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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-05 Personnel & Finance 1 Personnel and Finance Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The January 10, 2005 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Derek D. Dieter at 3:50 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Pfeifer, Kelly, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Kirsits and Rouse; City Controller Frederick B. 011ett, III; Public Works Director Gary Gilot; Director of the Division of Community Development Pam Meyer; Executive Director of Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall; Director of the Division of Economic Development Don Inks; Director of Central Services Matt Chlebowski; Rita Kopala, Director of Budgeting/Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek, City Clerk John Voorde, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Dieter noted that the Committee is composed of Council Member Kelly, Puzzello,Varner and himself. City Controller Frederick B. 011ett,III noted that he had"good, better and best news". The city received$19.8 million on Friday and to date have received 90% of what had been estimated that they would receive. The remaining 10%is to be addressed by March 10th, and that the city will not know until then. Cash flow is basically in good shape. Mr. 011ett stated that there are three (3) primary considerations: 1. The timeline of March 10th; 2. How much of the 10% will not be paid;and 3. How much of the 10%will not be paid relative to the appeal process. Dr. Varner inquired how much total monies had been received to date. Mr. 011ett stated that he did not have that information,but would bring it with him later. Council Member Dieter then called for a presentation on Substitute Bill No. 92-04 which would appropriate funds for some of the city's capital expenditures for the 2005 fiscal year including $543,250 from the General Fund, $1,885,800 from COIT Fund, $128,000 from the Parks and Recreation Fund, and$85,000 from the Parks Non-Reverting Capital Fund. Mr. 011ett noted that this early capital request is a departure from the past. The items addressed in this Bill are "time-critical" and"high priority" matters. Mr. 011ett noted that the CIP process typically takes 2 1/2 months. He anticipates that the first reading on the capital budget will take place on February 14th and that the public hearing will take place at the February 28th Council meeting. Twenty-one (21) funds will be involved, with only three (3) funds being addressed in Substitute Bill No. 92-04. Mr. 011ett noted that under General Fund if 101,25 police vehicles would reflect a savings of 4% if submitted now for a total savings of$20,000. The production time frame is the early part of March, plus alot of equipment needs to be put on each car. Mr. 011ett noted that all pre-owned vehicles have been identified by Director of Central Services Matt Chlebowski, noting that all value are time sensitive. Mr. 011ett noted that under COIT # 404, under "Community and Neighborhood Development", funds are listed as $52,000 for"Work force Diversity Initiative"; and$6,250 for"Minority& Personnel and Finance Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 1- Women's Business Development Council (grant for general operations". He stated that this would basically be three(3)months of operating expenses. Dr. Varner questioned why administrative and general operational expenses are in a capital budget.; and also inquired about the Work Force Diversity Initiative. Mr. 011ett stated that they are part of an annual project which is project specific. Director of the Division of Community Development Pam Meyer noted that the city contracts for minority and ex-offenders for placement. 225 placements are made on an annual basis with an average wage of$8.00 per hour. Tracking mechanisms have been instituted. The $52,000 would be for the January-March time period. Mr. 011ett then summarized the COIT fund proposed expenditures. He noted in response to a question from Council Member Kirsits that the Trestle Bridge repair will utilize concrete in the Howard Park area. Dr. Varner inquired whether the bid process would be used. Mr. Gilot stated that since the expenditures would be over$75,000 that the bid process will be used. The building acquisition at 412 L. Lafayette in the amount of$450,000 is the Enzyme Research Laboratories, Inc. building. Executive Director of Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall noted that they will have new equipment coming in since they test for companies around the world. They have found a location near the airport. She added that she would like to get going on the 1st phase of the Zeiger Farms project listed at$30,000. In response to a question from Council Member Dieter, Ms. Kendall stated that Enzyme is basically two (2) companies—one that does testing, and one that prepares kits for doctors. She noted that they have not purchased property at the airport yet, but are planning to expand their operations and increase jobs. Ms. Kendall noted that they have talked to the Redevelopment Authority, but that there are no specific plans for the site except that it is part of the acquisition in the downtown for future development. She noted that Enzyme has had concerns about its proximity to Hope Rescue. In response to a question from Dr. Varner,Ms. Kendall stated that there is no binding agreement in place as of this date,however they will have an agreement. Mr. Gilot added that Enzyme has good paying high-tech jobs. The Council Attorney noted that she located an inconsistency in the dollar amounts in Substitute Bill No.92-04, and that under the General Fund # 101, that the amount cannot be greater than $543,250, since that is the amount which has been legally advertised. She added that she just brought this to the attention of Mr. 011ett and Director of Budgeting/Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek. Mr. 011ett stated that it will have to be reduced to the$543,250 amount. Personnel and Finance Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 2- Council Member Kelly then made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Substitute Bill No. 92-04 as further amended be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Under miscellaneous business,Council Member Puzzello inquired about the current status of the contract for the Council Attorney and how the decision would be made to extend the term of service. President Pfeifer noted that she called the Council Attorney last Friday and that she was going out of town. They would be meeting in the near future. She added that each Council Member should have received the one-page letter which authorized payment to the Council Attorney for January, 2005. The Council would have copies of the contract. Council President Pfeifer stated that another recommendation would be made by her, with a vote by the entire Council then taking place. An executive session may be called. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Dieter adjourned the meeting at 4:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Derek D. 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