01-10-83 Finance Comm MinutesFINANCE COMMITTEE
Feting 1/10/83
The Finance Committee net January 10, 1983 at 3:45 P.M. in the Committee
Room of City Hall. Present were Councilmen Nystul, Ruiz, Saverud, O'Boyle
and Vidal. Also present were Finance Director Swanson and City Attorney Neier.
Jerry Begg was present to discuss the memorandum from the City Attorney
regarding the oil sprinkling and storm sewer assessments on South Meadows
addition. He stated that de -annexation, a recommendation of the City Attorney,
was not reasonable. Tb re -annex would require extensive hearings, paperwork
and fees. The project is still looking for financing. It was noted that the
assessments in question had been refunded last year by abatement. It was
approved to recommend to the entire Council that the assessments for storm
sewer $1,030.47 and oil sprinkling $4,007.38 on South Meadows addition be
abated. Attorney Neier and Finance Director Swanson to work out the mechanics
after the Council approval.
2. SID 328
Councilman Nystul presented the situation with the SID assessment on. SID
328. As originally assessed the entire addition, exclusive of one street was
included in the area to pay the SID. The SID was for water, sewer and streets.
The addition has substantial common areas not found in other annexations to
the City. The intent of the developer was to have the SID assessed against
the lots and not the common areas. The owners of the lots through the homeowners'
association would be the sane ones paying the assessment. Thins, the net effect
of all lot owners would be the same. It was the concern of the Chairman for the
potential for the City, through default on SID payments, to become the owners
of the common area.
The City Attorney had recommended proceeding under the Statute which
allows for correction of an erroneous or irregular assessment. The Committee will
ask the City Attorney to contact former attorney Donahue to see if there was any
reason for the method of the original assessment. The developer contends that
the result was incorrect,
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Finance Committee Mtg. 1/10/83
3. Howard Stockwell
A new question on the assessment of a lot owned by Howard Stockwell was
presented. He stated that he owns 600 sq. ft. of W. Colorado. The Finance
Director did not have a sketch of the property. The surveyor will be requested
to provide a sketch. The committee agreed that if no area of assessment was in
the street, then there would be no adjustment.
A draft of a garbage policy was presented by the Chairman. The Committee
agreed essentially upon the following:
1. All residential units to be assessed $48-per unit for 1982.
2. No charges for vacant lots.
3. No refunds for residential units being vacant.
4. The City Attorney is to be consulted on:
(a) is the garbage a fee or a tax;
(b) can the charge be continued if it is not used; and
(c) how do we define "average residential unit".
5. Some consideration be given to large multi -family to see if a sliding
scale would be more appropriate. Superintendent Clements to be
consulted for actual observation.
6. The Finance Director would again be asked to obtain rates and
information form other cities- including Great Falls. (As requested
11/12/82)
7. Commercial rates would continue as now.
8. No firm decision on a multi -family change to private at mid year
if they were entitled to a refund.
A written policy of the above will be developed and furnished to the
staff. We will continue to make refunds for those overcharged. There will be
no refunds for hauling their own or having a private hauler do the residential.
The rate structure also anticipated changes to other methods of collection.
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Finance Ccmittee Mtg, 1/10/83
Money was budgeted to consider replacing the present photocopier with one
or more machines. As we are now into the 7th month of the fiscal year, the
Cannittee agreed to have the staff prepare a written proposal for a new
copier(s) by January 31.
There is apparently sane misunderstanding about the use of the central
office supplies. No additional money was budgeted in 1982-83 because it was
felt there was adequate inventory to operate from. It is the intent of the
Ccamittee that the central office stores continue as in the past. All of the
inventory should be on the imprest basis and should be able to be accounted for.
tow, Welmem",Dal a •
As a good portion of the budget is for salaries, the evaluation of
personnel was mentioned. The Mayor will be asked if all new employees are
evaluated and the results of these recent evaluations, if any, It should
be noted that all new hires are on a probationary period. The progress of
evaluation of all other employees will also be inquired of. It was also noted
that the Council should be evaluating all the Department Heads at least
annually.
Councilman O'Boyle reminded the Camittee that we should be keeping
track of tax revenues. The Chairman will ask Finance Director Swanson to
prepare monthly tax revenue reports.
9. The meeting A -as adjourned at 5:45 P.M.