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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-82 ~ ~ ~ BUDGET MEETING Wednesday, September 15, 1982 6:25 P.M. Council Chambers Present: Councilmembers Sindt, Zaun, Enright, Nelson; Patrick McGarvey, City Administrator; Dennis Feller, Finance Director. Absent: Mayor Jensen. Introduction Dennis Feller explained to the council that budget proposals submitted were those of the. department heads and had not been adjusted, except for certain inter-department transfers concerning salaries. As presented, the budget was almost in balance for 1983 with only a $755 increase in fund balance. There are no increases in new personnel positions; only those capital outlay items which could primarily be financed by certificates of indebtedness were included in the budget. However, there were requests (but not budgeted} for new .personnel which were shown on page 101. Police Department Present: R. Radermaeher, Police Chief; Greg Grose, Asst. Chief; P. Oxley, Police Reserves Chief; D. Southward, Police Reservist. It was explained to the council that the Psycolog test was equipment used to narrow the list of suspects. Squad cars would be replacements for cars which are expected to have over 100,000 miles by April, 1983. The reason for the increase was primarily due to capital outlay needs. Radermacher explained that the reason for the requested dispatcher was because of the need for a backup due to sick leave, vacation, etc. Paul Oxley reviewed the need for equipment and snowmobile clothing. It is difficult to keep credible volunteers unless the City is willing to properly equip the reservists. The four-wheel drive is to be used primarily during storms and would probably last eight to 10 years.. Concerning who schedules as to when the reservists worked, Mr. Oxley replied that they are required to work a minimum of eight hours per month riding in squads. Police have ll radios, of which four are worn out. Four new radios are requested for 1983. The reservists have five hand-held radios and are requesting one more for 1983. Mr. Zaun explained that the council would be considering the 1983 requests, and adjustments might be made. Public Works Department Present: J. Robinette, Wm. Hoffbeck. Mr. Robinette gave a presentation on the status of street employees in relation to ..those in other towns and in comparison to prior years. Mr. Robinette stated that a man is scheduled to be transferred from the park department in October, 1982, until late March, 1983. He stated that he felt this wasn't fair to the park and recreation department or the street department. He also commented that he felt the mechanic should be promoted to Mechanic III. Mr. Robinette also pointed out the need for a secretary and a copy machine, and that he felt these expenditures could be paid for from the utility department. Concerning the sealcoating program, Mr. Robinette stated that the City had 45-50 miles of streets,of which .four miles was to be sealcoated in 1983 with the requested budget of $31,000. When asked to choose whether the added man or the clerk was more important, Mr. Robinette had no comment. Mr. Robinette stated that he would settle for a part-time secretary if necessary. ~ ~ • BUDGET MEETING September 15 , 1982 Fire Department Present: B. Christensen, Fire Chief.; B, Johnson, Fire Relief Association Treasurer. Mr. Christensen reviewed all increases with the council, The fire station ~ z. is in desparate need of paint, which could be paid for from the Capital Improvements Fund. Also, the upstairs of Station No. 1 should be finished, including the installation of a bed, using money left over .from the fire station fund. With the upstairs remodeled, the ambulance could be operated out of that station and, thereby, reduce response time. Mr, Christensen stated that the fire department can wait until the new police station is built and then tie Station No. 1 into the police back- up generator. Also, the back-up .generator at the current station could be transferred to Station #2 at that time. The specifications for the midi-pumper can wait until 1983 with delivery of the truck in 1985. Parks and Recreation Present: Steve Michaud, Park and Rec. Director. Mr. Michaud stated that the priorities for the parks were: (1) Improve part-time help performance. Some of the CETA help enlisted during 1982 was unreliable, unproductive and unable to provide proper supervision, (2) Improve on full-time help, The transfer of J. Graff to the street department during winter months means that the parks will have to do the work with 2~ people, which during 1981 had been done with six people.- The concession stand had. worked well in 1982, Discussion also centered around improvement of Jacquard. Avenue park seeding project.. The question of tying revenues to expenditures is an ongoing concern. Part-time heap would be provided during Christmas vacation, after school daylight- . hours and weekends at the hockey rinks. This part-time help had been cut from the budget earlier in the year, but it could be shown that there. had been personnei savings in other programs due to CETA, which would facilitate the transfer. Conclusion Schedule a budget meeting for 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 22. Discussion will be concentrated on balancing the budget, property taxes and personnel. Respectfully submitted, \ ~l \~.-r....~ T Dennis Feller, Finance Director -2-