Ellis special meeting addresses employee grievance, 2016 budget

City of Ellis

ELLIS–A special meeting of the Ellis City Council Wednesday, July 15, included a hearing regarding an employee grievance by Todd Walker. Following two executive sessions, City Attorney Olavee Raub was directed to write a letter regarding the Council’s findings of the employee grievance hearing.

In other business, Fire Chief Denis Vine and Police Chief Taft Yates presented their equipment needs for consideration in the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Council members also discussed the city’s 2016 budget which uses the same mill levy as 2015. City Clerk Amy Burton also that the estimated valuation for Ellis increased from $11,940,785 to $12,468,906.

The complete July 15 Special Meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Minutes
July 15, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, Heather Luea (arrived 7:23 p.m.), Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were City Clerk Amy Burton, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Denis Vine (arrived at 7:23 p.m.), and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Todd Walker and Charlene Weber (arrived at 7:23 p.m.)
PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor David McDaniel stated the purpose of the special meeting is to hold a hearing regarding an employee grievance, discuss the Capital Improvement Plan, and discuss the 2016 budget document.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 20-minute executive session was proposed starting at 7:03 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Bob Redger moved to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with the City Attorney, Public Works Director, and Todd Walker present. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 7:23 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 7:24 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with the City Attorney present. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 7:34 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
POST EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to write a letter regarding the Council’s findings of the employee grievance hearing. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Fire Chief Denis Vine and Police Chief Taft Yates presented their equipment needs for consideration in the 2016 budget and the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. Council began prioritizing each Department’s requests for possible inclusion in the 2016 budget.
DISCUSSION ON 2016 BUDGET
City Clerk Amy Burton noted the 2016 budget document was prepared using the exact mill levy in the 2015 budget document. The City’s estimated assessed valuation increased from $11,940,785 to $12,468,906. Council discussed transfers into the Special Machinery Fund and the level at which to fund appropriations to outside entities. Galen Pfeifer with Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chtd., will be at the next budget meeting on July 21st to further discuss the budget.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.