08-30-71 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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C3 SPECIAL MEETING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (Cont.) Budget for the Common Council: AUGUST 30, 1971 Councilman Reinke stated there were no recommendations for cuts to this budget. He stated that in 1971 there was an item for $156,000 not proposed in this 1972 budget and this was not to be considered as meaningful, even though this is an election year. Miss Guthrie commented that, again, the item of Travel had been reduced over the 1971 budget and asked why. Councilman Grounds stated that this year the National League of Cities convention is in Hawaii and moneys were allotted for any Council members who might be attending. Budget for Office of City Attorney: Councilman Reinke stated there were no recommendations for reductions to this budget. Miss Guthrie and Mrs. Mutzl questioned Accounts G -721 Furniture and Fixtures and G -725 Office Equip- ment asking what equipment was needed. City Attorney Shepard J. Crumpacker commented that an additional typewriter was needed, making a second typewriter; other items were needed to complete furnishing the rooms in the new offices and that a number of old chairs needed replacement. Mrs. Mutzl questioned the need for four deputy city attorneys. Mr. Crumpacker replied that his de- partment pays its own way stating that, in the first eight months of this year, a total of $33.521.00 was paid into the general fund for collections from damaged City property, such as stop signs, traffic lights, etc., for foreclosure on mechanics liens, past due violations, plus other collections; and for the remaining four months such collections are expected to reach a total of $50,000 while the budget for the Office of City Attorney is only $45,000. He said that if we don't have the manpower, we cannot get the work done without help. Councilman Reinke asked what special duties are done by the deputies. Mr. Crumpacker explained that James Kuehl works with Model Cities, condemnation of sewers, waste water treatment and also acquisitions of pro- perties and on Federal funding of programs, Steven Stavron works with the Building Department, small claims, and is in charge of recodifications, Robert M. Parker is assistant to Mr. Crumpacke and handles varied duties, Robert Gonderman defends City claims, damages to City property, etc., Robert DuComb, Jr. handles police matters and litigation matters, and Roger Gay is responsible for the enforcement of City Ordinances. Miss Guthrie commented that Mr. Crumpacker had put in more time in his job than any other City Attorney we have had in South Bend and his dedication and the work being done by this office should be recognized by all citizens. Upon reconsideration, the Council_ recommended the following reductions to the budget for the Office of City Attorney: PROPERTIES G -721 Furniture and Fixtures G -725 Office Equipment Office of the Board of Public Works and Safety: PROPOSED FOR 1972 $ 500 500 PROPOSED FOR 1972 RECOMMENDED APPROVED REDUCTIONS FOR 1972 $ 200 200 RECOMMENDED REDUCTIONS $ 300 300 APPROVED FOR 1972 PROPERTIES H -72 Equipment $ 5,000 $ 400 $ 4,600 Councilman Reinke said that no further cuts were recommended for this department. Miss Guthrie said there was concern on the matter of Recruits, two men in the Police department who are Officers in Training, and the Cadets; and asked why the two officers in training were needed. She said it was felt these three classifications should be taken together. She also said there was a question concerning Account H -12 Temporary and Account H -52 Rents. Mr. Bickel stated that of the total $190,108.00, $60,000 is the City's share of maintenance costs for the new County - City Building and $95,000 miscellaneous and hydrant rental by the Public Service Commission. He said that the program of recruits in the Police department was to supplement the police cadet program begun three years ago with twelve men, adding twelve each year to a total of 48; the annual retirement would be about twelve officers per year and the Cadet Corps would be drawn upon for replacements. The proposed staff including officers, recruits, cadets and officers in train- ing is 230, the present staff is 229, and this would be an increase of only one. It was ex- plained that the Officers in Training is a safety factor because men cannot be drawn from the recruits or cadets programs in cases of officers off duty due to illnesses or retirement. He stated that recruits do not receive fringe benefits, such as retirement, as do cadets and officer Recruits are not appointees to the police department, are on probation, and can be removed at any time whereas cadets are sworn in and cannot be removed except for serious infractions of department rules. It was pointed out that the program of recruits is being tried in Fort Wayne and Evansville with great success. Miss Guthrie stated that priorities should be established. Councilman Reinke questioned Account H -37 Other Supplies and suggested it might be possible to reduce this item; other years this amount was $250 and now it has increased to $975; Mr. Bickel stated that $500 of this amount was for the Pitney -Bowes machine. Councilman Janet Allen noted $3,000 for car replacement, also questioning items of a stenographer's salary and a desk and chair for the stenographer. Mr. Bickel explained that in anticipating the move into the new offices the equipment allowance of $50,000 was reduced to $40,000 for expenditures of $25,000 the first year and $15,000 the second year,;primarily in the office of the Board.