11-24-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 24, 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Increase Account 246 by $5,000, to $36,000. Add a new Account 243, Maintenance Contracts - Vehicles and Equipment, at $7,500. Reduce Account 381 by $7,500, to $17,470. Increase Account 260 by $7,500, to $15,000. Councilman Nemeth seconded the motion to amend. The motion carried. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, wondered about the number of people in uniform in the Water Works Bureau. Mr. Krueper indicated that there were approximate 75 to 100 persons who were given uniforms. Mr. Evans asked about Account 726 in the Depreciation Fund. Mr. Krueper indicated that the money would be used for the purchase of a crane -type backhoe to replace an old piece of equipment. He stated that he was not sure if the purchase would be accomplished if the economy was as bad in 1976 as it was this year regarding new watermain constru tion. He indicated that any contract to purchase the equipment would have to be approved by the Council. Mr. Evans asked about the interest accounts, and Mr. Krueper indicated that there was interest from the various funds. He talked about the money coming into the meter deposit fund which was not shown on the receipts because it was a special fund. Councilman Kopczynski indicate that the amount of $7,500 was requested for maintenance contracts and vehicle equipment. He asked if the city had maintenance contracts on vehicles. Mr. Krueper explained that, if he made repairs to equipment, the cost of those repairs was put into this account. Councilman Kopczynski felt the account should be referred to as services contractual. He asked how many men were taking care of the Water Works fleet of cars. Mr. Krueper indicated that he had no mechanics and that all work was done at the Municipal Services Facility or a garage. He indicated that the Municipal Services Facility was paid for repairs and any parts used. Councilman Kopczynski wondered where this pay - ment to the Municipal Services Facility was shown. Mr. Krueper indicated that everything, except parts, was shown in the gasoline account. Councilman Kopczynski wondered what was used last year. Mr. Krueper felt he had received his money's worth. He indicated that an accurate accounting was not kept. Councilman Kopczynski wondered how many vehicles were involved. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, indicated that complete copies of the cost for main - tenance were available for each vehicle. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if each department was paying its fair share of maintenance, and Mr. Farrand stated that he felt the accounts were balanced quite well. Councilman Szymkowiak referred to Mr. Krueper's memo regarding traveling expenses. He asked about the fee for the Mayor's trip to Miami. Mr. Krueper indicated that he (would not know that amount until after the bill came in. Councilman Szymkowiak felt the city "should tighten its belt ". He recommended that the amount of $1,500 be cut from the travel accoun and he felt that only certain persons should be delegated to attend conventions such as the one in Miami in December. He made a motion to reduce the travel expense account by $1,500, seconded by Council President Parent. Councilman Miller wondered about cutting the amount back $1,000 to what it was two years ago rather than cutting $1,500. Councilman Horvath indicated that the Council wa aware that the Mayor used funds from the Water Works for travel. He hoped that, in the future, al funds for travel for the Mayor would be shown in the Mayor's budget. He wondered about this money being put into the Water Works budget in the first place. He felt all travel funds should be put into the appropriate department's budgets. Councilman Szymkowiak felt Mayor Miller should have delegated the councilmen to attend the Miami Beach convention and not those persons who would be leaving office before the end of the year. He again repeated that he felt the amount in the trave account should be reduced by $1,500. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that conditions would be different in 1976, and he felt a cut of $1,000 in that account would be sufficient. Councilman Szymkowiak still maintained that the amount should be reduced by $1,500. Chairman Newburn asked for a roll call vote on the motion to reduce the account by $1,500. The motion was lost by a roll call vote of five nays (Councilmen Serge, Miller, Taylor, Nemeth and Newburn) and four ayes (Councilmen Szymkowiak, Kopczynski, Horvath and Parent). Councilman Miller then made a motion to reduce Account 213 (travel) by $1,000 to an amended amount) of $5,050, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. Councilman Miller asked about Account 246 and the constraints on the Depreciation Fund for maintenance construction. He wondered about a transfer into the Depreciation Fund. He felt this should be tried. He made a motion to reduce Account 246 by $31,000 and transfer this amount to the Depreciation Fund, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. Councilman Miller then questioned the positions of Superintendent III, General Foreman III, Genera Foreman II and the Foreman for the third shift. He indicated that only 22 workers apparently were designated under six foremen. He asked for a justification of these supervisory personnel. Mr. Krueper indicated that the amount involved three shifts. He felt this was an important part of th department and the men were needed for supervision. Councilman Miller indicated that he was under the impression that this section of the department "self -ran itself ". Mr. Krueper stated that he felt the operation should not be changed and the men should remain as proposed. Councilman Miller wondered about the possibility of cutting a few of the clerk positions. He wondered if there cool be a reduction in this area because of computerization. Mr. Krueper indicated that he wished the Council would leave the positions in the budget and let him decide about reducing the positions during the next year. He stated that he would make reductions if warranted, and he felt there would be some positions cut during the next year. Councilman Miller asked about the upgrading of the third shift foreman to foreman II. Mr. Krueper indicated that the foreman had increased gener knowledge and seniority. Councilman Miller felt two or three positions in the foremen category could be cut. Mr. Krueper felt the positions should be kept because the men were needed. Council Miller wondered if all the cuts on the budget would be made during the public hearing portion of the meeting at this time or if the Council could make additional cuts in the second reading portio of the meeting. Council President Parent felt the Council could recess after the recommendations were made and come back with specific cuts. Councilman Miller asked about the increases in Accounts 363, 370 and 374. He indicated that there was a loo increase in those accounts. He wondered if it would be possible to hold the line at no increases. Mr. Krueper felt the accounts could be reduced if the Council desired; however, he reminded the Council members that, if prices on parts, etc. were increased and the funds were not available, the parts could not be purchased when needed. Councilman Miller made a motion to reduce Account 363 by $1,200, to $12,000; Account 370 by $1,500 to $15,000; and Account 374 by $1,500, to $15,000, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. y r, 1