Common Council

CITY OF DARLINGTON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS NOVEMBER 4, 2024 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Mike McDermott at 7:00 PM. The Pledge or Allegiance was then recited. Present at roll call were: Joe Boll, Cindy Corley, Dave Roelli, John Sonsalla, and Steve Pickett. Absent: Black. Also present were: Amy Johnson, Kim Winslow, Mark Digman of Delta 3 Engineering, and Jeff McCarthy. Motion by Sonsalla second by Roelli that the meeting notice and agenda were properly posted. Motion carried. Motion by Roelli second by Pickett to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried. Under unfinished business, Mark Digman reported on the East Mary Street project. October 18, 2024, was the project completion deadline, and the project completion will be past that date. There were no concerns from the Council about the deadline not being met. The contractor, Bill Lepke Excavating will be coming back in the Spring to complete punch list items. Digman also shared an update on the progress for the well project for the City’s Well number 4. Mark Digman then left the meeting. Under new business, discussion was held concerning the proposed 2025 Salary and Wage Rate Schedule. A copy of the proposed schedule was included in the agenda packet. The 2025 Salary and Wage Rate Schedule includes the 4.0% wage increase authorized by Mayor McDermott and an increase to the Mayor and Council salaries and special meeting per diems. The proposed schedule also includes other salary and wage rate adjustments that will keep the City in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. After review and consideration, motion by Roelli, second by Pickett to approve the 2025 Salary and Wage Rate Schedule with the amendment to increase the Mayor’s salary $4,500.00. Motion carried. Discussion was then held concerning the proposed overall City budget. A copy of the proposed budget was included in the agenda packet. The proposed budget calls for total revenues and total expenditures of $3,210,728.81 and a tax levy of $1,380,294.00. It was the consensus of the Council to amend the budget to match the approved change to the 2025 Salary and Wage Rate Schedule and make the necessary adjustment to meet the expenditure restraint requirements. Discussion was also held concerning the proposed 2025 City of Darlington budget advertisement. A copy of the budget advertisement was included in the agenda packet. The Public Hearing for the 2025 City Budget is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 6:45 PM. The 2025 City budget shows total revenues and expenses of $3,210,728.81, a balanced budget. After review and consideration, motion by Pickett, second by Roelli to approve the 2025 City of Darlington budget advertisement as presented. Motion carried. Discussion was also held concerning the City submitting a proposal to the Seniors United for Nutrition (SUN) program for leasing space on the second floor of the Municipal Building. The SUN program needs to rent two office spaces for their office personnel. The proposal is due November 18, 2024, and has been reviewed by Attorney Stauffacher. After discussion and consideration, motion by Boll, second by Roelli to approve submitting a proposal to the SUN program. Motion carried. The September 30, 2024, financial statements for the City, Water Dept. and Sewer Dept. were then presented for review and approval. Copies of these financial statements were included in the agenda packet. After review and consideration, motion by Pickett second by Sonsalla to approve the September 30, 2024, financial statements for the City, Water Dept. and Sewer Dept. as presented. Motion carried. Motion by Roelli second by Corley to approve the following October 2024 vouchers: City vouchers #46066 thru #46147 in the amount of $839,824.32 and ACH Vouchers #160 thru 176 in the amount of $59,128.30; Direct deposit payroll vouchers #14671 thru #14741 in the amount of $61,418.06; Water Dept. vouchers #7467 thru #7490 in the amount of $307,705.81 and ACH Voucher #31 in the amount of $954.40; Sewer Dept. vouchers #8094 thru #8113 in the amount of $30,685.98 and ACH Voucher #14 in the amount of $954.42; and Library vouchers #6335 thru #6338 in the amount of $1,421.64 and ACH Voucher #6 in the amount of $1,932.86. Motion carried. Under reports of committees, Alderperson Corley reported on the Library Board meeting held October 21, 2024. Alderperson Boll reported on the Park and Recreation Committee meeting held October 30, 2024. Mayor McDermott reported on the Fire Board Meeting scheduled for November 6, 2024. There being no further business for this meeting, motion by Roelli second by Sonsalla to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 PM. Motion carried. CITY OF DARLINGTON Amy L. Johnson, Clerk-Treasurer