Bessemer - February 3, 2010

The Bessemer City Commissioners met Monday evening for their first February meeting.  The commissioners approved the payables in the amount of $6,271.49 and were payable out of the following funds:
GENERAL FUND $4,708.02,  WATER UTILITY FUND 1507.22,   and the DDA 56.25
 
The Commissioners received a letter of resignation from City Clerk Jim Trudgeon who is resigning from the Downtown Development Authority. In his letter Jim told the Commissioners that he has served on the DDA for seven years and has enjoyed his tenure. However, current interest in DDA membership by several residents has given thought to stepping down and giving others an opportunity to serve and get involved in city government.

The Commissioners voted to accept Mr. Trudgeon’s resignation.

Vicki Estes Bruff  Local Census Office Manager, made an appearance before the Commissioners. Bruff pictured above, once again made an appeal for census workers. It is imperative that every person be counted. Our revenue sharing from the State and Federal governments will be determined by the local census count.
 
Bruff advised the commissioners that hundreds of workers are needed. She also explained once again that the job is a temporary full time job and the income will not negate unemployment benefits for those collecting benefits. She also stated that the Governor is releasing a letter to state government agencies that any other benefits are not to be decreased due to Census employment.

 Mayor Frello presented the Commissioners with areas of spending concerns. The City Manager, Thomas Chatel presented a list of expense cuts being acted upon by the city staff. Chatel asked that the Budget Workshop be postponed until the staff could review the Mayors list and complete their own review of the matter. 

The Commissioners tabled the Workshop until the next meeting February 15th.

The Commission went into closed session to act on a letter of Agreement with Bessemer City Employees’ Chapter of Local 992, Council 25, AFSCME, AFL-CIO.
 
After a long discussion, the commissioners returned to open session. At that time the Commissioners voted to postpone voting on the measure until Al Geiss is present. Geiss is currently on vacation.