09-01-98 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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i Qtommftt Ztport: Personnel and Finance "Eo Ujs Common QCountfx of tfjt eity of foutfj The September 1, 1998 meeting of the Personnel and Finance and Health was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member John Broden at 3:10 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Councilmembers:Aranowski,Varner,Broden, and Pfeifer; Tom Skarbek, Paul F. Niezgodski, Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Chief Rick Switalski, Assistant Chief Robert Quinn, Cathy Roemer, Ron O'Connor, Susan Wallace, Bernard Redman, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. The first budget for the Committee to review was the Fire Department. Fire Department Fund # 101-0901 1998: $ 13.079.315 1999: $ 13.633.896 4.2 % Increase Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Chief Rick Switalski and Assistant Chief Robert Quinn made the presentation. It was noted that the total increase is $ 554,581. The Fire Department is budgeted for 257 firefighters. Pursuant to the negotiated salary ordinance the budget reflects a 3.77 % increase for union members and a 3.25 % for non-union. Proposed personnel changes reflect a total increase of$ 8,519.00; with the allocation for the radio shop,print shop and central services being$ 120,989.00. Highlights for the current year include: 2 IN 2 OUT policy, the Rehab Policy, putting a new pumper into service, addressing the County EMS and putting EMS into service, receiving a Rating#3 from ISO,updating the CAD and Fire reporting system,and entering into a critical care agreement with St.Joseph Medical Center. It was noted that the agreement with the County is a five (5) year agreement with the salaries tracking the collective bargaining agreement with the union thus leaving the last two (2)years open for salary amounts. The County pay$ 115,000 at the end of each month to the City. In response to a question raised by Councilmember Pfeifer, it was noted that fifteen (15) firefighters were sent to Dr. McTigue for hearing, with that number being reduced to three (3) in 1997 and none being sent this year. Hearing loss was addressed through the physicals. Councilmember Aranowski noted that he has received may good comments from St. Joseph County residents regarding service from our EMS personnel. Response time in the County is 9.36 minutes (averaged). Councilmember Pfeifer inquired into whether Spanish was still being learned by our paramedics, a program begun with the assistance of Isabelle Gonzalez. Chief Taylor said he has encouraged all paramedics to participate. Councilmember Pfeifer suggested that this be further emphasized in light of the growing Spanish-speaking population in our city.