01/07/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 1/7/2403 Don Pangrac, 23470 Sharon Drive Expressed thanks that the light was fixed at Clague Road. He questioned whether the no turn on weekdays sign at the exit to Clague Road from I-480 included holidays. Feels there should be an exception for holidays. ^ Yesterday Marco's Pizza was distributing flyers without a permit and wondered what he should have done. Mrs. Kasler said he should have called the Police Department. ^ Continues to be concerned about water rates and asked the Mayor if he will address the issue of purchasing water from Avon. The Mayor said that issue is in abeyance in terms of the appointment of an individual to follow through on it. Mr. Pangac said he will be "six feet under" before that gats addressed in this administration. ^ Asked Mr. Dubelko if a city entity can operate with a deficit budget. Law Director Dubelko said it was probably a question for the Finance Director, but his understanding is the answer is no. We have to be balanced. Our estimated resources should at least exceed what we have appropriated for expenditures. Finance Director Copfer said we cannot knowingly operate in a deficit. You must act immediately if you anticipate one. Mr. Pangrac said the city cannot pay a bill for 2003 until the legislative body has passed and approved a budget for this year. Mr. Dubelko said a temporary appropriations had been passed. Mr. O'Grady said it is done at the beginning of every year by simply taking 1/3 of the budget from the previous year which allows us to operate until the final is passed. ^ Asked when Council, the Mayor and anybody in administration became aware of the financial shortfalls for 200212003? Mrs. Copfer said those were discussed back in the budget process of 2002, which would have been in March. She discussed her concerns that 2002 was very tight that there were uncertainties which may come to fruition and 2003 posed a bigger concern in her mind. Mr. Pangrac said it is 10 months later with no official budget for 2003 with layoffs. It just "blows his mind" that we cannot run a solvent government agency and do proper planning-it is ludicrous we are in this state and do not have even a benchmark to go by. No numbers, we're working in a vacuum. As a citizen, he finds it unacceptable. ^ Expressed concern about the reduction of the tax credit being another tax on overburdened citizens. The school levy has already increased taxes. Where are we headed in this city? Citizens are tapped out. Dave Boatman, 2093 Brown, president of fire fighters ^ Last summer, the Mayor carne to the unions to tell them about the $700,000 deficit and that layoffs were probably coming. The very next day, the city signed a coYrtract for $700,000 of street repairs. Timing is everything-this didn't sit well with employees. Now they hear there is going to be a $700,000 carryover. Service workers, clerks and techs, corrections officers were laid off. Fire fighters weren't replaced and there is talk of not funding the Assistant Chief position which has charge of prevention. The last remaining person in fire prevention is going out next week on an extended illness and fire prevention will be closed. The safety of citizens and guests in our community is at risk. Council should look very seriously at funding the Assistant Chief position. Some of the carryover money could be used to fund the position and also to bring back laid off employees. It can be done if the administration takes a hard look at funding. Safety can be restored to a minimal level. 15