May 31, 2008

May 7: Regular Session

Legislation for Second Reading and Final Vote

Ordinance 08-05: Moving the jurisdiction of the city’s Tree Commission from the Board of Public Works to the Board of Parks Commissioners, and clarifying the membership and duties of the Tree Commission.

Councilmember Sturbaum offered an amendement to add to the list of duties of the tree commission that it shall advise the Plan Commission on tree-related matters.

Both the amendment and the ordinance as amended passed 8-0.

Ordinance 08-06: Revision of the city’s Tree Ordinance, which describes how trees in the public right-of-way (mainly in tree plots between streets and sidewalks) should be handled vis a vis planting, maintenance, and removal.

Councilmembers Sturbaum offered an amendment to include an appeal process for residents who wish to contest the city’s decision to remove a tree in the public right of way.

Councilmember Piedmont offered an amendment to include language that was part of the original tree ordinance, which described the city’s goal of enhancing the tree canopy by replacing trees at a rate of 120% or more.

Both amendments and the amended ordinance passed 8-0.

Legislation for First Reading

Ordinance 08-08: This ordinance would authorize the City to issue Economic Development Revenue Bonds, to help fund the purchase and renovation of the low-income Henderson Court Apartments

May 14: Committee of the Whole

We discussed Ordinance 08-08. In December 2007, the Council had already issued a resolution in support of the economic development revenue bonds being issued to the developer, Yarco Co., to purchase and renovate the Henderson Court Apartment complex off of Winslow Road. This is a 100% low-income housing project which is in need of significant renovation. The developer benefits from tax exemption on the interest and a low interest rate.

Economic Development Director Danise Alano presented information on this Ordinance and took questions. This was the shortest city council meeting in my memory and ended after about 20 minutes!

May 21: Regular Session

Legislation for Second Reading and Resolutions

Ordinance 08-08: This was adopted by a vote of 9-0

Resolution 08-07: This was a housekeeping resolution to authorize certain staff members in the city to act as official agents in regard to our employee pension plans. The new city controller, Mike Trexler, was made an agent, as well as Director of Employee Services Dan Grundman and the Bloomington Transit controller. This resolution was adopted by a vote of 9-0.

Legislation for First Reading

Appropriation Ordinance 08-02: To appropriate funds related to the Jack Hopkins Social Service Fund, the Parks Land Acquisition Fund, and the Workers’ Compensation Fund.

Ordinance 08-09: To revise the salary ordinance to reflect changes in job grades.

May 28: Committee of the Whole

Appropriation Ordinance 08-02: Controller Mike Trexler presented this ordinance. Before the city can officially spend money, it has to be appropriated from the relevant fund. This is usually done in the budget before the start of a fiscal year, but sometimes expenses are unforeseen. In this case, the ordinance was brought forward to:

1)     Move $11,000 in Jack Hopkins Social Service Funding from fiscal year 2007 to fiscal year 2008 (it went unused last year)

2)     Move funds from the Parks General Fund to the Parks Land Acquisition Fund to pay for paving over the former motorcycle shop near Cascades Park (as part of environmental remediation)

3)     Move more money from the city’s designated workers’ compensation fund into the Risk Management Fund.

Ordinance 08-09: Director of Employee Services Dan Grundman described several positions in various departments that underwent review and were determined to merit a job grade change and accompanying salary change.

These two items will receive a final hearing and vote on June 4.