City Commission Minutes

WALKER CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
4243 REMEMBRANCE RD.
NOVEMBER 9, 2009

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING:

Mayor VerHeulen called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

Doug Vredeveld, Vredeveld Haefner LLC, reviewed the audit with the Commission. A letter was submitted to the Finance Committee of his findings. Issues from last year were resolved and suggestions for improvements were made for the current year. City Manager Vander Meulen thanked the staff for their efforts in assisting with the audit.

The City Commission reviewed the items on the agenda.

REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING:

Mayor VerHeulen called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.

Mayor VerHeulen, Commissioner Parent, Commissioner Deschaine and Commissioner Stek were sworn in as their respective positions after being re-elected at the November 3, 2009 election.

Commissioner Holt gave the invocation and the Deputy City Clerk called the roll.

Present: Mayor VerHeulen, Commissioners: Parent, Deschaine, Holt, Versluis and Stek.

Also Present: City Manager Vander Meulen, Assistant City Manager Schmalzel

Absent: Commissioner Kent

Motion by Holt, seconded by Parent, to approve Commission minutes of 10-5-09.

Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Stek, seconded by Holt, to approve Commission minutes of 10-12-09.

Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Deschaine, seconded by Versluis, to approve Commission minutes of 10-19-09. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Comment: None

Motion by Deschaine, seconded by Parent, to appoint Commissioner Holt mayor pro-tem. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Versluis, seconded by Holt, to approve the expenditures in the amount of $5,508,955.42. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Versluis, seconded by Parent, to approve the expenditures in the amount of $1,716,962.95. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Holt, seconded by Stek, to approve the 2009 Amendment to the Police Dispatch Services Agreement. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Versluis, seconded by Deschaine, to approve the Military Pay Policy Revision to the Personnel Manual with the time period allowed to submit the documentation increased from 30 to 45 days. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Holt, seconded by Parent, to approve the Health & Dental Insurance Policy Revision to the Personnel Manual. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Deschaine, seconded by Holt, to approve the Sick Leave Policy Revision to the Personnel Manual. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Stek, seconded by Parent, to approve the Personal Days Policy Revision to the Personnel Manual. Motion carried unanimously.

The Commission expressed their concern for the repercussions of the proposed Traffic Control Order. They were concerned about vehicles being towed along with being issued a ticket when parking in a no parking zone blocking the fire station. The order was instated due to the nature of the location and emergency situations that could be effected.

Motion by Deschaine, seconded by Versluis, to approve Traffic Control Order #207. Motion carried unanimously.

The City Manager proposed a 38 hour work week, 4 days per week 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM beginning January 4, 2010 with some departmental adjustment based on the services provided to help reduce the budget due to the audit findings and budget amendment. This would include a 5% pay reduction for all non-union hourly and salary employees. The Commission applauded the efforts by staff to take a proactive approach. Detailed financial savings were requested by the Commission. Also more detail on the plan for the DPW, Fire and Police Departments was requested, the Commission was concerned over coverage for the emergency personnel.

Motion by Deschaine, seconded by Versluis, to approve the change to a 4 day work week for City Offices beginning January 4, 2010. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Stek, seconded by Parent, to approve Resolution 09-107 to reallocate 2008 unspent CDBG money into non-programmed funds. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Versluis, seconded by Parent, to approve Resolution 09-108 to reallocate 2009 unspent CDBG money into non-programmed funds. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Holt, seconded by Parent, to approve Resolution 09-109 to amend fiscal year 2009/2010 budget. Motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Comments:

City Manager Vander Meulen discussed the possibility of a retreat in January or February with the Commission. They determined that they wanted to meet with the Department Heads to discuss the new City Offices schedule after it has been in place for a couple of weeks and to discuss how they will be providing services to the community under this new system. Commissioner Holt asked about using a facilitator to keep ideas flowing and really make beneficial use of the meeting.

Commissioner Parent thanked his fellow Commissioners for his experiences on the Commission during his tenure and he looks forward to four more years of service.

Motion by Deschaine, seconded by Versluis, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Shannon Bales

Deputy City Clerk