2009-12-07 Regular City Council Session

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mileage issue and exemption issue that Council be given some information on it and bring it forth at the next Council meeting to see if Council would want to change it. Mr. Wagner stated that he polled thousands of U City residents on their approval of having the State Audit. The question was sent to thousands of residents state “Do you favor a mandated State Audit of U City Finances by the Missouri officials, at the city’s expense?” The tabulated results showed 55.4% said Yes, 17.6% said No, and 27.0% were Undecided. He is in support of the public audit and more so since learning that the scope will be expanded beyond just financial procedures and records. He believes there are other managerial practices and events that should be scrutinized. Mr. Wagner quoted a comment he receive stating “Though we do not suspect criminal intent, in the current situation the audit could illuminate everything, including the city attorney’s fees. This could form the basis for restored public confidence.” Mr. Wagner asked the City Clerk to attach his written statement to the minutes. Mr. Wagner stated he renewed his personal support of the state audit and requested the City Manager to have the administrative staff provide ready and full assistance to the auditors. Mr. Glickert responded to Mr. Price’s comment on the directors who do not live in U City and felt that the Council should have an action plan for those who do not live here, which he believes is about half of the directors. To that end, the Mayor mentioned it was a waiver and Mr. Glickert asked to see any documentation on it. He asked that Ms. Elsie Glickert and Ms. Kennel have written answers to their questions by the end of the week. He asked the City Manager to follow up with the County to give us our roads (Midland, North & South and Forsyth) back with the opening of Highway 40. Mr. Sharpe applauded the Finance Department for their award. He offered a tip in lieu of Mr. Dockett’s robbery experience. Mr. Sharpe noted that those with panic buttons on their auto keys should always keep them handy, so they can be pushed to set off the horn if encountering a robber. He also wanted to mention that all senior citizens can get an extension on whatever they need to have done to their property. Mr. Sharpe attended the CERTS training and said it was marvelous and recommended everyone to take advantage of it. Ms. Ricci asked the City Clerk to make her comments part of the record. She asked if there was a reason why the bond issue could not be put on the fall ballot instead of April. She too felt the audit, the change of Council and her lack of confidence in administration is why she would like to see it on the fall ballot. Se asked that the classification issued be put back on the agenda because the Civil Service Board did not vote on it. She said it came to their attention about a year ago that the Civil Service Board was not meeting yearly according to the City’s Charter and still a year later we do not have a report from the Civil Service Board. She hoped that part of the report would include personnel lawsuits settlements. She mentioned $9,000 of a personnel lawsuit settled in June that Council did not know about. There was $40,000 expensed on a local option sales tax. Ms. Ricci stated she learned from Mr. Lehman Walker that we are not seeking bids as we should as there is at least one contract for $10,000 that was not put out to bid which is certainly a contravention. This audit will discover those kinds of things, so the City can do things better as we move forward. Ms. Ricci wanted to make it clear that the three ratings you get from the Government Finance Officers Association are “Not Proficient, Proficient and Outstanding.” She would hope that we get the Proficient Award each year; we are not Outstanding. Ms. Ricci invited everyone to look at Evanston Proficient budget and said it was fabulous in comparison. On residency exemptions, she noted that she has never been asked to weigh in on exemptions of