HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-27-12 Personnel & Finance CommitteePERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
June 27, 2012 4:30 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Henry Davis
Citizen Members Present: Tammy McNally, Juliane James
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Oliver Davis, Valerie Schey,
Others Present: John Murphy, Mark Neal, Kathryn Roos, Mayor Pete, Mike Schmuhl,
Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Sheri Miller Story
Agenda: Workshop #4
This meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee is the fourth (4th) and final workshop put
together by Councilmember Karen White with the cooperation of the City's Administration and
Finance Department headed by City Controller Mark Neal. This sessions agenda includes a
discussion of both the administration's and Councilmember's initiatives. A budget calendar
presented by Mark Neal. A brief economic overview along with revenue and expense forecasts
would wrap -up the meeting.
Mayor Buttigieg and Mark Neal opened by presenting their parameters in the development of
their 2013 budget initiatives. These as well as the budget calendar, some 2013 assumptions, and
supplemental Council priorities is attached. Upon completion of this 2013 budget overview Karen
White asked Councilmember's for their personal priorities and performance measures.
Tim Scott (1St Dist.) said the top issue for him was public safety along with other quality of life
issues most importantly addressing the vacant and abandoned houses in the district. Other
priorities would be a curb & sidewalk program and finally improvements to Muessel and Pinhook
Parks.
Henry Davis (2nd Dist.) focused his comments on initiating an overhauled more effective
economic development plan. This would include analyzing the criteria used in expending TIF
dollars, specifically tying it to job creation. Forming a job recruitment team and working with
banks who would be willing to accept more risk in their lending policies. Henry also alluded to
more equity in park programming and more equity in pay for minorities.
Valerie Schey (3`d Dist.) also focused on measurable economic development plans. She
suggested a cost/benefit analysis of city owned facilities especially those downtown i.e. Morris,
Palais, Century Center, and Hall of Fame. Valerie urged work be done to increase the tax base
in the downtown as well as stimulating private investment in the corridors.
Dr. Fred Ferlic (4th Dist.) spoke to advocate more public /private interaction to encourage
economic investment. This same type of interactive model could be used to address quality of
life issues in neighborhoods such as the vacant and abandoned housing problem. Finally he
suggested consistent police patrols and more effective neighborhood watch programs as a way of
addressing crime both the reality and perception of crime.
David Varner (5th Dist.) advocated a more creative use of TIF dollars to increase net assessed
value and create jobs. He also urged more funding for curbs and sidewalks. David also hoped
the City would explore the privatization of Blackthorne Golf Course and also revisit the purchase
and demolition of 31 homes along Fellows approaching the by -pass.
Oliver Davis (6th Dist.) also advocated and expanded curb, sidewalk, and street improvement
program in his district. He thought the integrity of the Olive /Sample overpass should be
investigated. Expanded summer youth programs rounded out his priorities.
Gavin Ferlic (At- Large) suggested a fresh look at the way the Neighborhood Code Enforcement
Department enforces quality of life ordinances with a mind to streamlining enforcement and
collection methods. He thought a more aggressive annexation approach specifically east of
Notre Dame was needed. Corridor investments and additional bike paths were also on his
agenda.
Karen White (At- Large) championed quality of life issues, using TIF dollars to spur corridor
development and increase the tax base.
Derek Dieter (At- Large) was absent.
The citizen members of the Personnel & Finance Committee, Tammy McNally and Juliane James
suggested efforts to better clean -up downtown, to reduce siren noise at night, to better clean -up
parks and a host of other quality of life issues.
They also proposed a look at the possibility of re- establishing a City Court to expedite
enforcement and increase revenue.
Moving to a close in the interests of time Karen called upon Mark Neal to summarize the
presentation and lay out the next steps in the budget process.
Mark, along with John Murphy again went over the budget calendar. They also discussed
upcoming police and fire contract negotiations. Murphy did a basic walk- through of how to read
the budget.
Finally, at the initial request of Valerie Schey supported by all the Council asked Mark to develop
a summary page for each department outlining the source of all funds they expend.
There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Karen
White adjourned the meeting at 5:52 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen White, Chairperson
Personnel & Finance