2011/11/07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

11. REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND CITY OFFICERS a. Community Development Director Julie Christensen presented a resolution approving the 2012 Annual Action Plan and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Budget. It was noted that the Community Development Authority recommended approval of the budget by a vote of 5 -0 with one abstention. Councilor De Forest recused herself from the discussion and action on this item. Councilor Luebke moved to adopt the resolution, and Councilor Newnham seconded. The motion carried 6 -0 -1. File 8514 Councilor De Forest returned to the Forum. b. Ms. Christensen presented a resolution approving the 2012 HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) Budget. It was noted that the Community Development Authority recommended approval of the budget 6 -0. Councilor Newnham moved to adopt the resolution, and Councilor Van De Bogart seconded. The motion carried 7 -0. File 8515 c. Downtown Beloit Association Executive Director Kathleen Braatz presented a resolution approving the 2012 Business Improvement District Plan and Budget. It was noted that the Downtown Beloit Association unanimously recommended approval of the budget. Ms. Braatz discussed some of the success stories of 2011 and announced that the state asked Beloit to host the Downtown Main Street Awards in 2012. Councilor Haynes moved to adopt the resolution, and Councilor Luebke seconded. Councilor Newnham asked about additional funding for upper floor housing, and Ms. Braatz indicated that the Board voted to increase the amount of money available to 50 percent of the cost of the project. Councilor Newnham asked if all of the programs are self- sufficient, and Ms. Braatz indicated that the ability of an event or program to generate revenue is not the sole justification of the event. She used a parade as an example of an event that does not pay for itself but that the donations to charity from the event are deemed more important by the Board. The motion carried 7 -0. File 8479 d. Beloit Transit Director Michelle Gavin presented a resolution authorizing changes to the 2012 Schedule of Transit Fares for the City of Beloit, Wisconsin. Ms. Gavin indicated that, without this modest increase in fares, there would have to be a substantial decrease in service. Anecdotally, she said that transit riders have said that they would rather pay the increase fare price than have services decreased. Councilor Spreitzer moved to adopt the resolution, and Councilor De Forest seconded. Councilor De Forest indicated that the transit riders she spoke to supported the increase in fares provided that the current service levels remained. Councilor Van De Bogart asked if Beloit is the smallest City in Wisconsin to maintain bus service, and Ms. Gavin responded that Beloit is one of the smaller transit departments but has been operating for over 100 years and serves over 300,000 riders annually. The motion carried 7 -0. File 8514 e. Mr. York presented a resolution authorizing changes to the 2012 Schedule of Fees, Charges, and Rates for the City of Beloit, Wisconsin. He highlighted some of the increased fees in the Fire Department and Parks and Leisure Services and for services including solid waste removal, electrical permits, and rental dwelling permits. Councilor Haynes moved to adopt the resolution, and Councilor Luebke seconded. Councilor De Forest asked why the rental permit fee needed to be increased, and Ms. Christensen indicated that, per the City's ordinance, the program is supposed to pay for itself. Councilor Spreitzer indicated that the rental dwelling permit program should be reviewed in the future to make sure the levels of inspection are appropriate. Councilor De Forest made a motion to amend the resolution to eliminate the increase in the rental permit fee, and Councilor Newnham seconded. The motion to amend the resolution failed 2 -5 with Councilors Haynes, Van De Bogart, Leavy, Luebke, and Spreitzer voting in opposition. The motion to adopt the resolution as presented carried 7 -0. File 8514 f. Mr. York presented a resolution approving the Operating Budgets, Appropriating Funds and Levying Property Taxes necessary for the Operation and Administration of the City of Beloit for the Year 2012 including the 2012 Capital Improvement Budget; the Beloit Public Library Budget; and further authorizing the City Treasurer to spread the City Property Tax along with the apportionments Certified for other Jurisdictions upon the Current Tax Roll of the City. Councilor Haynes moved to adopt the resolution, and Councilor Spreitzer seconded. Councilor De Forest noted that, as a body, the Council could revisit and amend the budget in the future needed. Councilor Newnham asked Mr. York to repeat the impact of health insurance on the budget, and Mr. York said that insurance costs increased by 15 percent in 2012. Manager Larry Arft indicated that our health insurance consultants recommended an increase of 25 percent, but the City's Administration has worked to decrease the burden on the taxpayers. Councilor Haynes noted that favorable changes in the economy in the near future could result in the reinstatement of some of the public safety positions. Councilor Spreitzer asked Mr. York to explain why there may be an increase in taxes even though the overall budget has decreased, and Mr. York said