01/07/2003 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 1/7/2(103 line to Brookpark Road will be done in 2003; slab repair work will be done, especially a part of Sandy Ridge and North Park. Some future projects include completing Lorain Road repair, continued slab repair, completion of the street lighting program; construction of a new Fire Station No. 2; with the help of the County Engineer, construction of Crocker Road/Stearns Road. He hopes to move the city forwazd to the best of his capability and ability. Councilman Nashar commented on several topics. Noted that he had spoken to the County Engineer who told him that the Crocker/Stearns Road project will probably start in late 2004 or 2005. As to the roof of Fire Station No. 2, last year he inspected the roof with the former Safety Director and he believes it should be replaced rather than repaired. He would recommend using the EMS funds to replace the roof. On December 16, the Mayor sent a letter to all of Council pertaining to the city budget. In that letter, there were seven items that the Mayor was going to address and give his views to Council. Has the Mayor addressed these items? Mayor Musial said he is waiting for the final carryover figure which will not be available until mid-January. It would appear that union employees are not going to be asked to forego their pay increases, and he will not take the action of freezing salaries of non-bargaining employees. Depending on the carryover, it looks like the tax credit reduction and some other aspects involved with massaging the budget will be presented to Council. With these measures, there will be no further layoffs. Councilman Gareau asked Finance Director Copfer what deficit number was used to determine that the 70•~o tax credit reduction would be needed. That number has not been supplied to Council. Finance Director Copfer replied that the Mayor has presented a preliminary budget with a $2.3 million shortfall. That will be reduced by the carryover which could be $700,000 or more. The Mayor will be presenting options to Council regarding diverting funds and the tax credit reduction. Councilman Gareau asked the Mayor if he knew how much the tax credit reduction will cost the taxpayers. Mrs. Copfer said she did have a schedule prepared but felt this issue should be discussed in committee. Councilman Gareau noted that an individual who works out of the city and makes $50,000 a year will be required to pay $300 more in taxes. He expressed frustration that Council is not being properly informed as to a tax plan and a plan for how this will be handled. He noted that Councilman Nashar has been asking for information since August. Council member Kasler agreed and noted that Council has repeatedly asked for a budget to review. Council was supposed to have received the budget by December 1. It is the Mayor's responsibility to present a balanced budget. She asked the Mayor not to spend any money until Council has time to look at a budget line by line. Mayor Musial said he plans to present a balanced budget to City Council but he needs to know the carryover amount. (A lengthy discussion ensued as to when Council would receive the balanced budget and whether the tax credit reduction was needed. Councilman Miller asked the Mayor if he supported the legislation to reduce the tax credit. Mayor Musial responded he thought it was a viable solution for not more than a year. Mr. Miller also expressed frustration that Council is not being informed.) 3