08-14-00 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Personnel and Finance Committee South Bend Common Council The August 14, 2000 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Council Member James Aranowski at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski,Pfeifer,King,Kelly, Varner,Ujdak,Kirsits and Coleman;Don Fozo, Isabelle Gonzalez, Terry Bland of the South Bend Tribune, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski stated that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 62-00 which would amend Chapter 6 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "Buildings". Mr. Don Fozo,Building Commissioner, made the presentation. He noted that a similar proposed ordinance will be introduced before the St. Joseph County Council. Both bills would amend the building fees with increases being between 16 %to 67%. Mr. Fozo noted that he has met with the Home Builders Association who would not endorse the bill but understand the need for it. Mr. Fozo noted that he has operated this enterprise operation since 1994. They are required to pay rent and desire to maintain their enterprise position and believe that fee increases are necessary to maintain this position. In response to a question from Council Member King,Mr. Fozo noted that building departments in surrounding counties are operating very differently then St. Joseph/City of South Bend's. For example,Marshall County charges $25.00; LaPorte County conducts no inspections; and counties in Michigan charge considerably more than the fees proposed. The fees in Bill No. 62-00 would be closest to those charged in Fort Wayne. The only other enterprise operation that Mr. Fozo is Shelbyville. In response to a question from Council Member Udjak,Mr. Fozo anticipates that the fees would remain in effect for at least three(3)years. Mr. Fozo noted that the Building Department has approximately$ 271,000 in reserve by the end of 1999. However,they have dipped into the reserves by approximately$ 56,000. The Building Department will be moved to the Law Building owned by the County. They will need to build out their space and pay this cost over three(3)years. Many of his inspectors are cross-trained so that smaller projects can be inspected by the same individual. They currently are rotating their auto fleet every three(3)years,which may be increased to every four(4)years. Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill No.a 62-00 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Personnel and Fiance Committee Meeting of August 14,2000