Council Approves Capital 2010-2011 Budget

There were so many people wearing pajamas at the Monona city council meeting last night that I thought I was at WalMart. Turns out they were the kids of (mostly) Winnequah Road who came in opposition to the proposal to eliminate capital funding "unattended in-ground speed inhibitors"; i.e. traffic calming devices.

Young children in jammies are hard to argue with. They prevailed and the money stayed in the budget.



The Capital Budget - Monona City Council, January 19, 2010

Turns out the little ones were appropriately attired as the meeting lasted into Wednesday morning (OK, only by a few minutes).

Before going to the particulars, I have to note the memo handed out by Finance Direcotr Marc Houtakker that recapped the 1993 city operating budget proposed by Mayor Richard Lichtfeld: a proposed 18.92% levy increase. Lest you think I am picking on Mayor Dick, please remember that I was on that city council (as was Alder Thomas) and assume that I voted for it (I don't really recall). The debt service levy was $759,824. Medina home value was $77,590 and the city share of the property tax bill was $596. So, yes, we borrowed money back then too.

That budget also raised salaries for the city council and mayor - to their current sums of $250 and $400/ month respectively.


The fate of the specific amendments:


Two paired amendments to reduce net spending by $121,418 for new police radios (or at least delay to 2012 or beyond). The delay is warranted given the uncertainty of the proposed DaneCom system. PASSED 6-0.

$500,000 budget reduction by pushing back the Well No. 2 Reservoir Expansion project to after 2010/2011. (Water bonds) PASSED 4-2. (WOOD & THOMAS VOTING NAY)
$3500 budget reduction to the 2010-2011 ROW tree replacement funds. PASSED 5-1. (WOOD)

$1500 budget reduction to the 2010-2011 sidewalk improvement program. FAILED 3-3.

$24,508 (OR 2.5%) budget reduction to the 2010 Street and Utility Reconstruction combined with a transfer of the pedestrian/street safety capital improvements (the aforementioned unattended traffic things). PASSED 6-0.


$80,000 budget reduction to the 2010-2011 facilities rehabilitation funds. The city admin concurred with the proposal. PASSED 6-0.

Budget neutral split of funds for Woodland Park restoration into equal $7500 amounts in each year rather than all in the second year. PASSED 6-0.

Budget neutral amendment to advance Monona Drive Phase 3 engineering funding to 2010 from 2011 in order to ensure that Phase 3 Construction occurs in 2013. Past experience shows that waiting until 2011 to begin engineering will probably delay the project 2014. PASSED 5-1. (VESERAT NAY).

$50,000 budget reduction by eliminating funding for a new salt brine setup. The city recently acquired a new truck with the salt brine equipment. FAILED 2-4 (WOOD, THOMAS, WISWELL & KUGLE OPPOSED). Yes, I opposed my own amendment after listening to the discussion.

$50,000 budget reduction by eliminating funding for paving new driveway at Wells 2 and 3 was changed to leave $7500 in to add gravel to the existing accesses. PASSED 6-0.

$10,000 budget reduction to the 2010-2011 IT equipment replacement and upgrade budget. PASSED 6-0.

$1,500 budget reduction to eliminate funding for police office furniture. FAILED 2-4 (VESERAT AND WISWELL SUPPORTED).

$8,000 budget increase for 4 defibrillators - one for each building: City Hall, Library, Community Center, Public Works Garage.PASSED 6-0.


$55,000 budget increase for the planning/Remodel of the fire department in 2010 and 2011 was changed to a $35,000 increase. PASSED 4-2. (BUSSE AND WOOD OPPOSED).

This one has me scratching my head - and staff too, no doubt - this amendment had no specifics, no detail. Was it for planning or remodeling? No staff work up. Not ready for prime time, in my opinion. We had spent several hours giving close attention - even excruciating attention - to detail on much smaller items and then the council passes this one. Oy vey.


$80,000 increase for stormwater reconstruction in the 2010 street program. PASSED 6-0.
$20,000 budget reduction by eliminating purchase of a mower in 2011. PASSED 6-0. Staff concurred.

$16,500 budget reduction to the 2011 street repair and maintenance program. PASSED 5-1 . (WOOD OPPOSED). Cutting street maintenance is the classic in penny-wise, pound-foolish. 

Eliminate $50,000 funding for Maywood Park Trail in 2011 was changed to leave $15,000 in the budget. PASSED 6-0. That any money stayed in was a big (and happy) surprise. I almost didn't bother to make the argument for this project, but did and the mayor joined in support, people listened and kept in at least partial funding

Increase funding for inter-connect with the City of Madison water supply system from $100,000 to $200,000 to cover a proposed connection at South Towne.PASSED 6-0.


Reduce funding for squad cars by $57,000 in 2011. PASSED 4-2. (THOMAS AND WOOD OPPOSED).

Reduce funding for Community Center upper level remodel by $10,000. FAILED 2-4 (VESERAT AND BUSSE SUPPORTED).

Increase $250,000 for Belle Isle canal dredging (70% to be assessed to the adjoining property owners). PASSED 6-0.


Capital borrowing policies


Amendment to add the following  PASSED 6-0.
Under Paragraph D, “The decision to borrow funds should take into consideration the following factors:”

"5. Equipment and Facilities – Borrowing should provide resources to acquire adequate equipment and facilities to provide city services and facilities.

6. Long-term Operating Efficiency – Consideration should be given to projects that promote energy conservation and efficiency and whose long-term benefits outweigh the initial cost.

7. Environmental Impacts – Consideration should be given to whether projects will reduce or increase negative impacts to the natural environment. Particular attention should be paid to whether the project will improve or harm the water quality of Lake Monona, the Yahara River, and groundwater."

Put it to bed, Irene.

Or should I say, "I'll sleep when I'm dead"? (Which, by the way, is not a Bon Jovi song, for gawd's sake. That was the creation of brilliant, but now dead Warren Zevon.).

Speel check is on the fritz. Tough.