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Finance Committee
March 12, 2007, 6:10 P.M.
City Water Department, 300 Bliss Ave.
PRESENT: Alderpersons Molski, Walther, Moore, Stroik and Hanson
ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Wescott; C/T Schlice; City Clerk Moe; City Attorney Molepske; Directors Euclide, Gardner, Schrader, Halverson; Assessor Kuehn; Fire Chief Barnes; Chief Morris; Capt. Dowling; Deputy C/T Wroblewski; Ald. Sevenich, Wiza, Robinson, Slowinski, Trzebiatowski; Gene Kemmeter; Reid Rocheleau; Mary Ann Laszewski; Andrew Halverson; Norm Myers
Index of these minutes:
1. Request for additional funding - Patch Street Trail Project.
2. Authorization for Short-Term
Borrowing.
3. 4th Quarter Room Tax Report.
4. Authorize Mayor and Comptroller
to negotiate purchase of land from Tony's
Landscaping - Landfill on Mason Street.
5. Approval of payment of claims.
6. Adjournment.
1. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING
- PATCH STREET TRAIL PROJECT
C/T Schlice reviewed hand out explaining the additional funding that is needed. The total cost of the project as
of March 8th is $829,000 plus $20,000 for contingency making the grand total $849,000. The original estimated cost
of the project was $416,000. The funding for the project so far is $236,000 that came from the 2006A borrowing
for the City share, DOT grant funding of $180,000, $175,000 from reconstructing the south half of Patch Street
and a Parks contribution of $8,000 leaving $250,000 unfunded. If approved, he would recommend it be included in
the short-term borrowing.
Ald. Molski questioned if this is in the best interest of the City for the money while we are under budget restraints.
She stated that maybe an alternative could be looked at since the road is very wide, maybe a section of road could
be used for a bike path. She also stated there is the Green Circle Trails for anyone looking for a path. She is
against the project and stressed the want or need issue.
Ald. Moore stated that he was disappointed to see that the cost had gone up so much, in just two years. He stated
that he could be an extremely wasteful use of money.
Mayor Wescott asked to hear from the Director of Public Works as to how it was out of the City's control as to
why it increased so much.
Director Euclide stated some storm water issues and the increase in asphalt prices have been to blame for the majority
of the increase. He believes it is a worthwhile project, but agrees they need to be prioritized. He stated that
by not doing the path, we would lose the grant and if we postpone it, we may also lose the grant.
Ald. Hanson questioned whether we could maybe use gravel instead of black top as a temporary solution and later
on, when prices drop, black top it at that time.
Director Euclide stated he would have to look into that, he did not know how much that would actually save.
Ald. Trzebiatowski questioned if we are under any sort of time stipulation for the grant.
Director Euclide stated he believes it needs to be done this year.
Mayor Wescott stated that we need to look at the actual timeline on grant.
Ald. Wiza questioned the amount allocated from contingency. He stated the $20,000 seems low.
Director Euclide stated that the items were bid, so there should not be any surprises.
Ald. Wiza questioned how long the bids were locked in.
Director Euclide stated till the term of the contract.
Andrew Halverson stated to keep in mind that the City would be spending a 6 - 1 ratio for this project.
Reid Rocheleau voiced his concern over using part of the road for a bike path and taking out a lane of traffic.
Ald. Robinson stated he would like to see this postponed at least a month for an opportunity to look at other options,
such as the gravel and also to determine what the timeline is for the project and the grant money.
Motion made by Ald. Hanson, seconded by Ald. Walther to postpone the request for additional funding for the Patch
Street Trail Project for one month.
Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.
2. AUTHORIZATION FOR SHORT-TERM
BORROWING
C/T Schlice stated that we can borrow about $1,000,000 per year for maintenance projects. That amount will keep
the tax levy steady but still lets us get the maintenance projects done. We may need to borrow more later in the
year. The update to the blueprint for the future has not been completed yet due to Director Euclide's sick leave.
Motion made by Ald. Molski, seconded by Ald. Moore to approve the authorization for short-term borrowing for up
to $1,000,000.
Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.
3. 4TH QUARTER ROOM TAX REPORT
C/T Schlice stated there are no surprises and stated it would be up to the current room tax committee to reallocate
funds.
Motion made by Ald. Moore, seconded by Ald. Stroik to approve the 4th quarter room tax report.
Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.
4. AUTHORIZE MAYOR AND COMPTROLLER
TO NEGOTIATE PURCHASE OF LAND FROM TONY'S LANDSCAPING - LANDFILL ON MASON ST.
Motion made by Ald. Moore, seconded by Ald. Walther to approve authorizing the Mayor and Comptroller to negotiate
the purchase of land from Tony's Landscaping - landfill on Mason Street.
Mary Ann Laszewski stated she had a letter from the DNR in 2006 that stated the private owner and the City would
be liable for any contamination exposure at the landfill.
Reid Rocheleau stated his concern over protocol. He stated this should go to Plan Commission first. He would also
like the City to purchase all the property in that area.
Ald. Trzebiatowski clarified this item is to authorize the Mayor and the Comptroller to negotiate the purchase
of the land and then it would be brought back to Plan Commission and Finance prior to final action.
C/T Schlice stated that we are asking for authorization to negotiate as there is a liability inherent anytime the
City makes an offer to purchase and we need to be covered for that exposure.
Ald. Stroik stated he would encourage the City find an alternative location for Tony Landscaping
and that the City purchase the entire parcel.
Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.
5. APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF
CLAIMS
Motion made by Ald. Molski, seconded by Ald. Stroik to approve the payment of claims in the amount of $724,685.13.
The claims were discussed.
Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.
Adjournment at 8:10 p.m.
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