City Council Minutes

PROCEEDINGS OF THE

GRANDVILLE CITY COUNCIL

SPECIAL SESSION

MARCH 17, 2008

The Special Session of March 17, 2008 was called to order by Mayor James Buck at 6:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

The City Clerk called the roll. Present were Council Members Randal Gelderloos (arrived at 6:20 pm), Steve Maas, Carole Pettijohn, and Joshua Meringa.  Absent:  Council Members Ken Gates and Stan Ponstein.

Staff present:  Tammy Aue, Treasurer/Finance Director; Matthew Butts, Assistant to the City Manager; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Julie Fend, 59^th District Court Administrator; Mary Fenske, 59^th District Court Deputy Administrator; Ken Krombeen, City Manager; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Dennis Santo; Deputy Police Chief; Vern Snyder, Police Chief; Harvey Veldhouse (arrived at 6:32 pm), Fire Chief; Peter Versluis, 59^th District Court Judge; and Todd Wibright, CWP Superintendent.

Judge Versluis gave an overview of the proposed FY 2008-2009 for the court and probation budget.  The court and probation budget is shared between Grandville (40%) and Walker (60%). The Judge asked that the clerk position remain open but the budget does not include funding.  A decrease in prisoner housing is reflected in the budget.  Judge Versluis thanked the City Council for the continued support.

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

Tammy Aue and Ken Krombeen gave a summary of the General Fund based on a millage rate of 8.454:

-        Revenues

§         Revenues remain flat as compared to past trends of 3% increase

§         Property taxes - projected increase of 1.3%

§         Revenue Sharing - possible 4% increase from the State

§         Interest income decrease due to a lower fund balance and lower interest rates

-        Fund Balance

§         Net available is $486,766 less projected budget deficit of $373,472 leaves $113,294 excess fund balance

§         Continue to maintain a 15% fund balance reserve

§         Projected beginning balance as of 7/01/08 including reserves is $1,844,629

-        Expenditures

§         Administrative market adjustment proposed at 3%

§         No additional staffing requested - Treasurer’s office staff is reduced by one full-time employee - retirement of one police officer and one DPW worker

§         Health care inflation is estimated at 8% - is it time to require a health insurance contribution from the administrative group.  Since 2 of 4 City’s bargaining units are contributing, City Council was in agreement to require a contribution from the administrative group.

§         Quality of Life - Assistant to the City Manager Butts discussed a report identifying quality of life issues in Grandville neighborhoods and solutions for those problems.  He would like the City to become more proactive rather than reactive by increasing code enforcement in Grandville neighborhoods and by registering and inspecting rental units.

-        General Fund budget line items

§         Assessor - need to obtain a Level IV Assessor - Jim Uyl agreed to cover first year by contracting Laureen Birdsall to sign the roll but will need to make a decision for the future - Hire a Level IV, engage a private contracted Level IV, collaboration with other units.  Deb Pullen and Jim Uyl are not interested in acquiring the Level IV.

§         Clerk - digital documentation of $25,000 - starting with Assessing documents and other departments in future years - included in Capital Plan

§         Library - continue annual furniture purchase

§         CATV - cable franchising revenue is decreasing and funding is 50% of revenue

§         Senior Neighbors’ Rec Program - requested $40,780 - budgeted current level of $37,500

§         Planning - new compilation of Zoning Ordinance

-        Major and Local Streets Fund

§         1.1550 millage to major and local streets

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

§         Operating at a loss - will need to look at a solution next year

-        Storm Sewers

§         No revenue source - funded by excess general fund - will need to look at a funding source for the future

-        Clean Water Plant

§         Bonding proceeds for the plant renovation included in budget

§         Sewer rate study pending - complete in April - will have a recommendation prior to public hearing on budget

-        Water

§         Water rate study pending - complete in April - will have a recommendation prior to public hearing on budget

-        Capital Plan

§         Computer replacement rotation is determined by recommendation from the IT consultant

§         Courtroom security - project moved out 3 years - Judge Versluis is comfortable with current security

§         Clerk - digital document imaging project included in next 5 years Capital Plan

§         Park and Rec Plan Identified Projects - no funding included in budget - City Council will need to indicate if they want to include the Wilson Ave. crossing at Buck Creek

§         Major Streets - Ivanrest (44^th to City limits) and Rivertown Parkway (Wilson to Ivanrest) are possible grant projects.  Replacement of Canal Ave. pedestrian bridge is proposed to be done without grant funds

§         Local Streets - scheduled overlay of local streets

§         Clean Water Plant - Wallace and 40^th Street lift stations upgrades - replacement of equipment - plant renovations

§         Water - water tank interior is proposed to be painted in FY 2009-2010

§         Motor Pool - Dump truck replacement

Motion by Council Member Maas, seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. The motion was APPROVED.

Mary L. Meines

City Clerk

Approved by City Council:       March 24, 2008

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