Constipation

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Feb 2 Mtg

It happens. In the case of the Mayor and BOA, this bout of financial review/audit constipation dates back almost two years, yep two years. Bos in his mayoral campaign referred to whispers of financial "problems". Once elected, he appointed and the BOA confirmed an Audit Committee. The Committee did it's work, reviewed the findings of the 2007 review conducted by the Miller company (cost $4,000) and gave thumbs up to the city's financial practices by then Mayor York. About this time last year the discussion began on an audit/review for the 2008 financial year. No decision, no action. Following? Tuesday evening the discussion was begun again by Jerry. What to do? By his own description, Bos admits he is "wishy-washy" when it comes to a financial review. (In fact he used the term multiple times during the discussion).

Alderman Finn, after the long and winding discourse of Bos asked Jerry, "so what do you think?" He said he was concerned about people who would say "they never did have an audit" and it was probably a good idea "for his own protection" He then offered the CPA firm of BKD (Springfield) to do a review of 2009 for $11,000, abandoning 2008 altogether. Although the item was on the agenda to include "motion" there was no supporting information on the scope of work for the review. Here's the interesting part...are you sitting down? I agree with Mary Hoy, when she said, "I don't know what it is they (BKD) are going to do". "We should have had it in our packet" Atta girl Mary! Sloppy work on the part of the Mayor and his attitude of trust me I know what I'm doing.

Vic asked Jerry what the Audit Committee thought about the process. Once again the "wish-washy" term was used multiple times. Jerry spoke as if they had met recently. Unless there was an illegal meeting in the last month or so, there has been no official meeting in almost a year. Old news.

And so my friends, the discussion ended with no decision, no motion, just the continued paralysis of the board and mayor with the motivation being political at this point from the mayor's point of view. What's best for the City? Novel concept. Stay tuned for next month as we continue the trek. In the meantime...

Please pass the Ex-Lax.

Lights Out

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Feb 2nd Mtg

One vote away from going dark @ WL. Mary Hoy once again resurrected the thought of turning off/removing street lights...supposedly because of cost. Jerry of course has mused about this for some time, more of same Tuesday night. Do the math, if another alderman votes for turning off the lights, Mayor Jerry steps in as the tie breaking vote...adios street lights. Will anybody on the board break ranks? Who will it be...Finn, DeJong, Bossert? My guess it won't be Finn, leaving the DeJong/Bossert votes up for grabs.

Police Chief Gary when asked by Finn what his thoughts were said the PD would not be leading the charge on no lights. Gary said noise and light are what makes the bad guys nervous. Bos quoted an unknown study cited by Gene Roberts as evidence crime goes down when lights go off. Really?

Two members of the audience voiced their concerns about no lights, especially for those who walk or are on the street after dark because of the lack of sidewalks or in some instances shoulder on the road. Too bad.

No Payne, No Gain

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Feb 2 Mtg

No...that was alderman Hoy's vote when it came to the Ordinance for the Service Contract with CC Manager Shawna Payne. Finn, Yes...DeJong, Yes...Bossert, Absent...Motion Fails. An ordinance takes three fourths vote and with Bossert absent the vote was doomed with the Hoy No vote. The ordinance would have given Ms Payne a raise from her current salary of $387.5o to $425 a month, a whopping of $37.50 a month increase. There has been bad blood on the part of Hoy for some time, this wasn't much of an ambush. What was surprising is the lack of leadership by Mayor Bos on Paynes behalf...maybe he doesn't want her around. City Clerk Gwen gave a positive endorsement for Payne, pointing out the hours and customer service Shawna has given, not to mention the many bookings she has brought in.

Maybe it was a budget issue? Hoy seemed confused after Jerry pointed out the raise was well within the budget for the year. So what was the problem? Mary didn't say, except for "No". Right after the ordinance failed, the BOA voted, on a motion made by Hoy, to increase the non-resident fee from $350 to $450 for a weekend rental...the motion passed.

So what does Shawna do exactly? From the proposed contract, she would:

• Show the facility to prospective renters within 72 hours of contact from said prospective renters and/or by the City
• Obtain a completed and executed rental agreement and remit same to the City prior to use of CC
• Verify that all rentals required by the rental agreement have been paid by the renter to the City
• Keep an accurate calendar and schedule with regard to the use of the CC
• Point of contact with the City is to be the Mayor
• Provide the Mayor and City Clerk by the second Monday of each month a report concerning the previous months activities
• Provide the Mayor and City Clerk with weekly reports concerning the updates to the schedule
• Check the building and grounds following the event for clean-up compliance
• Notify the City Clerk regarding the renter has complied with the rental agreement and should the receive a refund of the renter's security deposit
• Notify the Police Department regarding "alcohol" oversight for events
• Maintains track of keys and pendants
• Notify Mayor and Public Works Director of all needed repairs
• Provide other information/labor as directed
• Obtain other reasonably requested documentation from the Renter

All that and the pleasure of being on call 24/7 for about $14.16 a day (new contract) or $12.91 current agreement. A bit of a disgrace, don't you think? Like other bonehead votes she has done, you won't read this in Mary's update...if she sends one.

Speaking of Shows

Tonight @ 7PM, the monthly BOA meeting @ City Hall. Free Admission. Plenty of seats. Watch you City government in action.

Got Talent?

In case you haven't received your WLL, WL version of the TV show is coming on March 28th at the CC. Two age groups, 18 & younger, over 18. A fund raiser for SWAT, Supporting Weatherby's Adopted Troops. Pat & Tony White have the info at 741-3100 or patwhite@kc.rr.com.