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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-84 Personnel & Finance (IInmmtt#rr 3ar,pnrt Wu tL7t tQnmmntt mound! of flip (lug of Onutlj Wtnd: Personnel and Finance Committee The November. 7, 1934 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to. order. by its chairman Councilman Ann Puzzello at 4: 00 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Zakrzewski, Puzzello, Crone, Serge, Braboy, and Voorde, Carol Sheetz, Joe Black, John Leszczynski, Al Jacobs, Thyra Overton, 1Tichael Vance, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Water Works General - pages 62-66 Councilman Puzzello noted that the purpose. of the meeting was to review the proposed. budgets for the Water Works. She began the meeting by asking a question on items listed in. the General Fund as opposed to the Depreciation Fund of the Water Works Department. Mr. Jacobs noted that Capital Improvement items which have a longer useful or extended useful life can be depreciated and are typically listed in the depreciation fund. There is no specific dollar amount as to what would qualify as a depreciable item. Pump repairs which would cost $4-5,000 would also be an example. Councilman Puzzello noted that the budgets under review are "Supposed to support themselves." The Councilmembers had questions on several line item accounts. They were informed that Line Item 429 "Otherfouinment" which is budgeted for a 364,0 increase would ncor:ocrate the,_ increased cost for the Chlorinators of the automative system. Councilman Crone questioned the Operator III positions on page 63. She was concerned whether a pay cut was involved if some Operator III' s were not Operator` II' s. She noted that although she had raised this issue several weeks ago she is still getting calls on it. Mr. Jacobs noted that due to the automation, ten people would be eliminated by attrition or assigned to other City positions. Mr. Vance noted that the reduction in force would not resolve in a pay cut due to the agreement with the Union. Mr. Jacobs said that he would double check the number of Operator II and III and report back to the Committee. Mr. Vance also noted that the employees elected to receive fringe benefit increases for next year rather than salary increases. Councilman Puzzello noted that Line Item 231 "Maintenance, Supplies , Equipment and Vehicles" was scheduled for an 30% increase.. Mr. Jacobs stated that the increase was necessary due to the automation and the experience rates to date. Mr.. .Vance also noted that the utility rates in the Water Works Department are not subject to an appeal. and therefore are higher than the Civil City utility Line Items. Mr. Leszczynski noted that oil is used when the temperature is below zero degrees whereas natural gas is used for heating purposes otherwise. It was also noted that Line. Item 360, "Building Construction epair" is scheduled for a 20 increase which would cover normal every day type of expenses and repairs. Councilman Crone expressed con.eern that even though. specific Line Items were not increased over the 1933 amounts that because they were substantially increased for 1983 that "experience 111[[ Plies otIEN. roots.HI S CO. Page 2. Personnel and Finance Committee rates were not being properly evaluated. Councilman Zakrzewski questioned why the Line Item for the collection attorney, part of the services contractural amount in Line Item 299 was proposed at a $5, 700 increase. It was noted that due to the increase in rates the City was was taking a more agressive enforcement procedure. It was also noted that the three Board members compensation is also budgeted in this account. The Board formally meets on the first and third Monday of each month plus has individual meetings with . Mr. Jacobs. Its ' members included: Wally Gartee, Mrs. Earles, and Mr. Kromkowski. The Water Works General Fund for 1985 is proposed at a 1% increase for a total of $4,490,633. Water Works Depreciation Fund page 67 The 1985 Water Works Depreciation Fund is proposed at $473, 800. It was noted that the cost center total listing $800,300 for a 6% increase should be amended to the $473,800 figure. Line. Item 382 "Advanced Tap Refunds" is maintained since there are sill a few watermains requiring this It was also noted that operations like Chemlawn fill their tanks on a permit basis with the. City. Councilman Zakrzewski noted that several Line Items in their total amounts differ in the worksheets when compared to the budget page. Mr. Leszczynski noted that the following amendments should be made to the amounts listed on page. 67: 363 Equipment Repair $ 93, 000 Total 0300 $ 95 ,000 416 Bldgs. ,Str. , Improvement $120,000 427 Motor Equipment $ 49,300 429 Other Equipment $ 30,000 Total 0400 $378,800 Cost Center Total $473,800 All other amounts listed on page 67 would remain as printed. Mr. Leszczynski noted that much_ of the contamination at the well field was being eliminated and that between 4-6 wells would be in operation in the near future. The process is taking longer than initially anticipated. It was also noted in response to Councilman Crone' s question that the cost of automation would be one time items. . Page 3. Personnel and Finance Committee Water Works Sinking Fund - Page 68 It was noted that this fund is proposed at $15,621 which is the same amount budgeted for the current year. This fund is used exclusively to make bond payments. Councilman Crone questioned whether the Water Works have their own separate bonding power. Mr. Vance noted that the Water Works Department does have its own bonding power based on revenue bond power. This is based on two principles , namely: need for capital renovation, and the ability to pay the bond back. This process is not a petition process. The Public Service Commission would make the final. decision. Councilman Puzzello noted that the three budgets reveiwed this evening are set for public hearing on November 19th. Following further discussion by the Council members Councilman Serge made a motion seconded by Councilman Braboy that the budgets for Water Works General, Water Works Depreciation Fund as amended, and Water Works Sinking, be recommend favorably to Council. The motion passed unanimously. Councilman Puzzello requested that the actual experience numbers be brought to tomorrow's meeting when the Committee reviews the Waste Water and Parking Garage budgets . Councilman Serge made a motion seconded by Councilman Braboy that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 5 : 10 p .m. Respectfully Submitted, Ann Puzzello, Chairman