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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/27/07 Personnel and Finance Committee~_~ %`'?a~ ~,~ _;;~ Personnel and Finance Committee 2007 South Bend Common Council The August 27, 2007 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Charlotte D. Pfeifer at 3:40 p.m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Kelly, Varner, Kirsits, Pfeifer, Dieter, Kuspa, Rouse, and Puzzello; Citizen Member Diiana Hess, George Herendeen, City Clerk John Voorde, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Thomas Bodnar, Martha Lewis, Mrs. Kopola, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen . Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Pfeifer noted that the Committee Members include Council Members Varner, Kuspa, Kirsits, and herself as Chairperson; and that the Citizen Member of the Committee is Diana Hess. Bill No. 46-07: 2008 Salary Ordinance for the City Clerk Council Member Pfeifer noted that the first item on the agenda is to review Bill No. 46-07 which would set the annual salary for the City Clerk for calendar year 2008. City Clerk John Voorde made the presentation on Bill No. 46-07 (copy attached). He noted that Indiana state law requires a salary ordinance. He stated that last year his salary was frozen and that this year it is proposed at $51,766.00. Dr. Varner inquired whether the salary amount was adequate. Mr. Voorde stated that last year his salary was part of the ordinance filed with the setting of the Mayor's salary. This year he has elected to file a separate bill. Council Member Dieter noted that last year Dr. Varner checked around the state and that there is a significant difference in the disparity between the Mayor and the Clerk in South Bend that does not appear in other similar Indiana communities. Mr. Voorde noted that the level of responsibility for his job is different than the Mayor's. There was no one from the public to speak in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Council Member Kirsits made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No. 46- 07 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. August 27 2007 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Page 2 Bill No. 50-07: Permit Fees and Amendments to the South Bend Municipal Code: Council Member Pfeifer called for a presentation on Bill No. 50-07 which would amend various sections of Chapter 6, Article 1 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing permit fees and the definition of pluming contractor. Building Commissioner Don Fozo made the formal presentation. He stated that this would update the fees which help fund this enterprise operation, noting that no tax dollars are used in their operations. Mr. Fozo stated that there has been a lack of construction when compared to other years. He has discussed the proposed changes with the St. Joe Valley Trades, home builders, PHCC, etc and that he has not received any opposition. Mr. Fozo noted also that the last increase in fees was in 2004. Mr. Fozo stated that the proposed definition for plumbing contractor will be consistent with Indiana state law. The square footage coast is increasing; renovation costs will not change; and that demolition and sign permits have not changed since 2004. He noted that many of the requested changes are still below charges in other communities. In response to a question from Council President Rouse, Mr. Fozo stated that the minimum charge for a permit will be $20.00. In response to a question from Council Member Kirsits, Mr. Fozo stated that Mishawaka has there own Building Department and that their rates were similar to South Bend's prior to filing the current ordinance under consideration. Council Member Kuspa made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill No. 50-07 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Bill No. 51-07: Fees for Documents and Amendments to the South Bend Municipal Code: Council Member Pfeifer called for a presentation on Bill No. 51-07 which would amend Chapter 2, Article 18 of the South Bend Municipal Code setting and adjusting fees for documents and services. Thomas Bodnar, Assistant City Attorney made the formal presentation. He stated that as a result of House Act 1379 he is requested four (4) changes to fees and procedures for documents. He then briefly highlighted each of the changes set forth in the Bill. Council Member Pfeifer and Varner suggested that "real time changes" reflecting the actual time for some of the services related to documents should be studied by the City Administration. Council Member Kuspa suggested that the hand gun license should be at least $500. August 27 2007 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Page 3 Mr. Bodnar noted that several of the items addressed in the proposed ordinance are limited by state law maximums. There was no one from the public to speak in favor or in opposition to the Bill. Council Member Kuspa made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill No. 51-07 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Pfeifer adjourned the meeting at 4:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ,~ Council Member Charlotte D. feifer, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments