Note: These minutes should be considered a draft until they are approved by the Board of Aldermen at the meeting of January 2, 2007.
Work Session
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
December 19, 2006
ROLL CALL
Ward 1 Alderman Jim Brooks -Present
Ward 1 Alderman Deborah Butcher -Present
Ward 2 Alderman David McCoy -Present
Ward 2 Alderman David Rittman -Present
Ward 3 Alderman Marvin Ferguson -Present
Ward 3
Ward 4 Alderman Marc Sportsman -Present
Ward 4 Alderman Brian Atkinson -Present
ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Joe Turner
Community Development Director Sean Ackerson
City Clerk Barbara Lance
City Attorney Jack Campbell
MEDIA PRESENT: Nancy Jack for The
Andy
Hyland for The
Stacy Wiedmeier for The Landmark
Mayor
Dusenbery requested a motion to open the Work Session at 6:30 p.m. in the
administrative area.
City
Administrator Joe Turner reported that receipt of payment from KCPL for the
franchise fee should arrive by year-end and is expected to be at least
$110,000. He also said there will be a
little over $60,000 from Municipal Court.
Mr. Turner further reported that based on this year’s revenue and
expenses, the general fund surplus should close at approximately $100,000. Alderman Butcher noted and all those present
concurred that this is a good report, however the City strongly needs some
variety of industry added and hopefully soon.
Mr. Turner agreed and said that is a goal he shares.
Mr.
Turner proceeded to review the purpose of the work session, which he said is to
iron out details of the Sewer and General Funds for 2007. He noted that ordinances for these two
budgets are agenda items for the regular board meeting that follows this work
session. He then referred the board to a
memo from Jay Norco regarding “Use of Bioxide in Riss Lake Grinder Pump
Systems”, a copy of which is attached to these minutes. Mayor Dusenbery reported that the Grinder
Pump Focus meeting held on December 18th was well-attended and the
neighborhood is supportive of transferring the Riss Lake grinder pump ownership
and maintenance process to the from the city to the homeowners. Mayor Dusenbery said she was very grateful to
Alderman
Butcher asked how the city would address the “grinder pump deficit
figure”. Mr. Turner said that deficit is
projected to be approximately $161,000 and staff are reviewing recommendations
on how this should be addressed and he expects this to be further discussed with
the board in January.
Alderman
Rittman asked about the sewer rate increase amount by percentage. Mr. Turner said it would be a 12.5% increase
bringing the monthly fee to approximately $33 per month, which is a $3 to $4
increase per month.
Alderman
McCoy noted that SRF funds mandate that sewer rates be based on the water usage
for the first 3 months of each year.
Alderman Rittman suggested that we get what we need now to comply with
the environmental compliance coming up soon.
Alderman Ferguson said he is opposed to proceeding with more than a
12.5% increase at this time. Mr. Turner
said that it was major sewer main breaks that affected last year’s reserve
fund. Alderman Sportsman asked when the
city might take over the sewer maintenance.
Mr. Turner said he expects to re-evaluate that prior to year-end
2007.
Mr.
Turner then referred the board to the General Fund budget also on tonight’s
agenda. He noted that this includes a
new position to be titled “Legal Assistant”.
He reviewed his memo to the board, (attached to these official minutes)
outlining the proposed duties for this new position and the reason it is
needed. He noted that in addition to
legal assistant duties this position would serve as back up for the City Clerk;
assist in transcribing minutes of meetings and perform part-time receptionist
duties. City Attorney Jack Campbell
commented that he supported the idea.
Alderman Rittman noted that it is in the proposed balanced budget. Mr. Turner reported that there also will be
one police officer position added in 2007.
Discussion
then turned to the city bringing its sewer billing in-house. Mr. Turner said he will have staff
investigate what this would entail.
ALDERMAN SPORTSMAN MOVED THAT THE WORK SESSION ADJOURN; ALDERMAN BROOKS SECONDED, ALL AYE; MOTION CARRIED 8-0.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:02 p.m. to move downstairs for the regular session.
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