerce
Ald. Melcher asked why the rent was proposed to double. Mayor Damaske responded
that it was an administrative decision. There has been no rent increase in the last four
or five years. Ald. Melcher said rental property is generally increased by 5% or 10%.
Ald. Salentine agreed that doubling the rent was steep. She recommended an amount
that was fair for the 2006 lease taking into consideration that there has not been an
increase in five years. She suggested putting language in the lease that would provide
an annual increase of 10%. Ald. Madden agreed that doubling the rent was excessive.
She recommends a 5% increase for each of the past five years. For future years, the
City should discuss the issue with the Chamber. Mr. Rick Petfalski, President of the
Chamber of Commerce, was present. He agreed that an increase was called for.
However, an increase all at once will be difficult for the Chamber; the 2006 budget has
already been approved. Ald. Madden recommends a 5% increase for future years.
Discussion ensued regarding the Termination language. Ald. Salentine stated the
existing language only provides for termination by the Chamber. She suggests
language being included to allow the City to terminate the lease. The Chamber
requested at least a 90-day notification but prefers six months. Ald. Salentine moved to
recommend the following: 1.) to increase the 2006 lease payment to $175/month; 2.) to
add language that upon renewal, the lease will have a 5% escalator clause and 3.) to
amend the termination language to include that the City will give the Chamber 90 days
notification. Ald. Madden seconded; motion carried.
Finance Committee Minutes Page 2
November 8, 2005
Recommendation for Refilling Customer Service/Specialty Service Clerk Position
and Entering into a Service Agreement for Ambulance Billing Service
City Administrator Sheiffer stated she and Clerk-Treasurer Moyer have been working
together to come to a conclusion to this matter. The issue is twofold. The first part
deals with filling the duties performed by the Customer Service/Specialty Clerk position.
The recommendation is to fill the position using two part-time employees. The cost
variable will depend on whether or not insurance benefits are taken, which would be
available on a prorated basis. The total wage and benefit cost if both individuals
choose a family health plan is $41,044 for 2006. That amount would be reduced by
about $14,000 if insurance is not taken. The positions would be filled at the starting
rate of pay (2005 rate - $9.34). The position description has also been changed and
was provided to the Committee. It is believed that two part-time employees will provide
better coverage. The employee will be assigned to the Clerk-Treasurer Department but
work could possibly “float” to the position.
The second part of the issue is the proposal to enter into an agreement for ambulance
billing. Three proposals were received. The recommendation is to contract with
National EMS Billing, Inc. Four major factors were considered:
Cost
Collection rate
Hours for Customer Contact
Municipal Experience
All of the ambulance billing related activities (revenues and expenditures) will be part of
the special revenue account for 2006. A total of $20,000 has been estimated for 2006
for outside service. It is anticipated that the City may be able to keep more of the
revenues. Ms. Sheiffer stated that the City will pay 7% of net collected receipts. The
fee includes training EMS staff. Ald. Salentine moved to recommend refilling the
Customer Service/Specialty Service Clerk position with two part-time employees and to
recommend entering into a service agreement for ambulance billing with National EMS
Billing, Inc. Ald. Melcher seconded; motion carried.
VOUCHER APPROVAL
Ald. Salentine moved for approval of payment of General Vouchers in the amount of
$770,375.35 and Utility Vouchers in the amount of $322,457.47. Ald. Melcher
seconded; motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Mayor Damaske stated it is proposed to dispense with the Wednesday evening
Finance Committee meetings and only hold the Tuesday meetings prior to Common
Council. A special meeting could be held on Wednesday if one is necessary. The
Wednesday meetings will continue until December 7, 2005. The Tuesday only
meetings will begin with December 13, 2005 with a 6:00 PM start time. There will not
be a meeting on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 because of the holiday. There was a
consensus that the Committee would meet in the Muskego Room.
Finance Committee Minutes Page 3
November 8, 2005
LICENSE APPROVALS
Ald. Salentine moved to recommend approval of a Renewal Operator’s License for
Sylvia Andrews. Ald. Melcher seconded; motion carried.
Ald. Salentine moved to recommend approval of an Operator’s License for Pierro
Collura and Jill Stelmasewski subject to receipt of fees, favorable police report and
verification of course requirement. Ald. Madden seconded; motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Salentine moved to adjourn at 6:05 PM. Ald. Melcher seconded; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Blenski, CMC
Deputy Clerk