HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 04/24/1995 - City Council COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE WHOLE
April 24 , 1995
Alderman Locke called to order a Committee Meeting of the
Whole on April 26, 1995 at 7 : 38 P.M. At roll call the following
Aldermen were present : Bolger, Locke, Bates, Baird. Alderman
Lawson arrived at 7 : 38 P.M. Absent : None . City Staff in
attendance were : City Administrator Peterson, City Clerk Althoff,
Director of Public Works Batt, Director of Parks and Recreation
Merkel, Police Chief Joyce . Absent : Director of Building and
Zoning Lobaito.
Several city employees were in attendance.
He stated that as the Finance Committee Chairperson he had asked
for a committee meeting of the whole to address the 1995-96
unresolved budget items . He also requested that two items be
revisted; sick time accumulation by department heads and longevity.
Discussion ensued regarding the sick leave policy of department
heads . As they are a Mayoral appointment for terms of one year, it
was suggested they be exempt from the accumulation of 12 years of
service to allow for the accumulation of sick leave and the
entitlement to receive cash payments for one-half of their
accumulated sick leave not to exceed 100 days . No action was
taken.
Discussion continued regarding the payment of sick days after the
accumulation of forty or more days and the entitlement to receive
cash compensation for one-half of the accumulated sick leave,
provided separation of employment results from the employee' s
retirement, resignation with notice, release due to elimination of
position or lack of work, or death.
Motion by Bolger, seconded by Lawson, to allow the current
personnel policy, Section 26 . 5, Payment for Unused Days, to include
death as a separation of employment allowing for the cash
compensation of one-half of the accumulated sick leave, if the
employee' s accumulated sick leave totals a minimum of 40 days .
Voting Aye : Bolger, Locke, Lawson, Baird
Voting Nay: Bates
Absent : None
Motion carries .
Discussion regarding the elimination of longevity and it' s
replacement with a merit system followed. Alderman Locke suggested
that the elimination of longevity should be through attrition and
the longevity of all existing employees be grandfathered. Mayor
Cuda opened the floor to employee input . City Administrator
Peterson noted that cost of living raises (CPI) will also still be
contemplated at review time in conjunction with the merit system.
Mayor Cuda thanked the employees for their input, however it was
the council' s decision to eliminate longevity as previously
presented.
Discussion regarding the 1995-96 unresolved budget items continued.
PERSONNEL --- Discussion regarding the City Treasurer' s position
and whether this position should be an elected or appointed one .
The City Attorney provided written documentation that the city, by
ordinance, can make the position an appointment . Council consensus
was to make the position an appointed one, however it was
recommended that the current city treasurer, Lillian Cairns, be
invited to attend a regularly scheduled council meeting in June to
discuss this issue further.
April 24, 1995 Page 2
OPERATIONAL ISSUES ---
Economic Development. Discussion regarding the budgeting of
$10, 000 for economic development materials, printing, advertising,
etc . ensued. It was council' s determination to budget $10, 000 for
this line item with the foreknowledge that additional expenditures
may come before council for approval .
Beautification. $15, 000 was budgeted for Beautification of the
downtown areas . A lengthy discussion regarding the need to
"revitalize" the downtown areas, ie : Riverside Drive, Green Street,
and Main Street followed. It was decided that budgeting $10, 000
for the improvement of Neumann Park was at this time, excessive .
Staff was directed, however, to pursue the pedestrian accessway
from Green Street to Court Street and get cost figures for
decorative street lamps, etc . Staff was also directed to contact
the Beautification Committee for assistance with decorative
planters, etc . along the three downtown area streets .
Newsletter. Council agreed to $14, 000 for the publication of a
newsletter 3X/year to improve communication between the city
council and city residents.
Alarm Box System vs. Pay Telephones. Staff investigated the costs
of installing an alarm box system instead of pay telephones in the
City parks as per the finance committees direction. Results
indicated no real savings as the city would initially be required
to purchase the alarm box equipment . Council agreed to leave the
pay telephones at the following locations, incurring the cost and
maintenance, because of safety concerns :
Peterson, Knox, and Veterans. The pay telephones can be removed
from the Riverside Drive park because of it' s proximity to the
downtown area and Lakeland Park Community Center. Now that the
City owns the Lakeland Park Center the pay phone can be replaced
with a city centrex line .
Forestry Account. In light of our recent Tree USA designation and
the reporting requirements to maintain our membership City
Administrator Peterson recommended budgeting $15, 000 in a newly
created Streets Division account entitled "Forestry" . The creation
of this account would assist the staff in tracking and reporting
funding criteria for the Tree USA reports . These funds would also
be utilized to begin a tree farm on the recently purchased Edna Mae
Johnson property. Design planning could also provide screening
along the Green Valley subdivision. Some discussion followed
regarding the number and size of trees to be purchased. Council
agreed to an initial purchase of 350 varying sized trees .
Mowing Contract. City Administrator Peterson noted that the mowing
contract bid and subsequent award came in substantially lower than
budget figures reflected. It was staff' s recommendation to reduce
the $150, 000 amount to $100, 000 as bed maintenance, tree trimming
and other areas of maintenance still need to be addressed. After
much discussion council agreed to budget $85, 000 for this line item
with the understanding that if staff felt additional monies needed
to be spent for maintenance they could bring this issue back before
council .
Knox Barn Painting. Staff recommended this item be addressed
through the bid process . Discussion followed regarding the long
term plans for this property and the Maas Barn Property. Mayor
Cuda directed Staff to seek estimates on renovation costs to the
Maas Barn and stated he will work with Director of Parks and
Recreation to determine the circumstances under which the Knox Barn
was last painted as it involved donated paint and labor.
April 24, 1995 Page 3
Lakeland Park Drainacre Ditch. City Administrator Peterson
recommended $100, 000 for the cleanup of the Lakeland Park drainage
ditch. He stated that this amount should be considered as a
commitment to addressing the flooding problems rather than a
project . Recommendations from staff and the City Engineer on
approaches to correct the problem will be forthcoming. A lengthy
discussion ensued. Council agreed to budget $200, 000 for
engineering and the initial stage of construction for the Lakeland
Park drainage ditch correction. Council also agreed to discuss
�— this issue further at the June workshop meeting.
Municipal Building Noise/2nd Floor. City Administrator Peterson
explained that a bothersome noise exists on the second floor of the
Municipal Center with appears to come from the heating and air
conditioning system. Discussion followed regarding the
responsibility of the architect, general contractor and/or the
installers. Director of Public Works Batt stated that an
independent contractor had inspected the system and recommended a
6-step procedure to correct the problem. An estimated $30, 000
would complete the entire process on one of four units . Batt noted
that all 6 steps may prove unnecessary if correction occurs before
reaching step 6 . Council agreed to budget $30, 000 for this
project .
The meeting was recessed at 10 :45 PM with Wednesday, April 26, 1995
after the regularly scheduled council meeting being set for
reconvening.
Pamela J. thoff, Clerk
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