COMMITTEE:            Finance and Land Acquisition Committee

 

DATE:                        April 18, 2006

 

TIME:                        6:30 p.m.

 

MEMBERS

PRESENT:                 Plese, Gilmour, Mietzner, Strong, Hoppe, Hermes, Johnston, Orr           

 

ABSENT:                                          

 

NON-MEMBERS

PRESENT:                 City Administrator John McIntyre, Accounting Supervisor Robin Theobald, Executive Secretary Sheryl Puracchio, Reporter Monson, City Attorney Eric Hanson, Park District Representatives Charlie Friddle, Randy Hill, Fred Reardon

 

DISCUSSION:            Open Meeting

 

ACTION:                   Alderman Plese opened the meeting at 6:32 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION:            Approval of Financial Reports

 

ACTION:                   Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to approve the March Collector’s Report in the amount of $192,663.09 and the March Payables in the amount of $140,703.19.  All yes. Motion passed.

 

DISCUSSION:            Update on Budget

 

ACTION:                   Theobald stated the preliminary budget will be ready for Council review shortly. The equalized assessed value continues to rise which will represent a tax decrease of 8 cents per 100.  This year the City requested more money in this year’s tax levy and received an increase of over $46,000.

 

DISCUSSION:            Miscellaneous

 

ACTION:                   Catfish Days – Orr stated that the Committee will be requesting $3,000 for the laser show.  This has been budgeted for.

 

                                    Downtown Business Merchants – Orr relayed that the merchants contributed $2,700 to pay for a billboard on I-55 on the west side by Murphy Road.  Orr asked if the Council would be willing to make a $700 commitment towards the sign.  He said the money would come from the economic development money collected from business licenses.

 

                                    Alderman Orr made a motion and Alderman Johnston seconded to contribute $700 for one year towards the Downtown Business Merchants sign.  All yes.  Motion passed.

 

                                    Park District – Park officials expressed their concerns over the park impact fees.  They were wondering what happened with prior discussions about increasing the fee to $900?  The Park officials were reminded that it was up to them to provide a study that validates the fee.  The City would be happy to implement a fee increase by cannot do so unless there is a study that corroborates it.  The Park officials stated they will provide a study to the City and Orr will work with the district.

 

                                    Friddle asked about the mowing.  The Committee told him to proceed with the mowing until the City budget was decided upon.

                                   

DISCUSSION:            Adjourn

 

ACTION:                   Alderman Hermes made a motion and Alderman Johnston seconded to adjourn at 7:07 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.