09-05-01 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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tommgttte pout: ikrisoratel anti finattre (ommttt*e. The September 5,2001 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member James Aranowski at 3:01 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Varner, Coleman, and White; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, City Engineer Carl Littrell, Director of Central Services Matt Chlebowski, Fiscal Officer Joe Kuzmits, Director of the Division of Environmental Services John J. Dillon, Director of Bureau of Sewers and Streets Sam Hensley, Director of Budgeting & Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek, Director of the Bureau of Water Works John Stancati, Utilities Finance Director Rozanne Hayden, Dave Sypniewski and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski welcomed everyone to the Committee meeting and called for a presentation on the proposed 2002 budget for Public Works. Mr. Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works, provided an overview of the public works operations. Mr. Gilot noted that his first 1 1/2 years have been challenging. Mr. Gilot noted that there are approximately 400 people who work in Public Works. The # 1 problem is the lack of resources for streets in light of the drop in revenue from the local road and street funds. He suggested that the City lobby in Indianapolis to address the local road and street allocations. Council Member Coleman noted that the Council will have its quarterly meeting with the State Senators and State Representatives and that this revenue concern could be addressed at that venue. Mr. Gilot noted that Michigan increased its gas tax by 3-4 cents. Streets are rated on a ten (10) point system and Mr. Gilot's goal is to maintain city streets at a"7"or above. Mayor Luecke stated that reassessment will also complicate this situation, as well as the loss of state cash reserves. The Mayor is a member of the"Metro Mayors"and have lobbied for additional road and street monies. 2002 Engineering Division Budget (General Fund # 101-0602) 2001 Budget: $ 6,951,575 Expenditure increase, excluding capital: 5.4 % 2002 Budget: $ 6,825,708 Total Expenditure increase: $ 351,593 City Engineer Carl Littrell then summarized the information provided in the footnotes on the "Summary of Major Changes" sheet. Mr. Littrell noted that the City has already realized savings from monies allocated for consulting services by the hiring of an in-house engineer. This engineer is being used on CDBG projects. With the retirement of Joseph Doran, that part-time position has been eliminated. Mr. Littrell stated that the Traffic and Lighting Division has been transferred to the Street Department. The budget reflects an 18%increase of the actual current expenditure level of hydrant cost. The budget also reflects an increase of$ 85,000 due to the costs of gas and electricity for the top three (3) floors of the County-City Building, which is based on an estimate from the County Auditor.