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Home My WebLink About08-22-12 Personnel & FinancePERSONNEL & FINANCE AUGUST 22, 2012 4:10 P.M. 2013 Budget Review (Session #3) Committee Members Present: Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Henry Davis (4:30 p.m.) Citizen Members Present: Tammy McNally Other Council Members Present: John Murphy, Jack Dillon, Dennis Andres, Mary Ellen Smith, Marika Anderson, Anita Beachy, Jessie Vogel, Lynn Mayer, Jan Hall, Mike Schmuhl, Rahman Johnson, Mayor Pete Buttigieg (4:10 p.m.), Gary Gilot (4:41 p.m.), Denise Zigler, Mike Mecham Agenda: 2013 Budget Review (Session #3) Personnel and Finance Committee Chair Karen White opened the meeting announcing there would be two meetings of her committee held at locations outside of the County - City Building. Hopefully the public would take advantage of these opportunities for input sought by the Council. The first meeting is Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 5:30 at the Robinson Center. The second on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 5:30 at the Charles Martin Center. Karen then called upon City Controller Mark Neal to provide an overview of the presentations scheduled for session #3. Leading off and following the same format the budget proposals for the Morris Civic and Palais Royale were presented by Dennis Andres. His presentation began by describing the Morris as "the hottest ticket in town." He also featured the center's new web -site with mobile features allowing ease of ticket purchase. *See handout. Stopping for questions from Council, Dennis said the Redevelopment Commission owns Hunt Plaza, in response to Derek Dieters query. Dieter also asked if more nearby hotel rooms would help bookings. Dennis said, it would have a beneficial effect for bookings at the Palais more than the Morris. Moving on to the Palais portion of the presentation. Dennis fielded questions from several Councilmembers. Tim Scott learned more parking and booking or a secretarial position was needed. This position was sacrificed as requested by Mayor Luecke's administration and has not been replaced. Henry Davis, focusing on the parking need learned it was daytime parking that fell short of needs. Henry though wondered why evening parkers were being charged to park in the 1 st Source garage when free evening parking, he thought, was part of the City's financial bailout of the facility. Getting back to the secretarial position Dieter asked if it had been requested Dennis said it was; but was not allowed. Dr. Ferlic asked about special event brunches "breaking even." Dennis allowed the Mother's Day Brunch broke even this year with 483 attendees. Mark Neal then took over to present funds #273, #416, and #450. Dieter urged a continued request for Hotel -Motel Tax funding even with the Football Hall of Fame closing this year. Gary Gilot former Director of Public Works, now contracted for $70.00 hr. as a consultant presented Public Works budgets. He followed the same format as other department heads and was assisted by rather recently appointed City Engineer Mike Meecham. Fourteen separate - Public Works budgets or funds were reviewed. The respective department heads were present to answer any specific questions. Gary seemed to raise the ire of Councilmember's when he led off by recommending the creation of a new position, that being Asst. Director of Public Works with a proposed salary of $94,500 yr. Gary described this position as an operations manager type keeping day to day tabs on various departments and projects. This would free the Director to keep an "eye on the horizon," to take a larger visionary view. Many Council questions followed. Oliver Davis wondered who prioritizes street projects. City Engineer Mecham, acknowledged the need for better communication. Tim Scott wondered why the delay in finding a new Public Works Director. Interviews are continuing was the response. Tim also said the condition of the city's infrastructure, streets and sidewalks, says a lot about a community. He added many folks cannot afford to participate in the current curb and sidewalk programs. Henry Davis said a bigger commitment of dollars to infrastructure was needed. Too many dollars from TIF districts he said were being diverted. Henry also said "school zone" markings promised last year were not completed. David Varner, returning to the new position request, wanted a hierarchical chart and job descriptions to justify the request. Dieter added a request for a chart of positions with names of who held them. He also sought more attention to painting yellow curbs and crosswalks. Tim Scott wanted to know if there was any plan to provide curbs and sidewalks to areas of the City that had none. Henry wondered if more could be accomplished hiring small contractors to do the job. He was told by Gary that "prevailing wage" requirements would nullify potential savings. As time wore on only Central Services and Local Road and Streets presentations were completed. Under Central Services, Derek Dieter said the new 800 MHZ radios provided to police officers as mobile units were also needed in police cars for safety reasons. During the LRS presentation Gilot admitted to needing $400,000 of the fund for basic street department operations rather than leveraging 80/20 federal -local dollars for qualifying projects. Karen White brought the hearings to a close at 6:15 p.m., thanking department heads whose budgets were not heard for their forbearance. *See attachments. Respectfully Submitted, Y eL �/-" Karen L. White, Chairperson Personnel & Finance Committee