City Council Minutes

PROCEEDINGS OF THE

GRANDVILLE CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL SESSION

MARCH 19, 2007

The Special Session of March 19, 2007 was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Carole Pettijohn at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

The City Clerk called the roll. Present were Council Members Ken Gates, Randal Gelderloos, Steve Maas (arrived at 6:05 pm), Carole Pettijohn, Stan Ponstein, Joe Sierawski. Absent: Mayor James Buck.

Staff present: Tammy Butler, Assistant Finance Director; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Julie Fend, 59^th District Court Administrator; Mary Fenske, 59^th District Court Deputy Administrator; Tom Guinther, Treasurer/Finance Director; Matthew Butts, Assistant to the City Manager; Ken Krombeen (arrived at 7:10 pm), City Manager; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Dennis Santo; Deputy Police Chief; Harvey Veldhouse, Fire Chief; and Peter Versluis, 59^th District Court Judge.

The meeting was turned over to Treasurer/Finance Director Guinther and Assistant Finance Director Butler. Mr. Guinther indicated the current budget is balanced because of the cuts that have been made over the last two years. It is still unclear what direction the State will take with regards to Revenue Sharing. The City could possibly lose funds equaling 1.2 mills which would mean cuts in levels of service will need to be made.

Judge Versluis reviewed the proposed FY 2007-08 for the court and probation budget. The court and probation budget is shared between Grandville (40%) and Walker (60%). The civil infraction fees were increased in February 2007 - last increase was 2003. A clerk position will remain unfilled. The Judge continues to sentence people to work crews. Judge Versluis responded to questions.

Judge Versluis, Julie Fend, and Mary Fenske were excused.

Tom Guinther and Tammy Butler reviewed:

- Revenues

§ Property taxes - increased 2.76%

§ Personal Property taxes are 9.4% of total taxes ($538,951)

§ PA 198 taxes - decreased .17% because of the change of 2950 Prairie to a Brownfield Redevelopment Project

§ Revenue Sharing - the Statutory total is 12.9% of total or $170,368

- Budget Deficit

§ projected at $20,415

- Fund Balance

§ Net available is $1,256,283

- Administration

§ Market adjustment proposed at 3%

§ No additional staffing

§ Health care inflation is estimated at 6%

§ Increase for precinct workers

§ Review staffing of Treasurer’s office for 08/09 budget - Finance Director to retire 6/30/08

- Police Department

§ Special event costs

o Discussion regarding charging ‘for profit’ organizations for special event costs.

§ School Crossing Guards - assume 50% of program costs - $16,000

- Other

§ Senior Neighbor program - 5% increase

§ $50,000 included for Senior Neighbors Facility Upgrade/Architectural Study

§ Summer Recreation - continue current funding level

§ Library

o The Grandville Library is very busy and is need of expansion.

o The Branch Manager has put together a proposal for expansion

§ CATV - continue current funding level

§ Retiree Health Care - continue reserve funding

- Options/Recommendations

§ Sidewalk plowing

o Providing the same level of service on all sidewalks that is provided on the streets would require additional staff and the purchase of two additional snowplows. This would be the most expensive option and is not recommended by staff.

o The other option would be to plow sidewalks as time permits after the first priority snowplowing of the streets. This option would require the purchase of an additional plow. This is the option staff recommends.

o Consensus of Council was not to pursue sidewalk snowplowing

City Manager Krombeen arrived.

§ Spring Cleanup

o Last spring was the first year spring cleanup was changed. Discussion by Council to reinstate cleanup days to level as in the past. It was decided to keep as is.

§ MERS Benefit E

o It has been the practice of Council to approve a cost of living increase every two years for the defined benefit retirees. There is not a guarantee that Council will approve the increase in the future

o The defined benefit is closed and new employees receive the defined contribution

o The recommendation is to make the benefit permanent to level out the cost - approximately $95,000 a year - this will decrease as current funding method escalates

o Because there will not be an impact on the 07/08 budget, Council did not authorize

General Fund budget line items were reviewed.

- Major and Local Streets Fund

§ Tax allocation will be 25% to major and 75% to local

- Water and Sewer

§ Maintain current water and sewer rates - do not need to raise the rates even though the software indicates an increase - the value of reserves is appropriate

§ Will be requesting an increase in water fee policies - reconnect fees, RTS fees, 5/8” meter cost and installation

- Capital Plan

§ Remains the same

Fund details were reviewed for: Brownfield Redevelopment, Storm Sewer Trunkage, Building Authority, DDA, Clean Water Plant, Water Fund, Motor Pool and Retiree Health Care.

Various possible projects for utilization of the Fund Balance were discussed including Senior Neighbors building renovation or expansion to include museum, library expansion, Little League fences, the Lee Street Park project, and Mill Race Park buildings.

Grandville Library Branch Manager, Patrice Vrona, addressed Council regarding a library substation incorporated into a Senior Neighbors facility.

Janet Schuiling, 4200 White Street, asked Council to consider the library expansion and improving the Senior Neighbors building. She feels these types of projects would be giving back to the community.

Motion by Council Member Gelderloos, and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.

Mary L. Meines

City Clerk

Approved by City Council: March 26, 2007

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