FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION, SERVICE,
ENGINEERING and GORMAN FARM
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
November 6, 2013
The Finance, Service, Engineering and Gorman Farm Committee met on November 6, 2013 at 5:00 pm at the large conference room in the Evendale Administration Building. At the meeting, were Councilmembers Schaefer, Hartman, and Albrinck. Also in attendance were Chris Patterson, James Jeffers, Jim Bothe, Chief Korte, and Cynthia Caracci.
Service Department / Engineering
James Jeffers gave the engineering report in writing. It is attached. There will be an ordinance on the agenda for the Council meeting necessary to close out the traffic signal project.
Gorman Farm
Chris Schuermann submitted the monthly report in writing. Chris Patterson represented the Gorman Farm at the meeting. The Farm did not spend the previously appropriated $23,506 for the well project. Cynthia Caracci indicated that those appropriated, but un-spent funds are reflected in the 2014 Budget.
Councilmember Hartman and Cynthia Caracci expressed concern about the amount of brush removal by FECON and the effect of obliterating some of the well-established trails that many residents use. Chris Patterson indicated that their concerns will be reported to the Farm Board.
Finance
Cynthia Caracci presented the finance report in writing. October tax receipts were $1,032,361.67. That is about $17,000.00 more than last October. Excluding the Evendale Commons TIF, October revenue exceeded expenses by $33,363.27. Year to date, Revenue exceeds expenses by $947,921.17.
In addition to the Ordinance to close out the Traffic Signal project, there will be a transfer from the fire service fund to the general fund, an appropriation to cover the cost of a major repair to the newer of the two ambulances, and an appropriation in the Drug Law Enforcement Fund.
The committee then discussed 2014 Budget. Mayor Apking presented his 2014 budget proposal. It contains a 3% raise. The committee asked Cynthia to present a history of employee raises over the last five years. Additionally the Mayor presented comparable salary information for surrounding municipalities. The rest of the operating line items are little changed from 2013.
The Mayor also presented his recommendations for capital improvements. He suggested the council carefully consider both those for which he did not recommend funding and those submitted for which he does recommend funding. The committee expressed some support for the funding of the Cooper Creek wall, the replacement of the recreation department van, and a system to make the second story of the Cultural Arts center handicapped accessible. Moving the Historical Commission to the house next to the Hollywood Motel and remodeling of that room in the Cultural Arts Center was also discussed. These matters will be discussed further after the new Council members are sworn in on December 2.
Administration
The committee briefly discussed the tuition reimbursement program with Chief Korte. The new language discussed was something to the effect that Universities in the Tri-State area are preferred. There is no immediate need to revise the ordinance and action on the matter was deferred.
Councilmember Albrinck requested that the issue of Type “A” daycare in the Residential District be revisited. The committee recommended that the matter be referred to the Planning Commission for a recommendation.
The final matter discussed was incorporating a requirement to remove dead trees into the Property Maintenance Code. Additionally, a written request to residents whose adjoins Village owned property should be sent requesting that they notify the Village if any greenbelt, Griffin Park, South Park or Gorman Farm trees are dead and threatening their property. Since the health of the trees will not be obvious until late spring, this matter was deferred.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.
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Christian J. Schaefer
Committee Chairman
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