HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-02 Personnel & Finance tommitt u import
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The December 9, 2002 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its
Chairperson, Council Member James Aranowski at 3:18 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting
Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Pfeifer, Kelly, King, Varner,
Kuspa, White, Coleman and Kirsits; Community & Economic Development Department Director
Jon Hunt, City Controller Rick 011ett, Director of Public Works Gary Gillot, Susan Wallace,
Kevin Webber, Terry Bland of the *MO 5.13tra ri Un , and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,
Council Attorney.
Council Member Kirsits, the sponsor of Bill No. 95-02 which addresses leave of absence policies
for military tours of duty, which is the first item on the Committee agenda, requested that the Bill
be continued to January 13, 2003, to permit him to contact additional recruiters on this topic.
Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill No. 95-02 be continued
until the January 13,2003 Council meeting. The motion passed.
Council Member Aranowski then called for a presentation on Bill No. 96-02 which would amend
Chapter 2,Article 8, Sec. 2-121 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing "City Officers and
Employees".
There was no one from the City Administration to make the presentation on the Bill. Dr. Varner
made a motion, seconded by Council Member King that Bill No. 96-02 be sent to the full Council
without a recommendation. The motion passed.
Council Member Aranowski then asked for a presentation on Bill No. 02-90 which would approve
early redemption of parking facilities bonds, Series 1978 and would transfer bond reserve
proceeds to Fund No. 601, Parking Garage-Main and St. Joseph.
City Controller Rick 011ett made the presentation. He noted that in 1978 the city issued the bonds
to construct a new parking garage at Main and St. Joseph Streets. The Administration proposes to
retire the bonds as of January 15, 2003 would result in approximately $200,000 in interest and
other costs being saved.
Dr. Varner inquired about the disposition of the residue. Mr. 011ett sated that it would be receipted
into Fund No. 601, the Parking Garage Fund.
Dr. Varner then made a motion, seconded by Council Member King that Bill No. 02-90 be
recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Aranowski then called for a joint presentation on Substitute Bill Nos. 98-02 and
99-02. Substitute Bill No. 98-02 would transfer monies from various accounts to various
accounts with departments ; and Substitute Bill No. 99-02 would increase appropriations and
decrease appropriations within the various departments for 2002.
City Controller Rick 011et made the presentation. He noted that the bill would appropriate and
transfer the necessary funds to cover any deficits in any of the major categories. He noted that
deficit categories are either being balanced by increasing or decreasing the appropriation w,. 'n the
Personnel and Finance Committee
December 9, 2002
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fund or would use the fund's cash balance to cover the deficit.
Kevin Webber of Gibson and Susan Wallace of the Controller's Office then provided a 14-page
handout (copies attached) which provided detailed information on the insurance claims and the
employees which participate. Mr. Webber described the trends based on the information set forth
in the data provided in the handouts. He noted that the average age of a city employee covered by
insurance in 2001 was 45 years of age and in 2002 it was 44 years of age. He noted that the
conditions are not the same this year as in 2001 for the increased claims.
Council Member Coleman noted that the city cannot expect the same discounts which the city is
currently experiencing. He noted that the information "is pretty bad news" and inquired what can
be done.
Council Member Aranowski suggested that a separate Personnel and Finance Committee meeting
be held in early 2003 to discuss this issue further.
The City Controller noted that the City is looking at all possibilities and would look forward to
discussing this with the Council in January.
Council Member Pfeifer suggested on that the job sites when discussing insurance benefits, costs,
etc. Mr. 011ett noted that workers comp has been discussed at the job sites.
Susan Wallace noted that the lifetime maximum has changed.
Following further discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that
Substitute Bill Nos. 98-02 and 99-02 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Aranowski
adjourned the meeting at 4:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
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