August 15, 2011

 The regular meeting of the Frontenac City Council, August 15^th, 2011 was called to order at12:00 Noon by Mayor Kennedy. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.  Roll call was answered byKotzman, Macary, Quenoy, Chiappetti and Menghini. Bridwell was absent and Papish arrived at 12:05 during the PRG presentation.

Minutes of August 1^st, 2011 were opened for discussion.   A motion was made by Macary and seconded by Menghini to approve the minutes.  This motion was unanimously approved.

Appropriation ordinance #1557 was opened for discussion.  Chiappetti questioned the warrant for fuel and why it was in twice, the fuel costs are split between the water and sewer departments so each department has an expenditure for half of the fuel. A motion to approve appropriation ordinance #1557 was made by Quenoy, seconded by Macary and unanimously approved.

Cindy Pucci with the Planning and Zoning Board was present to advise Council that the board had met with PRG Prototyping on August 2^nd and the board unanimously agreed to refer PRG to the City Council for placement into the North Industrial Park.

Tyler Harrell with PRG Prototyping was present to present to the Council a brief synopsis of his business. Dan advised Council that staff had met with Tyler on several occasions and now is ready to proceed with Council consent to obtain lot #5 in the North Industrial Park.  PRG assists in design, testing and initial production of products. PRG currently leases an office in Pittsburg and wants to relocate to the North Industrial Park. After a brief presentation by Tyler, a motion was made by Macary, seconded by Quenoy and unanimously approved to allow Dan, Jennifer and the Mayor to negotiate terms for lot #5 in the North Industrial Park.

Mayor Kennedy opened the public hearing on the 2012 budget at 12:10 p.m. Dan advised Council that the current proposal included no frills in expenses or new projects. Dan highlighted the state cuts including eliminating the machinery and equipment tax. The 2.795 mil increase would cost approximately $32 per year on a $100,000.00 home. The budget includes a 3% pay increase beginning in April for employees except himself, the city attorney, Mayor and Council. The water and sewer department are not levied funds and do not affect the mil levy.

Hipfl asked if we had looked at cut-backs, Dan explained that those decisions were for them. Wages, Christmas lights, homecoming, health insurance are places where money can be cut but those are up to Council. Dan also noted that Frontenac’s mil levy was lower than all neighboring towns except Arma and our utility rates are less. Hipfl inquired if we had any overlay projects for 2012. There are not. He asked what areas can be cut and inquired about health insurance. Kotzman stated he did not want to give up the 3% pay increases for employees. Chiappetti advised that other places, the employees have to pay part of their health insurance. Hipfl asked about covering the employees and having the family coverage paid by employees. Several options on the insurance were discussed including deductibles and co-payment options. Chiappetti inquired on the cost of insurance per month for the entire group, the cost is about $26,000.00 per month. Menghini suggested cutting the funds for homecoming and Christmas lights and it was discussed that we could reduce some of the city’s cost by combining with Festa. Chiappetti again mentioned the health insurance and stated that nobody else pays 100% of the insurance and suggested that the employees pay 10% of the cost. Papish stated that if we just budget to stay even that at some point you are going to have to take a big jump. Hipfl asked if we take bids on all work and supplies, currently we do not on small expenditures. Dan advised that we had to decide on a levy and he could make the numbers fit. He also advised that we would cut back on some of the expenses like advertising to support the athletic departments and similar expenses. Drops in the valuation were discussed, and the causes. Dan asked Chief Flora his opinion on whether employees would prefer a pay increase or maintaining insurance coverage at no cost, Flora advised to keeping insurance as is would be preferable. Macary stated he would prefer seeing us give up 1 ½% of the raise as to changing the insurance benefit. Menghini suggested cutting back homecoming and see if we receive any donations towards it. Hipfl suggested that the Council give up its pay to assist in lowering the levy. Dan advised he could cut the increase to about 1.5 mil by taking ½ of the employee raises; take money from homecoming and Christmas lights as well as Council pay. AJ made a motion to raise the mil levy 1.95 and have Dan adjust the aforementioned items. This motion was seconded by Chiappetti. The motion was unanimously approved. A motion was made by Quenoy and seconded by Macary to close the public hearing on the 2012 budget and return to regular session at 12:50 p.m. This motion was unanimously approved.

City Clerk’s Report: Ordinance 2011-04 was presented to Council allowing the mil levy increase to support the 2012 budget. A motion was made by Macary, seconded by Kotzman and unanimously approved to pass ordinance 2011-04.

City Attorney’s Report: Jennifer requested a 10 minute executive session to discuss attorney/client privileged information. A motion was made by Menghini to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss attorney/client privileged information. This motion was seconded by Hipfl and unanimously approved.

With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Kotzman seconded by Menghini and unanimously approved.