HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-04 Personnel & Finance , R
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The September 13, 2004, 2004 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was
called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Derek D. Dieter at 4:23 p.m. in the Council
Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members White, Varner, Kelly, Kirsits, Kuspa,
Dieter, Puzzello, Pfeifer and Coleman; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, City Controller Frederick B.
011ett 111, City Clerk John Voorde City Attorney Charles S. Leone and Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney.
Council Member Dieter noted that the first item on the agenda was Bill No. 45-04 which
would set the annual salary for the City Clerk for calendar year 2005.
City Clerk John Voorde requested that the Bill be withdrawn from Council consideration.
He stated that a Bill was filed after Bill No. 45-04 which includes the City Clerk's proposed
salary with the proposed salary of the Mayor. He noted that this was recent past practice and in
the spirit of cooperation he was requesting this action.
Council Member Puzzello made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that the Committee
recommend that Bill No. 45-04 be struck from the Council's agenda this evening. The motion
passed..
Council Member Dieter then called for a presentation on Bill.No. 52-04 which would fix
maximum salaries and wages of the appointed officers and non-bargaining employees of the city
for calendar year 2005.
City Controller Frederick B. 011ett III made the presentation. The City Administration
requests favorable action on this Bill which would recommend 4%across the board increases for
the majority of the officers and non-bargaining employees addressed in the Bill.
Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello that Bill
No. 52-04 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Dieter then called for a presentation on three (3)Bills, namely Bill No.
54-04 which would levy taxes and fix the rate of taxation for the purpose of raising revenue to
meet the necessary expenses of the civil city of South Bend for the fiscal year ending December
31, 2005; Bill No. 55-04 which would appropriate monies for the purpose of defraying the
expenses of several departments of the civil city of South Bend for the fiscal year beginning
January 1,2005 and ending December 31, 2005 including all outstanding claims and obligations
and fixing a time when the same shall take effect; and Bill No. 56-04 which would appropriate
monies for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the designated enterprise funds of the city of
South Bend for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2005 and ending December 31, 2005,
including all outstanding claims and obligations, and fixing a time when the same shall take
effect.
Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting of September 13, 2004 Page 1
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Mayor Stephen J. Luecke made the presentation on the three (3)Bills. He noted that the
Council's Personnel and Finance Committee has held a series of meetings, with additional
meeting scheduled this week. He stated that he does not have a formal presentation this
afternoon and hoped that the Council would combine the three (3) Bills this evening for
purposes of the presentation.
Council President White noted that Cleo Washington had been in contact with her with
regard to various concerns which he has with regard to MetroNet. She advised him that Dr.
Varner as the Chair of the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee would be calling a
meeting on that topic which would be scheduled for approximately two(2)hours in duration.
The Council Attorney noted that Mr. Washington had left a voice mail for her today
which stated that he would be at the Council meeting this evening. She stated that Mr.
Washington was advised that he could speak under Privilege of the Floor.
Council President White added that Mr. Washington advised her that he may have up to
forty(40)individuals with him at this evening's Council meeting.
Council President White suggested a separate committee be held from 4 pm to 6 p.m.
The dates of October 20th or October 27th were suggested.
Mayor Luecke stated that he would talk with the principles of MetroNet and would be
back in touch with Council President White for the best date of the two suggested.
City Attorney Charles S. Leone stated that during one of the Personnel and Finance
Committee meetings a question was raised about the potential liability to the city with regard to
changing the locations of crossing guards. He stated that he provided a memo to some of the
Council Members on this topic which concluded that this is a discretionary act and that it would
be unlikely that there would be any liability.
Dr. Varner questioned whether there was an organized process with regard to the
placement of crossing guards. Mr. Leone stated that there is a rational process of this
discretionary act.
Mayor Luecke added that the police department has a process in place addressing
crossing guards.
Dr. Varner then stated that he would like to state where he is with regard to the Hall of
Fame. He stated that he sees that approximately$835,000 has been proposed as an appropriation
for the Hall for next year. He suggested that this appropriation be reduced by $200,000, thus
bringing it to $635,000. Dr. Varner stated that the Council is the body which approves
appropriations and is charged with the financial overview.
Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting of September 13, 2004 Page 2
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Mayor Luecke stated that he believes the agreement calls for all of the monies from the
1% hotel/motel tax and the professional sports development are at issue. $500,000 is the
guaranteed minimum, however he believes that the other monies are due to the NFF. Mayor
Luecke noted that when the state legislature raised the percentage from 5% to 6%, he believed
that only the 5%was guaranteed to the NFF.
Dr. Varner stated that he does not believe that there is enough certainty, noting that the
agreements were never signed off by the Council. He stated that there has been thirteen (13)
years of"lack of success in funding and ten(10) years of increasing requests by the NFF". He
added that an"operating statement would show how much money was in the pie".
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Dieter
adjourned the meeting at 4:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Derek D.Dieter, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
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Attachments
Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting of September 13, 2004 Page 3