FINANCE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
CITY
HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY,
DECEMBER 13, 2006
REGULAR
MEETING
7:30
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Wisniewski called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Smith were present. No members were absent. Others present were Judy Gilleland, Lynda Yartin, Linda Fersch, Tim Hansley, and others.
2. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF October 19, 2006, Budget Work Session. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF October 30, 2006,
Budget Work Session. Mr. Hackworth
moved to approve; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski Mr.
Fix, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Hackworth voting ‘Yea.”
Motion passed, 4-0.
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 9, 2006, Budget Work Session. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski Mr. Smith, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Fix voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 13, 2006, Budget Work Session. Mr. Smith moved to approve; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, Mr. smith, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 16, 1006, Budget Work Session. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Smith, Mr. Fix, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF November 16, 2006, Regular Meeting. Mr. Fix moved to approve; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth abstaining, and Mr. Smith, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Fix voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
3. FINANCE DIRECTOR:
A. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance amending the 2006 appropriation, Ordinance 2005-98. Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a draft ordinance to the Committee with end of the year items. She stated she needed additional money in the Street Light budget to finish up the year, and she was decreasing the Diley Road Widening Fund as we did not spend the entire amount appropriated. Mr. Hackworth moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fix, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
Mr. Wisniewski stated the Committee also received a draft resolution regarding the appropriations in the 2007 budget. Mrs. Fersch stated this is a companion piece of legislation to the budget. She stated this resolution states the transfers from the various funds so Council is aware the transfers will be taking place and she cannot transfer more than what is listed in the resolution unless Council approves it. She stated this is a housekeeping item that is required by the Ohio Revised Code that was brought to our attention by the auditors. Mr. Fix moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Fix voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
B. Finance Director’s Report: Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a report to the Committee and she would be happy to answer any questions.
(1) Impact Fee Report. Mrs. Fersch stated a report had been distributed to the Committee evening and she would answer any questions.
(2) Investment Report. Mrs. Fersch stated the total interest earnings for all funds as of October 31st is $399,835.29, which is $155,837.54 over last year at the same time. She stated the General Fund has earned $117,025 in interest over last year.
(3) Review of Vendor Report. Mrs. Fersch stated the Committee had received the Vendor Report and she would be happy to answer any questions.
C. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance regarding Finance Director/Interim Personnel Director Salary. Mr. Wisniewski stated the Committee had discussed this in Executive Session and it dealt with changing the PERS pick-up in the contract and the salary increase. Mr. Wisniewski ascertained Ms Gilleland has reviewed the amendments and was in agreement with it. Mr. Fix moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Smith seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Fix, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mr. Smith voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 4-0.
D. Review and discussion regarding 2006 Audit by independent auditors. Mrs. Fersch stated we have been informed by the State Auditors Office that they have lost a lot of personnel and, therefore, they are going to have private auditors audit us. She stated the State Auditor sent a list and we selected five firms from that list after speaking with other cities to see who was good. She further stated the Auditor will then solicit bids for a three year contract, and then we will have to pass legislation to enter into a contract with the firm selected. Mrs. Fersch stated she would provide more information as she receives it. Mrs. Fersch stated the Annual Report/CAFR will still be done by the State Auditor, the private firm will be doing the City’s audit.
4. PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT:
A. New Employee Update. Mrs. Fersch stated the Personnel Appeals Board certified the top six candidates for the Code Enforcement position and we have selected Danny Mahaffey. She stated Mr. Mahaffey is the former Safety/Service Director for Logan and brings a lot of expertise to the City and should begin work on January 8th. Mrs. Fersch further stated we should have the new police officer that was authorized come on board in January as well. She stated we will probably do another testing for police officers in the spring.
B. Health Insurance Update. Mrs. Fersch stated the employees should have their new insurance cards and Tony Lombardo will start conducting meetings in January to see if anyone has any problems with claims, etc.
5. DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT:
A. Development Director’s Report. Mr. Hansley stated he felt the individual selected for the Code Enforcement position would be excellent as he does have some background in the area.
Mr. Hansley stated he has been attending the FAIRCATS board meetings, and at their meeting on December 8th they voted to disband. Mr. Hansley stated this is the umbrella group that helps us with the coordination of the ride program that we provide for the City. He stated the van is technically owned by the MRDD Board, and there are other groups in Fairfield County, such as Job and Family Services, that may want to pick that up as it does generate some revenue. He stated he is trying to work through that, however, we are going to try and keep our program running until we have no other option but to shut it down. He stated he will keep Council informed on the status of the program.
Mr. Hansley stated also the Ashton Crossing mitigation project is virtually done; we are waiting for EPA to do a site visit and sign off on it.
(1) Rt. 33 Alliance – Update. Mr. Hansley stated the consultants are in the assessment phase to see what kind of support they will get from the private sector in Fairfield County to see what kind of support they will get if and when they begin the fund raising. He stated so far the response has been very good.
6. CHAIRMAN:
A. Review of Legal and Engineering services invoices. Mr. Wisniewski ascertained there were no questions on the invoices. Mr. Hansley stated he received a draft proposal from Stilson a few days ago that he has reviewed and he will be meeting with Ms Gilleland to discuss it. He stated the contract allows modifications at the end of the year, so this can be done administratively. Mr. Hansley stated the proposal he received has a higher retainer, but a much longer list of things that we are not billed for specifically, which is what we have been looking for. He stated this will make it much easier for staff and Council to work with. He stated once we reach an agreement, the information will be forwarded to Council.
B. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance regarding Road and Bridge Levy. Mr. Wisniewski stated he would like this to remain on the agenda for the next meeting.
7. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Wisniewski stated he had nothing to bring forward.
8. MOTIONS:
A. Motion for Executive Session under Section 121.22(G)(1)(b), Matters involving an employee’s or public official’s employment, Section 121.22(G)(2), Purchase or sale of public property, Section 121.22(G)(3), Conference with law director regarding pending or imminent court action, and Section 121.22(G)(4), Matters involving bargaining sessions with public employees. Mr. Wisniewski stated an executive session would not be necessary this evening.
9. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Wisniewski moved to adjourn; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Mr. Fix, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Wisniewski voted "Aye." Motion carried, 4-0. The Finance Committee adjourned at 7:56 P.M., December 13, 2006.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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