09-08-15 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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There were no questions from the public. Karen then called upon Randy Wilkerson, Director of Code Enforcement,to present his budget. He was assisted by Seema Timble and Marlaina Johns from his staff. Randy's PowerPoint(attached) began as had others with a vision statement followed by listing core values. The department's financials were somewhat confusing, he admitted, due to consolidation producing one-time anomalies. What Randy wanted to emphasize was Code's 2015 accomplishments. In particular, new case management software,Accela, was implemented. Accela should allow reduce turnaround and response times increasing transparency and improving accuracy. Another significant benchmark Randy took pride in was the progress made to address vacant and abandoned homes. To date 991 homes have either been repaired, demolished or in 10 cases deconstructed. Randy then listed his department's goals and objectives along with key performance indicators to measure effectiveness. Before allowing Council questions Karen asked Mark Harmon, Director of Animal Care& Control to make his report. With a PowerPoint and handout(attached) Matt breezed through the department's revenue and expenditures while focusing on the goals and objectives of 2016. Henry Davis led off the Council questions segment. Henry mainly focused on the departments need to improve response times responding to its responsibilities. He was happy to learn the illegal dumping clean-up crew was reinstated within the Neighborhood Code Enforcement (NCE). Henry was also critical of NCE's ability to respond to long grass and tall weed complaints. Randy said two new mowers had been purchased. Also frustrating was the problems"slumlords" create in neighborhoods and the difficulty NCE faces when attempting to either get compliance or payment of fines and services from owners. Randy said the hearing schedule is being improved but state law often restricts what can be done. Dr. Ferlic leveled criticism of NCE for not billing for the citations issued. He said much improvement was needed, in the whole process of citing, billing, and collecting. The current process, he said,was inefficient,wasteful and ineffective. Henry wanted to ask more questions; but Karen felt in the interest of time she would schedule a follow- up session for NCE. In the meantime, Councilmembers should submit questions to be specifically responded to at follow-up hearings. The South Bend Fire Department was next, Fire Chief Steve Cox,with help of a PowerPoint and supplemental handout (attached), presented the budget proposals for both Fire and EMS. Chief Cox articulated the mission statement and vision of the department emphasizing operational excellence professionalism, integrity,accountability,and service. Explaining budget salaries, pensions and increases in health care costs. To address these challenges the Chief said savings could be found by delaying the next recruit school and decreasing funding for capital accounts. Beyond dollars and cents the Chief spoke to a new wellness plan, the expanded program to install fire and carbon monoxide detectors in homes, and the formation of a recruitment committee within the Fire Department to help diversify the force. 2