11-13-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 1973 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Noell indicated that the only changes made would be internal for the creation of the offices. Mr. Herring reaffirmed the fact that there would be no exterior changes to the building. He stated that the firm desired to construct a 50 by 90 foot parking lot to the rear of the property which would be done in the spring of 1974. Council President Nemeth asked what the area to the rear con- sisted of, and Mr. Herring stated that behind the property was a wooded area and a set of railroad tracks. Councilman Miller referred to the building across the street, and Mr. Noell indicated that it was, at the present time, the United Way building. Councilman Miller asked if that was zoned "A" Residential. Mr. Noell indicated that it appeared to be "A" Residential; however, he thought that perhaps a variance had been granted in the past when it was considered legal. Councilman Miller asked if that strip was commercial because, according to the map, the Area Plan Commission showed a commercial strip for that area. Mr. Douglas Carpenter, Planner for the Area Plan Commissi indicated that the Area Plan Commission had, sometime ago, recommended that the funeral home would be the last non - residential use in that area. He explained that there had been many persons again= that particular rezoning. He indicated that there was a single - family residence to the rear of the property in question. He stated that the Area Plan Commission felt that, if one of the request was approved, there would be others and soon the whole area would be commercial. Mr. Noell indicat that his clients were not seeking a request for commercial zoning. He stated that they were seekir a request for "B" Residential which would limit the property to professional offices. He added that parking would be at the rear of the property and there would be no exterior change to the building. Councilman Parent referred to the slide and stated that, at the corner of Hickory and Jefferson, there was a gas station and other commercial uses. Going east on Jefferson, the commercial establishments seemed to diminish. He felt the area in question was a good point to stop the commercial zoning and keep the neighborhood residential. He stated that the neighborhood was a good one in which to live, and he felt that it should be kept exactly as it was. Mr. Noell indicated that, in the area, there were many apartments and multiple- family dwellings. Councilman Kopczynski wondered how a residential area could be justified with a railroad track going through the area. Councilman Parent indicated that there were many residential areas where railroad track: run through. Councilman Serge asked if there were any remonstrators to the rezoning, and Mr. Noel] indicated that there were not. He referred to the petition he had presented to the City Clerk and indicated that the councilmen had received a copy of the petition. Councilman Szymkowiak made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council as favorable, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING MONEYS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL WATER WORKS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1974, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1974, INCLUDING ALL OUTSTANDING CLAIMS AND OBLIGATIONS, AND FIXING A TIME WHEN THE SAME SHALL TAKE EFFECT. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity.to be heard. Chairman Newburn asked that those persons speaking for or against the ordinance refrain from using personalities. He requested that all questions be directed to the chair and indicated that this portion was the public hearing portion and those persons wishing to speak would be allowed to do so. Mr. Paul Krueper, Manager of the Bureau of Water, made the presentation for the ordinance. He indicated that he had met with the Council a couple of times regarding the ordinance. He wished to recap a few items for the public. He indicated that the budget was based on past performance and where the city should go from this point. Under the fund system by which the bureau operates, 13% must be applied to additions and replacements to the Water Works. He indicated that the amount is about the same as the annual depreciation expense and the department was replacing what was wearing out. He stated that 22% is applied for payment of outstanding bonds and the remaining 65% is for operation and maintenance of the Water Works, paying payrolls of employees, office expenses, etc. He stated that supplies run approximately $190,000 annually. Printing costs are over $17,000 and chemicals cost $30,000. He stated that the current charges are at $350,000, and he briefly mentioned the group insurance plan, social security, retirement and income tax deductions. He stated that the department was processi 50% more bills, collections and complaints than in 1971. Prior to the change in the billing system 160,000 bills went out annually. Now, 240,000 bills go out annually. The additional work was being handled by the same number of employees as in 1971. He talked about the payroll and the personnel, indicating that when he arrived there were 159 employees at the Water Works. The number consisted of 3 board members, an attorney, a personnel officer, 147 full -time employees and 7 part- time employees. He indicated that the average payroll for the last four months of 1971 was around $85,755 monthly. As of October of 1973, there were 3 board members, an attorney, a personnel officer, 138 full -time employees, 2 part -time employees and 2 persons working on the trash program. He stated that the payroll for the remaining months of 1973 shoulg average only about $85,000. He talked about the raise increases approved by the Council in 1971 and 1972 for the years 1972 and 1973. He stated that there should be an increase in the payroll because of this; however, the figures were still holding near $85,000. He stated that the total income from all sources was approximately $2,000,000, not including the leak insurance fund, with total expenditures projected at $2,023,109. With the addition of the depreciation expense of $236,880, the total loss would be $260,000. He concluded by indicating that the department has less employees, payroll has remained constant in spite of two increases and the work load has increased. He stated that all the pro - grams within the Water Works take time to carry out. Council President Nemeth indicated that the Council had proposed the following cuts to the 1974 budget of the Water Works: He stated that the Council had questions concerning the position of Superintendent IV at a salary of $12,500, which was listed on page 1. The Council wished to cut the number of Office Supervisor Trainees to one at a salary of $5,855. The position of Auditor I for the trash program should be corrected to Accounting Clerk IV in order to be in line with the salary ordinance. The Council questioned the need for the Draftsman. It was suggested that ,the number of Meter Readers be reduce to 10. It was further recommended that the number of Meter Men II be reduced to 20, Operator II to 8 and Operator III to 10. The Council questioned the positions of Crew Chief and Skilled Laborers. It was also suggested that overtime be reduced to $35,000; summer help to $25,000; uniforms to $9,800; education, promotion and travel to $4,000; dues and subscriptions to $6,000; printing and office expense to $28,904; deletion of the 1/2 ton pickup to replace 1970 Chevy, the passenger car