Roll Call: Alderperson Myers, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Heart, Slowinski, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Brooks, Moore.

Also Present: Clerk Moe; C/T Schlice; City Attorney Molepske; Directors Halverson, Euclide, Schrader, Gardner; Police Chief Morris; Fire Chief Barnes; manager Lemke; Kelly Pazdernik; Rick Whipp; Ty Helbach; Michael Gutschensitter; Susan Carlson; Charles Carlson; Keven Flatoff; Zara Scharf; Jim Spreda; Jim Limbach; Darlene Spreda; Tony Patton; Cindy Nebel; Armin Nebel.

2. Finance Committee minutes of budget hearing held on November 6, 2007.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Hanson seconded, approval of the minutes of the Finance Committee minutes of November 6, 2007.

Ald. Trzebiatowski raised concern with water drainage problems along Kingfisher Drive and asked that this project be added as a line item in this budget.

Roll Call: Ayes: All.
Nays: None. Motion adopted.

3. Public hearing on the general local municipal budget for 2008.

As no one appeared to testify, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.

4. Resolution adopting the budget for the City of Stevens Point for the year 2008.

Ald. Myers moved, Ald. Walther seconded, to adopt the budget for the City of Stevens Point for the year 2008.

Ald. Wiza asked if the numbers for the summer and winter programs have been placed back into the budget.

Comptroller/Treasurer Schlice stated that the line items are in the budget so if the programs do move forward we will either have more revenue than we are projecting or more expenses. So if they can put the programs together we are ready to go.

Ald. Wiza wanted to confirm that the city would not be charged for use of the equipment that is being transferred to the Wastewater Department.

Mayor Halverson said that is correct. The Wastewater Department would not be allowed to charge back to the general city tax levy in reference to the equipment that will be moving from Public Works over to the Wastewater Department.

Ald. Wiza asked for clarification of snow plow responsibility changes.

Director Euclide stated that Parks Department employees will now be responsible for sidewalks which are currently the responsibility of Street Department personnel. By making this shift, the additional Street Department personnel will be plowing streets.

Ald. Wiza stated that he heard that the employees being shifted to the Wastewater Department were going to keep their current salary but would be placed in a lower pay grade. He is not comfortable with that.

Director Halverson stated that there are a limited number of categories for these employees. There is not a category in the union contract that would accommodate sewer maintenance which is why they are creating a new category specifically for these employees and the specialties that they perform.

Ald. Trzebiatowski moved, Ald. Wiza seconded, to add a line item in the Public Works Department budget for 2008 to address the water issues on Kingfisher Drive.

Director Euclide stated that the Department had intended to do the project the last few years. It is something that would be included in their operating budget and not a specific line item. The Department just has not been able to get to it over the last couple of years.

Ald. Stroik has a problem with adding individual projects as a line item. The Director said it is one of many projects that need to be addressed so why is it being singled out and placed as a line item.

Roll Call: Ayes: Alderpersons Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Slowinski, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Brooks, Moore.
Nays: Myers, Heart, Stroik. Motion adopted.

Mayor Halverson called for a vote on adopting the budget for the City of Stevens Point for the year 2008.

Roll Call: Ayes: Alderpersons Myers, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Heart, Slowinski, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Brooks, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion adopted.

5. Resolution appropriating necessary funds for the City of Stevens Point for 2008 and levying the tax rate for the year 2007.

Comptroller/Treasurer Schlice noted that the tax rate will be $9.09, a reduction of 19 cents for the 2008 tax bill. He does not have the bottom line school credit or lottery credit but at this point with the five taxing jurisdictions that we collect for, it looks like a 43 cents per thousand reduction. Tax bills will be going out by December 15.

Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Molski seconded, approval of appropriating necessary funds for the City of Stevens Point for 2008 and levying the tax rate for the year 2007.

Roll Call: Ayes: Alderpersons Myers, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Heart, Slowinski, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Brooks, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion adopted.

6. Resolution providing for writing special assessments and special charges into the tax roll for 2007.

Ald. Moore moved, Ald. Slowinski seconded, approval of the Resolution providing for writing special assessments and special charges into the tax roll for 2007.

Roll Call: Ayes: Alderpersons Myers, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Heart, Slowinski, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Brooks, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion adopted.

Adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

The meeting minutes reproduced on this website are derived from the computer files used to produce the official minutes for the City of Stevens Point, but are unofficial. The minutes on this web site cannot be certified under s. 889.08, Wis. Stats., and cannot be considered prima facie evidence under s. 889.04, Wis. Stats. Certain tables, maps, and other documents that are a part of the official minutes are not included in the files reproduced on this website. Please consult the printed minutes, available in the City Clerk's Office, for the official text. The decisions made by City of Stevens Point boards, committees, and commissions (other than the Police & Fire Commission) are advisory only and are not binding on the City until affirmed at a meeting of the Common Council. Some of the minutes on this web site might not be approved by the Common Council as of today.