Alright, it is five o'clock, so I will call to order this meeting of the Finance and Personnel Committee We will begin with the roll call other Faldi Oh, they're flaky Pineski all the Pirella Other actley is excused Mitchell's here that gives us a quorum. Will you all please stand and join me in the pledge One nation under God All right looks like a lot of familiar faces in the rooms abiring any Objections we will skip over item number four the introduction of committee members and staff and Move on to item number five, which is approval of the minutes from our February 13th 2023 meeting some moved All right, we have a motion a second. Is there any discussion on the minutes? If not all in favor All opposed chair votes aye the aye 7 the motion passes We are on to item 6 which is resolution number 133 of 22 23 a Resolution authorizing the purchase of 1214 South 11th Street to assist in infrastructure development for the city Thank You chair So the council has seen this Plan in the past in a report of officer a couple weeks back This is the property that the retaining wall is failing on the alley and the only real Cost-effective way to repair this is to remove the house and then come in and retape or that area around the retaining wall so The property owner that the current property owner is the tenant so they have purchased the property from a previous person And so the city had negotiated a purchase agreement with them. This document is for a hundred and sixty seven thousand dollars Which includes a hundred and twelve thousand six thirty of the purchase price and fifty thousand and additional Expenses which we are going to be used for them to move out of the property and find a new property And kind of take care of everything in one fellow swoop. So the plan is to Close on the property no later than July 1st Which would give them time to move out of and vacate the premise and then we will continue to make their Monthly loan payments during that time on the mortgage that they have on the property And then the final closing statement will reflect the payments that the city has made over this course of time And we will pay the difference and then once we get access to the property then we will start working with the purchasing department and looking at the option of Relocating this house moving it to other city-owned property on Indiana Avenue and then Allow for the Department of Public Works to come in and do the repairs that are necessary on this alley Thank you questions comments on this one.  Thank you. I Notice the July 1 deadline date. What happens if it doesn't occur before July 1? If they're not out by July 1, yeah, then we will have to They're telling us they're gonna be out So I'm hoping that that's the case if not we'll have to look at some legal Ramifications for them not being out. Okay. Thank you Any other discussion? If not, we'd be looking for a motion to recommend approval on this one I recommend approval All right, we have a motion a second then seeing no further discussion All in favor All opposed chair votes. I the I seven the motion passes. Thank you Next up is item number seven which is resolution number 137 of 2223 a resolution terminating the city of Sheboygan tax incremental district number six and authorizing the finance director to distribute excess increment to overlaying tax Okay, but I'd like to talk about each one of them Cuz Roberto's gonna ask me where they're located Did appreciate that there were maps attached. All right, then there's no objection from the committee will consider seven through 12 at the same time and we can talk through each of them before there's a vote Sure, so this is a series of closing out to districts that we've talked about as part of the city's long-term financial plan So the first document that you have is the South Pier district and this is the oldest district This district was created in 1992. I think it was And had been through a number of changes in state law that extended extended extended it But now the debt on South Pier I think the last payment was made either in 2023 or 2022 for some loans for developing South Pier So at this point it makes sense to move forward and close that district the time frame was to be closed on January 20th of 2023, but the state is allowing us to Included in these this process. So it just has to be approved by April 15th The next check keep going by all means the next one is the North 10th Street Water Street neighborhood and this is the area around the Kingsbury Development and the garden toy factory and along the river in that area This district was created in 1997 and could stay open until 2024 It's making one Tiff incentive payment to the Van Horn development the Kingsbury Apartments But there's enough increment in there to allow the finance department to hold that in escrow to be able to make that Payment and close this district early The next one is tax incremental district 12 and that's Niagara Avenue and that's primarily the area where the grandstay hotel is And it was developed for grandstay and for opening up Niagara Avenue, which was part of the original Boston store parking lot that district Maximum time to stay open is 20 27 But it has been sharing revenues with Tid 17, which is Indiana Avenue area But Indiana Avenue seen enough development that it doesn't need to have Donations anymore for it. So it makes sense to close this one Tid 13 is landmark square in the Founders Club. It was originally put in there for the landmark square condominium project Likewise, that's a donation tiff as well To Tid 17 and with enough increment There's no need to keep it open. So the recommendation is to close that Tid 14 is Taylor Drive. It was originally created for the festival foods redevelopment of the Walmart Property back in 2011 And then it was amended to include the development where Meyer is that a Few years ago. So that district could stay open until 2031 and based on the revenues coming in from the Meyer development It's substantial enough to pay off the entire development agreement going forward. So there's no need to Keep it open. So the recommendation is to close this district. And then the last one is Tid 15 which was developed for what was Kmart on South Business Drive and now is pick-and-save and now Recently is Ashley home furniture. So that district was Created just for development incentives to redevelop the king Kmart into the pick-and-save at the time Has no other obligations and is recommended to be closed Oh, they're flicking asking. Thank you The Water Street development Was there not some issue with an easement to the river in the Water Street development? An easement to the river. Yeah from from Water Street next to workers Park Is there some issue there, I don't think so Okay, does Is it the blue moon parking lot you're talking about? Yes The RDA is going to take that up at a future meeting. So that'll be dealt with at the RDA. Perfect. Thank you and another one The Taylor Drive Festival Myers was that extended to also include the shopco or was shopco We was not we kept shopco out and we gave shopco a business development loan so that we didn't have to take it into the TIF district so we could get those taxes on the general property tax levy Perfect. Thank you Oh, they're adding Thank You Chairman So in closing all these tips now is that if someone's asked me why you did that is that because all the Development is already done in there We can't do anything else in there or it's just the fact that we're getting close to the last date And we need to get that done Only one of the districts is required to be closed And that's tip six the rest of them that the deadline for closing them is multiple years out 2027 it's primarily because there's really no other projects in the districts and It and it will help or a long-term financial stability by bringing those properties back on the general Property tax levy for all the taxing jurisdictions including the city So everybody will see a benefit to that And the fact of the matter is is that most of the development of requirements that were needed Originally have all been fulfilled. So there's really no need to keep them open Thank you. Well, and again, it's always a good thing to close them early. I believe yes It is. So what is it when in the closing of all these tids? What is the actual financial number that comes back to the city? You know, I wrote them all and I thought well, maybe he's gonna say tits six is so many so many thousands I I would have to refer to the finance director for that question It's not dollar-for-dollar So there is a calculation that's done in order to come up with that number, but I don't know if you have it I do not have exact numbers for you today. So it is state law requires us to it's actually based on the New construction within those tids and you can only increase your levy by 50% of that So it's not a dollar-for-dollar of what the increment was when it was in the tid So there's actually a formula on our tax levy worksheet, but I could get you estimated numbers At some other point. Yeah, just a guess of you and I guess my last question if I can how many tips this week How many districts we have left? We have a tid 16 which is the downtown district tid 17 which is Indiana Avenue tid 18 which is South Point Enterprise campus tid 19 is over here by the river where Dolma's decor is located and then tid 20 was for the Oscar Thank you The other thing I would just say to the one of the comments that Alder Heidemann asked is one the next step After this is to do an audit of all of these districts before the state will actually close them and that will then determine the amounts and then what to do with Fund balance excess and all of that kind of stuff But until Baker-Tilly our auditing firm gets through those numbers. It's hard for us to answer exactly what those numbers look like Thank you Oh there Yeah, in fact my question was about the excess funding and how you Regardless of the fact that we don't have the amounts, but how will you redistribute those? I mean how do you decide so if the district has a cash fund balance? It'll be Shared with the other taxing jurisdictions based on their percentage of the tax bill or the taxing Authority so it when you pay your property when we pay our property taxes a person portion goes to each of them They would then get paid out that same percentage So I think ours is 34 percent or something of the total tax bill So we would end up getting 34 percent of the revenues that are left in the fund balance part of it And I know we had that least when When hellers came last year to to talk about the the tids and the teeth But would that be possible for you to send us a list of the current tids slash tiffs and the description of the Location just as you did. Thank you Roberta has asked for that in the past so I could just forward her email Any other discussion on this one or I suppose all of these If not, we'll be looking for motion to recommend approval on items 7 through 12 So move second All right, we have a motion a second then seeing no further discussion All in favor I All opposed chair votes aye the aye seven the motion passes And that brings us to item number 13, which is general ordinance number 28 of 22 23 In ordinance amending the process for preparation and approval the city's executive budget contained in sections 2-903 And 2-905 of the municipal code Good evening the item before you tonight is as stated Adjustment to the budget timeline and schedule and exactly the process that we follow in order for both the capital and operating budgets We are looking and staff has come up with a schedule that would be more cohesive of a program So capital and operating would be looked at concurrently in addition. We would like to open up the budget Process a little bit more to both public and council input throughout the process I've been here for two budget cycles now, and I've heard loud and clear that council wants to know things a little sooner So that was the intent behind the budget timeline you see before you so I'm open to any questions. I will just also mention that Department heads were all shown this timeline as well And they were agreeable that they could do it with their staffing and everything on the concurrent schedule Of capital and operating together, and so we just think it would be a more transparent and open process Oh, they're flaky been asking I Agree I saw this previously and and I think it's a good idea And it's also a good idea to start the process sooner than we've seen it before I would like to point out and I actually chuckled There is a grammatical error and the rationale was we want to decrease duplicity and Since duplicity has deceptive Conoptations and in itself duplicitous. I think the word needs to be duplicative or Reduce the duplication So I will vote for it as long as it does not get passed on to council as duplicitous Sure great I Think it's in the IFC IFC so but you might want to check the ordinance Yeah, I think it's just in the IFC. Okay. Thank you. The IFC will not go to council, right? You know, it's not information for committee, but sounds good. Is there any other discussion on this one from the committee? If not, I'll just give my quick two cents of this seems like a great idea to me both for having the council more I Guess involved along the way in the budget process. I'm a big fan of the quarterly reviews as well and all of the opportunities that are being added for members of the community who are interested to Be here and be engaged and be involved in the process as it's being built Thank you for putting this one together, right If there is no more discussion, we'd be looking for a motion to recommend approval All right, we have a motion a second then seeing no further discussion on item 13 all in favor All opposed chair votes. I the eyes haven't the motion passes With that we are on to item number 14 The 2022 annual report for the city clerk's office Thank you All right, so the report for the city clerk's office is attached in Municode. We had a very busy year We had four elections our April elections saw a tie Which we did a hand count of the ballots which ended in the tie. So that was a lot for us the general election saw More than 17,000 voters in the city of Sheboygan cast a ballot We also had a successful audit of our voting machines after the November election. So that was a busy time for us The board of review was also this year, which was a lot more involved process due to the revaluation That actually ended up being a couple days process when usually it's about a two-hour meeting So that was big for us And then the last page of the report just goes through the licensing that we administer in our office Which has remained pretty consistent over the last five years Thank you Questions comments from the committee If not, and I believe I usually ask for the wrong motion on these we'd be looking for a motion to file I was looking for the city attorney to get a nod and I see that he's disappeared from his chair So I think it's just for informational purposes Accepted file so moved Accepted file. All right. We have a motion is second Yeah, I think it's just discussion You're right Nevermind even trying to be aware that I was going to get around. I still did. Thank you We'll move on to him number 15 that we won't take any action on The 2022 annual report for cable TV. Okay. Thank you So once again, this was also attached in the Munich code documents, which is go through some of the highlights so number of programs produced we had to go 500 and Hit 606 we'll be increasing that goal in 2023 to 625 We fell far short on our public service announcements. We had a goal of nine and produce zero We need to do a better job of I guess finding opportunities to produce those For our production of the Comic council meetings and the community the whole meetings. We had a goal 29 We did 32 with the addition of some special meetings last year Significant improvement if you look back to 2019 when we first moved into City Hall with all the new equipment in here That we have here. We've Finally mastered it if you won't Appreciate the equipment that's here's On-demand viewing and unique visitors If you look at 2019 and 2020 you see a significant drop off going into 2021 and on They changed the way in which they record that so that's been pretty stable If you look at the number of film awards we received last three last year we had submitted 10 entries kind of out of our control, but I Know the previous year we had seven which was a good year and We've added the YouTube subscribers and YouTube watch time hours. We have found that that is the most dominant viewing platform for our meetings and public live events and Re-broadcast and you can see we've continued to grow that number year over here Questions comments. Oh there for keeping asking. Thank you What sorts of things have you done for PSAs? previously I'm gonna defer to Scott because he is the man Sky will need you in front of a microphone First he has to put himself on TV In the past we've worked with department heads to do public service announcements for any number of things we did the number with the police department in the past about scams We had a suit and that's been a number of years ago But they did a whole series of most common Scams that were prevalent. We've worked with the clerk's office in the past to Recruit for election workers. So those are some examples. We did a longer one with Public works on emerald ash borer and how we were treating that and You know make the public aware, you know, why are these blue dots showing up on trees things like that? Okay. Thank you Any other discussion on cable TV? If not, I'll just say that it was great to see that Of the Common Council committee of the whole meetings. We have missed none Thank you now for two years in a row Great job on that There's no action on 15. I haven't forgotten. We'll move on to 16 the 2022 annual report for the IT department Okay, thank you. So for our Average close time of critical or high IT tickets We have a goal of half a day and our actual was point four one so we continue to hit that mark and our effectiveness Percent close within a time frame. Our goal is 90. We did 95. So I think my staff They do a very good job of being responsive to the requests that come into the department Efficiency maintain the core server network at current minus one level of firmware We had a goal 100% were about 99% It kind of goes ups and up and down obviously is some of you may know Firmware can change fairly quickly and we have a lot of servers that we need to stay on top of percentage of computers With four to gate client installed and the four gate client is basically our anti virus that sits on the end points That is at 100% in 2023 we'll be adding another measurement, which is in addition to that is its EDR or end point detection and recovery We put that on at the end of 20. I'm sorry at the beginning of 2023. We're rolling that out. So Just another level of cybersecurity protection Number of legacy applications retired. We had to go five We only did two But we're poised well for 2023 to get some fairly heavy usage off of the legacy system the IVMI and System availability we had to go of 99 and We hit the 99% Legacy applications retired we moved a small portion of some taxes off of the IVMI But looking forward into 2023. We're looking at moving the remaining taxes off from that system special assessments clerks business licensing DPW the inventory module with their introduction of their EAM view works application and then the sidewalk cemetery and parks and racks A couple major accomplishments in 2022 we did upgrade our ERP system Tyler Munis from version 2019 to 2021 We also upgraded all those servers from version 2012 to 2019 We did Implement credit card processing Actually, we we actually worked on that and then turn that on in the beginning of January I believe January 10th and since that time we've taken right around a thousand payments For credit through the credit card processing. So that's been a very very big success We supported the new or the infrastructure at the new uptown social building So we were fortunate enough to use some opera dollars. We were able to get them connected to our sink fiber ring And they have a very good solid infrastructure there now We continue to work on our cyber security, which are basically the last couple of items So any questions Questions comments from the committee. Oh there for I keep it asking.  Wow So that's a great question Yeah, I can see you going like that You know when I we when I look at what keeps me up at night is cyber security in those issues that being said We are we continue to do a very good job of implementing new solutions and getting the funding for those I know At some point Caitlyn and I are working to see if we can come and get some ARPA funds to cover some of the expenses that we Encured last year for some of the cyber security upgrades that we had Yeah, we have a email filtering system we actually have to So The first one catches the boulders and the second one catches the pebbles But we on a weekly basis will see a tax against our Email system usually from it like Ukraine or Lithuania or some foreign country where we receive Literally tens of thousands of emails trying to infiltrate our system So I know we were talking about that with the mayor the other day, so We see those things we do see on the perimeter a lot of people trying to Access or get into the city Thus infrastructure one way or another Perfect. Thank you. You're welcome any other questions If not just one or two for me, did we move servers off of Windows 2012 or Windows Server 2012? Yes, those would have a well The Windows Server operating system we actually had some on 20 or 2008 as well that we move we moved these were Basically the munis servers that I'm referencing here, but we did move I think an additional seven or eight servers Other than the munis servers from either 2008 or 2012 to 2019 and we have a Handful more yet to do this year Glad to hear that. We're moving forward on those Then just one other question for me from me rather The number of security audits performed looks like we didn't have any outside Audits this year is there a plan to do that in 2023 We opted not to do the one last year just because we had so many new Cybersecurity enhancements we were putting in place. We wanted to get those fully implemented and Understand where we needed to tweak those a little bit more rather than just having an organization Come in and say you need to do these things We knew the new the things we wanted it to do and needed to do so we've done those so the plan is to have one in 2023 That makes sense to me. Thank you. You're welcome Last call on it any other comments from the committee Thank you. Thank you With that then we're on to item 17, which is the 2022 annual report for the municipal court Hi, thank you. So you should have a copy of my report and it has a nice little Summary of what we've done for the past five years and so you can see that for 2022 We were pretty much back on par with the number of cases that we handled to what they were prior to the pandemic So that was quite quite the difference 6600 in 2019 we dropped all the way to 5043 in 2020 and now back to 6500 again for 2022 We added A line under collections for restitution. So previously we didn't report on that But that is something that I think is important just to show that the court not only collects forfeitures and Funds our department plus other initiatives in the city with that, but we also collect restitution and so what might be interesting for you to see is that in 2022 even though the the forfeiture amount ordered was roughly $200,000 less than what it was in 2018 the collections were almost exactly the same So I think that's a reflection of our staff that are highly efficient able to to process and handle collections in a better way and then Get money back to the citizens and restitution. And so we have had Consistent staffing so for 2022 some things that are not on As readily available with numbers or just knowing other things that we're doing at the court So last year I was able to reinstate our truancy workshop and that's been a partnership through this Sheboygan area school district Where once a month I meet up meet with up to 80 kids working on our truancy issues that we have Which are pretty shocking. I think that we have a crisis for truancy right now for our elementary school kids We're at 8% truancy for high school We're between 20 and 30% and so the truancy workshop was something that I had Been able to start with the school district right before COVID and so we were able to reinstate that last year We also have two new two new programs that I'm working with One South High I've started a restorative justice program. And so that would be working with students to look at Offenses that they're Involved with that school and how it affects the whole community and then and maybe how they can adjust their behavior In a different way than just having a forfeiture or having even sometimes community service But to actually sit down and analyze what they're doing and then also working with the school district on More citations for parents for contributing to truancy and then having a workshop That they would be able to participate in lieu of that citation And that's really the only way that we're able to get at that 8% elementary school truancy rate At the municipal court because I can only see kids once they're 12. So any any kid Under 12 is not coming through And so there is an ability to have a citation for contributing to truancy But there had been a reluctance to use that in the past because the minimum forfeiture for that is 376 dollars And so schools were you know, maybe a little reticent to go that way But now that we have this project where they can avoid that by going to A workshop put on by the school district social workers to look at Why contributing to truancy why not having your child go to school is so bad and can have a big impact on their life? I think is really important in the school district is also providing child care and a meal for these families So it's a great program. Hopefully more more families will take advantage of Thank you questions comments other Pirella I just was curious about the numbers of the sheboygan building inspections department cases that went down It's just because of the way that maybe they have been tracked Recorded no, this is this is just how no This is what they're doing so this is just the the cases in which the inspect the Whatever the inspector the inspectors have mandated to owners landlords that then come to you or it's just what they have what Owners have not paid. These are the ones that come to me So this is looking at the total number of cases that the court processes, right? So which cases would they be so for building inspection cases typically what what I'm seeing cited are For issues where people are not maintaining the property. So it could be that the roof needs to be fixed foundation issues windows Paint so those types of cases are typically what are going to be reflected in that number of words Saying building inspection cases. So this is something that I've talked to in the past significantly or Extensively is that I have no control over how many tickets the police department rights or building inspection I have no control over how many tickets Kohler writes all we can do is handle them as they come through right? So that means in other words that number reflect perhaps They're just a lesser amount of citations that inspects or have inspectors have issued correct Okay, that is thank you, but you can see then you know Village of Kohler has been writing more citations and The police department issued you know 1200 more than the year before and that's why it kind of just balances out So it does fluctuate Other Falthy. Yes, I Applaud you for working with the truancy program. Thank you. I think if we catch them early We can avoid some of the problems later In their middle and high school years, so I applaud you for that. Thank you Because I'll piggyback on that It's going to say the same as well outside of just the numbers in the report It was great to hear all the work that you've been doing with the school district it. Thank you I was very surprised to hear 8% and 2230 poor elementary in high school. So I'm Glad that this has been a focus. Do we have any other discussion from the committee? Thank you, thank you Next up we have 18 which is the 20 22 annual report for city development Thank you Thank you, sir. So what I handed out was a printed version of this because a lot of times I get Calls for a printed copy then you don't have to come back and get it So this report is made up of two Divisions the city development division is made up for planning and development and building inspection And we'll talk about some of Alder-Parrellas concerns about building code cases as we move forward, but Just kind of paging through this Talks about some projects that the department has worked on I'm not going to read them to you can take it on your own But we continue to obviously focus on housing as our number one Concern so on page three There's been some starts of some new subdivisions Indian Meadows mobile home park expansion and then the purchase of the Gartman farm in 2022 on page four Tid district updates So we amended tid 16 to provide development incentives to the Sheboygan press project that was talked about at the council meeting last week And then the shop will redevelop meant to redevelop that into hobby lobby and Ross dress for less Ross dress for less is open and hobby lobby is planned to open sometime in the beginning of April on the next page There's some additional commercial developers development scooters coffee Ashley home furniture nature's best a big one was the Old World Creamery Edition to allow them to Start manufacturing cheese with the byproduct from butter and the redevelopment authority gave them a five hundred thousand dollar Loan to create 20 new permanent jobs And then the last one is a number of you called me about this project 832, Michigan This is a kitty corner from trillings hardware That old building that had been vacant for a lot of years will become a dermatology clinic on page seven The old salvation army is now good as gold appliance outlet and then in the BMO Harris building on the corner of superior and Taylor Third Coast Vascular renovated the upper floor in that building on page eight The Sheboygan County detention center is expanding in the city's first business park And then on the bottom of page eight is the multi-tenant spec building That's just started construction the first tenant in the self-point enterprise campus And that project is coming back before you because it's already expanding and they're going to take on some more land and Put up a few more buildings for the tenant that they received so stay tuned to that On page nine interagency Cooperation we hosted the city's first make music day on city green We hosted the Sheboygan housing coalition series of town hall meetings on affordable housing As part of the block grant program contributed 40,000 to the all abilities purple octopus playground at the boven beyond children's museum and then worked with a number of city departments organizing the annual rock the block Habitat for Humanity revitalization event on page ten after three or four years of Trying to get federal funding from the natural resource damage assessment Which was related to the Sheboygan River cleanup project the city received a hundred and ninety six thousand dollars of which 176,000 went to replace a deteriorating bridge at the evergreen park area five and the remaining Roughly 25,000 will go into adding some additional fishing bump outs Along the Kiwanis Park later this year We also celebrated the opening of the city of Sheboygan's first solar field with a lion energy on city land That's being leased to this from the city and then we Updated our title six plan Related to the civil rights and implemented the city's language line and educated all of the departments on how to use language line services for translation For the different populations in the community on page 11 We Laid out the first pianos for place making I'm not sure how that's going to end up some of them have weathered the storm And some of them have not And then worked with the Department of Public Works and the mayor's office on upgrading the alley Be basically across from Stefano's or next to the Traderia to try to encourage People to use the public parking lot and feel safe going through the alley And then worked with public works on the demolition of the Social Security building across the road and added a dog park for downtown pet owners This year we also launched through a call for artists on page 12 the utility box revamp program. So we Wrapped 12 boxes with artists works around the community a couple weeks ago. We had the armory documentary at the Wild Center We're working on a project to receive the grant from AARP to wrap the mayor's old van so we're going to be wrapping that in vinyl graphics and it's going to become a Public engagement vehicle where it can go into neighborhoods and Excite people and get people and energized and provide comments and those types of things and then on that page The last thing was there was a mural done on the Indiana Avenue with a local artist on page 13 as the block grant funding list that we also administer on behalf of the city We had on the bottom of that page We had a new nonprofit come forward this year called flawless hoops, which is providing basketball mentoring and training for all ages a Program that's been developed by Cedric Foster And he's looking to expand this program And it's worked very well for kids to have a place for after-school activities to learn the sport of basketball and get some mentoring along the way On page 14 we continue to administer housing rehab funds for the city We've implemented a new program called the upper floor residential rehab program, which takes vacant store Fronts and upstairs second floors and converts them into housing opportunities. So you can see There's some transition of some of those Projects and then we also have a facade and landscaping program that we use to target Houses along key corridors to try to keep them Landscape and updated and their front facade looking good on page 15 a couple downtown His remodels of properties that were huge and kind of helping with our overall Downtown revitalization program and then Shifting gears on page 16 is the building inspection department. You can see on the bottom chart five years five years of the collections and the number of permits issued So looking at the total revenues Generated from permits. It was about nine hundred and forty seven thousand in 2021 it was about nine hundred and ninety six thousand so it was a little less Some of that has to do with interest rates rising and this timing of large projects But we're optimistic that it'll get back on track this year Under permitting on page 17. It just shows you the number of single family housing duplexes multi apartment amount Multicondominiums Projects that have been built over the past five years with the 2022 at the bottom and then last but not least is code enforcement So one of the questions was the numbers. So what you're what you see in those Hexagons the nuisance complaint statistics and the housing complaint statistics So we're still issuing on the same amount of orders that we have in the previous years I think now we're getting to people are being kind of Understanding what this program is about and working with our inspectors to get to compliance or trying to obtain additional Housing resources from us so that they don't have to be cited So that's why you're seeing a decline in the number of citations and the number of court filings Which I think is a good indicator that people are investing in their properties And if they're getting identified for code orders, they have the Resources in order to make the improvements and they don't have to be cited to get them to do the improvements So that's I think where the number is I mean it's less there But it's also less from a city staff point of trying to prosecute those Code orders and then we continue to hold landlord training twice a year We've probably done it trained over 300 400 landlords We do a spring and a fall one in partnership with the police department And then on the last page there's a picture of all of the folks within the department And their titles and we're here to help if anybody has any questions Questions comments from the committee on the report. Oh, they're flaky been asked you I want to know what you do in your spare time This was really impressive. Thank you Any other discussion? If not, I will second elder flaky been asked these comments and just say thank you for the printed copy right off the start 19 was the 2022 annual report from uptown social if it's okay with the committee We'll hold on to this one until the next meeting the director could not be with us tonight and Would like to give that report in person If there are no objections we'll move on to item 20, which is the 2022 annual report for the finance department Thank you the Report is in your packet. So I'll just go through it real quick So the finance team did have some changes during 2022 when I first was hired in 2021 We had a couple vacancies So those were left open intentionally for a short time to make sure that we could staff Accordingly to what we needed for the department. So with that a little bit of reorganization Organization we did become fully staffed in May of 2022 that lasted until October So we do have The payroll specialists and deputy finance director both left at the end of 2022 But I am happy to report that we are fully staffed as of last Monday again. So we are good on the finance team front So for our 2022 accomplishments the much talked about chart of account conversion finally did happen all of the Testing and the coding that went into that took months of time But we did go through and it got posted. I believe it was official in July So we did get that completed We were reconfirmed by Moody's as a AA to rating for our credit So that always is helpful when it comes to the debt issuance That is the best rating that the city of Sheboygan as a municipality of this size That we can get we did change audit firms and we went through our first full audit with Baker Tilly as you may recall there were challenges through that process we did have the Presentation of our 2021 done at the end of 2022. So we're hoping to have that to you earlier this year, of course Getting through those bumps of a new auditor and a new finance director Hopefully this year is smoother I mentioned before that we aligned the job tasks differently in the finance department. I will just give a basic Informational I guess of why we did it this way So we have three individuals currently in the finance department who we would call the doers So we have them they're doing the data entry and a lot of the actual data Into our Munis system or making sure that it's getting imported correctly things like that and then we have the two reviewers So we have a grant auditor Grant Accountant an internal auditor. So his job is to make sure that we're doing it the right way So we have procedures and policies in place and my goal is to have more come forward later this year But his job is to make sure that we're doing it the correct way And then we have a financial reporting analyst to make sure that the numbers are true to what they should be So we have to make sure they're right and how we got there was correct So those are the best practices within the accounting and finance world. So that's why we did that realignment of duties Additionally, we had the five-year financial strategic plan come forward with alers last year and We're hoping to have that kind of a living and breathing document and updating as we need it to In order to keep up with our TID closures and opening Potentials in the future or any large developments things like that or projects that the city needs to consider The FEMA One of the first projects that the grant Accountant did was actually work with the state of Wisconsin through the FEMA program that windstorm that occurred Back in June. We actually were eligible for reimbursement due to the significance of that storm And we actually just got back the report. We're getting $240,000 reimbursed of those expenses. So that was he Austin hit the ground running with that project right away We also implemented a new debt and lease tracking software, which is debt book So the accounting standards changed quite significantly when it comes to leases And it's a very much accounting heavy and we have this software to help us become more Make sure that we are compliant with those new requirements that are put out there for us We did contract with a municipal debt collector to assist with delinquent bill collections They already have done significant work with our ambulance billing company And we are working on making sure the rest of the delinquent personal property after this Collection cycle was just done to make sure those get to them as well We also started and well continued Putting together the capital asset listing so one item that came up during audit Is that our capital assets or all of our machinery equipment? Buildings vehicles all those types of things are the way we were tracking it was not up to I'll say my Standards so we have been working hard to make sure that we're getting all of the listings and doing a full audit of all The assets that we have on our books to make sure we do still have them and that they're valued correctly So we're working on finalizing those numbers ahead of audit Additionally we implemented with the assistance and Teamwork of with the planning department and implemented the host compliance software We did start that in 2021, but we had some hiccups on their side with staff transitions as Everyone knows is common nowadays So we were able to finish that implementation and have been working through the permitting and collections In that software and lastly I did just list that we provided human resources department Assistance throughout the year. I will I want to give a shout out to my entire finance team because all of them are more than willing to Jump in on any type of task at any time. So they're the ones that kept me Moving forward throughout the whole last year Some key metrics one item that I really want to point out is our accounts payable checks in a CH so in 2020 we had about 6,000 checks that were issued and we did not have a CH in place at that point. So Each check I believe this the number that comes to mind is it costs like $35 to issue each check But for a CH it costs less than a dollar So when we look at 2022 is number it actually checks are now at for 2022 were 3400 and accounts payable a CH was Just at two thousand. So there's a significant switch And movement to that a CH payment option, which is both more secure and also Just reduces our cost overall as well And you can also see that there are credit card payments process which increased about $350,000 during 2022 and the taxes collected by the city During the first installment was $54.4 million. So in a matter of about seven weeks, that's a lot of transactions that go through this the finance office The next page on the report is just showing exactly how much is collected by each Area so City Hall collected 43.7 million dollars of that 54 million and then we appreciate that the three Wisconsin Bank and Trust branches in town do also help us collect as well So they collectively collect collected about 10 million dollars Lastly for the 2023 goals and projects Munis is where finance does all of our work pretty much. So we have some Projects that we hope to accomplish in 2023 including implementing the project ledger Receives some training and guidance from munis on how to implement that so now it's just moving forward with that step We did need the general ledger conversion to be done before we started the next project ledger So now that that is done. We and we're fully staffed again. We can make sure to get working on that Additionally with the capital asset listing that has been put together We want to import that into munis and I can't tell you how excited I am about that because you can Depreciate everything in a click of a button. So it will save a Considerable amount of time for both finance and the auditors when you have the proof right there, too Additionally, we are hoping to get the bank reconciliation process within the system We are looking to import city credit cards. So the cards that actual that employees actually use We're hoping to get those transactions to be imported into munis so that they're hitting our Accounts in the system sooner so that department heads have a better track of where everything is going and Lastly for munis is moving the special assessments and delinquent personal property taxes out of the AS 400 I will say there has already been a significant amount of work done on these So we're hoping to have those out of the AS 400 within a few months Additionally the City is hoping to assist shipwrecking County We've already been we have already volunteered to help with the implementation of a web-based property tax collection software This was being planned originally for 2022, but due to technology Hold-ups it it's been pushed to 2023 So I'll be contacting them probably in March to make sure that we're moving ahead with that because that again will Help significantly during that December January time frame where we have all of these Entries for tax collections. It will actually make us more efficient because I'm hoping it We can have that available to import payments so that we're not hanky every single one like we are right now Additionally, I mentioned that we were going to be looking at adopting updated financial policies those have been in the works and we just are going to bring those forward for consideration at this committee and discussion and The last item on our goals and projects is developing the new budget process for increased transparency and Having additional counsel and taxpayer input So we discussed that a little bit earlier today, and we just want to make sure that that is also a moving Document or breathable breathing document just to make sure that we are really getting What council wants from staff and also that the taxpayers feel confident in the budget process moving forward So I'm open to any questions Going to resist urge to ask if there was a monolithic single excel file for capital asset tracking and just Open it to questions from the committee well Good. Thank you May I congratulate you and your department and kind of like I said What do you do in your spare time and the other thing is that we are well aware that you were wearing in Your whole department was wearing two hats. So this is an impressive list. Thank you We have a second from other value Any other discussion? Call the prela just Just to brief Curiosity, so you said that the accounts payable a C age Obviously I mean That's always good obviously instead the standard checks, but you said that the check cost We are talking about the people's right. You said the check cost 35 dollars. Why is that? So the bank actually is the one who estimates that cost so between Actually issuing the checks making sure that we're doing reconciliation and all these extra steps including the check stock We actually send reports to the bank of every check We issue to make sure that it's being approved properly and things like that It's just a lot of extra staff time to issue a check compared to an ACH So not only is the check stock That's pretty cheap when it comes down to it But it's more staff time to actually issue checks than what what it does for ACM So it is the staff time that is included and then finally you mentioned the bank reconciliation right process What did you say about that? Sure, so currently we're working bank reconciliations through I think it's about six different Spreadsheets in Excel so Munis has the capability to import bank transactions So we're hoping to we did have one Munis training day to learn how that exactly worked and try to figure out if it would work with our bank that we currently have And it does appear that it will work So what we have we have quite a bit of legwork We have to do before we can actually get it to import correctly because we have years of data in Munis that won't have bank transactions That match it because we're so far ahead of that So what we're hoping for is to have that import and so it's a lot less manual Calculation and it's matching one-for-one transactions between Munis and the bank. I did even know that that was possible That's why I'm curious because we do that I do the same thing. So yeah, yeah, we have I Think we're up to ten different bank accounts. So and that's not even including our investments. So it's just a lot of tedious Calculations and and when it's in Excel, there's of course always the Opportunity for errors. So we would like to get past that and get it into Munis. Thank you Any other discussion on this one if not, thank you director All right our next regularly scheduled meeting will be on March 13th of 2023 And with that we have a job exhausted our agenda and they're looking for a motion to adjourn We have a motion a second to adjourn signal discussion and adjournment all in favor All opposed Chair votes. I the I7 the motion passes. We are adjourned Thank you everybody You


You might already be getting the sense that to make a cool color image, you're going to need a lot of bits to do it, and looking at a screen full of binary code is hard to keep track of. This is an instance where looking at the binary in hexadecimal is quite useful. Let me set bits per pixel to 12, and then make a single red pixel with all four bits for red turned on, 1, 1, 1, 1, and then zeros for the green and the blue. This is our old friend, the red pixel. You might remember that the hexadecimal number system has 16 possible digits, and that four bits has 16 possible configurations, so a single hex digit can be used to represent a four-bit chunk. Rather than looking at the raw 12 bits for each pixel, we can switch into hex mode, and we can see three hex digits that represent the exact same data. Much easier to look at. Notice that we now have three digits, f00, for the first pixel. We know that f is the largest hex digit and represents four bits, 1, 1, 1, 1. So working in hex, we're still thinking about mixing red, green, and blue light, but only have to set a single character for each. So to turn down the red light, I just pick a hex digit less than f, let's say seven. So seven zero zero is a darker red. If I flip the tool back to show binary, I can see it's all still there. Professional graphics typically use 24 bits per pixel. This too is easy to view in hex, and is actually a very common representation you see in web design and in other tools. With 24 bits per pixel, it means eight bits for each of the red, green, and blue, which means I can set each with two hex digits. In this mode, red would be ff0000, and a teal color would be 00AAAA. Of course, with two hex digits, there are 256 different settings for each of the red, green, and blue lights, for a total of 16,777,216 different colors. So being able to view and manipulate binary code in hexadecimal is a handy thing to do. Try out for yourself, and make your own colors.


Now, as gunshots echo across the windswept snow-covered reaches of the Wild Northwest, Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice, the breakfast cereal shot from guns, present the challenge of its Yukon King, swiftest and strongest lead dog of the Northwest, Northwest modern police in his one new huskies. Gold, gold discovered in the Yukon, a stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches, back to the days of the Gold Rush, with Quaker Pop Wheat and Quaker Pop Rice bringing you the adventures of Sergeant Preston and his Wonder Dog Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon. Here's the breakfast that brings cheers from coast to coast. The breakfast that wins praise from many a He-Man Hollywood movie star, too. It's well-tasting Quaker milk or cream and fruit. These king-size, ready-to-serve premium grains of rice or wheat are shot from guns. Yes, actually exploded up to eight times normal size to make them crisp and tender as nuts in November. Tomorrow, sure, try this thrifty deluxe breakfast treat. You'll cheer, too, for Quaker Pop Rice or Quaker Pop Wheat. Sergeant Preston won snowy winter night when they heard a girl's voice calling to them. Sergeant, please, wait for me. Come out of Carlo. She was young and pretty. But as she ran toward the Sergeant, her face was a mask of terror. Sergeant, somebody's killed him. He's dead. I know it. What are you talking about, Anne? Dave called me after what's happened. Well, try to tell me what's happened. All right. Dave hasn't been feeling well, and... Come with me. I'll tell you as we walk. Where? To Dave's cabin, near the Klondike, end of force speech. All right. Let's go. Come on, King. Dave had a body collar with 10 o'clock. When he hadn't shown up by 11, I decided to take a walk to his cabin and see if he were really ill. He wasn't there. That's nothing to be worried about. Isn't it, though? Wait until you see. See what? There's a stain on the floor. Sergeant, it's a blood stain. We'll investigate. The sergeant, the girl, and tweets of Dawson were dark. But when they reached forth and turned right toward the Klondike river, they could see a light shining from one of the cabins. Flex it. Did you find the lamp lit when you reached the cabin? No, I lit it. Did you see any tracks leading to the cabin? No. Or away from it? No. It was only a few minutes ago, Sergeant. Oh, I mean, look. The snow's covered up my own tracks already. The door was unlocked? Yes. You'll see. Something awful must have happened. Here we are. The light from the lamp on the table fell directly on the red stain. King ran toward it. There. That's blood, Sergeant. King seems to agree with him. What have they done to him? Sit down, Anne, please. Oh, how can I? We've got to go after him. We've got to find him. Sit down here. But, Sergeant... If you want me to help you, you must help me. Now answer my question. I'll try. Good. Now, it's true there's a blood stain on the floor, but it isn't very large. Dave may simply have cut himself, and right now, it'll be a dark monson's getting a finger bandage. Do you really think so? Let's go and find out. Now, wait. What I want to know is, why you jumped to the conclusion that he'd been murdered. What? I don't know. I was so upset when I saw... There must have been some reason. Does Dave have any enemies? Well, he owns Bonanza 47. He's a rich man now. There are a lot of... The man's claimed by killing him. Answer me, Anne. Does he have any enemies? Anyone who'd like to see Dave Cortland dead? Yes. Who? That stranger who was talking to Steve last night in the Monte Carlo. Stranger? Well, he's new to Dawson. I found out afterwards his name was Frank Mason. He was standing at the bar. It was just after David left. He watched Dave as he walked out, and then he leaned across to Steve. Hey. Who's that fellow that just walked out? His name's Dave Cortland. Yeah. It wasn't when I knew him in Frisco. He called himself Don Corby, then. You sure you got the right man? He hasn't changed as much. He ought to be in jail. I think you've made a mistake. Dave's all right. Everybody likes him. Oh, he's easy to like all right for those who don't know him. But we do know him. When he made his big strike, there wasn't a man in Dawson who wasn't glad of it.  He owns Bonanza 47. Which proves there's no justice. Just a minute. I don't like the way you're talking about Dave. What's that? You hurt me.  I don't care. Dave and I are going to be married, and whatever you say about him, just what are you insinuating? Nothing. It wouldn't do me any good. You wouldn't pay attention. I certainly wouldn't. It's too bad. You look to be pretty regular. You said that he ought to be in jail. Personally, I'd like to see him dead. Why? That's my business. Well, you can't just say something like that and leave it there. Why? What right of you to talk that way? Just ask him if he remembers Flora Mason. I'm sorry for your sister. Good night. He walked out of the place. I asked Dave about Flora Mason the next morning, and he'd never even heard the name. Obviously, this Frank Mason made a mistake. I thought Dave was someone else, but he said that he'd like to see him dead. Steve can vouch for that. I'll have a talk with Mason. Does Dave have other enemies? It was what Mason said that upset me. No one else who dislikes him? Not really. Which means there is. No. Rex and he aren't friends anymore, but, oh, it is. That's all my fault. I thought I liked Rex until I met Dave, but Rex wouldn't do anything to hurt Dave because he wouldn't do anything to hurt me. I'm sure of that. And I'm going to take you home. But I'm due back at the Monte Carlo. You're in no condition to sing tonight. I'll take you home. Well, then what? What are you going to do? I'm going to try and find Dave. Can't I help? Can't I go with you? No, but I'll let you know as soon as I locate him. Talk as if he was still alive. Why not? Oh, just one thing more. Those mittens on the table there, do they belong to him? Yes, I knitted them. He used to wear them all the time. I'll take them. Here, King. Here's a clue for you. Smell them, boy. That's right. And we want to find this man, King. Sergeant, all this snow. He can't follow a trail tonight, can he? He'll follow it if he ever fixes up. Come on, let's go. It took the sergeant two hours to make sure that Dave Cortland was not in Dawson. There was no one who had seen him after six o'clock that evening. No one who had seen him leave the town. The sergeant found both Rex Taylor and Frank Mason at the Monte Carlo, and he questioned them one after the other in the back room of the café. Rex was first. Rex, how long have you known, Dave? For several years. We came up here together. From San Francisco? From Portland. You were a partner? Until last year. Because of Anne that you split up? Well, no. Neither of us met her until after that. There wasn't any particular reason for us split up. If Dave Cortland is dead, sergeant, I didn't kill him. I'd admit that if he were out of the way, I might stand a chance with Anne. I'd like to marry her, but... Well... Oh, what? Dave and I were friends once. Good friends. You can't forget that. I'm not accusing you of anything, Rex. That's all for now. Ask Mason to step in here, please. It's your thing. Go behind him. So talking too much has got me into trouble, eh, sergeant? That remains to be seen. You believe that Dave Cortland is really a man named Don Corby? I don't know what his real name is. He's the same man who called himself Don Corby. When did you know him? Five years ago in San Francisco. He was engaged to my sister Flora. Last night you said you'd like to see him dead. And I won't take that back even if he is dead. Why not?  The way that he treated Flora, they were engaged. She trusted him. She gave him all her money to invest. He did a fine job. He lost every penny of it. At least he said he didn't.  Yes, I do. And even if he didn't, he deserted her afterwards. Jilled her. Just disappeared. It's only natural for me to feel the way that I do. It isn't natural to contemplate a murder. I didn't. You were seen on 4th Street at 7 o'clock tonight. Well, whatever. You were seen walking toward Cortland's cabin. Well, I went there. I admit it. You went inside? I just looked in the window. Why did you do that? Well, the reason I went there, I was going to tell him what I thought of him. I changed my mind. Why? Because if I told him that Flora was dead and he'd left, maybe I would have killed him. But I didn't, Sergeant. And you can't accuse me of it. I'm not accusing anyone. I have no evidence that Cortland's dead, not yet. But I'm warning you not to leave Dawson. I won't. You're living at the Palace Hotel. Yes, sir. It'll be all for tonight. Okay. Well, I haven't learned much, King. Perhaps there's nothing to learn. Dave had a dog, T, and it's gone. We have driven up to the Bonanza without saying anything to anyone. We'll have to go up there and find out. But he told Anne he'd meet her at the Monte Carlo tonight. And then there's that blood stain on the floor. We're going back to the cabin and check it once more before we start for the Bonanza. Come along, come along. The Sergeant went from the Monte Carlo to headquarters. There he left word of his intention to drive out to the Bonanza. But a few minutes later, King was leaving the Sergeant's team through the deserted streets of the sleeping town. When they reached the cabin on 4th Street, the Sergeant called on an ordered halt. Okay. He found a lock strong. Probably full of dust. The lock hasn't been tampered with at all. There's been no robbery committed here. We'll keep on. There was no evidence of violence in the cabin with the exception of the blood stain on the floor. When the Sergeant had finished his examination, he stood near the table. Absent-mindedly, he took out the pair of mittens and a knit for Dave. King growled. You don't forget, do you, King? Why, why are the dogs sound like another team heading this way? Yes, and snapping out in front. Dave Cortland!  Is anything wrong? Evidently not. And wearing brought me here earlier tonight. You were gone and there was a blood stain on the floor. She was afraid something had happened to you. No. Nothing's happened to me. But I'm glad you're here, Sergeant. I want to confess. I murdered my twin brother. As Cortland spoke, Sergeant Preston looked at the man as though he could hardly believe the startling confession. We'll continue our story in just a moment. Shot from guns. These three famous words mean a breakfast treat all ready to eat. The original, the one and only, Quakerpuff rice or Quakerpuff wheat. Yes, these are giant-sized grains. I said giant-sized. And they actually are shot from guns to make them crisp and tender. Quakerpuff rice and Quakerpuff wheat, that makes them bigger and better tasting. They're a thrifty deluxe family breakfast treat that's easy to fix as falling off a log. Just pour out a bowlful, add some fruit, talk about good. More important, long hours at school and play call for a hearty breakfast. And Quakerpuff wheat and Quakerpuff rice furnish added food values of restored natural grain amounts of vitamin B1, niacin and iron. So how about it? You'll be getting off to a flying start when you eat Quakerpuff wheat or Quakerpuff rice. And to get the original crisp, fresh, wheat or rice shot from guns, always buy the big red and blue package with the smiling Quakerman on the front. Quakerpuff wheat and Quakerpuff rice are never sold in bags or boats. Now to continue our story. After he had made his startling announcement that he had murdered his brother, Cortland sank into a chair. Just give me a few minutes and I'll tell you all about it. Your twin brother? Yes, his name was Dylan. I hadn't seen him for years until the night. He just got into doors. And you killed him? He was self-defense believed me. I'm going to warn you that anything you say may be used against him. I'm going to tell the whole truth. What have you done with the body? When I saw what I'd done, I was afraid. I carried him outside and put him on my sled. I harnessed the team and took him up to my claim on the bonanza. He's buried there. Buried? Yes. You burnt out the ground? Covered him with rocks and snow. I'll show you. You'd better do that right away, Cortland. I'm ready.


The challenge of the Yukon. It's Yukon King. Swiftest and strongest lead dog of the Northwest. Blazing the trail for Sergeant Preston of the Northwest Mounted Police in his relentless pursuit of lawbreakers. And King Von Newhuskies. Gold. Gold discovered in the Yukon. A stampede to the Klondike in the wild race for riches. Back to the days of the Gold Rush. With Sergeant Preston and his Wonder Dog Yukon King as they meet the challenge of the Yukon. Liz Territ was an influence in Dawson City. She had inherited several enterprises from her husband who had died the year before. Liz had taken over and was prospering. Now that summer had come, Liz had big shipments to make to Seattle both of gold and of furs. Captain Davis of the Yukon Vale had docked at Dawson City after returning from the trip to Selkirk. He went to the Territ fur trading office to make the usual deal to carry Liz Territ's shipments to Seattle. Howdy, Captain. I figured you'd be coming around some time this afternoon. Have a chair. Thanks, Liz. I suppose you've come about carrying our shipments this season. That's right. The river boat, the River Queen, that put up here yesterday, didn't you? Yep, sure did. It looks like I'm finally going to have some competition. Well, it seems to me you'd act a little more worried than you do, Captain. Why should I? I've been given good service to folks up this way ever since the Gold Rush started. Yukon Bell is a fine boat, even if the River Queen is newer. I reckon there's enough business for both of us anyhow. Well, look, Captain, I had a visit from the skipper of the River Queen this morning. He's not going on to Selkirk. He's heading back to Seattle right from here, sailing day after tomorrow. So are we. Bill Camden, the River Queen's skipper, says his boat is much faster. And what's more, Captain, he's offered to reduce the rates a bit to get our business. Now, wait a minute, Liz. We've been doing business since you and your husband started up here. You say you'd change over and ship up on the River Queen? Oh, I might. I'm not in business from a health, you know. Well, doggone it if you do that. Others will do the same. Then it won't pay me to make the run up here. I know how you feel about it. Now, hold on, Liz. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll cut my reach to match, Camden. How's that? Well, not at something, of course. But one thing that's very important to me is something you can't match, Captain. Huh? What's that? I told you, Bill Camden says his boat is much faster than yours. He hopes to beat you to Seattle by three or four days. That time means a lot to me. Now, he's lying. Nothing on the River... Yukon River can beat the Yukon Bell. Nothing. Now, now, now, take it easy, Captain. Well, I just don't like anybody insulting Yukon Bell. That's all. Why, Thunder, if I had the chance, I'd show that boasting skipper of the River Queen that he'd take the smoke of my boat any time. Say, that gives me an idea, Captain. If you really mean what you just said. Of course I mean it. I like dealing with you, and Bill Camden struck me as having a sneaky look about him that goes against the grain. Then you're going to ship on the Yukon Bell after all. On one condition. What's that? If the skipper agrees, I suggest you race the Yukon Bell against the River Queen tomorrow. Say it new. Sure, think of the fun and excitement. And if you're so sure the Yukon Bell can beat the other boat, you can make yourself a few big wagers on the side. But what's the reason you... The first boat to reach the Landon at Beaver Town ten miles from here will get my business. And that means the shipping business of most others in town. Well, how about it? Do you think the Yukon Bell can win? Of course you can. Vice Under, you tell Bill Camden I'll be ready and waiting with steam up at noon tomorrow if he's willing. If he backs down, Captain, I'll consider giving my business to your boat. Camden is coming back here later. Told him I wanted to talk to you before I made a decision. I'll put the proposition before him and if he agrees, I'll come to the dock and tell you. Later that afternoon in Skipper Bill Camden's cabin on board the River Queen, Bill was talking to his first mate, Larry Smith. Larry, I just gave him Liz Turret's office. Did he get the agreement for carrying his stuff? No, I thought Cretna rates would do the trick. But Captain Davis said he'd match our rates. Of course, the fact that I said we could make a faster run to Seattle almost won her over. Skipper, if we don't get some of the shipping from up this way, we won't last some of Yukon. I'm not after just some of it. I want to get all of it. I want to get all of the turrets shipped on our boat. The others will follow suit. You mean we've lost out to the Yukon Bell? Not yet. Liz likes Davis. She's giving him a chance. But the decision won't be made till tomorrow. What's she waiting for? She wants me to race the River Queen against the Yukon Bell. Starting here at noon tomorrow and finishing at Beavertown 10 miles from here. She says her business will go to the winner. Of course, you told her our boat was faster. Of course, you told her our boat was faster. But you really think we can beat Davis in a race?  Larry, we're going to win that race one way or another. What's more, we stand to make some cash on bets. But how can you be sure of winning, Skipper? Look, as you know in the boiler room below Dax, each boiler has a steam escape valve on top. Keep the pressure from getting too high. Yeah, yeah, I know. Those valves are adjustable. If someone should happen to tighten the nut on one of them so the steam couldn't escape, the boiler would finally blow up, wouldn't it? Sure, but before that happened on the Yukon Bell, we'd win the race. Yeah, but some of the men below Dax would be scalded. In fact, it might blow the side right out of the boat. Could be. But we got to win that race, Larry. How would you get anyone to tighten that valve down? Nobody could get into the boiler room to do it. Maybe somebody who could and would. Who? Captain Davis fired one of his boiler room crew right after the boat docked. He gave the fellow until tonight to get his gear out of his locker. He's a tough guy named Butch Miller. He's plenty sore at the captain. He was swearing he'd like to get even with him sometime. I heard him raving about in the cafe earlier today. Of course, he just said that to me private life when he asked me to take him on. Did he say you'd do what you wanted him to do? No, I didn't know about the race then. I'll go up town and find Butch tonight. I'll put it up to him to fix that valve when he goes aboard to get the stuff in his locker. I'll make it worth his while. As soon as you know for sure, I'll start making some bets. That's a good plan, Skipper. We ought to win a lot of cash and what's more end up with a lot of business. It was still early evening when Sergeant Preston stopped in front of Northwest Mounted Police Headquarters. Oh, like a boy. Come along, King. Hi, Sergeant. Where you been keeping yourself? Liz Turrett. Hello. I've been on a patrol of 40 miles. King and I just arrived in Dawson. You got bad just in time for all the excitement. What excitement? The big riverboat race at noon tomorrow. The Yukon Bell is going to race the new boat, River Queen. I noticed the new boat tied up alongside the bell. What's the occasion for the race? Well, I reckon you can sort of blame me for that, Sergeant. You see, I'm giving my business to the one that wins. I see. I'll be fighting for fairly high stakes and if your business goes to the new boat, the other shippers will follow. I reckon that's true, but that's not the only stake. I hear everybody at the cafe is wagering practically all they have on the race. Of course, I'm hoping Captain Davis's boat wins, but I'm too smart to bet. Does the Yukon Bell seem to be the favorite? From what I heard, the skipper and crew of the River Queen bet plenty that they'll win. In fact, I hear Skipper Bill Camden mortgage the River Queen to the hill to raise more betting cash. Seems to be sure his boat will win. Yep, that's right. My too. Should be an exciting race. Where's the finish line? At the Landon at Beavertown. I'll have to be on hand to see it. I'm riding the Yukon Bell. What's wrong, Sergeant? I might have thought. I'll tell the captain to expect you. You can even bring King with you, huh, fella? Are both boats going to carry passengers? They agreed only to take on ten apiece. Skipper Bill is charging high prices for his ten, but the captain is carrying ten of us for free. I'll expect to see you come aboard the Yukon Bell to help us cheer if it wins. See you in the morning, Sergeant. Meantime, Skipper Bill and his mate Larry Smith sat in the cafe at a secluded table talking to Butch Miller, the hand who had been discharged from the Yukon Bell. Butch, you got everything straight about what you're to do when you go board Davis' boat for your gear tonight. Yeah, yeah, I know just what to do. Are you sure no one will question you being in the boarder room? No one's aboard right now, but the night watch. He knows I'm to go there to get my stuff. The others are all uptown here. Well, I don't want any hitching. I bet my last dollar on the River Queen winning. You just keep your end of the bargain, Skipper, and you can count on winning that race tomorrow. I've already paid you a hundred dollars. You go through with it and we win.  Don't worry. I've already bet the hundred to Skipper give me on the River Queen to win. Well, I guess that proves you're sure you can go through with the plan. Yeah, I'm satisfied, you will. Now, let's get out of here now, Captain. Butch will be going aboard the Yukon Belt soon. I'll wait a while. Then when it's done, I'll come up to your cabin, Skipper, and tell you. We'll be waiting. So long, Butch. Let's get going, Larry. Later that night, Sergeant Preston decided to stroll along the waterfront and look over the two boats. Taking King with him, he left his quarters and walked toward the shadowy, deserted docks. Well, King, there are the river boats that will compete in the race tomorrow. The River Queen's a newer boat with the Yukon Belt as well built. She's the one we'll see along, fella. Think you'll like that? As the bounty and his dog approached the docks, Sergeant Preston suddenly stopped. Wait, boy. He drew back in the shadows as he saw a fronted figure come down the gangplank of the Yukon Belt with a canvas bag slung over his shoulder. Must be one of the deck hands. The Sergeant Preston stood watching the man's figure stopped on the dock, looked around suspiciously. Then, seemingly satisfied, he quickly walked to the gangplank of the River Queen and went aboard. Oh, strange. I'd like to know more about him, fella. Well, he hasn't done anything wrong in going from one boat to the other, but he might as well check with a night watch on the Yukon Belt. Come on, King, you'll try to find out just what's going on. Sergeant Preston strolled up the gangplank of the Yukon Belt and was met by the man doing the night watch. You better wait right... Oh, a mountain! Yes, I'm Sergeant Preston. Evening, Sergeant. If you're looking for the captain, he's gone ashore. In fact, there's most everyone ashore tonight. I didn't come aboard to see the captain. I came to check on a man I saw leaving this boat a moment ago. Oh, yeah, that's a hand the captain fired today. He came aboard to get his stuff from his locker. His name's Butch Miller. Oh, I see. It's all right then. He acted a little odd when he got on the dock, so I decided to check on him. I checked him aboard, Sergeant. Leave me his good riddance, too. I was a heavy drinker on the job and he was always causing trouble. Oh, his new skipper will be into trouble then. He won't get a berth on any other riverboat. No other skipper would take him, especially out of Dawson City. Butch Miller's reputation is well known around this town by now. Oh, that's strange. He looked around when he reached the dock as though he didn't want to be seen, but he wanted to see the river queen. Want to board the river queen? That's right. I can't figure that. Captain Davis numbered 5 skipper Bill Cameron in about Miller today. I see. Well, thanks for the information. Come on, King. We'll go on back to quarters. Meantime, on board the river queen in the skipper's cabin, Butch Miller was reporting to Bill Camden. Skipper, it's all done. Now, all you have to do is wait a mile. Tighten that valve down so it won't work. It won't be noticed until the steam pressure gets so high it'll be too late to loosen it in time to keep the boiler from blowing up, huh? And when that happens, you and Bill will be out of the race. Yeah, it could be more than that.  And it'll teach that honorary captain Davis to throw me off his rotten tub. Hey, hold on. If you're able to happen, Liz might be killed. The one on the rice wouldn't do us any good. Don't you worry. You'll have the only river packet that can carry passengers and freight to Seattle. What's more, you'll make plenty on your bets. I should have thought of what might happen, huh? I don't like the idea that Liz might get killed, but she refused to sail on our boat. And if you say that the Yukon Bell is totally out of commission, we'll get all the trade.  What's that? I want more cash right now. And the promise of more later. Now see here, butch. I'm giving you a job on this boat, along with some cash. Sit down, Skipper. Sit down and take it easy. Look, if I was to tell what I know to the Mounties now, you'd stand to lose the race and come in for some uncomfortable questioning.  I'd go back and loosen it before I told him. Of course, if I told him after the boiler blew, I might go to jail, but you'd go with me. And maybe for murder. Why, Yukon? I'll look. Take it easy. Didn't say I would tell. I'm just pointing out what could happen if I did. You stand to gain plenty, and I want to get some of it. Well, all right. Before we start the race, I'll give you more cash. And I'll give you a 10% of what I win. Five. Five. Maybe someday I'll be first mate on the River Queen, huh? Who knows? Take a good blow, Butch. I'll see you in the morning. All right. I'll leave my stuff and go uptown to the cafe for a while. See you in the morning, Skipper. After Butch Miller left the River Queen to go to the cafe, Skipper Bill Camden went to Larry Smith, his first mate in his cabin. Larry, I got something important to talk over. What is it, Skipper? We've got to do something about Butch Miller. Why? What's happened? He fixed a valve on the Yukon bell tonight. Now he threatens to do some talking if I don't pay plenty. Ah, I never thought of that. He could blackmail us from now on. Yeah. And one of the things he wants is your jab as first mate, Larry. What?  I didn't say that. But remember, after race is over, the Yukon bell disabled, he can force us to do most anything. Unless... Unless what? Unless something happens to Butch Miller. That's one way you can make sure he doesn't get your jab. I see what you mean. Look, Butch is at the cafe right now. If you watch till he hits back here at the boat, you'll have a chance. Maybe he won't come back alone. Oh, yes he will. None of the other men are friendly to Butch. I suggest you get him in the dock and stock him with your gun. I'll wait and watch him up on deck. Give me a signal. Then I'll have to carry him to the old fisherman's shack up beyond the docks. What good will that do? I mean, why keep Malive in the shack? When he comes to... We'll tie him up. And after the race, if we win, the Yukon bell blows up, we'll finish him off. But if nothing happens, we win anyhow. Can't bother us. But if we lose, I'll count the boilers not blowing. Butch will wish he was dead several times over before we get through with him. That's a good idea.  I'll go watch for Butch right now. After I let him have it, I'll give a low whistle. And you come help. It was well after midnight when Butch Miller left the cafe and made his way toward the docks. He was alone and moved with slow, unsteady steps into the shadows near the docks.  I'll get plenty from them to plenty. Hey, who's that? What do you want? This'll keep you quiet, Miller! I did it. I've got a signal to skippin' on him. When Butch Miller wakes up, he'll be plenty surprised. The following morning, about an hour before the starting time of the race, the whole town was in a state of excitement. People lined the banks of the river for miles and small craft drifted offshore waiting to follow in the wake of the two river packets. As Sergeant Preston, with King at his side, went up the gangplank of the Yukon Bell, the sailor who had been a night watch came along just behind him. The sailor spoke. Good morning, Sergeant. You were bored last night, remember? Yes. You must've been wrong about seeing Butch Miller on board the River Queen last night. Why do you say that? Well, because I just came from over there. You see, a fella came from the cafe this morning bringing Butch Miller's cap, which he left behind. He gave it to one of the deck hands. I told Captain Davis about what you said that Miller went aboard the River Queen. He told me to take the cap over and leave it for him. Is that the cap you have in your hand? Mm-hmm. Has Butch's name penciled inside it. Why didn't you leave it? Well, a man over there on the River Queen said Butch isn't aboard. What's more, they said his duffel bag isn't below decks. In other words, he's not a part of the crew and nobody's seen him. But I saw him go aboard. Yeah, yeah, so you said. I thought maybe he went to ask for a job and got turned down. That'd account for his stuff not being aboard. But I asked Smith, the first mate, and he said he didn't know anything about Miller and didn't see him last night. If you give me Miller his cap, I'll go ashore and see if I can locate him. Sure, Sergeant. But don't stay too long or you'll miss the race. I'll get back in time. Here's the cap. Thanks. Come on, King. Go to the cafe and try to locate Butch Miller. Sergeant Preston went to the cafe and made inquiries about Butch Miller, learning that he had left the cafe late the night before going out the back door. Preston left the cafe and taking King around to the back held out Butch's cap. He went from this fella. Find him, King. Find him. The intelligent dog stood for a moment and then sniffing the ground near the back door of the cafe, he stopped and barked to indicate he had found the scent. All right, fella, go find him. The trail King was following led back toward the docks. The crowds along the waterfront confused him somewhat. Finally, because of his intensive training and keen sense of smell, the great dog made his way to the shack which had been taken. Sergeant Preston pushed open the door of the shack and entered with King. Someone's over there on the bunk and tied and gagged. Take it easy. I'll take away your gag and I'll tell you. There. They did it. Look, I've been here all night. Wait, I'll cut your cords. There. Now you can set up. Yeah. Listen, they talked. They didn't think I came too yet. They planned to kill me, that's why. Who does? What's this all about? I'll tell you, Sergeant, it's a skipper and maid of the River Queen. They paid me to tighten a valve on one of the boilers of the Yukon Bell. It'll blow up and the River Queen will win the race. So that's it. Yeah. You're coming with me. We've got to release that valve before the boats start. The boats, they're already leaving the docks. That's too late now. Hold out your arms. Hold them out. All right. These handcuffs will keep you out of trouble. I'm leaving you here with King to watch you. Stay here, King, watching boy. Sergeant Preston ran to the dock where the Yukon Bell had been moored. Both river boats were already heading into midstream. And because of the noisy crowd it was useless to shout. Preston looked around frantically for a few moments. Then he saw a small motorboat about to leave. He ran along the dock calling out... Wait! Hold that boat! I'm coming aboard, Sergeant. Hurry up, we'll miss the finish. I'm coming aboard right now. Now listen, it's a matter of life or death. Get me to the Yukon Bell and hurry. Do the best they can, Sergeant. Here we go! On board the Yukon Bell, Liz Terence stood beside the captain on the bridge. Her face was flushed with excitement as the two boats moved along side by side. Hey, by thunder, Captain. This shore is exciting. Sorry, Sergeant Preston didn't make it. He's really missing something. Don't know why he isn't here. Saw him heading for the boat some time ago. Then when I come to look for him, he wasn't aboard. Here's hoping you can get up speed enough to beat Camden. Well, we're not up to full speed yet, Liz. The boys below are getting up plenty of steam and soon I'll give the signal for full speed ahead. Some of them small craft better stay back or they'll be sworn. Yeah, say, look, there's someone coming like blazers. Say, if he gets much closer, he'll ram into us. Better give him a warning whistle. Guess their plumb loco don't pay any attention. Say, look, one of them standing up waving. Give him a telescope. Hey, that's Sergeant Preston. I can see his red-mounted jacket. He's crazy to think you'll slow down for him to come aboard now. Preston isn't a man who does crazy things, Liz. I got a feeling something's wrong. I'm slowing for him.  You'll lose the race. I'll take the chance. He's forging ahead. Maybe so, but I'm taking Preston aboard to find out what's happened. A rope ladder was quickly thrown over the side and as the big boat slowed, the motorboat carrying Preston came alongside. In a few moments, the mountain had climbed the board. I was afraid I wouldn't make it. I came down from the bridge to see why you waved us down, Sergeant. The captain is waiting up there for you. Tell him I have something to do and it has to be done quickly. Oh, all right, Sergeant. As Sergeant Preston made his way down into the engine room of the boat, he heard one of the Stoker's shout. That valve has to be loosened. A wrench, where's our wrench? Not heating the Stoker's warning, Preston rushed over and got the wrench. Then he went to work on the escape valve of the boiler. He could see that the pressure gauge already indicated great danger, but he knew lives might be at stake. Have to get it loose, have to. Preston's nobody worked while the Stoker's huddled across the engine room near the companion way to the deck. Finally, they're not loosened, and Preston fell back as a great rush of steam hissed from the escape valve. Hey, the Sergeant fixed the valve, I'm all right.  My arms scalded, but it isn't serious. I'll signal the Captain full speed ahead and tell him I said so. Sergeant Preston's message was given through the hollow signal tube. At a short time later, the Mountie went to the bridge where the Captain and Liz were waiting. He told what he'd learned. Sergeant Carter sunk the boat with all hands on board. Win the race now, Captain. Later Sergeant Preston will settle with Skipper Camden and his mate. You just win the race and they can lose everything he has. Go to it, Captain. Full speed ahead. All right, Sergeant. Here we go. Full speed ahead. Slowly but surely, the Yukon Veil moved up on the River Queen. For a short time, they ran neck and neck, and then the Yukon Veil crept ahead until at the finish line she won by a full length. Her boats docked at Beaver Town. Then Sergeant Preston went to the shack and got Butch Miller, when guarded during the race by the great dog Yukon King. Then, taking Butch with him, he picked up Liz and the Captain and all of them boarded the River Queen. They entered the Skippers' cabin where Skipper Camden was talking to the mate Larry Smith. Preston opened the cabin door and entered without knocking. Looks like you couldn't wait to crow with me, Captain. Let me tell you. What are you bringing Butch Miller here for? Why the handcuffs on him? You ought to know, Camden.  Let you and Larry Smith get away with it.  I don't know what you're talking about. Neither do I. Stop the act, Camden. I'm arresting you and your mate in the name of the Crown for felonious assault on the person of Butch Miller and portraying direct the Yukon Queen. I'll see you. Do your talking at headquarters. Good work, Sergeant Preston. Well, Captain Davis, you won the race. I'll take these men to headquarters now. This case is closed. We now take you to Northwest police headquarters in Dawson. Is that for me, Inspector? Yes, Sergeant. Have you ever heard of a man called Solitaire Jackson? Yes, sir. He's an American gunman who just got out of prison. From what they say, he came up to the Yukon to get even with the man who framed him. Apparently, that's not the only reason he came up here. Man answering his description has just robbed the express office and shot the Constable on guard. I want you to find him, Sergeant, and bring him in. Right, sir. Let's go, King. Solitaire Jackson has a dangerous reputation. But why should he rob the express office if his real motive is to get revenge on the man who framed him? Perhaps there's more to this case than the Inspector realizes. More mystery, more criminals involved, and more danger for Sergeant Preston. Be sure to listen to this exciting adventure, the Diamond Solitaire Wednesday. These radio dramas, a feature of the challenge and the Yukon Incorporated, are created by George W. Trendall, produced by Trendall Campbell Enterprises, directed by Fred Flower Day and supervised by Charles D. Livingston. The part of Sergeant Preston is played by Paul Sutton. They are brought to you every Wednesday until September when we shall resume our regular Monday, Wednesday, and Friday broadcasts. This is Jay Michael wishing you goodbye and good luck until next Wednesday. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.


Hey guys, I'm Tom from the sales desk and I'm going to show you where to find the trading hours margin rates and other useful information About the products you are trading On the order ticket simply click on the menu icon on the top left and select product overview This will open up a new window at the top. You will see the currency the product is Denominated in the country the product is based in and the type of product it is Here you can download the key information PDF which covers the legals and risks associated with this product Under betting and position limits, you'll be able to view what order types are available At the minimum and maximum trade sizes you can do at the guaranteed stop loss premium and minimum distance and The maximum trade quantities allowed You can also view the spread and the margin rates Here you can view the holding costs on an annual basis So if you want the daily holding cost just divide this number by 365 Last of all down at the bottom. You can see the trading hours So that would just let you see you know when you can actually trade this product If you need any help feel free to use the live help section on the left-hand side of the platform and Just get in touch back here Bye


I think without further ado I'm very happy to introduce our first speaker who will be James Davenport. We're speaking about searching for activity cycles using stellar players. My newest resolution is to try new things or to try things that I've done in new ways. And so I want to try and experiment if you will all permit me. Will you play along? Yes. Okay, good. I'm going to do this without slides. This may be a wonderful train wreck, feel free to tell me. The sun and some like stars are not constant in time. This is good because this gives us job security, right? So a lot of us spend our lives studying these processes that cause stars to not be constant, to change in time. So stars move, stars age, stars rotate, stars flare, right? Stars are not constant in time, remember this all. The sun has lots of these processes and one that has fascinated me for a long time is the activity cycle. So this is, if you don't know, many of you do know, this is a roughly 11 year periodicity that we've traced back now hundreds of years, thanks to star spots, sun spots, thanks to records of sun spots that go back hundreds of years, this 11 year cycle of active maximum and active minimum where the sun is changing, right? Day to day it is a different star. This process is one of the triumphs of understanding stellar magnetism and stellar interiors, trying to explain why 11 years, how it operates, what governs it. And it's very difficult to detect on other stars. So historically we have looked spectroscopically at other stars, looking at like chromospheric emission features which require really expensive spectra, even in the era of multi-fiber spectroscopy, you need high-resolution spectra and you need a long time, right? It's an 11 year cycle, you need to wait, well, at least 11 years to see one full cycle. So this has not been done for very many stars historically. There are other indicators like sun spots, but up until recently they haven't been detectable. You need an incredible precision. The sun doesn't change in its total brightness very much from active maximum to active minimum. So this is a very difficult signal to detect. My thesis here of this talk is that I think stellar flares offer a novel and underutilized opportunity for detecting this activity cycle. So on the sun flair rates or flair power, however, whatever metric you want to use, changes between a factor of 100 or 10, depending on which sort of factor you use. It's like a factor of 100 difference between activity maximum and activity minimum. This makes flares one of the largest amplitude signals that you can use to trace the activity cycle. What's great about flares also is they're pretty unambiguous. You can just watch the star and count them. I mean it's a little harder than that, but effectively in this era of exoplanet photometry, permissions like Kepler and Tess, you can just watch them month by month, year by year, and count the flares. And if they change, then you've got an activity cycle. You've got a candidate for an activity cycle. And what's great about missions like Tess is they are continuing to operate. We're in our seventh year of Tess now starting this year. This gives us this long baseline, start looking for long term variations in the activity cycle or in the stellar magnetism. And so this is what our project is doing. As you can see in this figure, it's early days in this project. So next year when I come back, I'll have lots of figures to show you. But what we are finding, month to month variations, short term variations that we don't see on the sun, a star will have lots of flares one month and almost no flares another month. And signs of long term coherent changes in flare rates, like we see on the sun, where it slowly evolves month to month over many years. So we have lots of good candidates here that I'm excited to share with you next year. OK, so we've got one minute. OK, I've got a minute. Perfect, good. So in my last minute-ish of this talk, I want to use this as a call to action or an invitation for you to join me in this nearest resolution to look for new things or to change the way we're looking at things. So I'm excited about stellar flares because I've been working on flares and surveys like Kepler and Tess for a long time. But Kepler launched 15 years ago, and you know, RIP Kepler. It's been dead for a long time as well. But Tess is now entering its seventh year. Next year, Gaia is going to release of order a billion Tess quality light curves over almost a decade timescale. We are right now in the midst of a totally new kind of revolution of data for stars, which is precision, long term light curves for stars, which is a totally new thing we've never had. The last decade has seen a transformation of understanding of pulsations and rotation and all these things. Now we can go back and look for changes. So what are these other long term processes, these decade timescale processes that are totally new we've never seen? And what are the ones that we think we understand, but if we revisit them, have changed? Because stars are not constant in time. Thank you very much. Thank you. I did actually write a talk. There are like 14 slides here.