MINUTES

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 23, 2010
City Hall, Room 604

5:00 p.m.

 

 

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

OTHERS PRESENT:  Dawn Foeller, Angie Dart, Derek Lord, Julie Van Oss

 

1.    Roll Call. 

 

All members were present, except Ald. Theisen, who was excused.

 

2.    Approval of the Agenda.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Deneys, seconded by Ald. Weber, and carried to approve the agenda.

 

3.    Approval of the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting of March 9, 2010.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Weber, seconded by Ald. Deneys, and carried to approve the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting of March 9, 2010.

 

4.    Request by the Economic Development Director to market the available space on the 4th floor to complementary office users.

 

Economic Development Director, Derek Lord, explained to the committee that about half of the fourth floor became vacant after the recent move of the Inspection Division to the 6th floor.  Other government agencies have sought office space downtown in the past, so he would like the committee’s approval to market the space so that staff may engage in negotiations with any interested government agencies that express interest.  Any future tenant will be brought before the Finance Committee and City Council for final approval.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Deneys, seconded by Ald. Weber, and carried to approve the concept by the Economic Development Director to market the available space on the 4th floor to complementary office users.

 

5.    Request by Ald Vanderleest to investigate the creation of a “Friends of Bay Beach” to fund raise for future rides at Bay Beach.

 

Finance Director, Dawn Foeller, explained that these types of organizations are typically nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organizations with their own board of directors.  They are usually started by an interest group that seeks to take an active role in a specific area or organization.

 

Ald. VanderLeest explained that he would like to see it be referred to staff to investigate if there are any such interested parties willing to take on such a role in fundraising for Bay Beach.

A motion was made by Ald. Deneys, seconded by Ald. Weber, and carried to refer to staff to investigate how the N.E.W. Zoological Society and Friends of the Wildlife Sanctuary organizations got started as part of an effort to possibly create a “Friends of Bay Beach” to fund raise for future rides at Bay Beach.

 

 

 

6.    Report of the Purchasing Agent:

 

a) Request pre-approval to award the Fox River Trail repair to the low responsible and responsible vendor, an amount not to exceed $15,000 for repairs.  Work must be completed by the May 1st in order to host the River Fun Run.  Funding source 410 Park & Rec. Acquisitions.      

 

Purchasing Agent, Julie Van Oss, explained that there is about 140 feet of trail that heaved between the Mason Street and Walnut Street bridges.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Weber, seconded by Ald. Deneys, and carried to approve.

 

7.    Request by the Finance Director to review the final overtime report from 2009.

 

Ms. Foeller discussed the final overtime report for 2009.

 

A motion was made by Ald. Deneys, seconded by Ald. Weber, and carried to receive and place on file.

 

8.    Request by the Finance Director to review year end.

 

Ms. Foeller reviewed year end and pointed out areas where revenues came in under budget, such as interest income, land sales, and ordinance violations.

 

Ald. VanderLeest asked if the City could be proactive at finding ways to cut expenditures or increase revenues.  Ms. Foeller suggested looking at the various departmental fees and comparing them to neighboring municipalities.

 

Ald. Weber said he does not want to see the City compensate for its losses by placing additional burdens on its residents and business owners. 

 

A motion was made by Ald. Deneys, seconded by Ald. Weber, and carried to receive and place on file.

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Ald. Deneys, seconded by Ald. Weber, and carried.  The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

 

 

 

2010 Contingency Fund

$51,300.08