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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-12 Personnel & FinanceW \ a i �:�►; ` Personnel and Finance Committee 2012 South Bend Common Council The September 5, 2012 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karen L. White at 4:37 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room, 4th Floor County -City Building, downtown South Bend, Indiana. Persons in attendance included Council Members Gavin Ferlic, Henry Davis, Jr., Dr. David Varner, Karen L. White, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Tim Scott, Valerie Schey, and Council President Derek D. Dieter; Personnel and Finance Committee citizen member Tamara McNally, City Controller Mark Neal, Director of Finance John Murphy, Director of City Finance Rahman Johnson, Human Resources Director Janice Hall, Police Pension Secretary Don Pinckert, Uniform Division Police Chief Jeff Walters, Service Police Chief Gary Horvath, Director of Police Financial Services Ken Glowacki, Patrick Kottkamp, IAFF Local 362 President; Chris Baker, IAFF Local 362; Vice - President Assistant Chief of Staff Katherine Roos, Fire Chief Steve Cox, Assistant Fire Chief /Services Todd Skwarcan, Assistant Fire Chief/Operations Jim Lopez, Fire Marshal /Inspection & Prevention Federico Rodriguez, Fire Pension Secretary Christian Rose, unidentified residents, support staff and Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member White welcomed everyone to the 5th budget session on the proposed 2013 civil city budget. She apologized for the late start, noting that there was a prior meeting. City Controller Mark Neal noted that Interim Police Chief Charles Hurley was unable to be present today due to a scheduling conflict. South Bend Police Department Proposed 2013 Budget $23,747,349 Proposed Expenditures -5.7% Variance 2012 -2013 Fund No. 101 -0801 pp. 805 -824 Police Department Fund No. 101 -0802 pp. 825 -829 Communications Fund No. 101 -0805 pp. 830 -834 Police LOIT Service Police Chief Gary Horvath made the formal presentation utilizing 11- screen power -point (copy attached) which summarized the South Bend Police Departments' Mission Statement, 2012 Goals and Objectives, 2012 Accomplishments, 2013 Key Initiatives, Key Performance Indicators, Budget Comments, Budget Insight, Opportunities and Challenges. He noted that he was a 2nd generation police officer in South Bend and that they emphasize `home grown" officers. Chief Horvath noted that with the 800 Mhz upgrades that all police officers this weekend who work the Notre Dame home football game will be able to communicate to one another. The officers working for South Bend, Mishawaka, St. Joseph County and the University of Notre Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting September 5, 2012 Page 2 Dame will be utilizing the 13+ frequencies. The beat car laptops have become each officer's mobile office. He noted that the downtown camera system can be accessed from the beat cars, the downtown PD office, etc. Six (6) additional 4 -hour Patrols and weekend patrols to work on ND weekends, the East Race and near the downtown are being addressed to increase efficiencies. Data has been consolidated from 8 -9 series to two (2), and are maintained off -site, with this project being funded last year. Chief Horvath stated that Part 1 Crimes reflect a decrease of 17% which is the largest decrease in many years. The department would like to create public /private partnerships where video feeds from banks and schools could be captured. They are working with IBM on real time intelligence. The $55,000 expenditure on the Communications System upgrade was a well- needed capital expenditure. The department is proposing a high tech forensic crime lab so that information can be pulled from Ipads, thumb drives, computers, etc. Chief Horvath stated that last year the overtime budget was decreased by $160,000. The OT account is proposed for $218,000 next year. Fuel is paid by COIT $$ and the $10 per month deduction from each officer's paycheck who has an assigned vehicle. Items such as SWAT vests which cost approximately $2,400 each are paid from non - reverting funds. Grants continue to be pursued. Dr. Varner suggested that the Police Athletic League (PAL) consider partnering with the KROC Center in light of the City's monetary contribution to that facility. Chief Horvath thought that would be an excellent idea for the winter months, with Washington High School facilities used during the Summer currently. In response to a question from Dr. Ferlic, Mr. Glowacki stated that part of the police operations proposed reflect an increase of 1.8 %. Stimulus monies of $800,000 were available for three (3) years and require the budgeted departmental strength to be at 260 sworn officers. It was noted that in 2009, the Administration had recommended a potential cut of 37 officers, which were avoided due to other cost - saving and budget- cutting measures. In response to a question raised by Council Member Schey, it was noted that last year the City had five (5) homicides and currently South Bend has had eight (8) or nine (9). 2011 was an unusually low year, with the range for homicides being 14 -26 annually. In response to a question poised by Council Member Scott, Chief Horvath indicated that there are seven (7) remote cameras in the downtown which are not routinely monitored. There is no money proposed in the budget for personnel for such monitoring. He added that air cards have been delivered, additional fire walls are being created and the are working with Verizon. 200 cards are budgeted. Most of the laptops were purchased utilizing grant monies. Overtime is still Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting September 5, 2012 Page 3 tracked manually. Council Member Scott recommended that electronic scheduling and monitoring of overtime would improve efficiencies. Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. noted that "crime is crime" and inquired whether the police department has a sabbatical program for officers in light of the "intensity of the job ". He noted that they are high stress jobs and that the City should foster programs which address mental health. Chief Horvath stated that the currently "officers do not have the ability to take sabbaticals" He added that high incidents result in the department "giving whatever time the officers needs ", with crisis intervention counseling, being sent to the hospital, etc. Council Member Davis further inquired as to whether the police department has ever considered terminating its relationship with Metro Homicide Unit (MHU) since South Bend is large enough to have their own. He also inquired about the morale of the officers, use of SROs and the perceptions which persons have. He noted that Fort Wayne pays about $5,400 additional to individual senior officers to work midnights to help mentor and train rookie officers. Chief Horvath indicated the MHU has had great success over its more than ten (10) years. The team concept works well especially for investigations. Most of the officers work between 6 am to 11 pm. The department pays a very modest shift differential. Due to time restraints, Council President Dieter stated that he would hold his questions until a future meeting since he has several. Council Member White requested that if the Council Members needed more information that they contact the City Controller and herself so that the Chief could be ready to address additional concerns as the Committee continues to review the proposed budget. She added that she did not recall a reference to "drug monies" in the past being used to buy capital equipment items, and would appreciate more information on that and the process used, as well as a detailed presentation on public safety LOIT, and other police items. Police Pension Proposed 2013 Budget $6,929,133 Proposed Expenditures -2% Variance 2012 -2013 Fund No. 702 pp. 964 -968 Police Department Police Pension Secretary Don Pinckert made the presentation. He noted that he was a retired South Bend Police Officer and then served as the Director of Police Financial Services for the past 24- years, and retired from that position about a month ago. He noted that the police and fire departments' pension program work essentially the same way. Mr. Pinckert provided a multi - page 2013 Pension Budget (copy attached) Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting September 5, 2012 Page 4 Police has two (2) pension plans the old plan which is the 1925 Pension Plan and covers retired police officers, widows /widowers and dependents from 1925 until March 31, 1977; and the new plan which covers retired police officers, widows /widowers and dependents from April 1, 1977. The new plan is paid entirely by the State of Indiana. There was a conversion period which paid $10,000 per officers to convert. 105 or 240 officers converted. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Schey, Mr. Pinckert noted that under the old plan monies are reimbursed by the state, %2 in June and %2 in October following the monies being fronted by the City. Under the old plan, there are: 157 police retirees 81 widows and dependents 238 total Under the DROP program, an officer is required to give 12 to 36 month notice. 32 years is the maximum. There are no officers who signed up for DROP effective 2013; in 2014 three (3) officers have given notice. Next year's budget reflects a decrease of about $90,000 from this year as a result of eighteen (18) retired officers passing away. Pension benefits for each widow is about $7,000 less on the base pension amount then what they were receiving when their retired police husband was alive. Pension amounts are based on one -half (1/2) of the first class patrol officer's salary, with a maximum of 74% possible based on each additional six (6) months of service. Based on these figures, knowing that police labor negotiations are ongoing, an increase of up to three percent (3 %) on the base would not increase the budget. Mr. Pinckert emphasized that the pension plans are all based on laws passed by the Indiana General Assembly. He added that police officers and firefighters do not pay social security, and unless they reach the required defined years by other employment, they do not qualify for these benefits. Council Member White thanked everyone for the information about the proposed police budgets, noting that additional questions will require a 2nd meeting time with this department to be set. South Bend Fire Department Proposed 2013 Budget $20,334,056 Proposed Expenditures -2.7% Variance 2012 -2013 Fund No. 101 -0901 pp. 835 -846 Fire Department Fund No. 101 -0905 pp. 847 -851 Fire LOIT Fire Chief Steve Cox made the formal presentation utilizing 8- screen power -point (copy attached) which summarized the South Bend Fire Departments' Mission Statement, 2012 Accomplishments, 2013 Key Initiatives, Key Performance Indicators, and Food for thought Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting September 5, 2012 Page 5 Chief Cox stated that the fire department has begun an accreditation process whose goals are to be outcome based. The initial cost was $7,500. There will be additional costs for the peer review team and each five (5) years there would be renewal expenses in order to meet the current standards. New turn out gear is expected to be here in October which will provide a new look for the firefighters. Currently they are in negotiations with St. Joseph County where three (3) advanced life support (ALS) units are in service. Penn Township is now funding their own, and as a result Medic 12 will be discontinued with the current personnel being used to fill positions which are currently vacant. Discussions about possibly putting in additional ambulance service in South Bend is also under consideration since approximately seven hundred (700) calls for service are lost currently each year due to excess volume. Those monies could help fund the six (6) positions. An aerial operational class will be offered later this year and they hope to expand certification classes. The department has three (3) SAFER positions and if the city hires post 9/11 veterans there would be no additional cost to the city. They are also looking at having training video conference system in all of the fire stations plus Clay Fire which would result in ongoing training and more trucks in service. They are also looking at connecting with the hospitals, but there would be costs to the hospitals for this to take place. The department has a replacement plan which would be funded from Fund # 288 which receives the EMS revenue. 476 individuals picked up the fire department applications which reflected 39% minorities and women. 252 were returned, but only 39% of those were from females and minorities. Many individuals applied who were from outside of South Bend. He would like to work closely with Council Member White in the future to see if those numbers can be improved. The proposed training facility is needed since the department does not have any where to train. They hope that the facility would also be available for K -9 police officers in the future. The department is also hoping to develop community outreach programs with the schools. Chief Cox noted that Los Angeles has a cadet program in high risk areas. They are talking with Ivy Tech also on possible partnerships. At this point in the meeting Council Member White noted that she had to leave in light of another schedule meeting. She turned the meeting over to the Committee Vice - Chairperson, Dr. David Varner. More information and data about the proposed training facility was requested by the Council, since this has been a topic under discussion for many years. Chief Cox stated that Bill Schalliol in the Department of Community Development has more detailed information and that the Redevelopment Commission would be involved. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting September 5, 2012 Page 6 Dr. Varner stated that he has heard nothing about this project, and he is a member of the Redevelopment Commission. In light of time restraints, Dr. Varner then called for a presentation on the Fire Pension Fund, and that the meeting would go to about 6:30 pm, with another meeting being scheduled for the items which will not be able to be discussed today. Fire Pension Proposed 2013 Budget $ 6,016,924 Proposed Expenditures 0% Variance 2012 -2013 Fund No. 701 pp. 959 -963 Fire Department Fire Pension Secretary Christian Rose made the formal presentation. He provided a multi -page handout entitled "Fire Pension Budget 2013" (copy attached). Mr. Rose stated that the fire pension is covered by two (2) Indiana state laws addressing the 1937 Fund which reimburses the City and the 1977 Fund which is state funded. Typically the South Bend Fire Department experiences 6 to 8 retirements per year. Each Firefighter pays 6% and the City pays 19.7 %. Currently there are 131 fire pensioners. Dr. Varner thanked Mr. Rose for his presentation, and then asked Fire Chief Cox to continue with his presentation. Chief Cox then briefly summarized the proposed capital expenditures which are currently under discussion: • Station # 5: proposed to be rebuilt on the same property serving basically the Rum Village area. The proposal has been scaled down from the $2.2 million proposal to just under $1 million. He noted that he spoke with Council Member Oliver Davis who is enthusiastically supporting this proposal. • Station # 9: discussions to relocate from the fire station built in 1926 are underway, with talks with the River Park Associations planned. • Station # 8: currently located on Twyckenham is being proposed to be relocated to Ireland and Michigan • Station # 3: currently located on McKinley is being proposed to be relocated to Corby and Ironwood • Station # 11: located and serving the northwest part of the City is proposed to have a new station built near Portage and Prairie which would require the addition of nine (9) firefighters Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting September 5, 2012 Page 7 Chief Cox noted the importance of meeting the criteria set forth in NFPA 1710 addressing response coverage [Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments] and how it relates to ISO ratings for insurance; as well as NFPA 1582 addressing Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. Fire Chief Cox stated that the firefighters should be the cornerstone of wellness programs for the city. Dr. Varner thanked the Chief for his presentation; and noted that in light of the time another session would need to be scheduled. Dr. Varner then adjourned the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 6:33 p.m. Respe tfully submitted, Karen L. White,Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee = �Dr. David Varner, Vice - Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments