PRESENT: Chairman Barr, Ald. Rackow, Phillips, Nealis and Molski

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Wescott; Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice; Clerk Zdroik; Secretary Yenter; Admin. Assistant Molepske; Directors Van Alstine, Gardner, Schrader, Disher; Personnel Specialist Jakusz; Assessor Kuehn; Fire Chief Barnes; Jamie Barnes; Capt. Dowling; Ald. Walther, Sevenich, Seiser, Moore, Sowieja, Filipiak; Paul Chronis (Stevens Point Journal); Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette); Scott Krueger (WIZD); Reid Rocheleau

ITEM #1 - ASSESSOR’S REPORT

Motion made by Ald. Phillips, seconded by Ald. Rackow to approve the report of the Assessor and place it on file.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

ITEM #2 - FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT AT MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

Motion made by Ald. Nealis, seconded by Ald. Phillips to approve the fuel tank replacement at the Municipal Airport.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

ITEM #3 - PRIOR YEAR DEPARTMENT RETURNS

Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice stated that all departments were within two percent or less of their operating budgets from last year and as practiced for the last 5-6 years, we return a portion of the unexpended funds to the department to allow them to do some projects that they may not be able to get into the budget. He stated that he and the Mayor have discussed it and are recommending a return of 50% of the unexpended funds from the 2000 budget.

Motion made by Ald. Molski, seconded by Ald. Rackow to approve the prior year department returns.

Ald. Rackow stated this is a way to reward the departments for budgeting realistically instead of padding the budget to get what they need and it encourages the departments to budget correctly.

Ald. Sowieja questioned how the money shows up as far as reporting.

Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice stated that it shows up on the monthly reports. The past practice has been that prior to a department being able to go out and spend the money, they submit the request to him and then he reviews it with the Mayor and then, if it is consistent with the policy set by the Council in prior years, it is authorized.

Ald. Sowieja then questioned if there was any way Council could know what the money has been spent on.

Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice stated that a separate report could be created at the end of the year, but it also shows up in the end of year report under prior year returns for dollar amount totals.

There was some discussion among committee members in regards to funding the fuel tanks at the Municipal Airport from this years budget rather than budgeting it for next year.

Ald. Molski commented that it was nice to see, after trying for the last six to seven years, that the unfunded overtime and holiday time for the Police Department was now fully funded.

Ald. Nealis commented that the budget balances out no matter how it is done and we have been doing this for some time now and it has worked out fine.

Ald. Rackow stated that we have had the unfunded overtime and holiday accounts with the Police Department hanging over our heads since it was discovered six or seven years ago and this is a very important milestone that we have it fully funded now.

Ayes: Chairman Barr, Ald. Rackow, Phillips and Molski Nays: Ald. Nealis
Motion carried.

ITEM # 4 - CHANGE IN CITY ORDINANCE 4.14 - LICENSE TRANSFERS

Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice explained the reason we are requesting the change is that we have run into a couple of situations in the last year or two with license transfers and we have had a hard time collecting the personal property taxes because sometimes when the owners sell the business they leave the community and they are hard to track down. By requesting payment in full with the transfer, it will be one more way to help us collect the taxes.

Motion made by Ald. Rackow, seconded by Ald. Phillips to approve the change in City ordinance #4.14.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

ITEM # 5 - APPRAISAL OF 1535 WATER STREET

Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice explained that Director Gardner had talked to the property owners and they do not have a problem with having the appraisal done, they are interested in seeing what the property is worth. Director Gardner explained to them that this is nothing guaranteed that we are going to buy or not buy but is part of the planning process for the Lincoln Center project.

Motion made by Ald. Rackow, seconded by Ald. Nealis to approve having the property at
1535 Water Street appraised.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

ITEM #6 - APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

Motion made by Ald. Phillips, seconded by Ald. Rackow to approve the payment of claims in the amount $490,055.93.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

Adjournment at 6:50 P.M.

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