08-22-05 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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- Personnel and Finance Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The August 22, 2005 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 4:15 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Kelly, Rouse and Kirsits; Citizen Member Martha Lewis, City Attorney Charles Leone, Bernie Feeney, Mrs. Kopola, City Clerk John Voorde,two(2)members of the Fire Negotiating Team, City Controller M. Catherine Fanello and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Kelly called for a presentation on Bill No. 46-05 which is a proposed ordinance which would amend Chapter 2, Article 8 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "officer and employee vacations and other benefits". M. Catherine Fanello, City Controller made the presentation. She noted that the requested changes result from discussions with the State Board of Accounts. Proposed section 2-123.1 addresses "Discretionary Vehicle Allowance to City Department Head or Key Employee" which could be offered by the Mayor. She noted that the change would permit the Mayor to offer a discretionary vehicle allowance as a hiring incentive. City Attorney Charles Leone noted that the remainder of the Bill is a housekeeping measure to update vacations so that they would track the City's Personnel Policies and Procedures rather than having the exact vacation schedule codified in the City Code. Dr. Varner inquired about the consistency of implementing such a "discretionary vehicle allowance" program, noting that more senior employees would not have the opportunity to participate in it with the end result being a benefit which favors new employees over more seasoned employees. The Council Attorney inquired why the proposed ordinance was being made retroactive to January 1, 2004 and whether"key employee"is defined any where. Ms. Fanello stated that the State Board of Accounts suggested that the policy be made retroactive. Mr. Leone stated that he does not believe that"key employee" is defined. Dr. Varner suggested that these items should be addressed and the "ordinance cleaned up", and suggested that the Bill be continued until the September 12th Council meeting. Mr. Leone stated that the discretionary vehicle allowance program is being requested so that it could be offered to a prospective employee for their "technical expertise". He suggested that perhaps the ordinance could include a provision where the Mayor would file information with the Office of the City Clerk when a "key employee" designation is made by the Mayor. He requested that the ordinance be continued until the next Council meeting. August 22,2005 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeing Minutes -page 1-