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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20030625minutesCITY OF JEFFERSON FINANCE COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2003 MINUTES OFFICIALS STAFF John Landwehr, Mayor Rich Mays, City Administrator Clyde Angle, Councilman Steve Schlueter, Director of Finance Cliff Olsen, Councilman Roger Schroeder, Chief of Police Roy Viessman, Councilman Lt. Mike Smith Bob Weber, Councilman Sgt. Dave Williams Ken Ferguson, Councilman Sgt. Mike Dean Dick Groner, Councilman Sgt. Doug Shoemaker Finance Committee Chairman Clyde Angle called the meeting to order at 5:46 P.M. The first item on the agenda was the motion to approve the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting of May 27, 2003. The motion was made by Councilman Olsen and seconded by Councilman Viessman. The motion was unanimously approved 6 to 0. Councilman Angle announced that he would be changing the order of the agenda items. The first item discussed was the FY 2004 Budget Process and Time Line. Finance Director Steve Schlueter was asked to briefly review the process and some of the key dates associated with the budget process. Mr. Schlueter stressed that the Council will have to decide prior to the end of August the Property Tax Rates for 2003. The Finance Director is statutorily obligated to certify the City’s Property Tax Rates by September 1 of each year to both the Cole County and Callaway County Clerks. Additional discussion followed. The next item on the agenda for discussion is the appointment of a sub-committee, appointed by the Finance Committee Chairman, to review the status of the employee health insurance subsidy benefit. Appointed to the sub-committee are Councilmen Angle, Olsen and Ferguson and Finance Director Steve Schlueter. The committee is to report back to the Finance Committee any recommendations for inclusion in the FY 2004 budget. The next agenda item discussed was the status of the City’s Accounts Receivables as it pertained to Parking Tickets and Municipal Court traffic violations. The delinquencies associated with these receivables is addressed in part by H.B. 327 which expands on the City’s current ability to use the County Collector’s Property Tax billing process to add all traffic related delinquencies. The City will provide the County Collector a list of all parking tickets and traffic ticket delinquent amounts currently owed to the City and the County Collector will add that amount on the Property Tax billing. Those amounts will then be remitted to the City. There were several follow-up questions regarding the process. The next agenda item discussed was a Salary Survey update by Rich Mays. Mr. Mays stated that Condrey and Associates will present their report to the City Council at a Finance Committee meeting scheduled for July 24 at 5:30th P.M. The next agenda item discussed was an update on the proposed Firing Range project. Mr. Mays discussed the agreement the City has with the State regarding the City’s access to the range currently being constructed by the State. The City is contributing approximately $10,000 to the State project and the City will be able to access the firing range. Some additional discussion ensued. An update on the retirement benefit enhancement proposals currently being considered by the Firemen’s Retirement Board was next on the agenda. Mr. Schlueter stated that the Firemen’s Board is considering five proposals designed to enhance the retirement benefits of the current firemen. These proposals will be reviewed at their next board meeting scheduled for July 2, 2003. The board will decide on the preferred proposal along with funding alternatives, and will present their entire proposal at an upcoming Finance Committee meeting, perhaps the scheduled July 24, 2003 Finance Committee meeting. There was some discussion about including all new firemen in the LAGERS program and phasing out the current plan once there are no more survivors or beneficiaries. Mr. Schlueter stated that these are some additional considerations currently being reviewed by the board. The next agenda item discussed was the proposed Jefferson City Police Department Command Center. Chief Roger Schroeder made a few opening remarks about the research to date on the desirable vehicle to fit a multitude of requirements. Chief Schroeder then turned the floor over to Lt. Smith and Sgts. Dean, Williams and Shoemaker to review specific requirements and the considerable specifications required of a multi-faceted vehicle. Lt. Smith discussed a number of different vehicles utilized by various officers in other locations and their research included some of the unique features. Lt. Smith also stated that they were not aware of any other alternative fund sources and that the Homeland Security Funds being appropriated by the Federal Government would not reach the City for this type of expenditure. Lt. Smith estimated the price range for their desired command center vehicle is $150,000 - $176,000. The floor was opened up for questions and Councilman Groner asked about the product liability issues and the City’s exposure versus the insurance requirements. After additional discussion Councilman Roy Viessman made a motion, seconded by Council Ken Ferguson, to do as Mr. Mays suggested and that is to direct staff to prepare the appropriate specifications consistent with the information provided by Lt. Smith and solicit bids for City Council consideration. The motion was approved unanimously by a vote of 6 to 0. The next item on the agenda was an appearance by Mr. Brian Norman representing the Lewis & Clark Task Force. Mr. Norman gave a brief overview of some of the planned activities for 2003 and 2004 in conjunction with the Bi- Centennial celebration. Mr. Norman asked the City for a $5,000 contribution in 2003 and a $10,000 contribution in 2004. Councilman Viessman made a motion to approve the request as submitted and was seconded by Councilman Groner. Councilman Olsen made a motion amending Councilman Viessman’s motion by requesting the Council approve a $15,000 contribution from the FY 2003 budget, non-departmental, covering current and future activities. Councilman Viessman seconded Councilman Olsen’s motion. Councilman Groner then withdrew his second on C o u n ci l m an Vies sman’s m o t i o n . Th e C o u n ci l appro v ed the am en d m en t 6 t o 0 an d then ap p roved t h e new m o t i o n by 6 to 0. Other Business - Councilman Olsen referenced the letter from Mayor Landwehr to the Kansas City District, Corps of Engineers, which Mr. Mays distributed, where upon he made a motion to send the letter to the Corps of Engineers to negotiate an agreement expressing the City’s intent to participate in a Feasibility Cost Sharing agreement for the Wears C reek Basin. The m o t i o n was s eco n d ed by C o u n ci l m an Vies sman an d was appro v ed unanimous l y. The second item under Other Business was brought up by Councilman Angle wherein he referenced the City’s 2002 audit report recently presented by Evers & Company. Councilman Angle wanted to commend the Finance Department on receiving an exceptional audit. Mr. Mays asked Mr. Schlueter to take back to his staff the Council’s feeling on a job well done. There being no further business, Councilman Olsen made a motion to adjourn and was seconded by Councilman Viessman. Adjournment took place at 7:57 P.M.