RECOM (Retired Employees City of Mesa) - Minutes of May 16, 2007, Meeting
Board Members Present: Lin Adams, Kathy Barrett, John Gendron, Frank Mizner, Barb Seperich, Chuck Wennerlund.
Board Members Absent: Fred Conway, John Smoyer. Members Present: Don Ayers, Fred Bollinger, Sharon Bollman, Ivard Brimley, Richard and Rita Buck, Carl Buckels, Dean & Eleanor Childs, Cecil Crusinberry, Kermit Davis, Pat Dillard, Bill Everson, Jo & John Ferguson, Joan Gregory, Peggy Haney, Ilene & Sheridan Hatch, Barb Hewitt, Wayne Korinek, Joyce Lee, Tim Mahon, Sarah Moorhead, Winn Orr, Genie Pritchard, JoAnn Ramirez, Molly Rice, Jean Russell, Bill & Phyllis Sanderson, Nancy Skalitzky, Denny Spidel, Joan Stafford, Rebecca Standage, Bob & Jane Taylor, Ann Testa, Diane Tuccillo, Ann Walston, Marilyn Warden.
Guests: Chris Brady, Roger Lee, Donna Salemi.
Introductions: Barb called the meeting to order at 9 AM and introduced Mesa City Manager Chris Brady. Chris discussed the following items:
The budget process has started earlier, with department presentations and dialogue beginning in April. The tentative budget will be set on 6/4 and finalized on 6/25.
Employees will receive a 3% COLA; as a result of market surveys, some salary adjustments have been made; there will not be a lot of new positions.
The City is trying to keep costs low for health care benefits, but some plan adjustments will be made.
The budget was realigned last year, and the forecasting model is holding true; the City came within 3% of projected revenue/expenses for last year.
Retired police officers are being paid by Mesa Public Schools to serve as school resource officers, instead of paying current sworn officers to fill those positions.
The City plans to work quickly to meet the 120-day deadline to call for a bond election in November; $300 million will be for just police and fire; any new positions will be supported by a secondary property tax, which also will pay off debt service of the bonds. Mesa does not currently have a high debt service.
Queen Creek just added a property tax and in the next 5-7 years will probably have a higher police/fire ratio per capita than Mesa.
Wave Park - The developers will purchase the City's property (which includes softball fields, the golf course, and the property west of the golf course) for $30 million. They will pay $7 million cash to the City, with the remaining $20 million, plus interest, credited over 24 years by sales tax generated from the project.
Reports: There were no Secretary, Benefits Task Force, or Legislative reports. Chuck provided the Treasurer's report.
Barb noted that the City has decided not to research the Long-Term Care issue at this time, as the commitment would involve more resources/time than the City staff can provide at this time.
Members were informed that the RECOM membership drive/renewal notices will be mailed in late May.
A member questioned whether any City employee was responsible for providing positive press coverage. Members were encouraged to individually write letters to the editors, letting the press know about the positive things Mesa does. The Board will also consider opportunities for RECOM members to give back to the community by adopting a park, etc., which could also generate positive press.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 hours.
Next Meeting: June 20, 2007 - 9:00 AM, Community Room, Mesa Fire Station 201, NW corner of 1st St. and Mesa Drive. The speaker will be a representative from the Arizona Humane Society.
Future Meetings: July 18 - Win Holder, Arizona Highways magazine
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 hours.