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City Council Minutes of 3/17/2009
<br />are below last year's level which was anticipated to a certain extent at varying levels
<br />depending on the revenue stream. Expenditures also lag last yeaz consistently in most
<br />funds. One item of interest to note is that with all employees on the new health care plan
<br />with deductibles, etc., the cost the city paid into the fund for the first two -months is
<br />$140,000 less than last year when most employees were still on the old health care plan.
<br />Expenditures are about $220,000 less than the prior year as well, which is a substantial
<br />cost savings city-wide. Though anticipated, she thinks it is a rather telling reason why it
<br />was so important to change the health care plan.
<br />Councilman Gareau asked if an analysis had been done to determine to what extent the
<br />savings has been achieved as a result of less people enrolled in the plan, via layoffs and
<br />family plans, etc. He is curious as to the new process versus when the process was
<br />envisioned last year and then with subsequent unintended layoffs as to whether it's a
<br />savings in our medical cost via streamlined operations and efficiency versus savings that
<br />come from the fact that there are less people. Finance Director Copfer said that was
<br />factored into the budget, but she can provide that information. We factored into the cost
<br />to the city not being expended out of where their wages are earned and where their health
<br />care costs are. But, when we went out for proposals, they probably used, through
<br />September data, higher numbers to estimate the cost. However, the numbers she is
<br />reporting are from last year. So, it's a probably a combination of both.
<br />Councilman Barker, vice-chairperson of the Finance Committee: 1) The Finance
<br />Committee met at 7 p.m. on March 10. Present were committee members Barker, Gazeau
<br />and Kearney; Council President Kennedy and Council Members Jones, Orlowski,
<br />Mahoney; the Law Director, Finance Director, and Service Director. The committee
<br />discussed a Resolution authorizing the Director of Finance to solicit Statements of
<br />Qualification (SOQ's) from qualified attorneys and law firms to provide professional
<br />services as the city's bond counsel; and further authorizing the Mayor, subject to
<br />approval of the Board of Control, to enter into a personal services contract with the
<br />attorney or firm selected, as amended. The city has used the same bond counsel for 27
<br />years or longer. It is the feeling of Council that, with today's economy, the city, in the
<br />interest of the taxpayers, insure that we are receiving the most qualified services of bond
<br />counsel at a reasonable cost. After a brief discussion, it was decided to amend one of the
<br />Whereas clauses to go from aone-year contract to a two-year contract with a two year
<br />option instead of one and one. In committee, a motion was made by Mr. Barker and
<br />seconded by Mr. Kearney to recommend the legislation with the amendment. The vote
<br />was 2-0 with Mr. Gareau abstaining. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
<br />Councilman Barker made a motion to amend Resolution 2009-31 to change it to a two-
<br />year contract with atwo-year option. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kearney.
<br />Roll call: Barker, yes; Kearney, yes; Jones, yes; Orlowski, yes; Mahoney, yes; Brossard,
<br />yes; Gareau, abstain. The motion passed with six yes votes and one abstention.
<br />Resolution No. 2009-31 amended.
<br />Councilman Barker, chairperson of the BZD Committee: 1) The BZD Committee met at
<br />7:45 p.m. on March 10. Present were committee members Barker, Gareau, and Jones;
<br />Council President Kennedy, Council Members Orlowski, Kearney, Mahoney; the Law
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