Committee Minutes, Wednesday, September 2nd 2009

Senator Johnathan Tucker submitted the following report to the Student Senate on Saturday, September 5th 2009, on behalf of the Finance Committee, and pursuant to its Wednesday, September 2nd 2009 recommendations:

Attendance:

There were two (2) members (Robinson, Tucker) present. There was also one (1) non-voting member (Lamm) present.

There was one (1) member (Humphrey) absent.

A quorum was present.

Meeting Minutes:

Finance Committee Meeting
9-2-09 7:30pm
Members: Tucker, Green, Robinson
Treasurer: Lamm
Absent: Humphries
Guest: Mr. Sevits
Minutes:
It was determined that quorum was present 3 out of 4 members. Statutes require that 5 members be on the committee, however, the committee was not full as of the meeting date. The chair and committee members felt that the legislation was important enough to meet with 3 members which would be quorum if the committee had 5 members.
Each line item was discussed;
The required increase to Appropriations amounts was noncontroversial (Line 1302 and 1303).
Line 1103: After funds were removed from the summer, the amount in the disbursement was found to be to low, the increase from surplus would provided more funding for student groups.
Line 1202g: The new line item for the Sustainability Commission was discussed. Sen. Robinson raised concerns regarding funding the sustainability commission with out being given a proper report on the use of the funds. Treasurer Lamm attempted to explain the Commission to the committee. All members of the committee felt that the funds needed to be provided to the Commission, however, they we’re concerned that there was very little information regarding the use of the surplus funds. Tre. Lamm stated that the funds would not be needed until the fall and suggested moving the funds to the Finance committee disbursement line item.
Line 1202g: was removed. The $1,000 from line item 1202g was and moved to line item 1103 increasing it to $9,000. Moved 3-0
The committee discussed the disbursement procedure and encouraged the Treasurer and Senate Pres to move faster on drafting rules for Finance disbursements.
Line 1205: was discussed, the original amount was requested ~ $7,000. The portion that was requested from the surplus would be used for material and branding items. Sen. Robinson raised concerns that no member of the executive branch was present to provided information regarding the use of these funds. Concerns were raised that the “give away products” would be targeting a new website that would not be in existence for 2-3 months. Members of the committee felt that more information was needed to make a decision. The committee requested a member of the executive branch attend a committee meeting to present information to the committee. The committee also requested that the executive branch present information regarding rebranding and the website. All members of the committee felt that the project was worthwhile and needed funding. However; the lack of information from the executive branch made it impossible to provided funding at this time.
Line 1205: was removed and the money was moved into the reserve. Increasing the reserve to $12,844.00 3-0
Line 801: The money was spent over the summer to paint the office and re-key the office. Both projects needed to be undertaken. The line item was approved 3-0.
Line 803: Transportation. This specific line item has nothing to do with Red Terror. Treasurer Lamm stated that the line item was already over budget. He stated the increased funding was to cover transportation to ASG meetings, parking passes and other trips. Line item was approved 3-0
Treasure Lamm suggested that requests to Finance Committee over $1,001 be presented to the full senate as a bill before releasing funds to provided further oversight. Members of the committee agreed with the Treasurer.
Mr. Sevits presented a number of suggestions for the use of the surplus. A copy can be provided. A major project that Mr. Sevits suggested was using SG funds to help to provide funding to purchase projectors that could be “checked-out” at the Library. Turn around time on the investment would be around a month. The library is also committed to maintaining and expanding the projector collection after SG has purchased the initial 5-6 projectors. The initial investment would be ~$6,000. Mr. Sevits explained the purchasing plan for the library IT department. Members of the committee also expressed their personal experience with having problems with projectors.
It was decided that a separate bill would be drafted to fund the library projectors, hoping to have the bill written for first reading by the next meeting. Senator Green, Treasurer Lamm and Senator O’Donnell (sp) will draft the bill.
The kiosk project was discussed briefly, the committee is committed to regaining access to the kiosk.
Motion to close meeting moved 3-0
Meeting adjourned 9:22pm