HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-05 Personnel & Finance r 1
Personnel and Finance Committee
2005 South Bend Common Council
The October 24, 2005 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by
its Council Member David Varner at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, White, Puzzello, Kirsits,
Rouse, Varner, and Kuspa; Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic
Development Sharon Kendall, Director of Public Works Gary Gilot, Mrs. Kopola, Citizen
Member Martha Lewis, Mikki Dobski Schidler, John Byorni, Ann Kolata, City Clerk John
Voorde, Jamie Loo of the South Bend Tribune and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council
Attorney.
Dr. Varner noted that in the absence of Council Member Kelly she would conduct the
Committee meeting. He noted that the other Committee members included Council Members
Kuspa,White and Kelly.
Dr. Varner called for a presentation on Bill No. 05-127 which would authorize the deposit of
various non-tax revenue monies into Fund 209.
Ann E. Kolata, a Senior Redevelopment Specialist, made the presentation. She noted that Fund
# 209 was established for the deposits and disbursements of federal grant monies related to the
Studebaker/Oliver Project. The city will be receiving funds from the settlement of a lawsuit with
Allied Products related to environmental conditions at the former stamping plant. The proposed
resolution would permit depositing these monies into Fund# 209, with all of these funds being
used solely for the Studebaker/Oliver project.
Dr. Varner noted that the Council does not receive any notice currently when funds are deposited
into such funds. He would like some sort of notice in addition to the Controller's monthly
financial report on city funds. He believes that there should be an accounting means in this area.
Ms. Kolata stated that Section 108 loan monies would be deposited into Fund # 212 and not
Fund # 209. She stated that there is a confidentiality statement in the settlement with Allied
Products in light of the insurance company wishing to have the amounts remain confidential.
Ms. Kolata stated that she would look into Dr. Varner's request for additional accounting
addressing deposits.
Council Member Kuspa made a motion, seconded by Council Member White that Bill No.
05-127 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Dr. Varner then called for a presentation on Bill No. 05-128 which would approve the issuance
of scrap metal/junk dealers/transfer station licenses for calendar year 2005.
Gary Gilot,Director of Public Works made the presentation. He noted that all of the fifteen(15)
operations listed in the resolution have been inspected by the Fire Prevention Bureau, Water
Works and the Department of Code Enforcement. The Board of Public Works recommended the
October 24,2005 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeing Minutes -Page 1-
approval of license renewals for these operations for calendar year 2005, noting that he does not
know why it took so long from the Board's action in August for this to come to the Council.
In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Gilot stated that his department is continuing to
look into multi-year licensing.
There was no one from the public to speak in favor or in opposition to the resolution.
Council Member White made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No.
05-128 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Puzzello noted that when she was on the Council earlier that the licensing of
such operations was "a big deal" and that it was done in a timely manner. She voiced concern
about enforcement when this comes to the Council so late in the year, and hoped that if the city
goes to multi-year licensing that enforcement of public safety regulations will not be
jeopardized.
Mr. Gilot stated that there would be "trade-offs" if the city decides to have multi-year licensing,
noting that"something short of shutting down an operation would be pursued".
Council Member Puzzello suggested that a process similar to tax abatements where the
Council's committee reviews operations which are not in compliance and requires the principals
to address non-compliance issues should be considered.
There was no miscellaneous business.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Dr. Varner adjourned the
meeting at 4:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
CognakliMlember David Varner,Vice-Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
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Attachments
October 24,2005 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeing Minutes Page 2-