HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-05 Personnel & Finance -
Personnel and Finance Committee
2005 South Bend Common Council
The August 22, 2005 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its
Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 4:15 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting
Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Kelly, Rouse and
Kirsits; Citizen Member Martha Lewis, City Attorney Charles Leone, Bernie Feeney, Mrs.
Kopola, City Clerk John Voorde,two(2)members of the Fire Negotiating Team, City Controller
M. Catherine Fanello and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Kelly called for a presentation on Bill No. 46-05 which is a proposed ordinance
which would amend Chapter 2, Article 8 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "officer
and employee vacations and other benefits".
M. Catherine Fanello, City Controller made the presentation. She noted that the requested
changes result from discussions with the State Board of Accounts. Proposed section 2-123.1
addresses "Discretionary Vehicle Allowance to City Department Head or Key Employee" which
could be offered by the Mayor. She noted that the change would permit the Mayor to offer a
discretionary vehicle allowance as a hiring incentive.
City Attorney Charles Leone noted that the remainder of the Bill is a housekeeping measure to
update vacations so that they would track the City's Personnel Policies and Procedures rather
than having the exact vacation schedule codified in the City Code.
Dr. Varner inquired about the consistency of implementing such a "discretionary vehicle
allowance" program, noting that more senior employees would not have the opportunity to
participate in it with the end result being a benefit which favors new employees over more
seasoned employees.
The Council Attorney inquired why the proposed ordinance was being made retroactive to
January 1, 2004 and whether"key employee"is defined any where.
Ms. Fanello stated that the State Board of Accounts suggested that the policy be made
retroactive. Mr. Leone stated that he does not believe that"key employee" is defined.
Dr. Varner suggested that these items should be addressed and the "ordinance cleaned up", and
suggested that the Bill be continued until the September 12th Council meeting.
Mr. Leone stated that the discretionary vehicle allowance program is being requested so that it
could be offered to a prospective employee for their "technical expertise". He suggested that
perhaps the ordinance could include a provision where the Mayor would file information with
the Office of the City Clerk when a "key employee" designation is made by the Mayor. He
requested that the ordinance be continued until the next Council meeting.
August 22,2005 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeing Minutes -page 1-
Council Member Rouse noted that in light of the oversight concern, he would favor having the
Bill continued.
Council Member Puzzello requested that the "key employee" concern be addressed in a
substitute Bill.
Mr. Leone stated that perhaps a key employee would have the opportunity to participate in a
discretionary vehicle allowance program"at point of hire only".
Council Member Rouse inquired whether such a benefit would be used at time of promotion.
In light of these concerns, Mr. Leone stated that additional time would be needed in order to
properly address them.
Dr. Varner then made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Bill No. 46-05 be
continued until September 12th at the request of the Administration. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Personnel and Finance Committee, Council
Member Kelly adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Re n e Al;sub ittedf
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C mber Roland Kelly, Ch rperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
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August 22,2005 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeing Minutes
-page 2-