City Council Budget Workshop Meeting
April 19, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Budget Workshop Meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor David E. Keen called the meeting to order.
Roll call showed present: Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen. Absent: Council Member Ricky D. Heck.
City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that the first budget to review at this meeting would be General Corporate. Mr. Payne spoke about the Capital Expenditures. Discussion was held regarding the Visch Tract of property. Mr. Payne stated that this amount would be 80% reimbursable. The fair market value of the property was discussed.
Discussion was held regarding the two new fire trucks and the salt dome. An addition to the Police Department for additional evidence room space was discussed. Repair to the Park pool and bathhouse was discussed and the costs for that work. The Lincoln Park Grant Improvements were discussed. Mr. Payne spoke regarding the Engineering Department’s Sidwell maps and GIS equipment. All machinery and equipment was discussed for General Corp. Council discussed new vehicles needed in the next year. Mr. Payne spoke regarding the truck that was just purchased for the Park department and what a good vehicle it was.
Finance Director Merle Hollmann spoke regarding the Working Fund Balance.
City Manager Roy L. Payne spoke regarding the General Government Summary. Mr. Payne said that these are day-to-day expenses for General Government.
Discussion was held regarding a TIF District.
Discussion was held regarding cleaning up the outside of the City Hall building. Possibly putting an awning on the front of the building to dress it up and go along with the downtown area look of other buildings.
Council discussed the expenses for the animal shelter. Council asked for an itemized count of the number of animals picked up in the City and County. Council discussed the remodeling of the downstairs offices at City Hall. Discussion was held regarding the cost of the Pony League for children and the Shetland League expenses for children.
Discussion was held regarding the repairs needed at the Park Fire Station.
Mr. John Porter, City Engineer, was present to discuss the Engineering and Inspection Department and Motor Fuel Tax budgets. The Engineering Department was the first one to be discussed. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that some pay changes had been done in the department because of changes in employees. Some increases in the training are noted. Mr. Porter explained that the cost for the GPS Receiver Data Collector is in this budget as is software support for the programs.
The Inspection Department was the next to be reviewed. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that the salaries of John Porter, Sarah Hayes and the previous secretary were split 50/50 between Engineering and Inspection Departments. There was an increase in the summer help expenses, but a lot of the employees do not work the entire summer so the figure would change as time goes on. Finance Director Hollmann stated that the demolition costs have all gone up due to doing more demolitions and the legal costs. The costs for training has increased due to the new building and fire codes that have to be learned.
Council moved on to the Motor Fuel Tax portion of the budget. Finance Director Hollmann spoke about the street paving and oil & chip programs and what portion MFT would pay. Discussion was held regarding the capital improvements and construction and what streets would be worked on. Finance Director Merle Hollmann spoke regarding funds for the Overpass/Interchange project for the coming year.
Mr. Brian Edmison, the new President of the Mt. Vernon Downtown Development Commission, was present to address Council. Mr. Edmison stated that he was here to ask the City for the funds to do some of the projects that they have in the works. The demolition of the old Mt. Vernon Motel is expected to cost $85,000.00. The high cost is due to the asbestos removal.
Mr. Edmison spoke regarding the Save the Granada Board. Mr. Edmison explained the four phases that the project will require. The Board has applied for a grant in the amount of $108,000.00, a Schweinfurth grant has also been applied for and they are asking the City for $25,000.00. Mr. Edmison stated that they have met some competition due to the museum doing some expanding so
the Schweinfurth Board has said that they are giving funds to that project. Mr. Edmison stated that the DMDC Board would like to see the marquee done before
the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival. The Board would like to have concerts and other functions in the building. Mr. Edmison stated that the new heating system has been put in this past year at the Granada.
Mr. Edmison stated that the old Mt. Vernon Motel is where the Board would like to have ten townhouses on that property. He also discussed the possibility of having living quarters above the Jefferson State Bank Building.
Finance Director Merle Hollmann spoke regarding the Sanitation Fund and the three-year contract. Mr. Hollmann stated that the tipping fees did not increase for this year. The new expense for the tipping for yard waste was discussed.
Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the total revenue for next year, the total write offs for the year and the charges for billing services.
Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the Legal Department Budget. Mr. Hollmann stated that next year’s budget amount is very close to this year’s figures.
Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the Revolving Loan Fund Budget. Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the administration fees for the loans, the amount available for loaning and the interest income from the loans.
Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the General Obligation Bonds.
The final department was CDAP Housing Improvement. Mr. Hollmann stated that the grants are money in and money out.
Mr. Hollmann discussed the Working Fund and capital funds. He also discussed
if the City borrowed funds for different expenditures. The fire trucks can be used for collateral anytime the City needs to borrow.
Council discussed options for spending, a TIF District, and the demolition costs of the old motel. Discussion was held regarding possibly cutting 3% from the total budget to get the Working Fund up to where it needs to be.
Motion by Council Member John Howard to adjourn this Budget Workshop Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.