08-31-15 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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PERSONNEL & FINANCE Committee Members Present: Citizen Members Present: Other Council Present: Others Present: AUGUST 31, 2015 5:00 P.M. Karen White, Valerie Schey (AB), Derek Dieter (XAB), Dr. Fred Ferlic Valerie Mora -Kraus (AB), Charnelle Mayfield- Martin (AB) Tim Scott, Henry Davis (5:25), Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis, Gavin Ferlic Scott Ford, Brock Zeeb, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Jennifer Hockenhull, John Murphy, Pam Meyer, Beth Leonard, Jitin Cain, Aaron Perri, Regina Williams- Preston, Jim Bognar, Chris Fielding, Jim Mueller Agenda: 2016 Budget Proposals The Personnel & Finance Committee continues their scheduled series of meetings to review the 2016 City budget. Karen White, Chair of the Personnel & Finance Committee noted only two committee members were present. Through lacking a quorum she said the hearing would proceed. In all, four Councilmembers were present. This meeting was scheduled to review the budget of the Community Investment Department. Scott Ford, the Director of Community Investment Department led off the presentation with a brief overview of his departments accomplishments in 2015 along with the priorities reflected in the 2016 proposals. Scott provided three handouts for Council review. (Attached) The first of these focused on Downtown South Bend (DTSB). Aaron Perri, Director of DTSB, made the presentation. Using a handout supplemented with overhead slides Aaron gave an overview of DTSB's accomplishments including sponsorship and collaboration with organizations to stage a record number of downtown events. In addition, he pointed with pride to the overwhelming success of the SB150 birthday celebration which was attended by over 100,000 residents. An added feature to SB150 was the river lighting at the Jefferson Street Bridge universally hailed as a "cool" addition to the DTSB riverfront. Subsequent to his overview, Aaron took questions from Council. Karen White asked each Councilmember present, intern, for questions and comment. Dr. Ferlic asked how many new liquor licenses were granted in the downtown area. Aaron said six this year for a total of 12 since inception with only one business failure. Dr. Ferlic also asked about safety Seitz Park, river lights area. Aaron responded saying DTSB's ambassadors as well as the SBPD were increasing patrols. More lighting along the approaches was also in the works. Tim Scott complemented DTSB on their accomplishments.