Photo by mensatic via MorgueFile.com

The Finance Committee met this past Monday night.  Below are the highlights of that meeting:

• The proposed ordinance by Alderperson Steve Bostrom to repeal Chapter 28 of the Code of General Ordinances entitled “Vacant Building Code” was deferred for 30 days.
• The proposed ordinance by Alderperson Patrick Juliana to create a new section of the Code of General Ordinances entitled “Ethics Board,” and to repeal and recreate various sections of Chapter 30 of the Code of General Ordinances entitled “Code of Ethics” was also deferred for 30 days, as was the proposed ordinance by Alderpersons David Bogdala and Anthony Nudo on the same subject.

• The proposed ordinance by the mayor to repeal and recreate various sections of the Code of General Ordinances regarding the reorganization of the Department of Neighborhood Services and Inspections and the Department of City Development into a new department called the Department of Community Development and Inspections was approved unanimously.
• The proposed resolution by the major to reorganize certain operations of the city of Kenosha with respect to the Departments of City Development and Neighborhood Services and Inspections and to subsequently create the Department of Community Development and Inspections was moved forward with no recommendation.  Bogdala said that he was going to be voting no, that the Public Safety and Welfare Commitee was meeting tonight and was going to be proposing some changes.  Alderperson Katherine Marks also said that she would be voting no as well.  She didn’t vote on this issue the first time it came up on the agenda.  The actual vote was 4 to 1, with only Marks voting no.
• The proposed resolution to rescind $160 for a citizen’s unpaid permit fees special assessment was approved unanimously.  Paula Blise, zoning coordinator, stated that she believed the rescinding would be justified because it was a duplicate permit issue on a fence.  Bogdala commented that there seems to be a lot of confusion on the part of the city.  “These things need to get under control.  We are putting the public through unnecessary bureaucratic red tape,” he said.
• The proposed resolution to rescind $172 for a citizen’s erosion control reinspection fees special assessment was also approved unanimously.  This item had to do with the installation of a yard.  The property was owned by MasterCraft, then the M & I Bank, and then the property was purchased by the citizens during inspections.  They never received any notices because they went to MasterCraft, who were the owners of record.
• The proposed resolution to rescind $160 for a citizen’s unpaid permit fees special assessment was denied unanimously.  Blise stated that this assessment was warranted.  It had to do with a fence permit that was never paid.  The owner installed the fence.  The citizen claimed that she was told by a supervisor that no permit was required.
• The proposed resolution to rescind $280 for a citizen’s unpaid permit fees special assessment was also approved unanimously.  Blise stated that the property owner was left holding the bag on an occupancy permit that the tenant failed to pay.
• The initial resolution authorizing the borrowing of not to exceed $3.7 million providing for the issuance and sale of general obligation promissory notes, and levying a tax in connection therewith, was approved unanimously.  (This item had to do with the Bear settlement.)  Carol Stancato, finance director, stated that they were informed by their bond counsel that $800,000 of the amount would be tax exempt, and $2.9 million would be taxable.
• The proposed resolution by the mayor to place special assessments against benefited parcels of property on the 2011 real estate tax roll for delinquent storm water bills in an amount not to exceed $453,033.48 was approved unanimously.  Stancato stated that this is a normal annual resolution.  There are 85 pages of delinquent storm water bills.  Most are in the $65 to $70 range, but there are a couple that are larger, in the $1,000 range.  ”A big one will be for the Old Carco (Chrysler Engine Plant),” Stancato stated.
• The approval of the lease between the city of Kenosha and the Italian American Society, Inc., for the parcel located at 22nd Avenue and 53rd Street was approved unanimously.  Steve Torcaso was present and spoke as president of the Society, in hopes that the city would continue their lease.
• The approval of an intergovernmental agreement for the former Chrysler Engine Plant between the city of Kenosha and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was approved unanimously.
• The approval of offering price for right-of-way acquisition for Project 08-1021, 39th Avenue Construction (18th Street to 24th Street) was approval unanimously.
• The request to rescind $90 and $180 for a citizen’s erosion control reinspection fees was approved unanimously.  This item also had to do with the notices being sent to the previous land owners.  The citizen did not received proper notification from the city.
• The request from Maple Lane, LLC, to rescind a board-up fee in the amount of $246.12 was approved unanimously.  Martha Swartz, city inspector, spoke on this item.  This had to do with the fire department boarding up a manufactured home.  The city invoiced Maple Lane, and it was paid before the special assessment.  Maple Lane wanted the city to go after the manufactured home owner, not the park.
• A discussion item ensued regarding the borrowing of not to exceed $13.28 million for the issuance and sale of general obligation bonds for refunding tax increment project revenue bonds for the Gordon Food Service (GFS) Project.  GFS is now assessed at $65 million; they’re bringing in $1.6 to $1.7 million in revenue.  Mayor Bosman stated that it’s the administration’s feeling that GFS is on solid ground; they are a viable company.  The risk on the city’s part is minimal.  The deadline of December 5th for the sale was brought up.  If not done by the 5th of December, then it shouldn’t be done in 2011 at all.  The committee felt that the sale should not be held up, and that the December 5th date should be pursued.  If they change their minds, they were asked to inform the committee.
• A rather lengthy discussion item also took place regarding the NSI investigation follow-up.  Click here for more on this story, which was reported two days ago:  Bogdala:  “Mayor Had No Authorization to Waive Fee.”
• The committee then went into closed session to consider the proposed settlement agreement and release of litigation regarding Adams Outdoor Advertising v. the City of Kenosha.