City of
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
The
Mechanicsville City Council met in special session on
CONSENT AGENDA: Larry Beck motioned, Jeff
Christianson seconded to approve the consent agenda including the agenda and
the minutes from
Budget
work session: The council reviewed the
budget work sheets and discussed various items to try to include in the
upcoming budget. The major items discussed included replacing the garbage truck
and the possibility of entering a 28E agreement to share in the ownership
costs; it was also noted that the recycling contract will be up for renewal and
bids will need to be taken.
In
regards to the discussion on salaries, a motion was made by Jeff, seconded by
Tom, to calculate a 4% cost of living increase for the full and part time
employees with the exception of the fire and ambulance volunteers. Ayes all. Motion carried.
In the
water utility a new testing instrument at $2,500, and
the 5 year routine maintenance for pulling the pumps is due this year. The council also discussed the possibility of
setting up a schedule to upgrade and replace water meters with radio read
technology. This would eliminate the
need of having to walk through resident’s yards, fences, snow, ice, behind
bushes, etc. in order to get access to the customers outside reader. It would also eliminate the need for the 23
home owners that do not have an outside reader of having to read their own
meter and turn in a meter read card each month.
The other issue is that most meters have a life expectancy of 20 years
and after that they begin to slow down, not reflecting the accurate usage of
water and there are currently 14 meters that not functioning properly since the
last meter read.
Multiple
projects were also discussed in the Road Use Fund including widening the west
end of First Street, replacing signs, dust control on gravel portions within
the city limits and other issues regarding streets to the new school, and
sidewalks at the park.
Plans
are to continue with providing matching funds for the Trees Forever grant from
the Gift Tree Trust.
In the
area of the general fund the police department requested some minor adjustments
to the operating supply line item to cover the tapes for the camera and
additional film due to the documentation needed for filing nuisance abatements,
the part time police coverage for the additional week of vacation that he will
have earned this year, as well as an increase in fuel costs.
The
ambulance reviewed their requests for the general fund for the benefit of new
council members as originally presented in December. Requests presented for the
first time from the Ambulance Trust fund included purchasing a new ambulance at
$110,000; purchasing a cot at $10,000 with ½ of the funds being provided by the
volunteers; and proposing to hire an on call coordinator at $20,000 per year.
The fire
department also presented their requests again also for the benefit of the new
council members, showing increases in training, building maintenance, vehicle
repair and other equipment. Nate also
presented a list of the Fire Apparatus & ambulance vehicles reflecting the
ages, make, and type of truck and another sheet reflecting some of the issues
they are experiencing with the vehicles due to their age.
The
council indicated that the Local Option Sales tax proceeds would be budgeted to
address one time projects rather than to meet regular operating needs. Project plans include items such as
resurfacing the tennis courts, installing a walkway in the park, and possibly a
splash pad, some additional improvements to the Memorial Building/Community
Center by improving the entrance into the building and installation of
acoustical ceiling tiles. Consideration
was also given to the requests as presented by Judy Hartman, librarian at the
previous meeting for some improvements to the library.
The need
to include some allocation for money from the general fund for nuisance
abatement procedures and animal control were also reviewed. A brief discussion on possibly eliminating
the dues for the city to be a member of CCEDCO was also held.
Council
requested Coppess to total the numbers and prepare the summaries for the next
meeting on February 13 to allow for a determination to be made at that time as
to what will need to be cut from the proposed wish lists in order to publish a
balanced budget by the February 20th deadline.
A motion
was made by Larry, seconded by Karrie to set the date for the public hearing on
the proposed budget for
MAYORS COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURN:
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time,
council member Beck motioned, Logue-Newcomb seconded, to adjourn the meeting at
10:37 p.m. Ayes all. Meeting adjourned.
ATTEST:
____________________________ _______________________________
Linda K.
Coppess, CMC David
L. Furry, Mayor
City
Clerk/Finance Officer