Minutes: Finance: December 2007

City of Evansville
Finance & Labor Relations Committee

Regular Meeting
Thursday, December 6, 2007, 5:00 pm
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Chair Tom Cothard.

II. Roll Call. Present: Chair Cothard and Alderpersons Mason Braunschweig and Diane Roberts (arrived at 5:07). Also present: Administrator Dan Wietecha, Mayor Sandy Decker, Municipal Judge Tom Alisankus, Court Clerk Donna Hall, and members of the public.

III. Approve Agenda. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard, to move the Agreement for Senior Services earlier in the agenda and to approve the agenda as revised. Motion approved unanimously.

IV. Minutes of November 8, 2007, Meeting. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard, to waive the reading of and to approve the minutes as presented. Motion approved unanimously.

V. Citizen Appearances. None.

VI. New Business: Senior Services Agreement. It was noted the payment under the Agreement includes a 3.0% increase. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard, to recommend to Common Council approval of the Agreement with Evelyn Cantrell for Coordination of Senior Service during the year 2008 for $21,218.00. Motion approved 2-0 on a roll call vote, with Roberts absent.

VII. Water and Light Bills. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to approve the Water and Light bills in the amount of $910,731.48 and authorize their payment. Motion approved 2-0 on a roll call vote, with Roberts absent.

VIII. City Bills. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to approve the City bills in the amount of $476,025.82 and authorize their payment. Motion approved 2-0 on a roll call vote, with Roberts absent.

IX. Unfinished Business:
a. Waste & Recycling Contract. Wietecha noted that concerns discussed at the last meeting have been negotiated into the contract and that the City Attorney has reviewed it. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to recommend to Common Council approval of the Contract with Veolia Solid Waste Midwest for Solid Waste and Recyclables Collection and Disposal for the years 2008 through 2010. Motion approved 2-0 on a roll call vote, with Roberts absent.

b. Municipal Court Salaries. Braunschweig said that the Municipal Judge is an elected position and held to a higher standard of public service than a routine employee. Alisankus noted it is an issue of principle, not of money, and this was the first time in seventeen years a raise had been questioned. The consensus of the Committee was that for the Common Council to provide a raise for the Municipal Judge during 2008. Alisankus indicated that the Court Clerk is appointed by the Judge and historically has been a difficult position to fill. He also said that the duties and hours worked by the Clerk are significant. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to approve a 4.0% increase in the Court Clerk’s salary during 2008.

c. Post Office Property. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard, to recommend to Common Council approval of the purchase of Section 27, Town 4 North, Range 10 East, Original Plat, Part of the Southwest ¼ Section 27-4-10, Part Lots 1 and 2, Block 8, commencing 132’ South of the Northwest corner, East 115.5’, South 66’, West 115.5’ North to point of beginning for $200,000. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

d. Union Contracts. Wietecha noted that the contracts are in negotiations.

X. New Business:
a. EMS Bad Debt Write-off. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Braunschweig, to recommend to Common Council approval of write-off of bad debt for EMS service in the amount of $2,825.82 and to designate the parties of these 6 calls for tax intercept. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

b. Engagement Letter for 2007 Audit. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to recommend to Common Council approval of Engagement Letter with Johnson Block & Company, Inc. for audit of year ending December 31, 2007, for $22,100.00. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

c. Sandelbach Vacation. Wietecha noted that Mark Sandelbach has been undergoing on-the-job training for the Line Foreman position, limiting his opportunities to take vacation in December. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to permit carrying forward of accrued vacation time from 2007 to 2008 for Mark Sandelbach. Motion approved unanimously.

d. Sperry Vacation. Wietecha noted that due to short staffing, Todd Sperry has limited opportunities to take vacation in December. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to permit carrying forward of accrued vacation time from 2007 to 2008 for Todd Sperry. Motion approved unanimously.

e. Youth Center Agreement. Wietecha noted that he would be meeting with the YMCA about proposed changes in the agreement the next day. Cothard made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to recommend to Common Council approval of the Agreement with the YMCA of Northern Rock County for Operation of a Youth Program during the year 2008 for $34,556.00. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Cothard, to amend the motion that approval be contingent upon adequate negotiations by the City Administrator. Amendment approved unanimously. Motion, as amended, approved unanimously on a roll call vote.


f. Finance Director Position. Wietecha noted that December 14 is the scheduled deadline for applications for the Finance Director position. In event that the position cannot be filled from the applicants received, the position may be re-advertised after the holidays.

g. January Meeting Date. Wietecha noted that the next meeting date would be Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 5:30.

XI. Adjournment. Braunschweig made a motion, seconded by Roberts, to adjourn. Motion approve unanimously at 5:45.