# Meeting Events

Meeting: `mm3mztcqpaa.finance_committee_of_the_whole_10-28-24_special`

Meeting date: `2024-10-28`

Meeting type: `committee_of_the_whole`

This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.

## Decisions and Votes

- **Approval of Agenda** — Passed
  - **Summary:** Motion made to approve the agenda.
  - **Attribution:** Chair
  - **Evidence:** “Can I have a motion to approve the agenda? So moved. Second.”
  - **Evidence:** “All those in favor? All right. Aye. Okay. Any opposed? Nope. Let's move on to.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [01:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=96s)

- **Waiver of Section 220-1023B Requirements for Public Speaking Time**
  - **Summary:** Motion made to waive requirements for only this meeting of Section 220-1023B, Rules of Council, addressed by nonmembers to increase the time allowed to five minutes for members of the public to speak.
  - **Evidence:** “A motion to waive the requirements for only this meeting of Section 220-1023B, Rules of Council, addressed by nonmembers to increase the time allowed to five minutes for members of the public to speak. Is there a motion? So moved. Second.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=133s)

- **Waiver of Public Speaking Time Increase** — Passed
  - **Summary:** The motion to increase public speaking time was approved.
  - **Attribution:** Chair
  - **Evidence:** “Are there any, yes, any in favor? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Okay. So we move that to five minutes now instead of three.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [02:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=167s)

- **Motion to adjourn meeting**
  - **Summary:** A motion was made to adjourn, which was seconded by Parker and Klemm, and subsequently voted upon.
  - **Attribution:** Procedural
  - **Evidence:** “Motion to adjourn. I'm up front. Speak on the budget or speak on. She's running from Monroe. ... Can I get a motion for adjournment? Can I get a second? Austin, second by Parker and Klemm. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?”
  - **Review flags:** unattached_second
  - **Source timestamp:** [37:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=2239s)

## Procedural Actions

- **Call to Order and Quorum Check**
  - **Summary:** The meeting was called to order, quorum confirmed.
  - **Attribution:** Chair
  - **Evidence:** “I will call the roll. You can call the meeting to order. I've called the roll and I will do the call. We'll call the meeting to order. Do we have a quorum? We do have a quorum, but I'll call the roll and confirm that too.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1s)

## Financial and Contract Events

- **Total Budget Amounts Reviewed**
  - **Summary:** The total amounts reviewed for various departments include the City Council budget ($35,760), Commission's budget ($40,020), city clerk's budget ($172,915), communications department ($88,950), city manager and mayor budget ($215,110), legal budget ($296,000), finance budget ($159,750), buildings budget ($272,725), community development budget ($481,820), human resources budget ($112,350), hearing and administrative budget ($25,000), interdepartmental budget ($5,404,465), MIS budget ($784,438), police budget ($7,109,750), fire budget ($6,772,965), and others.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “We have already reviewed the City Council budget, and that total amount is $35,760. We have gone over the Commission's budget, and the total amount there is $40,020. We've reviewed the city clerk's budget at $172,915, the communications department at $88,950. We've also reviewed the city manager and mayor budget, which is $215,110. We've also reviewed the legal budget, which is $296,000. The finance budget which is $159,750. We've reviewed the buildings budget at $272,725. We've reviewed community development budget at $481,820. Human resources budget at $112,350. And the hearing and administrative budget which is 25,000. We've reviewed interdepartmental budget at five million four thousand four hundred sixty five dollars and we've looked at the MIS budget which is our information systems budget at seven hundred and eighty four thousand four hundred thirty eight dollars. You have to bear with me I have some of the pages turned around in here a little bit. We've also reviewed the police budget at $7,109,750. The drug forfeiture fund, which is essentially a net zero, but $20,000 in income, $20,000 of expenses. We've reviewed the fire budget at $6,772,965.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [07:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=472s)

- **TIF and Project Fund Balances**
  - **Summary:** Several TIF funds and project accounts were reviewed with specific revenue and expense amounts.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “The Fire Public Safety Fund, which is, again, similar to the Drug Forfeiture Fund. It has an income of $12,500 and expenses of $12,500. We have the Fire Improvement Fund with a revenue of $2,146,750 and equivalent 2,170,795. $795 In the Fire Improvement Fund. We've discussed in detail on that. We have the Downtown TIF Fund with a revenue of $702,205 and expenses of the same. The Lamb Road TIF Fund, which is $3,851,455 and expenses of the same. The West Avenue TIF fund $680,115 and then expenses of the same. The Berger Hills TIF fund which is $20,025 and expenses of $20,025. The Meadows TIF which is $251,190 and expenses of $251,190 as well. And then projects fund non-departmental which is essentially a zero. Then we have the sidewalk Program, which we're budgeting $20,000 for the Side Rock Program. Then trail and other projects, $21,000. And downtown revitalization loan program of $45,000. And expenses of $45,000.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [09:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=579s)

- **October 3rd Revenue Totals**
  - **Summary:** Total revenues for the city on October 3rd were reported as $25,485,575.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “So the total revenues are $25,485,575 for the city.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [11:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=691s)

- **October 3rd Fund Balances**
  - **Summary:** Specific fund balances reviewed on October 3rd included government buildings ($262,500), cemetery care fund ($15,200), neighborhood housing fund ($625,000), and tourism fund ($285,000). Debt service and health care funds showed equal revenue and expense amounts.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “We have government buildings budget, which is $262,500. The cemetery care fund, which is $15,200. The neighborhood housing fund, which is $625,000. And Tourism Fund of $285,000. In addition to that, we did debt service at revenue of $4,531,760 and then also expense of $4,531,760. And then Health Care Fund, $3,159,010 and expenses of $3,159,010.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [11:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=709s)

- **Landfill Closure Fund Balance**
  - **Summary:** The Landfill Closure Fund showed a revenue of $603,205 and an expense of $503,205, with $100,000 allocated to build the account balance.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Landfill Closure Fund, we have a revenue of $603,205 and an expense of $503,205, with $100,000 going to build that account balance.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=739s)

- **Public Works Budget Allocations (Oct 15)**
  - **Summary:** The Public Works budget included allocations for the street department ($3,527,205), airport ($654,435), cemetery ($94,420), forestry ($401,580), animal control ($88,245,000), traffic engineering ($63,000), and street lights ($321,000).
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Under the street department, we are budgeting $3,527,205. Under the airport, we're budgeting $654,435. Sanders. Under the cemetery budget, we are budgeting $94,420. Under our forestry budget, we're budgeting $401,580. Under animal control, we're budgeting $88,245,000. And under traffic engineering, we're budgeting $63,000. Under street lights, we're budgeting $321,000.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [12:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=768s)

- **Street Improvement Fund Projections**
  - **Summary:** The Street Improvement Fund is projected to receive $1,000,300 from motor fuel tax and $4,316,000 from the street improvement fund itself.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “and motor fuel tax we're expecting to get roughly a million dollars this is a projection but one million thirty thousand dollars under the street improvement fund we're expecting to receive four million three hundred and sixteen thousand dollars and expend the same amount”
  - **Source timestamp:** [13:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=825s)

- **Capital Projects Budgeting (Oct 21)**
  - **Summary:** The capital projects budget included allocations for transportation ($3,033,100), facilities ($13,160,000), and water projects ($13,160,000).
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “So under transportation we're budgeting a total for next year of $3,033,100. Under Facilities we're budgeting $13,160,000. Under Water Projects we're budgeting $13,160,000.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [13:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=825s)

- **Wastewater and Stormwater Budgeting (Oct 21)**
  - **Summary:** Specific allocations for wastewater projects were noted at $38,760, stormwater projects at $1,150,000, and vehicles and equipment at $1,315,000.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “under wastewater projects 38 million seven hundred and sixty storm water projects one million one hundred fifty thousand and vehicles and equipment we're budgeting one million three hundred and fifteen thousand”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=906s)

- **Capital Equipment Fund Budgeting (Oct 21)**
  - **Summary:** The Capital Equipment Fund is budgeted at $996,525 for the Water Fund, and a total of $10,327,410 is budgeted across all revenue sources.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Capital Equipment Fund, we're budgeting $996,525 in the Water Fund and this is including all revenue sources, including loans. We're budgeting $10,327,410.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [15:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=906s)

- **Sewer and Storm Sewer Budgeting (Oct 21)**
  - **Summary:** The sewer fund is budgeted at $5,429,150, with storm sewer receiving $1,272,600. Expenses for the sewer fund are also budgeted at $5,429,150.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “In the sewer fund, we are budgeting $5,429,150. And under storm sewer, we're receiving $1,272,600. And then on the expenses, we're budgeting $5,429,150.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [16:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=993s)

- **Sewer Fund Budgeting**
  - **Summary:** The budget for the sewer fund is $5,429,150, and the storm sewer portion receives $1,272,600 in revenue.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “In the sewer fund, we are budgeting $5,429,150. And under storm sewer, we're receiving $1,272,600. And then on the expenses, we're budgeting $5,429,150. And that includes debt repayments and revenues.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [16:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=993s)

## Presentations and Reports

- **Overview of budget process**
  - **Summary:** Finance Director Michelle Richter provided an overview of the budgeting process, noting it began in late July/early August and that this is the second public input session.
  - **Attribution:** Michelle Richter
  - **Evidence:** “Overview of budget process by finance director Michelle Richter. Wilderman, Sellers. Our budgeting process began quite a few months ago, towards the end of July, beginning of August, our department heads started to gather their departmental budgets. They look at past history, they look at the previous budget, and they start compiling We've been in the process of presenting these budgets to the Finance Committee of the Whole over the past couple months. We have also had one previous public input session. This is our second public input session.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [03:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=185s)

- **Budget Review Status and Revenue Estimates**
  - **Summary:** The Finance Director noted that new revenue estimates for the state of Illinois were received, requiring a review of budget numbers.
  - **Attribution:** Michelle Richter
  - **Evidence:** “Just in the mail today, I'll share. You bet. We just received the latest projection numbers of revenue estimates for the state of Illinois from IML. And this one just came in the mail today. So I'll be reviewing this in depth to look at our budget numbers.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=315s)

- **Budget Review Process Completion**
  - **Summary:** The process requires multiple reviews by Finance, City Manager, and Council before the first reading.
  - **Attribution:** Michelle Richter
  - **Evidence:** “So once we've presented everything once, finance is gonna go through it again. City manager is gonna be going through it again. All of us will give it another final review. There might be a few tweaks and then that whole, those tweaks will also come to council.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [05:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=329s)

- **Budget Overview by City Manager and Finance Director**
  - **Summary:** City Manager Boyer presented the total amounts reviewed for several departments/entities.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “We have already reviewed the City Council budget, and that total amount is $35,760. We have gone over the Commission's budget, and the total amount there is $40,020. We've reviewed the city clerk's budget at $172,915, the communications department at $88,950.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [07:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=444s)

- **Budget Review Overview (Sept 9 - Oct 21)**
  - **Summary:** City Manager Boyer presented a review of various department and fund budgets for multiple dates in October.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “Overview of the budget that has been reviewed to date by City Manager Boyer and Finance Director Richter for September 9th, 2024, for September 16th, 2024, for October 7th, 2024, October 15th, 2024, and October 21st, 2024.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [06:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=417s)

- **Remaining Budgets Overview**
  - **Summary:** The remaining budgets include several grants (e.g., police department, community development), fire pension, and police pension funds, which are fiduciary funds not set by council.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “The only budgets that are left are the grant budget, so we'll have several grants, you know, be that police department, community development. There's several grants we'll go through next week. And then we'll have the fire pension, the police pension and foreign fire. Those are real, those budgets are really not set by council. Those are fiduciary funds, so we just kind of watch over them, but we don't have a say.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [18:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1110s)

- **Foreign Fire Insurance Board structure and function**
  - **Summary:** The Foreign Fire Insurance Board is set by statute, with members elected from the fire department. Matters related to foreign fire are submitted to the board for consideration, which includes reviewing purchasing provisions and how funds generated by outside insurance companies are used.
  - **Attribution:** Director Richter
  - **Evidence:** “So regarding Fire Department, the Foreign Fire Insurance Board, that is set by a statute, whereas the board members are elected from the fire department. So there's an officer and then and then served as president, secretary, treasurer, myself as ex officio. So any any matters related to foreign fire are submitted very much modeling after the city council here. They're submitted to the and John. The second item that the Council for Foreign Fire Board for consideration discussion takes place is it within the guidelines of the purchasing provisions of foreign fire that is voted on by the board members.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [26:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1563s)

- **Pension boards structure**
  - **Summary:** The fire and police pensions operate similarly to other cities, managed by their own pension board trustees who are entrusted with managing the funds.
  - **Attribution:** Director Richter
  - **Evidence:** “Go ahead. The fire pension and police pension are similar. So other cities work exactly the same way as we do. Weirich. And they have their own pension board trustees, and they're trustees. They're entrusted with the fire and police pension dollars and to manage those correctly so that their pensions are there when they retire.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [27:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1665s)

## Discussion

- **Cemetery Budget Review Clarification**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding why the cemetery budget appeared twice (on Sept 16th and Oct 15th), leading to a clarification that it refers to both the Cemetery Care Fund and the Cemetery Operations budget.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “Sure. When you talked about the cemetery, you talked about that twice. You did a 19 and a 15. Miller. Why is the cemetery in two different cemeteries? You're thinking of the cemetery care fund as well as the cemetery operations budget.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [17:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1038s)

- **Cemetery Budget Clarification**
  - **Summary:** The cemetery budget covers both the cemetery care fund and the cemetery operations budget.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “Why is the cemetery in two different cemeteries? You're thinking of the cemetery care fund as well as the cemetery operations budget. Oh, okay. So that's okay. Those are the two.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [17:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1050s)

- **Neighborhood Housing Fund Source**
  - **Summary:** The neighborhood housing fund is sourced from the real estate transfer tax collected when property is sold and is used for demolitions and economic development.
  - **Attribution:** Director Richter
  - **Evidence:** “That's the real estate transfer tax. So anytime there's a sale of property it's. 004 Is what we take out of that and we take that money and that's what goes towards our demolitions and a little bit of that goes towards economic development but that tax is all from the real estate transfer selling a property. So anytime a property is sold it goes into that fund and we use it for demolitions.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [17:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1073s)

- **Street Lights Funding Details**
  - **Summary:** The street lights funding consists mostly of the power bill, and the sidewalk cost was confirmed as a 50-50 deal.
  - **Evidence:** “You talked about the street lights. What is that going to consist of? That's mostly the power bill okay yeah okay and this sidewalk is that that 50-50 deal or what is that that's it yep”
  - **Source timestamp:** [18:25](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1105s)

- **Board Governance Structure Inquiry**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised regarding how department boards are set up, governed, and why the council cannot intervene or discuss their matters.
  - **Attribution:** Huffines
  - **Evidence:** “Are there any other questions? I'd like to say something about these board of directors and these boards for our department and how it was governed and who are the people that are on these boards. Do we have any perspective on how this is is set up within the city that we have no way to make a determination or judge or whatever have anything to say about these boards. How is that set up and why is it separate from the council that the council cannot intervene or discuss the matters of the boards for every department within the city?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [20:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1247s)

- **Board Appointment Process Clarification**
  - **Summary:** The process for board appointments involves the mayor appointing members, who must then be approved by the council.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “Okay, so that's, okay, so how that is is those spots are appointed by the mayor and approved by the council.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [22:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1357s)

- **Board Term Limits and Establishment**
  - **Summary:** Some board members have established terms ranging from three to seven years, and new appointments require council approval.
  - **Attribution:** Fowler
  - **Evidence:** “So, you have approved those, a lot of them, when they come before the council, you either say yes or no. That's how they're seated. And they're on for so long, so it might have been some of them that are on, correct me, some of them are, have already been established and they're still on there because they're, are they like four and five year terms? It just depends. Some are three year terms. Some are seven year terms.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [22:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1363s)

- **Board Governance Authority Basis**
  - **Summary:** The existence of the boards is set by ordinance, which establishes policy for governing departments and administrations.
  - **Evidence:** “It's just been that process for as long as I've known. Yeah. It's set by ordinance. Yeah, as long as you- If it's an ordinance, then we say that it's an ordinance. That's what I'm saying.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [23:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1430s)

- **Board Reporting Structure Inquiry**
  - **Summary:** A question was raised about who the departments report to if questions arise regarding board duties.
  - **Attribution:** Huffines
  - **Evidence:** “That helps to govern the departments of these administrations and then who are they reporting to, the boards, who do they report to if we have questions. We might want to question the board in regards of their duties, whatever that's happening.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [24:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1452s)

- **Council oversight of boards and commissions**
  - **Summary:** A discussion regarding the lack of council oversight over various appointed boards and commissions that make decisions involving taxpayer dollars.
  - **Evidence:** “I like to know the individuals. And the individuals that are on these boards making decisions for financial, fire, police and anybody else, I need to see who are the board of directors, well you say they're not board of directors, they are appointed, but they're still acting like board of directors. That's the functionalities of a board. So my thing is, what is, or who are the people that's being appointed to these boards who are making decisions within the city that involves taxpayers' dollars?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [29:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1795s)

- **Minutes inclusion for boards and commissions**
  - **Summary:** All minutes for all boards and commissions are included in the consent agenda with every council meeting, providing a courtesy copy to the public.
  - **Evidence:** “After I write down my thoughts. All of the minutes for all the boards and commissions are included in the consent agenda with every council meeting, they are their own bodies, so they approve their own minutes, but a courtesy copy is provided to council and the public with every agenda.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [28:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1693s)

- **Board membership and decision-making authority regarding taxpayer funds**
  - **Summary:** A speaker questioned who is appointed to boards making decisions involving taxpayers' dollars, noting that these bodies function like a board of directors even if not formally designated as such.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “And the individuals that are on these boards making decisions for financial, fire, police and anybody else, I need to see who are the board of directors, well you say they're not board of directors, they are appointed, but they're still acting like board of directors. That's the functionalities of a board. So my thing is, what is, or who are the people that's being appointed to these boards who are making decisions within the city that involves taxpayers' dollars?”
  - **Source timestamp:** [29:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1795s)

- **Police Pension Board composition and funding control**
  - **Summary:** A speaker stated they have been on the police pension board since 2012, noting the board consists of two active participants from the police department (two-year term), one retiree, and two appointees from the community who work at financial institutions. They also noted that all police fire funds are consolidated and controlled by the state of Illinois, giving them zero input on investments.
  - **Attribution:** Alderman Sanders
  - **Evidence:** “Alderman Sanders, I can tell you, I've been on the police pension board since 2012. So, they say it's set by ordinance, but I believe the ordinance probably mirrors the statute, Huffines. We have a state statute. So our board consists of two active participants, two people from the police department. So the police department then votes on who they want to go, who they want to be on the board and that's a two-year term. There's also a retiree that's on the board and then there's two appointees and they consist of two individuals from the community, both of them work at financial institutions. When it comes to managing the funds, I mean, we used to have more involvement with investments when we had a consultant, but ever since the money has been consolidated, all the police fire funds are consolidated and controlled now by the state of Illinois. So we really have zero input on how it's invested.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [31:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1911s)

- **Availability of board member lists**
  - **Summary:** A speaker advised that a copy of the list detailing who is on every board and when they meet can be obtained, as this information is available on the website directory.
  - **Attribution:** Miller
  - **Evidence:** “Miller, and you can go over it. And you'll know who's all on every board. Is it the times that they have their meetings? That is a list of who they are. The times are also available on the website. The directory is available on the website. So we'll get you a copy of that and then you'll know who's all on it.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [33:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1988s)

- **Investment justification for new fire truck**
  - **Summary:** A public commenter argued that acquiring a new fire truck alongside keeping one in reserve is a wonderful investment in people, especially given potential hazards like balconies and elderly residents.
  - **Attribution:** Sue Cook
  - **Evidence:** “So if we have another truck and a truck and reserve, it's going to be a lot safer for the citizens to have that new truck and a truck and reserve. So that 14-year-old truck, by the time that new truck comes is going to be 18. If they take meticulous care of it, you have a new truck, you have one in reserve and minutes do count, especially if people are on balconies, especially if there's elderly people on balconies needing help. It can really count. And so I think that it's, I think that it's a wonderful investment because it's an investment in people and it's an and John. It isn't throwing money to the wind. You have a reserve truck and a new truck coming in four years. That's an awesome investment.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [35:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=2159s)

## Public Comment

- **Need for new fire truck due to age and safety concerns**
  - **Summary:** A public commenter noted that the current fire truck at Park and Park Street is approximately 14 years old, and ordering a replacement now would be an investment in citizen safety, especially considering tall buildings and vulnerable populations.
  - **Attribution:** Sue Cook
  - **Evidence:** “Hi, my name is Sue Cook. And I was just, when I listened to the City Council meeting this past week, there was a mention about the fire truck and that we needed to order the fire truck. Is that correct? So that because the fire truck, it takes approximately four years. And our fire truck over at Park and Park Street is approximately 14 years old. And having dealing with an old car myself when you hit that that point because it sounded like 15 is about the point where a fire truck started to be put into retirement because they've taken such good care of it if we go ahead and order that truck now at a million or how was it a million 1.2 million Huffines.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [34:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=2056s)

- **Fire department incident history regarding ladder contact**
  - **Summary:** A public commenter questioned the number of catastrophic fires mentioned, and another speaker clarified that the previous discussion related to three instances where a ladder made contact with a building.
  - **Attribution:** Sue Cook
  - **Evidence:** “Mr. Monroe brought up the fact that how many fires, catastrophic fires, have we had? And I think you mentioned three. Is that correct that you said three, or did he ask about a number? There was an incident with that particular vehicle and through our use, three times that ladder has actually made contact with the building back in.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [35:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=2114s)

## Follow-ups

- **Budget Presentation Schedule and Updates**
  - **Summary:** The next two meetings will present various pieces of the budget before the first reading, and future dates were provided for subsequent Finance Committee of the Whole meetings.
  - **Attribution:** Michelle Richter
  - **Evidence:** “We will have a finance committee of the whole on November 4th, next Monday at five o'clock. Then we'll also have a finance committee of the whole on the 12th. That's a Tuesday after the holiday. And then on November 18th is the intended first reading of the 2025 appropriation.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [06:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=366s)

- **Property Tax Abatements Discussion Timing**
  - **Summary:** The discussion on property tax abatements will be held before the next meeting on the 4th, and the tax levy discussion is deferred to the Finance COW of November 12th.
  - **Attribution:** City Manager Boyer
  - **Evidence:** “we're gonna to bring that up hopefully on I believe on the next meeting on the 4th. We were due to talk about the tax levy on the 4th as well, but I don't have the EAV numbers quite yet, so that will probably be deferred to the Finance COW of November 12th.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [19:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=1195s)

## Attendance

- **Roll Call Confirmation**
  - **Summary:** Confirmed quorum and attendance for the meeting.
  - **Attribution:** Chair
  - **Evidence:** “Mayor Miller? Here. Alder persons, Klemm? Here. Monroe and Simmons are absent. Parker? Here. Stacy? Here. Shadle is absent. Sanders? And Sellers. Yes, we do have a quorum.”
  - **Source timestamp:** [00:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3mzTCQpAA&t=37s)