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Council Minutes of 3/3/98 <br />functions of the various city departments. The Mayor also made a presentation to the <br />students of Spruce School. The presentations were enjoyed by the students and the <br />gentlemen as they found that the children asked very challenging questions. <br />Law Director Gareau: 1) The request for valor pay by the firefighter injured while raising <br />a ladder during a fire was denied by the arbitrator. This ruling will set out once and for all <br />the issue of what is and what is not above and beyond the call of duty for police officers <br />and firefighters. <br />2) Police wage negotiations have been ongoing, and another meeting is scheduled for <br />Friday, March 6. Also, the city has received notice that AFSCME is ready to commence <br />negotiations. <br />3) The lawsuit regarding the fatal accident on Cedar Point hill has been turned over to the <br />insurance company and insurance counsel has been assigned. <br />4) A settlement agreement with respect to the hoteUmotel tax was forwarded to the <br />County Auditor and the County Prosecutor for review and approval. <br />5) Assistant Law Director Dubelko met with the Safety Director and attorney Todd Hunt <br />regarding legislation and certain contracts dealing with wireless towers. <br />Finance Director Copfer: 1) The majority of her time during the past few weeks has been <br />dedicated to the budgeting process. There were several obstacles that needed to be <br />addressed, and she will discuss these when the appropriations are reviewed by committee. <br />2) As the Mayor mentioned earlier, they are not ecstatic about the fund balance that is <br />projected for 1998. However, she feels that the budget was prepared conservatively. <br />Revenue projections are conservative and there is a fairly tight growth on expenditures. <br />Part of the strategic plan is to provide for a fund balance that is 5% of annual General <br />Fund expenditures as recommended by Moody's. <br />3) To enhance controls and follow proper procedures, purchase order numbers will no <br />longer be given out over the phone from the Finance Department. Written requests will <br />be reviewed prior to the placement of an order for services being performed. Emergency <br />requests will be coordinated through the department directors and her office on a one-on- <br />one basis. <br />4) NOMBL funds historically have been held in a checking account at Bank One and <br />earning low checking account rates. She has set up an overnight balance investment <br />sweep that is in accordance with our investment policy in order to maximize the earnings. <br />The account will be monitored to determine if there are other options that might provide <br />an additional yield. Mr. Nashar asked if the investments would be high risk. Mrs. Copfer <br />said absolutely not as our investment policy specifies very safe types of investments. What <br />she has set up is a government sweep which is allowed within our policy. <br />Mr. McKay, Chairperson of the Housing Council, reported that the annual report must be <br />submitted to the county by March 31. An organizational meeting will be held on <br />Wednesday, March 4, to distribute information to the committee members. Mr. McKay <br />nominated Michael Gareau Jr. to fill a vacancy on the Housing Council. The motion was <br />seconded by Mr. Miller and unanimously approved. <br /> <br />2 <br />i <br />