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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-02 Personnel & Finance Qommttt t Ate Port rzounti antl firm= Committee The September 11, 2002 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member James Aranowski at 3:32 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Kelly, Varner, Coleman, and Aranowski; City Controller Rick 011ett, Gary Libbey of Code Enforcement, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Fred Thon, Director of Budgeting & Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek, City Clerk Loretta J. Duda, Stan Molenda and Kim Lukus of Code Enforcement, Terry Bland of the *nth Virt0 "Crtbu ,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski welcomed everyone to the last scheduled committee meeting of reviewing proposed budgets for specific departments and bureaus. 2003 City Clerk's Office 2002 Expenditures $ 287,963 General Fund # 101-0201 2003 Expenditures $ 297,187 City Clerk Loretta J. Duda made the presentation. She noted that there is an increase in the publication and legal notice line item since this area often runs in the red;noting that her office does not recoup in full these costs from customers. She also noted that she cut education and training by $500.00. Ms. Duda stated that the codification process is still moving at a snail's pace, however she stated that she is currently working with Aladean DeRose and that they have agreed on the overall table of contents for the code. She further stated that she hopes that the Council will be given a draft of the code by early next year. In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Ms. Duda stated that the project began in 1996, with former City Clerk Irene Gammon talking about the need for it before that. She noted that the original contract for Municipal Code Services of Tallahassee, Florida was over $20,000. She added that both Council President Kelly and the Council Attorney have participated in the process, but may be asking Council Member King to become a part of the process when Council President Kelly is unable to attend. In response to a question from the Council Attorney, Ms. Duda noted that only one person has asked her for the opportunity to pay parking fines by credit card. Mr. 011ett stated that transactions over the internet are being reviewed where forms and applications,etc can be completed. Ms. Duda stated that her office is working with new software from THE which is taking much more staff time; however she believes it is more accurate. She concluded her remarks by stating that she is working to make her office more responsive to the needs of the public. 2003 Neighborhood Code Enforcement 2002 Expenditures $ 1,290,705 General Fund # 101-1201 2003 Expenditures $ 1,237,037 2002 Revenue $1,622,224 2003 Revenue $1,690164 Gary Libbey made the overall presentation. He began by noting that there have been budget % a Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2002 Page 2 reductions made for next year. The County now has a contract with the Homeless Shelter to provide maintenance of the county/city lot, which resulted in a$20,000 reduction. Code projects to clean 5,500 properties next year, with the overall goal being to have the property owners clean their own properties. Dr. Varner inquired about the overall percentage of revenue received from environmental clean-up charges. Mr. Skarbek stated that the office is run on a cash basis. Mr. Libbey added that overall there is a 30% collection rate of properties billed, and he further noted that he does not believe that Code would ever be self-sufficient. Mr. Libbey stated that receiving monies at time of closing on properties which have recorded liens from Code has turned out to be a good way to receive monies. In response to a question from Council Member Aranowski, Stan Molenda stated that there are eight(8)area inspectors or field officers and one person who does towing. The Council Attorney inquired whether Code would be having scheduled weekend hours for some of its inspectors, noting that several Council Members have requested that service. Mr. Molenda stated that the new Code Director would make that decision. Council Member Aranowski voiced concern about the illegal dumping which often occurs on weekends and after hours. Mr. Fred Than stated that he is preparing a list for the Mayor to consider addressing. He also noted that he has met with a few Council Members to hear their concerns in this area and would be incorporated many of them for the Mayor to review. 2003 Weights and Measures 2002 Expenditures $ 48,013 General Fund # 101-1202 2003 Expenditures $ 42,150 Mr. Libbey stated that this budget reflects the amount of money which the city pays to the county for the inspections in the various grocery stores and gas pumps. 2003 Code Hearing Officer 2002 Expenditures $ 54,784 General Fund # 101-1203 2003 Expenditures $ 56)976 Mr. Libbey stated that the Hearing Officer holds hearings on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, with 1,200 matters projected to be addressed by the end of this year. President Kelly inquired whether the Hearing Officer must be an attorney. It was noted that the hearing officer is not required to be an attorney, and it was further noted that Mr. Clifford's suspension does not begin until October and will run for six (6) months. Mr. Clifford is continuing to hold hearings which Mr. Thon has attended. Mr. Thon stated that he will be meeting with the City Attorney and the Mayor on this matter. In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Molenda stated that the hearing process is one of the more important aspects of Code's operation since it brings the parties together. Mr. Libbey stated that the Code Director and the Code Hearing Officer are both Mayoral appointments. Council President Kelly noted that Mr. Clifford has much experience in this area. Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2002 Page 3 Council Member Aranowski requested Mr. Thon to update the Council on both,the Code Hearing Officer and the Code Director before any changes are made public. 2003 Junk Vehicles 2002 Expenditures $ 64,313 General Fund # 101-1204 2003 Expenditures $ 65,942 Mr. Libbey stated that this is the only area of Code's operations which is self-supporting. They currently use two (2) tow trucks and project to tow 1,000 vehicles this year. The funds for this operation come from the monies received from scrap. 2003 Unsafe Building 2002 Expenditures $ 191,781 General Fund # 101-1205 2003 Expenditures $ 255,166 Mr. Libbey stated that bids are award to the lowest bidding contractor. In response to a question from Dr. Varner,Mr. Libbey stated that they have demolished 33 houses and 56 accessory structures to date; with 100 houses projected to be demolished this year. Dr. Varner noted that too often the vacant lot then becomes an environmental concern after the demolition. In response to a question from Council Member Aranowski, Mr. Libbey stated that they use between 4-6 contractors, although information is sent out to a larger number. A contractor is not paid until the lot is inspected. Mr. Thon stated that the City may be moving in a different direction so that there is a stronger city effort to work with saving structures which may be structurally sound. At the request of several Council Members, they are looking into working more closely with other agencies with regard to putting the property owner in contact with possible funding sources. Council Member Aranowski stated that he hates to see homes torn down, but it one is structurally unsound it should be. 2003 Animal Control 2002 Expenditures $ 348,588 General Fund # 101-1207 2003 Expenditures $ 361,852 Mr. Libbey stated that they have added an additional kennel attendant to the budget. The adoption program will adopt out 800 animals this year, compared to 600 last year. The foster program is also up. Two (2) years ago, the city purchased incinerator which should pay for itself over three (3) years. Mr. Libbey noted that Animal Control has started to accept credit cards which has been received very well. Previously they used a promissory note if a person did not have sufficient funds. Council Member Aranowski suggested that Animal Control should look into purchasing more capture cages. He noted that this is a good service for the public and perhaps they could be purchased in a similar manner as the thermal imagers were p by the Fire Department. Mr. Libbey stated that the city has twenty(20) capture cages and they run roughly $40 per cage. Mr. Libbey added that they are"tough to track",and that people have problems with wild life. • Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2002 Page 4 In response to a question from Council Member Aranowski,Mr. Libbey stated that Animal Control does work weekends and addressing barking dog complaints, running-at-large, adoptions,etc. Mr. Thon suggested that any other suggestions on Code Enforcement would be welcomed. He also noted that the search for a new Code Director has been narrowed to four(4) persons, and that a decision should be made in the next two(2) weeks. Council Member Aranowski noted that Mr. Molenda would act as the"clearing house" person for the Council. He thanked everyone for their presentations and updates. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Aranowski adjourned the meeting at 4:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee KCF:kmf