City Council Workshop Meeting
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Workshop Meeting on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
The purpose of this meeting was for departmental discussions of the 2007-2008 Annual Budget.
Mayor David E. Keen called the Workshop Meeting to order and dispensed with the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call showed present: Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen. Absent: Council Member Ricky D. Heck and Council Member Shirilyn Holt.
Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that the Parks and Recreation Department is the first one to be looked at today. Wes Plummer was present to discuss the budget for the Park.
Mr. Hollmann stated that the costs were down this year because of the day camp closing a week early due to the storm and the pool not being open long due to the storm. This caused even the part time employees salaries to be low. However, there was a lot of overtime that was due to the storm and clean up. The storm hit on July 21, 2006. Mr. Hollmann stated that he had just received the IMRF figures for next year and it went from 8.9% to 9.1%. The minimum wage will go up for the part-time salaries.
Mr. Hollmann stated that Aramark received the contract for uniforms again as they were the low quote.
Discussion was held regarding the pool leak and repair for next year. A temporary patch up to get through the summer then a big repair for next year. Discussion was held to see if a Revolving Loan could be done to build a new pool.
Mayor David E. Keen asked about the drywall work to be done at the Community Building at Veterans Park. Mayor Keen spoke regarding soccer being played at Lincoln Park. Discussion was held regarding the rental of a track hoe for the Park.
Discussion was held regarding wants for the department. Work on the soccer fields would cost around $25,000.00. Tickets to the ballgame are for the Sheltie League teams to go to a ballgame at the end of their season, a field trip for the teams.
Council Member Shirilyn Holt arrived at the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Stocking the lake was discussed. The walking path at Lincoln Park was discussed.
The next department was Public Works. Elbert Cain and Dale Mick were present to discuss their budget. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that the overtime was up due to the storm. Hopefully the City will get some of the money back from IEMA. Council Member Holt asked what the overtime meals were. Mr. Hollmann explained that if an employee worked after a certain time, the City would buy their evening meal. Discussion was held regarding the temporary employees for the summer. Mr. Mick stated that they are still down a couple of full-time employees. The cost of fuel was discussed. The City is currently paying $2.60 per gallon. Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the Workers Comp rates. Mr. Ron Neibert, City Manager spoke regarding bridgework needed. The bridge at 29th and Logan also the bridge at the Park Lake off 27th Street needs work and to possibly make it a two lane bridge and the Forest Avenue Bridge near 12th Street.
Mr. Cain and Mr. Mick presented their list of wants. The list included several large items of equipment and vehicles and the two full-time men. Mayor Keen asked if it was possible to get a good used street sweeper. Equipment Maintenance Director Bill Reininger stated that he doubted if you could get a good one second hand. Mr. Mick stated that the mosquito sprayer needs replaced so we can monitor the output of spray. He stated also the bucket truck is in need of replacement. Discussion was held regarding a new roller. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that once the budgets are done, the priorities would be needed in order so decisions could be made on any purchases.
Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that the next department for discussion was Fleet Services-Equipment Maintenance. Mr. Bill Reininger was present to discuss this budget. Salaries and certifications for the mechanics were discussed. Again the overtime took a hit due to the storm. Discussion was held regarding roof repair to the maintenance building. The fuel costs and oil costs were discussed. The need for a new service truck was discussed. The old one is
very old and in bad shape. The cost for the truck would be around $32,000.00. The new gas pumps were discussed. Mr. Hollmann discussed the overhead, or the charge out to the other departments.
The next department was Engineering. John Porter stated that the salaries of his and the secretary were split 50/50 between Engineering and Inspection Departments. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that item 200 is for contracting out engineering work. Council Member Shirilyn Holt asked about the GPS collector and GIS database. Mr. Porter explained the use of these items in the department and tying them in to the counties maps and creating our own maps. Some of the time spent working on Public Utilities and Public Works is charged back to the departments.
The next department, which John Porter also heads, is the Inspection Department. City Manager Ron Neibert spoke regarding the demolition program.
John Porter is also the head of the Motor Fuel Tax area. Mr. Porter stated that this is a stand-alone fund. Item 490 is the labor and equipment charges for MFT. Item 560 is the overpass project and capitol improvements. Item 256 is for 34th Street. Jurisdictional transfer of Old Route 15 roads were discussed. Council Member Mike Walker asked if the roads on the Veterans Memorial Drive would be 4 lanes. Mr. Porter stated that it would be four lanes to Wells Bypass. Mr. Porter stated that all of Veterans Memorial Drive would be truck routes. Council Member Mike Walker asked about widening 34th Street. Mr. Porter stated that right-of-way is needed.
Discussion was held regarding the next two Budget Workshop Meetings. The first one will be Wednesday, April 18 at 4:15 p.m. and the second one Wednesday April 25, at 4:15 p.m. The final Public Hearing and Special City Council Meeting will be on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 4:15 p.m.
Motion by Council Member John Howard to adjourn this Budget Workshop Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.