Committee of the Whole

Committee-Of-The-Whole Meeting Minutes June 6, 2017 Mayor Nold called the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to order at 6:10 PM. Members Present: Aldermen Zwart, Strey, Kowieski, Miller, Rosek, Shaw, Ellis, and Schmidt Members Excused: Alderman Strey Staff Present: Mayor Nold, Kitsembel, Sullivan, Buerger, Gallo, Duffy, Frye, Osborn, Kelliher, Pickart, Steinbach, Bleck, Golz, Schuh and Dehnert Others Present: Atty. Riffle 2. Motion by Shaw to go into Closed Session per Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(g) Conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved regarding Freedom From Religion Foundation Letter; second by Ellis. Motion carried 7 - 0. Council convened into Closed Session at 6:11 PM. 3. Reconvene into Open Session: Open session reconvened at 7:02 pm. 4. Presentation/Overview of the Long Term Financial Plan: Sullivan announced there will be a COTW meeting on Tuesday, June 13th and if needed, will continue on June 15th, which will be a work session to determine direction on the City’s Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) and to concentrate on the 2018 budget. The City provides a variety of services for the community which continues to grow (19% increase in population over past 10 years.) New construction helps spread the tax levy over more properties which helps to keep the mill rate steady. However, the increase in population can also put pressure on City services, and we face challenges when planning for the future because of property tax levy limits, inflationary increases, capital needs and changing revenues. Sullivan went over the 5 year levy projection outlining operating levy, capital levy and debt service levy. Staff is focusing on the 2018 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which includes a new Police Department facility along with various street, parks & utility projects as well as fleet vehicle purchases, other technology and accounting software upgrades. Sullivan said the City is currently $6,610 under the levy for 2018, but future years show that capital needs are over the levy limit. Staff intends to present the 2018 CIP for approval at the next Council meeting and then set a time in early January to do strategic planning which will provide direction to staff so budgets align better with the strategic goals of Council. Sullivan distributed a copy of the LTFP. Council questioned the tax assessment ratio; if a general manpower plan is available for all departments; and staff should consider impact fees for any available projects. Sullivan noted the net new construction assumption is 1 – 2% conservatively; a 1% inflationary increase has been included; there are no plans to add staff in the 2018 budget; and strategic plans are a good way for departments to work with Council to get input. 5. Discussion/Council Direction for Community Development Authority: Duffy asked what are the priority areas in the City that Council would like the CDA to focus on. Nold said the downtown is doing well and suggested E. Wisconsin Ave from the roundabout and Summit Ave from Whitman Park to Pabst Farms as 2 good areas to focus on. Council suggested looking at façade grants in other areas outside of the downtown; had concerns with CDA member terms and the pool of applicants - who are they and who is not being appointed by the Mayor; and Council should give the CDA direction to take further action. Nold said Council should not have issues with the CDA members as they approve appointments. Duffy said the Public Service Application is available on the City’s website and suggested Council could encourage people to apply for committee openings. He added that the CDA used to provide updates to Council on projects they were involved with and Council agreed that is a good idea. No action was taken. Motion by Schmidt to adjourn the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting; second by Kowieski. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM. Minutes taken by Chris Dehnert, Deputy City Clerk S:\Committees - Commissions\Committee-of-the-Whole\Minutes\2017\C-O-T-W Min 6-6-17.doc