TIME: 6:30
p.m.
MEMBERS
ABSENT: Orr
NON-MEMBERS
PRESENT: Mayor Strong, Chief Metta, Water/Sewer Superintendent Ken Jeffries, Finance Supervisor Robin Theobald, City Administrator Rob Nelis, Executive Secretary Puracchio, Reporter Eric Fisher
DISCUSSION: Meeting Opening
ACTION: Discussions of the Budget was opened up at 5:32 PM
DISCUSSION: Introduction
ACTION: Nelis explained that on July 5th the budget changes will be
listed and on July 19th the Appropriations Ordinance will be passed
with an added 25% along with a list of revenues.
DISCUSSION: Review
of Funds
ACTION: Nelis
stated that so far the Council has decided to put the Dispatch Center back into
the budget and hire seasonal and part-time help for the Public Works
Department.
Bond Issue. Alderman Mietzner had a list of questions and
clarifications. The first being the refinancing of bonds. Nelis explained that the
bond the City is currently holding would be refinanced and extended for 20
years. This would create a cash value
of $1.4 million which would be used for the capping of the landfill,
development of water and sewer to Lorenzo Road and a footbridge over the Mill
Race. Right now the Bond rate is
between 2.25 and 2.62 %. The next two
years the City would pay the regular rate and then the interest would be
incorporated into the new bond. Alderman Plese asked that Nelis look into
recalling bonds.
Park District Light Issue. Puracchio explained that in the past the
Baseball Association and the Church League had paid for the lights. During the switch-over last year this was
not done. Puracchio will notify the
Finance Department to bill the Baseball Association and the Church League this
year.
Insurance Plan. Nelis felt this would be an issue that
needed lengthy discussion at a later date.
Police
Computers. TruTech out of
Diamond holds the maintenance agreement on all computer systems at the
Department. The grant covers 7 complete
car packages. At the present 4 cars
have no computers and 3 need repairs, when new computers come in existing ones
will cover these issues.
Licenses. Theobald handed out a spread sheet of City
licenses. Alderman Johnston stated that
license fees have not been raised since the 70’s. Alderman Hoppe volunteered to compare what other comparable
Cities are charging. The Council discussed increasing the rate but feels this
has to be justifiable and would be a good idea to involve the affected business
owners.
Water Meters. Superintendent Jeffries explained that
approximately 125 homes have not changed to the new meter system. At the next Water, Sewer, Streets and Alleys
meeting a charge will be discussed on homeowners that still have the old
meters. The Council also wants to see the City request the State to increase
our water intake from the River. Mayor
Strong stated that the engineers were working on this process. A $15,000 study has to be made to before the
State considers this. Nelis said there was $12,500 in the MEF fund that could
be used and the Water Fund was $8,000 in the black so if need be the City would
have access to the funds.
Police Cars. The Council discussed the benefits of Police
taking home their cars. It served as a deterrent to crime in the area, and
studies have shown that the car’s have longer longevity when it has one owner.
Police Pension. Only holiday, vacation and straight salary
are included in this – no overtime.
IMRF Rate. The Council decided to take the lower rate of
3.1% this year and will revisit it next year.
DISCUSSION: Executive
Session
ACTION: A Motion was made by Alderman Johnston and seconded by Alderman Gilmour to go into Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.
Motion to come out of Executive Session at 7:10 p.m. All yes. Motion passed. Discussed salary, compensation and insurance issues on certain personnel. No action taken.
Nelis explained that the Council will vote on the budget at the next Council meeting.
DISCUSSION: Adjournment
ACTION: The meeting ended at 6:50.