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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-03 Personnel & Finance tommttt pout rmoun e a ub jrtuanttt tommittiet The September 11, 2003 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member James Aranowski at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Coleman,White, Kelly, Aranowski, and Kuspa, City Controller Rick 011ett, City Clerk Loretta Duda, Becky Neese, Director of Code Enforcement Catherine Brucker, Asst. Director of Code Enforcement Gary Libbey, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski noted that the budget hearings will continue today beginning with a presentation by City Clerk Loretta Duda. 2004 City Clerk's Office 2003 Expenditures $ 297,187 General Fund # 101-0201 2004 Expenditures $305,615 Ms. Duda noted that the City Administration requested that she cut her budget by $14,000 to help address the health care costs. She noted that her office has no control over what is brought to her office by other departments and the Council. She believes that her office can maintain the high level of service which it provides while cutting a total of $14,150 with reductions being summarized as follows: $3,500 from supplies $ 150 from publication of legal notices $5,000 from other professional services for re-codification $5,378 from other miscellaneous services such as travel ($500),promotion($500), office equipment($1,000) and education&training($500) The THE program was installed in April and is set up for parking tickets, however there is a need to also have Code Enforcement violations. Improved accountability to the Controller's Office has resulted. Ms. Duda voiced concern that the recodification project was not completed during her term,noting that it has been stalled in the Legal Department for years. Ms. Duda stated that she is proud of her entire staff and believes that they do a good job. She hopes that the next four(4) years will run smoothly. Council Member Aranowski thanked Ms. Duda for her presentation and for her cuts which average between 7-8%. 2004 Building Department 2003 Expenditures $1,166,834 Fund # 600 2004 Expenditures $1,277,893 Ms. Becky Neese from the Building Department reviewed the revised Summary page which addresses the concerns raised by the Council at a prior Personnel and Finance meeting on their budget. Council Member Aranowski thanked Ms. Neese for returning to the Committee to give a further presentation. Ms. Neese noted that the revised budget will permit good enforcement and review by the Building Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2003 Page 2 Department. Two (2) new positions are proposed namely a Zoning Specialist at a salary of $37,000 and a Secretary IV at a salary of $24,765. She also noted that Don Fozo's salary would be increased by 10.6% in light of the additional duties he would be performing if the new zoning ordinance is passed. Ms. Neese stated that in order for these increases to take place that additional revenue must be generated to pay for them. A revenue increase of $225,788 is necessary. They are considering raising the fees charged per square foot from $0.06 to $0.08, raising the minimum on mechanical permits from $15.00 to $20.00, and increasing the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Area Board of Zoning Appeals to$50.00. Council Member Kelly inquired about the proposed increases, and noted that Don Fozo and his staff run a good department. Ms. Neese stated that the fees have not been raised since 2000. Dr. Varner asked how the proposed fees compare to those in Mishawaka. Ms. Neese stated that Mishawaka using a"cost basis"instead of a"square foot basis"utilized in South Bend. Council Member Aranowski stated that he believes that having more people on staff to handle the additional burden is a good move. He thanked Ms. Neese for coming back to give a second presentation to the Committee. 2004 Neighborhood Code Enforcement 2003 Expenditures $1,400,544 General Fund # 101-1201 2004 Expenditures $1„246,024 2003 Revenue $1,670,236 2004 Revenue $1,633,629 Catherine Brucker, Director of Code Enforcement and Gary Libbey made the presentation. Ms. Brucker provided a 6-page handout (copy attached) which summarized key provisions of the proposed budget which is summarized on the replacement page summarizing the major changes for the department. She reviewed the information summarized on her handout addressing environmental standards enforcement. Rick 011ett noted that last year departments were told to budget for gasoline at a cost of$1.75 per gallon and as a result this line-item has helped in meeting the requested cost reductions for each department. Dr. Varner noted that road use taxes are the highest, and inquired whether state and federal taxes are avoided in this area. Mr. 011ett stated that he would check this matter out and report back to the Council. Council President White inquired about the 11,647 violation letters sent out by the Department. Ms. Brucker stated that this number is approximately 2,000 less than last year in light of the fact that the department knocks on doors and talks to people first. She noted that this has resulted in more compliance. Council Member Kuspa inquired whether the department has any inspectors who are Latino. Ms. Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2003 Page 3 Brucker stated that she is always looking for qualified candidates, but as of now she has no inspectors who are Latino. Dr. Varner questioned whether they were budgeting the net or gross on their revenue projections, noting that collections have an expense. Ms. Brucker stated that the Legal Department will be pursuing tax liens whereas now there are three(3) different collection agencies attempting to get the City's business in this area. Council Member Coleman inquired about the process of perfecting a lien. Ms. Brucker stated that now the City uses a collection agency and Small Claims Court. Once a tax lien is gotten, when the property goes on tax sale the lien would be paid in two(2) years. Dr. Varner and Council Member Coleman requested that more information be provided to the Council when the transition takes place to tax liens. Ms. Brucker stated that a number of legal interns in the Legal Department will do the bulk of the work on this project, and would have the City Attorney's Office update the Council. 2004 Weights and Measures 2003 Expenditures $39,503 General Fund # 101-1202 2004 Expenditures $42,150 Catherine Brucker noted that there are no major changes in this fund, with Weights and Measures being subject to a contractual agreement between St. Joseph County and the city. 2004 Code Hearing Officer 2003 Expenditures $56,977 General Fund # 101-1203 2004 Expenditures $56,978 Catherine Brucker noted that Andrew Gammage is the Code Hearing Officer who subject to a contract with the City for his services which is negotiated by the City Attorney's Office. 2004 Unsafe Building 2003 Expenditures $255,166 General Fund # 101-1205 2004 Expenditures $180,638 Catherine Brucker stated that this budget is down by 29.2% or a reduction of$74,000 in light of the emphasis on rehabilitation instead of demolition. They are utilizing a receivership program addressed in Senate Bill No. 1378 which has simplified the procedure. They have received two (2) properties this year. In response to a question from Council Member Coleman,Ms. Brucker noted that there were: 88 buildings demolished in 2002 50 buildings demolished to date in 2003 They are working with more companies and are being more friendly throughout this process. They work closely with MIOPA and individuals, with most of the units demolished being residential. 14 of the 88 buildings were garages. Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2003 Page 4 In response to a question from Dr. Varner it was noted that the department works more closely with the various neighborhood organizations and also are participating in the monthly meetings on property owners/tenants which Council Member Pfeifer hosts. 2004 Junk Vehicles 2003 Expenditures $65,942 General Fund # 101-1204 2004 Expenditures $68,726 Catherine Brucker noted that there have been miscellaneous changes in the fund. She further stressed that all of the personnel have been cross-trained. 2004 Animal Control 2003 Expenditures $361,853 General Fund # 101-1207 2004 Expenditures $432,073 Catherine Brucker noted that the most significant changes are occurring in Animal Control and then reviewed the replacement page which summarizes the major changes. She noted that since 1996, 934 new homes have been built in the City; and several new areas have been annexed into the city limits with a potential for 805 new single family homes. Animal Control is thus a city service which is directly affected by residential annexation. They have conservatively estimated that 1,401 new animals have come into the City in light of such annexations. Thus an additional Animal Control Officer is proposed ($41,021 salary &benefits), with the costs for this position being partially paid by the reduction of two(2) Summer weed positions. Currently they partner with County Police, the Prosecutors Office and the Humane Society on a task force, with a smaller task force in effect just for the City of South Bend. It is proposed that the Senior Animal Control Officer would concentrate on more educational programs and would help coordinate the"Pit Bull Task Force"within the city. Council Member Aranowski thanked Ms. Brucker and Mr. Libbey for all of their efforts. Council Member Kelly thanked the department for assisting him in located the family pet within a 48-hour period,despite the fact that the dog's tags were in his house. Council President White inquired about the Summer in the City Festival and the implementation of the "no pets" ordinance. Ms. Brucker stated that they had no problems and anticipate giving improved notice next year of these regulations. Council Member Kuspa told Ms. Brucker that she is going a good job in a"tough job". Under miscellaneous business, the Committee was updated on the health condition of Deputy City Attorney Thomas Bodnar. Prompt action by employees on the 14th floor and the County Health Department took immediate action until the paramedics arrived. A problem with the size of the gurney utilized by the paramedics was most evident when trying to transport him on the elevator. He is undergoing open heart surgery. Dr. Varner suggested that the size of the gurney be check first before looking at the size of the elevator. Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2003 Page 5 There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Aranowski adjourned the meeting at 4:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee KCF:kmf Attachments