Loading...
08-16-1995 Workshop Meeting CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 16, 1995 A Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held Thursday, August 16, 1995 in the City Hall Conference Room. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pool at 6:00 p.m. with the following Council Members in attendance: Council Member Sargent, Council Member Norquist, Council Member Dupee and Council Member Cole. Also present was City Manager Saunders and Finance Director Van Zile. Budget Review Council Members were provided with a copy of all capital outlay requests for the upcoming budget year. Each department request was reviewed and any proposed changes were noted by Mr. Van Zile. A final list will be included for adoption with the budget. The total revenue and expense reports for each fund were reviewed detailing the need for the use of reserves to balance certain budgets. City Manager Saunders reviewed with the Council the request from the Recreation Club for the resurfacing of the shuffleboard courts at Kehler Park. After discussion, it was decided it was a good request to submit to Lake County for the next funding cycle. The Library re-roofing problem was discussed. Council Member Norquist explained that he inspected the roof along with Public Service director Davis and Bob Zahradnik, architect for the building. It was Council Member Norquist's recommendation that no additional re- roofing be done at this time. He explained that the existing foam roof could be easily repaired and re-coated. Council Members directed City Manager Saunders to move ahead in this direction. The need for remodeling the bathrooms at Jenkins Auditorium was discussed. Council Member Norquist stated he would inspect the bathrooms at Jenkins and provide Finance Director Van Zile with an estimate to include in next year's budget. Position Reclassification City Manager Saunders explained that we need to reclassify one of our Sewer Department positions from a "Sewage Treatment Plant Trainee" to a "C" Operator. We are required to have a "C" Operator seven days a week which has resulted in this classification change. There was no opposition to include this change in our schedule. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 16, 1995 Page 2 Sewer Rate Adjustment City Manager Saunders explained that a rate adjustment for sewer service is proposed this year. Finance Director Van Zile directed the Council to the hand-out showing the debt service coverage which will be at approximately .8 while our loan agreements require a 1.25 coverage rate. He explained that this will require a $1.75 increase in the monthly residential sewer bill. He stated that before we adopt a new rate that we should have a sewer rate study completed so that ail of our classifications are treated fairly. Council Members agreed to move ahead with the study. City Manager Saunders explained that this rate increase does not take into consideration the new bond issue and debt service. These adjustments will be discussed later. Cost of Living and Merit Increase It was the consensus that the same procedures be in place this year that have been in effect for employees who have topped out. They will receive a lump-sum merit increase, but no cost of living adjustment. Christmas Bonus It was explained that for several years the Christmas bonus has been $20. The purpose of the bonus was discussed at length. It was a consensus that the intent was a Christmas gift to the employees rather than a bonus for accomplishments during the year. The merit system is in place to reward employees for their work and that this Christmas bonus should be viewed as a Christmas gift to the employee, which should be the same for all employees. It was the consensus that the Christmas gift should be increased to $50 for ail employees. Liability Inqurance Finance Director Van Zile discussed the change in our liability insurance. City Manager Saunders recommended that a $25,000 deductible be established which will save the City approximately $60,000 per year in premiums. The stop-loss for the program is $75,000 per year. A summary of claims over the last several years was provided which indicated that the City should move in this direction. It was a consensus of the Council to make this change. CITY OF CLERMONT MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING AUGUST 16, 1995 Page 3 Charity Donations Council Members discussed requests for various charity organizations for funding and it was the consensus that the only one the City should fund is Lake Community Action Agency with a $1,000 donation with the same stipulation as in prior years that the money be used for Clermont Head Start. Recodification Finance Director Van Zile discussed the need for recodification and explained the costs involved. There was no objection to including this in the proposed budget. Department Head Salaries City Manager Saunders gave each Council Member a list of proposed department head salaries for their review. Council had no objection to any of these proposed salaries. Council then discussed the salary for the City Manager and agreed to a 4 % increase in addition to the cost of living increase approved for all employees. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Robert A. Pool, Mayor Attest: