09-18-95 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 18, 1995 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Council Chambers of the County -City Building on Monday, September 18, 1995, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order and the Pledge to the Flag was given. ROLL CALL Present: Council Members Luecke, Puzzello, Kelly, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Duda, Coleman and Ladewski Absent: Council Member Washington Council President Ladewski announced that in the absence of Council Member Washington, Council Member Luecke would chair the Committee of the Whole. Council Member Luecke made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Council Member Kelly. The motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Committee of the Whole at 4:32 p.m. with eight members present. Council Member Luecke presiding. Council Member Coleman made a motion that for purposes of public hearing Bill Nos. 56, 57, and 58 be combined, seconded by Council Member Zakrzewski. The motion carried. BILL NO. 56 -95 A BILL APPROPRIATING MONIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE CIVIL CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1996, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1996, INCLUDING ALL OUTSTANDING CLAIMS AND OBLIGATIONS, AND FIXING A TIME WHEN THE SAME SHALL TAKE EFFECT BILL NO. 57 -95 A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND APPROPRIATING MONIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE DESIGNATED ENTERPRISE FUNDS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1996, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1996, INCLUDING ALL OUTSTANDING CLAIMS AND OBLIGATIONS, AND FIXING A TIME WHEN THE SAME SHALL TAKE EFFECT BILL NO. 58 -95 A BILL LEVYING TAXES AND FIXING THE RATE OF TAXATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING REVENUE TO MEET THE NECESSARY EXPENSES OF THE CIVIL CITY OF SOUTH BEND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1996 This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mayor Kernan made the presentation for the bill. He indicated the City has gone to a Performance Based Budget in an effort to provide more information to the Citizens of South Bend. He indicated this budget will target public safety as a priority. He indicated this budget will be a surplus budget. Kevin Horton, City Controller, indicated the decision to go to a Performance Based Budget was made in April, so there was very little time to train and educate the employees on this type of budget this year. He indicated the numbers still have to be approved by State Board. He recommended we continue discussion at some future period and resubmit it to the Council for a resolution approving the non - monetary part of the budget. He asked the Council to continue the Enterprise Budget. He indicated that the Hall of Fame and Century Center would be put in a separate budget. Council Member Puzzello made a motion to accept the substitute bill on file with the City Clerk, seconded by Council Member Zakrzewski. The motion carried. Jeff Rinard, Assistant City Controller, indicated this was a surplus budget, however, the capital improvement part of the budget was not being presented at this time, since the City is establishing a new program, which in the long run will be a benefit. He indicated all of these new programs will allow the City to address a long list of needs. He indicated the levy is set higher than needed, as the final figures are established by the State Tax Commissioners. Jim Cierzniak, 1156 E. Victoria, indicated he was not against the budget, but he was critical of some spending programs. He indicated he did not feel it was necessary to have a Human Rights Department; cars should not be leased for the controller and mayor; the Police Department's recreational program spent $14,000 in five months for a variety of field trips; the purchase of Notre Dame football tickets; Mayor's office purchased 50 keys to the City; spent $1,480 to bring in bands from other communities; took 41 people to a luncheon at Tippecanoe to honor John Leszczynski for receiving an award from the American Public Works organization; he indicated that travel should be curtailed. The items Mr. Cierzniak mentioned were explained by the Administration. Council Member Luecke indicated that the Personnel and Finance Committee has been having public meetings on the budget, but does not have a recommendation at this time because there are still more meetings to be held. Council Member Coleman made a motion to continue Bill No. 56 -95 in the Council portion of the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Council Member Duda. The motion carried. Council Member Coleman made a motion to continue Bill No. 57 -95 in the Council portion of the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Council Member Duda. The motion carried. Council Member Coleman made a motion to continue Bill No. 58 -95 in the Council portion of the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Council Member Duda. The motion carried.