HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-12 Personnel & Finance Committee PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE OCTOBER 24,2012
3:30 P.M.
2012 BUDGET REVIEW
Committee Members Present: Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. David Varner,
Henry Davis, Jr.
Citizens Present: Tammy McNally
Other Council Members Present: Tim Scott, Valerie Schey, Dr. Fred Ferlic,
Derek Dieter, Oliver Davis
Other Present: Mark Neal, Rahman Johnson, John Murphy, Lonnie Douglas,
Cathy Toppel, Phil St. Clair, Scott Ford, Becky Neese, Gary Gilot,
Mike Mecham
Agenda: Bill No. 42-12
Bill No. 43-12
Bill No. 44-12
This meeting of the Personnel &Finance Committee is the 18th in a series of hearings to
review the 2013 city budget. Earlier meetings established the goals, objectives, and
priorities of the Mayor, the Council, and the public. This process is widely regarded as
the most open, collaborative, and thorough review process in recent memory. Today's
session was to; once again, outline the Councils role, the State's requirements, and
Council in response to earlier missives of the Council to the Mayor.
To better accommodate the public, Committee Chair Karen White accepted a motion by
Gavin Ferlic seconded by David Varner, affirmed by all to move the meeting from the
Caucus Room to the Council Chambers.
There Karen White asked Kathy Cekanski-Farrand to explain the format for the hearing
which would proceed from one fund to another offering Council and public input at each
juncture. Any final adjustments to the budget were to be discussed in committee on
October 29, 2012 prior to final action of the Council at a special meeting later that
evening scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
Mark Neal, City Controller,began his presentation with the Morris/Palais budgets. He
explained the city was adding $25,000 to fund a part-time secretary marketing position.
The Council had asked the City to accommodate Dennis Andres expressed need for this
position. Each Council member expressed support. Only Henry Davis, Jr., voiced
reservation in that the position was only part-time.
Human Rights was next. HR Director Lonnie Douglas had asked for additional clerical
support when he presented his department budget. Mr. Douglas was pleased with the
Controller's offer to fund 1000 hrs of support. Before accepting the compromise the
Council urged the administration to seek supplemental funding from Mishawaka. Mark
Neal and Mr. Douglas pledged to initiate discussions to engage Mishawaka, and the
County in future funding proposals.
Information Technology was next. The Council had requested IT submit long-range
KPI's as well as a 5 year development plan. Mark Neal provided a list of KPI's from IT
(attached) and said the 5 year plan was nearing completion and was to be shared with the
Council by the end of the year.
Catherine Toppel, Director of Code Enforcement and Animal Control was next. The
Council had expressed a desire to see the effort to remediate the illegal dumping activity
be sustained through 2013. Catherine Toppel assured the Council, though NCE was
currently understaffed, they could effectively continue clean-up efforts next year.
Considerable discussion regarding the Council's request that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King's birthday be an official city holiday. Adamant Council support for this resulted in
the administrations pledge to introduce an ordinance before the end of the year that would
add that day to the list of official holidays.
Mark Neal then explained that there would be no new positions in the legal department
adding the Mayor was soon to announce the appointment of a new City Attorney.
Discussions relative to the Parks Department proved to be quite contentious with the
Council emphatically stating opinions on a number of issues. First, was the future
development of the proposed Miracle Park, an accessible parks sports facility geared
those with physical disabilities. Park Director Phil St. Clair claimed delays have resulted
from not being able to find an appropriate site. Several Council members urged
development near Coveleski Stadium. St. Clair said the suggest site was not large
enough. He plans to keep looking. Henry Davis shifted focus to the Charles Black and
MLK Centers. He asked for an audit, opposed any new position or re-structuring of
personnel. Henry as well as others see a dire need form more and better programming at
the Centers if youth engagement is to be the goal.
Beyond the Centers the Council expressed a need for more equipment in parks, more
park patrols, and a re-evaluation of the golf courses in a cost/benefit way.
Regarding the request for a youth engagement position and a community outreach
position out of the Mayor's Office there was considerable discussion opposing them.
This was also the tenor of discussion for the proposed Deputy Director of Public Works.
When it came to changes in the renamed Community Investment Department, the
Director, Scott Ford, said there were no new positions. Changes were reflective of a new
team/task approach. One that would not require new positions or promotions.
Mark Neal reported progress on the implementation of the 311 call center. The Council
seemed to give this initiative its tacit support.
Public Safety, particularly, Police Department issues dominated the last part of budget
reviews. In particular was the Council's push to have certain police "beats"at certain
times get additional officers. The PD provided several staffing reports (attached)
assuring the Council they would be addressed adequately. Other funding questions arose
for both PD continuing ed and proposed FD training facility.
Finally, after just over 2.5 hours of Q &A, Karen White urged the administration to
consider Council positions in re-formulating their revised budget submissions on the 29th
There being no further business to come before the Personnel &Finance Committee at
this time, Chairperson White adjourned the meeting at 6:12 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen L. White, Chairperson
Personnel & Finance Committee