MINUTES

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 8, 2008
City Hall, Room 604

5:30 P.M.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Chairman John VanderLeest, Ald. Tony Theisen, Ald. Steven Deneys, and Ald. Tom Weber

 

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Doug Daul, Bill Landvatter, Ald. Tom DeWane

 

1.  Roll Call.  

 

The Finance Committee meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.; all members were present. 

 

2.  Approval of the Agenda.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Theisen, seconded by Ald. Deneys, and carried to approve the Agenda.

 

3.  Approval of the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting of March 25, 2008.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Theisen, seconded by Ald. Deneys and carried to approve the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting of March 25, 2008.

 

4.  Request by the Attorney’s Office to submit the quarterly report of the Claims Committee.

 

Atty. Swanson summarized the claims, and general discussion ensued about damage from the many snow removal events of the past winter season.  Ald. VanderLeest requested that notice be sent to City employees reminding them of safety issues and the cost of accidents to the City.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Weber and seconded by Ald. Deneys to receive and place on file the quarterly report of the Claims Committee.  The motion carried.

 

5.  Request by Ald. Weber that the funds from the new tower lease at Ted Fritsch Park be directed back to Ted Fritsch Park for improvements and lighting and that any funds not allocated to Ted Fritsch Park go to the General Fund.

 

Ald. Weber expressed his desire to provide lighting at Ted Fritsch Park.  Park Director Bill Landvatter also addressed the Committee regarding the issue, and the Committee discussed the implications of the cell tower and ball diamond lighting on the neighborhood.  Funding options were discussed, and Finance Director Doug Daul explained that the cell tower revenue needs to be credited to the general fund.  The Council does have the right to transfer it out once it is receipted but we would have to budget for this expense. 

 

Mr. Daul stated that it will be necessary to borrow money to pay the initial costs of construction upfront.  Mr. Landvatter said he will check to see if a lease arrangement is available.  Mr. Daul suggested that the Park Dept. consider paying for it from the 410 fund and recouping the costs over the next four to five years.  Ald. Weber stated that he would like to use end-of-the-year surplus to pay for the lights.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Weber to earmark fund balance from the 2008 budget to the 2012 budget for the purpose of providing funding for lighting in Fritsch Park.  The motion was seconded by Ald. Theisen and carried. 

 

6.  Request by Ald. DeWane to provide hot lunch for all the poll workers.

 

Ald. DeWane presented his request to provide a sub sandwich to each poll worker.  General discussion ensued regarding the merits of and costs of providing lunch to the poll workers as well as discussion about whether or not the poll workers would prefer a raise rather than a lunch.  Mr. Daul stated that there are up to 250 poll workers in the field on Election Day and the lunch would have to be standardized.  Ultimately the Committee asked Mr. Daul to get a price estimate and an idea of how other communities might be providing lunches.  Mr. Daul noted that surrounding communities have 4 to 6 polling locations, while Green Bay has 49.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Weber and seconded by Ald. Deneys to refer to staff the request by Ald. DeWane to provide hot lunch for all poll workers.  The motion carried.

 

7.  Report of the Purchasing Agent:

 

a.  Riding mower for Parks Department from Service Motor Co. for $12,050.

 

Mr. Daul explained that this quote was competitively bid and the low quote was before the Committee for approval.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Theisen, seconded by Ald. Deneys, and carried to approve a.  Riding mower for Parks Department from Service Motor Co. for $12,050.

 

b.  Tool carrier tractor with accessories for Parks Department from Bobcat Plus for $39,595.

 

Mr. Daul told the Committee that this purchase was competitively bid but the City received only one response.  Mrs. Dupuis had included comparative pricing on used vehicles in the Committee packets.  Ald. Deneys was familiar with the product and stated that the City got a good price on the equipment. 

 

A motion was made by Ald. Theisen, seconded by Ald. Deneys and carried to approve b. Tool carrier tractor with accessories for Parks Department from Bobcat Plus for $39,595.

 

8.  Report of the Finance Director:

 

a.  Report of a donation to the Fire Department.

 

Mr. Daul explained that LaForce Hardware was allowing the Fire Dept. to use a property of theirs for training purposes.  The Fire Dept. will be given the house, not the land, and LaForce will demolish and remove the building after the training is complete.  It was felt that Ald. Deneys could vote on this issue as he has no financial gain from any decision.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Theisen, seconded by Ald. Deneys and carried to receive and place on file the report of a donation to the Fire Department.

 

b. Update on borrowings from the State Trust Fund.

 

Mr. Daul noted that he currently has three outstanding loans with the State Trust Fund that have not between drawn on.  The State has dropped its interest rates 25 bps and will allow Mr. Daul to reapply.  The savings will be almost $300,000.  This is the second time Mr. Daul will resubmit these loans for savings.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Deneys, seconded by Ald. Theisen, and carried to receive and place on file the update on State Trust Fund borrowings.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Ald. Theisen, seconded by Ald. Weber, and carried.  The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

 

2008 CONTINGENCY FUND

$109,930.00

 

Any person wishing to attend who, because of a disability, requires special accommodation should contact the Mayor’s office at 448-3005 at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting time so that arrangements can be made.

Please take notice that it is possible that additional members of the Council may attend this committee meeting, resulting in a majority or quorum of the Common Council. This may constitute a meeting of the Common Council for purposes of discussion and information gathering relative to this agenda.