Special reports from City Administrator Lisa Kuss were the focus of the Clintonville Common Council meeting on Tuesday, May 10.
Kuss gave background information on General Fund Revenues and Expenses, the Gifts and Memorials account in 2010, the Data Processing account in 2010, a three-year summary of the Crossing Guard Expense account, and a three-year summary of the Park and Rec Landscape Expense account.
Discussion of Budget Accounts
Kuss began by explaining that total General Fund Revenues and Expenses for 2011’s balanced budget would both increase by $55,246, or 1.62 percent compared to 2010.
The Gifts and Memorials expenditures in 2010 were discussed next, as the 2010 budgeted amount was $1,000 but a total of $1,433.99 was spent. Kuss said this was due to expenses incurred with the Nicaraguan Sister City Visit ($322.09), German students’ visit ($56.38), and funeral memorials ($96.75.). Kuss stated that funeral memorials were sent for three previous council members who passed away in 2010. She also stated that the Nicaraguan Sister City Visit was an unexpected expense as the visit was scheduled after the budget was approved.
The Data Processing-Computer account was also reviewed. The 2010 budgeted amount for this account was $18,500; the total spent from this account in 2010 was $18,342. These funds went towards software maintenance fees, computer supplies, and computer consultant/website fees. The city has a total of 31 computers for City Hall, Utilities, Park and Rec, Street-Airport, and the Police Department.
The Crossing Guard Expense miscellaneous account was also examined. In 2009, the budgeted amount for this account was $250; the total amount spent was $16. In 2010, the budgeted amount was $250, while $557.96 was spent. The majority of that amount went towards the purchase of three blinker paddles for the crossing guards. In 2011, the account has a budget of $500; the total amount spent to date is $0.
The total annual expenses for crossing guard wages, benefits, and miscellaneous expenses was $11,336.81 in 2009, $12,159.00 in 2010, and is listed at $12,629.00 for 2011. The total Crossing Guard Expense account came in under budget by $622.19 in 2009 and by $133.86 in 2010.
The Landscaping account for 2009, 2010 and 2011 was also reviewed. In 2009, the account was budgeted $675 and spent $2,728; however, of the total amount spent, only $238.47 was tax funds, while $2,489.53 was grant funding from the Waupaca County ATC grant. The account contains expenditures over three years but will receive revenue in one year through the ATC grant that will be paid in 2011. When the ATC grant funding is removed, the account was under budget by $436.53 in 2009.
In 2010, the account had a budget of $650 and spent $930.57. The total tax funds spent was $301.35, while grant funds spent totaled $564.22. A donation of $65 was also received. Grant revenues to be reimbursed in 2011 totaled $564.22. The account was under budget by $348.65 in 2010.
In 2011, the account has a budget of $1,781. The total spent year-to-date is $0. Total anticipated expenditure of tax funds is listed at $1,232.75, while the total anticipated grant fund expenditure is listed at $548.25. This amount, along with the grant fund expenditures in 2009 and 2010, are scheduled to be reimbursed in 2011; there are expenses over three years, and the total amount of those expenses from those three years will be reimbursed in one year. The total amount of the Waupaca County ATC grant is $3,602.
It was also noted that landscaping types of expenses charged to this account include trees, shrubs, fertilizer, and tree wrap. In order for the city to meet the Tree City USA requirements, $2 per resident must be spent on tree care, fertilizer, or new growth.
Town of Larrabee
A letter from the Town of Larrabee was presented to the council. The township had previously asked the council to waive their $1,000 payment for the use of City Hall. This payment, due in July, was the second of two payments for the use of City Hall. In the letter delivered to the council, the township requested that the city put the waiver request on hold. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, there needs to be more discussion by the board,” stated Town of Larrabee Chairman Lynn Jepson in the letter. “Sorry if this causes you any inconvenience and accept our thanks for your attention to this matter.”
The township had been looking into other places to hold their meetings and elections, hoping to save money. Currently, they pay the City of Clintonville $2,000 per year for the use of City Hall.
During the spring elections, an advisory referendum was held to help determine how the board should proceed. Town of Larrabee residents voted as follows (vote tallies follow each option, in parentheses):
1. Purchase an existing building within the city at an estimated cost of $150,000 to $250,000 (9)
2. Build a new town hall within the Town of Larrabee at an estimated cost of $300,000. This would include handicap access, a well and septic (15)
3. Rent another place to meet and hold elections (138)
4. Stay at City Hall, paying rent of $2,000 per year for a two year period, and negotiate a new fee (193)
The council will wait to hear from the township before waiving the July payment.
2010 Census Aldermanic Redistricting
Based on 2010 Census information, the city may need to redistrict in order to ensure that each council member from each of the five districts represents the same number of constituents. The staff is preparing a proposed boundary map in which the smallest district has 871 people, while the largest has 951. Ideally, each district will represent the same number of people, and if redistricting is necessary, every effort will be made to ensure that each district is as close to equal as possible.
Update on Police Building Construction
A floor plan was presented to the council, showing the layout of the police station. The building, located at 35 S. Clinton, will be remodeled to meet the department’s needs and reflect the floor plan presented to the council.
Insight on Business
The council was referred to www.insightonbusiness.com, the website of a regional publication that has highlighted the successes of Clintonville businesses such as Walker Forge, Klein Auto and Schutt Industries. Kuss said the articles written highlight the success of Clintonville’s manufacturing and industry over the past several years.
The council approved the following items:
• Sign leases for Amico’s and Ericksons; the businesses will pay $50/month for a spot on the lighted sign post, which is owned by the city.
• Requests for Park and Rec Department facility use at no charge for the nIc Foundation and Girl Scouts. These requests were approved, provided the organizations clean up after their events and use the W.A. Olen Open Shelter.
The council took no action on the following item:
• Temporary Class B Beer-St. Rose/St. Mary’s School, July 3-4. The Finance and Insurance Committee wants to allow St. Rose/St. Mary’s officials to discuss this permit with the Clintonville A’s, who will be putting on the annual fireworks show on July 3.
The next council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at City Hall.