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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-10-24city council minutesBook 19 Page 298 SPECIAL MEETING October 24, 1978 12:00 Noon The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Pasley. The Roll the City Council was called with the- following members present: McCluskey, Olesen, Williams, Raymond, and Hopper. Absent: Bauman. (DISCUSSION REGARDING FROM TWO'DITCH RIDERS) The Mayor 's'tated that two-of' the ditch r'ide'rs had been in to make a request. The Irrigation - Depar'tment`does- not pay cash overtime, but were given compensatory time. One of these men has.. -.... thirty -eight days coming and the other has thirty -two days coming.' These two men came.to the Mayor and wanted to be paid compensatory time in cash and then when they took their compensator; time they would be paid nothing. The Mayor told them that lie had no authority to do that, but would take it up with the City Council. The Mayor explained that the Irrigation Department was notified early in the year that all overtime would be compensatory and they knew of this. With discussion, the City Council agreed that this would be an advance and was strictly against policy. MOVED by McCluskey, SECONDED by 'Ole'sen that this request by the two men from the Irrigation Department be denied. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: McCluskey, Olesen, Williams, Raymond, and Hopper. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Bauman. MOTION CARRIED (APPROVAL OF BUDGET CHANGES) The Mayor presented a copy of the letter and the schedule showing that the budget reductions amounted to $1,270,231.00 The letter prepared by the City Council was as follows: During the month of September, at the time of adopting the City Budget, there was much controversy with some of the members of the Council and with the public. We felt, at that time, we did not have enough information to make any substantial changes. When the line item budget, by totals, for each fund was presented to the Council, work shops were started in an effort to cut the budget in any area that was possible. Substantial reductions were made in the Street, Water & Sewer and Golf Budgets. Other reductions made were in Capital Improvement and Bond Accounts that are paid out annually. It is permissible by law to budget the entire amount available in these :Funds but the Council feels this shows an inflated budget. We also cut the Federal Grants to what is likely to be spent during this budget year rather than for the full amount of the grants to show the budget a more realistic total. With these reductions in the above named funds we have cut the budget $1,270,231.00. Book 19 Page 299 The financial report given to the Council each month we believe is confusing to the Council and also to the general public. The City deals with three types of funds. Namely: Tax Funds, Enterprise Funds and Dedicated Funds. When we look only at the bottom line it does not give us a true picture of the cash condition of the City. At the end of the budget year we had over a million dollars, but most of this amount is dedicated monies and cannot be used for anything except what it was appropriated for. This does not mean the City is broke but it does mean that we must watch the cash - flow of the tax monies and enterprise funds much more closely. We are endeavoring to accomplish this by several changes: 1. The City Council will work closer with department heads to make sure they are not over spending their budgets. 2. Requests for payments will not be approved unless they are items that have been budgeted. 3. A purchase order system is being initiated to give all of us a much closer check on each item purchased. 4. Revenue Sharing will not be used just to balance the budgets, except where absolutely necessary. In every event possible these monies will be used for Capital Improvements, and hopefully the Public Rearing held each year will give us the guidance to use this money as the public wishes. We will get accurate figures to the department heads and the media during the course of the year to keep the public advised of how the City is progressing. We have several funds, such as Recreation, Water, Sewer and Irrigation that must be watched very carefully and changes may have to be made during the year to keep these funds, and all other funds solvent. Caldwell City employees are on a Step and Grade System instituted in 1977 following independent city wide job evaluation. These increases are merit increases and not necessarily automatic although most employees do qualify. Some employees earn two step increases through additional training or responsibility. Cost of living increases are given on the first of January each year. Due to the change in fiscal year there were some members of the Council who felt the cost of living should be given on October lst. This would have meant two cost of living increases in one calendar year and was decided against. While the budget continues to increase it must be recognized that we at City Hall are faced with the same problems as many - individuals and the business community; that of inflation. We will continue to be frugal with the Caldwell citizen's tax dollar while at the same time continuing necessary services and facilities. The schedule shows the original budget for 1978 -79 and the revised budget for 1978 -79. The way it was broken down shows that of the newly revised budget $3,051;000.00 was in Federal and State Grants. The actual operating budget was $4,431,964.00 and the auditor requested in his letter to the Council that the City Council approve the budget reductions so the:!:Mayor asked that the City Council approve by motion if they were satisfied with the figures, Book 19 Page 300 the reduction in the 1978 -79 budget. MOVED by Williams, SECONDED by McCloskey that the City Council accept the 1978 -79 budget as changed by the many workshops 'he-' I &rby:.the City Council. Councilwoman Bauman arrived in the Council Chambers. The Mayor explained to her what the motion was before the house. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Williams, Raymond, Kopper, Bauman, McCluskey, and Olesen. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none.. MOTION CARRIED (PRESENTATION OF BIDS FOR GRAVEL CRUSHING) The City Engineer stated that the Engineering Department has reviewed the bids for the 1979 gxavel.crushing project and recommends the City accept the low bid of $44,360.00 submitted by Nelson - Deppe, Inc. Some discussion followed as to whether the amount should be reduced by 5 %, but it was the concensus of the City Council that they keep the amount of the gravel as the contract provides for. They felt that the bid was attractive and that the gravel could always be used and the City should take all they can get. MOVED by Hopper, SECONDED by McCluskey that the bid of Nelson - Deppe be accepted in the amount of $44,360.00 without any deflationary,five percent reduction. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Hopper, Bauman, McCluskey, Oleseu, Williams, and Raymond. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (RESOLUTION N0. 62 -78 - REGARDING REGISTERED WARRANTS FOR LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS) The Mayor explained that at the last Regular City Council Meeting, the City Council passed a Resolution concerning registered warrants, but one fund was overlooked which was the Local Improvement District Construction Fund. The Bank called this to the attention of the City and the following Resolution was prepared: IN ACCORDANCE with Idaho Code 31 -2125, 50 -237 and 50 -1004, the Mayor and City Council are authorized to issue Registered Warrants for fiscal year October 1, 1978, through September 30, 1979. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the City of Caldwell authorizes the issuance of Registered Warrants not to exceed 25% of Local Improvement District Construction Fund as listed: Local Improvement District $ 78,000.00 Construction Fund MOVED by Williams, SECONDED by McCluskey that Resolution No. 62 -78 be passed regarding the registered warrants far the Local Improvement District Construction Fund. Roll tali vote. Those voting yes: Williams, Raymond, Hopper, Bauman, McCluskey, and Olesen. Those voting no: none. Absent Book 19 Page 301 and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (RESOLUTION NO. 63 -78 - GROUND LEASE WITH CALDWELL EXCHANGE CLUB) The Mayor requested Councilwoman Williams to explain this proposed Resolution. Councilwoman Williams stated that this was discussed at the Stadium Board Meeting. She explained that the Exchange Club had a considerable amount of cooking equipment that was used in the concession stand which was stored in an inconvenient location on Cleveland Boulevard. They would like to put in a storage space under the Stadium next to the concession stand. They planned to cement it, roof it, and make it conform with the concession portion of the Stadium. They expected it to cost at least $2,500 and do not want to spend this money unless they can be assured they will get free rent until they get their money back. That was the purpose of this Resolution. Councilwoman Williams felt that it would be a great improvement and something that the City would like to have done, but do not have the funds at this time. It was on the Stadium Board priority list but was way down the line. She also mentioned that hopefully when they make this improvement someone on the other side may do the same with the other side of the Stadium. The Mayor stated that to protect the Exchange Club during the period they needed to pay this off, which they felt would be ten years, this resolution should be passed authorizing a ground lease agreement for $1.00 a year for a period of ten years. They would then be assured they could spend this money and be protected. It would be understood that the improvement would revert to the City after the ten year period with the specification that it would be for the Exchange Club use for as long as they cared to rent it. MOVED by McCluskey, SECONDED by Raymond that Resolution No. 63 -78 be passed. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: McCluskey, Olesen, Williams, Raymond, Hopper, and Bauman. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED Councilwoman Williams requested that a copy of the Resolution be mailed to Carl Christensen, 811 Main Street after passage. (GRANT APPLICATION EXTENSION REQUEST) The Mayor said that there was a grant application in for the Jefferson Junior High Complex and the Economic Development Agency has requested that the City write them asking to extend the grant date to December 15th. The Mayor wrote them and they have sent four copies back for signature. Authorization was needed for the Mayor to sign for the City of Caldwell. The extension of time was from September 15th to December 15th and all of the terms and conditions of the Grant remained the same. MOVED by McCluskey, SECONDED by Olesen that the Mayor be authorized to sign the stipulated letter for the extension of time regarding the grant for Jefferson Junior High Complex. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: McCluskey, Olesen, Williams, Raymond, Hopper, and Bauman. Those voting no: none. Absent and Book 19 Page 302 not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (DISCUSSION REGARDING THE INDUSTRIAL AGREEMENT WITH'DAIRYMENS) Mr. Lewis informed the City Council that there just does not seem to be a meeting ground involving the industrial agreement with Dairymens in regard to the new plant. He suggested that the City Council meet with Mr. Capestany at 2:00 p.m. next Monday, October 30th, so that he can explain his position to the Council members. Much discussion followed among the City Council members. It was pointed out that the industries were important to the valley economically and yet it was also pointed out that the taxpayer should not have to support the industries in this situation. The Council agreed that they must hear all of the facts and felt that the meeting on Monday was imperative. They also felt that the Engineer for Dairymens should be present at the meeting on Monday. It was determined that they would give them at least three hours on Monday to get all the facts and positions as clearly as possible. There being no further business;, the Meeting was adjourned at 12:40 p.m. APPROVED AS written THIS 7t h DAY OF November ' 1978, �- city Cl Y