03/20/2007 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 3/20/2007 The committee motion was seconded by Councilman Miller, and the committee voted 3-0 to recommend the legislation be forwarded to City Council. Mr. Gareau believed the vote was for the purpose of moving the matter out of committee without anything to be read into what people's votes were, because the reservations were stated clearly on the record that the final expression of their belief as to the worth of the ordinance would be on the floor of City Council. Both Mr. Miller and Mr. Orlowski stated that a no vote may come with this particular piece of legislation. Councilman Gazeau moved that Ordinance No. 2006-122 be amended consistent with the amendments that were recommended by the committee as expressed and written in the revised twice amended legislation which is before Council this evening. The motion to amend was seconded by Councilman Miller. Roll call: Gareau, yes; Miller, yes; Ryan, no; Tallon, yes; Jones, yes; Orlowski, yes. The motion passed with five yes votes and one no vote. Ordinance 2006-122 is twice amended. Councilman Gareau commented he appreciated City Council's indulgence on this. It's been a long drawn out procedure; but it shows, when Council works together on issues, good things can happen. Councilman Tallon, chairperson of the Finance Committee: 1) The committee met on Saturday, February 24; Wednesday, February 28; Saturday, March 3; Wednesday, March 7; Saturday, March 10; and Wednesday, March 14, to discuss the appropriation budget Ordinance 2007-17. These meetings were attended by all the members of Council, the Finance Director, the Law Director, the Mayor, and directors and division heads as the ordinance pertained to them. Many hours of preparation and discussion by City Council, the Finance Director and the administration have led to the amended ordinance before Council tonight. There has been little change from the original ordinance. The amended version of the ordinance supplies the needed appropriations to operate the city for the year 2007. There has been no elimination of jobs or employees, and everyone receives a 1% pay raise with the exception of the elected officials whose salary is set by ordinance prior to election. The end result of this budget leaves $38,178 unencumbered funds in the General Fund for the year 2007. Because of the possibility of future expenditures, this ordinance trims funds as much as possible while still preserving fiscal responsibility for the city as presented by the administration. While this ordinance does not please everyone entirely, it provides adequately for all the city's needs and maintains North Olmsted's fiscal integrity. Thanks to all members of Council, all the administrators and directors, and all who gave input in this matter for generously sharing their time and talents in formulating this ordinance. Special thanks to Finance Director Copfer for her information, research and patience in these discussions as well as for her putting together the appropriations booklet without which Council's job would have been much more difficult. Councilman Tallon made a motion to amend the legislation to include the changes as recommended by the Finance Committee and the proceduraUeditorial changes requested by the Finance Director. The motion was seconded by Councilman Miller. Councilman Gareau asked whether the question could be divided into the issue of the Finance Director's corrections/edits and the actual committee recommendations with respect to amendments. Councilman Tallon felt the motion should go forward as stated to include all the amendments. Roll call: Tallon, no; Miller, yes; Gareau, no; Jones, no; Ryan, no; Orlowski, yes. The motion failed with four yes votes and two no votes.. Councilman Ryan inquired whether the legislation should be referred back to the Finance 5