09-09-04 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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C.;.nn n p OmmittE cAlkort of ti2E 1PE'L�Oria2F- once 9inancE e0mmitth€ of tp E S outp BE nc( n o mmori eouneG unions. Council President White stated that this calendar year the Council Members received no salary increase. Next year the proposed budget reflects a 1.75% increase of$281 new dollars. She added that the 4-year salary ordinance calls for a 1.75% increase in 2006 and a 1.75% increase in 2007. Council Member Dieter joined the meeting and inquired about the election expenses which were included in last year's budget. He noted that he was in contact with the County Auditor for more detail,however limited information was received. He suggested that there be a follow-up contact made to the County Auditor for more line-item detail on the city's share of the election expenses,since the expense is included in the year of the general election and the year thereafter. Council President White then called upon the Council Attorney to give her annual report. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand presented a 9-page Council Attorney Annual Report(copy attached). She noted that she has been providing such a report since 1995 when the city began using a performance based budget format. She noted that pages 3-6 summarize the various resolutions and ordinances which have been requested by the various Council Members this year. Page 6 of the report summarizes the various number of Committee and special meetings held this year. She then focused her attention on challenges for 2005. As a companion item to Council President White's emphasis on communication, she suggested that a system of better monitoring rules and regulations established by Council ordinances be implemented. She noted that there is an educational process to become familiar with ordinance provisions as well as monitoring enforcement. Mrs. Cekanski-Farrand also suggested that the Council should be more pro-active in developing brochures which could be of assistance to beat officers, neighborhood centers, the City Clerk's Office, etc. She noted that a multi-page brochure addressing tax abatement procedures; a separate brochure for vacations of public ways; and a separate brochure for rezoning requests could prove very beneficial. She concluded her remarks by stating that at the rate she is currently working, she will have 1,425 hours logged by the end of this month. She welcomed input from the Council in better meeting their needs in carrying out their Council duties. Council President White then presented draft copies of the 2004 Council brochure (copy attached). Dr. Varner noted that he was in Fort Wayne yesterday along with Council Members Puzzello & Kirsits and the Council Attorney and they saw where Fort Wayne has an office called"Council Research Office". Council Member Dieter then called for a presentation on the Mayor's budget. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting of September 9,2004 Page 2