Minutes of the Special City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 1, 2015. 

Those present were Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Tibbs.  Also present were Street Superintendent Mr. Landers, Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue, Fire Chief Miller, American Water/EMC Mgr. Mr. Ferguson, Police Chief Greenslate, and Deputy Police Chief Adams.  Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, Deputy City Clerk Mrs. Fulk, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.  

Temporary Chairman Neitzel called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were eight Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Tibbs) and none absent.

A moment of silence was given in memory of William C. Bates, father of City Attorney William B. Bates and grandfather of City Attorney Blinn Bates.  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Neitzel.

Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Draft Budget Discussion:

Overview

City Administrator Mr. Johnson has been developing a plan to cover if the State cuts 50% of the income tax which would be approximately $717,750.00.  The City wants to freeze the real estate taxes.  The Governor has floated the idea of freezing the real estate taxes for a specific number of years.  The City is still trying to give the citizens the services by keeping the equipment up to date.

Alderman Mourning asked about the plan for capital equipment.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson said there is nothing set for the capital equipment.  Alderman Tibbs said they normally have gone line for line and use highlighters and red pens.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the strategic plan will drive the budget.   Alderman Hoinacki said they went through each department’s budget with the Department Head.

 City Administrator Mr. Johnson said there are no new employees. They are giving 3% raises for full time employees and 25 cents for the part time employees.  Mr. Johnson believes that the City should use small items in the General Bond.

Departmental Budget Discussion

Police Chief Greenslate said the clerical position is being paid $10,000.00 less than the former clerical person with the salary being $35,000.00.   The overtime line has decreased by 25% due to the 12 hour shifts. The uniform line covers bullet proof vests and equipment.  Technology is being moved to one separate line. The repairs equipment line was decreased to $2,000.00.  There is new technology with using body cameras but the City of Lincoln will wait until the State Supreme Court makes a decision on the issue.  The vehicle repair line is showing an increase in the budget because it has already gone above what was budgeted this year.  The Police Department would appreciate two (2) new cars but if they are not allowed then the repair line will need to be raised.  Radios have gotten more expensive and that line item was raised to cover new ones.  The Equipment replacement Fund is being deleted.  The Investigations line has been raised to $7,000.00 due to the high cost of keeping items in police custody. The labor attorney line has already gone over due to disputes and grievances.  Training is an important area for both police and fire.  When police departments get sued the first place that is looked at is the training line.  The telephone line is the contract amount. The Police Department would like to bring back the citizen police academy.  The department could also like to purchase new portable breath analyzers for alcohol stops.  Tuition reimbursement is in the budget for $20,000.00 because it is in the police contract. 

Alderman Tibbs felt that the clerical person should be at $30,000.00.  Alderman Bauer said they could not take the money away.  Deputy Chief Adams said the clerical person is an appointed position.  Temporary Chairman Neitzel said the Council was never a part of the salary discussion. 

City Treasurer Conzo stated that there would be an amended budget for 2014/2015 to make transfers to cover all the lines that are over their budget. 

City Clerk Budget

City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach said that the Deputy Clerk’s salary is in two places with it being a half in each line.  The two places are City Clerk and Sewer. 

Deputy City Clerk Mrs. Fulk said she wanted to donate $500.00 of her raise to Dawn Crowell.  Alderman Bauer said she was ok with 3% increases raises but it has to be looked at after they have the full picture of the budget. 

City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach talked about Dawn Crowell and her creating the software for the sewer bills.  She has saved the city money by not using WTI.  She was the one that came up with the paper statements. 

Sewer

Mr. Ferguson went over the sewer plant line with the following changes:

5230 – Engineering up to $15,000.00

7860 – Equipment up to $50,000.00

7862 – Vehicles up to $10,000.00

7864 – Buildings & Grounds up to $25,000.00

Break at 8:57 p.m. and return at 9:10 p.m.

Building and Zoning

The Building and Zoning Office has decreased the Zoning Board of Appeals line to $500.00.  The salaries for the part time office help has increased to $15,652.00.  The dues have been increased to $600.00.  The travel and training line was increased to $2,000.00.  The telephone/pagers line item was decreased to $2,000.00.  The demolition/cleanup was increased to $15,000.00.

City Administrator

Capital Projects – Did not get to this item.

Budget Considerations – Did not get to this item.

Other Discussion:

There was no Other Discussion.

Upcoming Meetings:

Council:                          Monday, April 6, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.                               

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, April 14, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Tibbs made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Hoinacki seconded it.  There were eight yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Tibbs) zero nays, and none absent; motion carried. 

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary