Duncan asked for a motion to approve those minutes. Motion to approve by Mr. Boose; second by Mr. Risley. Upon viva voce vote, motion passed and the minutes were approved.
Mayor Duncan invited Mr. Klopsch to make opening comments and to deliver the meeting presentation.
Mr. Klopsch welcomed the committee members and mentioned that city department heads will assist him in making the presentation.
Mr. Klopsch discussed the following recent events and city projects:
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Far Hills Timber Wall: The timber wall along both sides of the Far Hills Business District was installed in 1974. The wall has been maintained over the years and is still serving its intended purpose. City staff will be making some needed repairs.
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Water System Hydraulic Model: The City continues to operate and maintain its public water distribution, sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems. An engineering hydraulic model of the water production and distribution system is being built to analyze the water system infrastructure and develop long range plans for capital improvements.
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GIS System: Staff is making good progress on building the GIS system.
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Traffic Signal System Analysis and Master Plan: This coming Monday, Council will be presented with an ordinance to appropriate $120,000 for engineering services to develop a master plan to pursue federal and state grant funding to assist with rebuilding the traffic signal system.
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Former NCR Gatehouse: The Gatehouse at Sugar Camp was rebuilt preserving the building’s historic integrity and is now home to National Processing Solutions.
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Remaining Sugar Camp/Pointe Oakwood Land: There are two pieces of land available for residential development in Pointe Oakwood, and two for commercial development.
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2021 FINANCIAL AUDIT: Mr. Klopsch shared that the City again received the Auditor of State Award for excellence in financial reporting. The award is a testament to the fine work of Finance Director Cindy Stafford, CPA, and her Finance Department staff.
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2022 FINANCIALS THROUGH AUGUST: Mrs. Stafford noted that General City Services receipts through August are at 81.85% of budget, while disbursements and encumbrances are at 70.84% of budget. Receipts are at almost 82% because of three things: income generated by the additional people living at Pointe Oakwood; an increase in Oakwood residents working from home, thereby directing their local income taxes to Oakwood rather than other jurisdictions; and the timing of real estate tax receipts, which is currently 93% of budget. Net income tax receipts through August are $7.8 million and are projected at $10.6 million by end of year. The City received $468,028 in CARES Act money in 2021 and received $471,765 this year, totaling $939,793. The Federal Government ruled that this money can be considered general fund dollars. Refuse Fund receipts through August are at 68.19% of budget and disbursements and encumbrances are at 66.56% of budget. Enterprise Fund receipts through August are at 63.54% of budget and disbursements and encumbrances are at 63.63% of budget.
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CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Mr. Klopsch reported that the Comprehensive Plan is the City’s official guide for physical improvements and development. A complete rewrite of the plan was completed in 2004, and given that Oakwood is almost fully developed, the plan is still applicable. The Planning Commission is meeting on October 5 to discuss the