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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-85 Personnel & Finance tiumntttn apart • tiln the (QDnuiwn Monad of Up ettg of nut lend: PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE The August 6 , 1985 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by:.its Chairman, Councilman Ann Puzzello at 1: 30 p.m. in. the Council informal meeting room Persons in attendance included, Councilmen Braboy, Serge, Puzzello, Zakrzewski, and Voorde, Michael Vance, Carol Sanders, Bob Niezgodski, Bob Goodrich, Dave Sypniewski,Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand and the individuals listed below each department. Councilman Puzzello noted that the purpose of the meeting scheduled for August 6th through August 9th were to review Bill Nos. 94-85 and 95-85 which address the City budgets for 1986 and the levying of taxes and the fixing of the tax rate for purposes of raising revenue. The Committee then reviewed the following budgets. PARK DEPARTMENT page 45 $4,008,747 2.3% increase for 1986 Mr'. Bob Niezgodski reviewed the budget. The 1985 budget is - currently at $3,917,679. It was noted that the Events1Coordinator was n.ow; funded in the City Controller' s budget. Mr. Vance stated that vehicle information was not made available and therefore is not in the budget information. Councilman Voorde noted that there are still several City vehicles in violation of the City ordinance calling for vehicle markings . Mr. Vance stated he would contact Mr. Leszczynski on this matter. Councilman Beck suggested that the present Council review the current situation. It was noted that 38 employees in the entire City have opted for maxi care insurance. The Park Department is the only one to break out this in a separate line item, namely #147.1 in the amount of $1, 800 .00. It• was noted that the City Council will have to cut the proposed budget by $142, 000. It was also noted that each Department was to provide a budget within 3% of their current 1985 budget. Councilman Beck expressed concern over the tree lawn policy, the parking situation at Potawatomi Park, air conditioning at Erskine and the lack of trimming trees around street lights and stop signs. Councilman `Serge expressed concern about the huge dead tree by Riverside and Oakwood. It was noted that Line Item No. 342 Insurance includes workmens compensation, liability and property coverage and has increased 67%. Vandalism would be under the property portion which has a $25,000 deductible. Line Item No. 399 Other Contracturals include a payment of $30,735 which is the Park Department' s share of the master lease purchase agreement. FREE PRESS olegN0 PUBLISHING CO. • Page 2. Personnel and Finance Committee Councilman Vborde noted that the Ethnic Festival has its own separate fund and requested a copy of the financial report for this year. Mr. Vance stated he would provide a copy to the Council once he receives one from Ms. Dobski. BUREAU OF CEMETERIES page 15 $99,201 5. 2% increase for 1986 Mr. Niezgodski noted that the current 1985 budget is $94,238. Line Item NO 351 Electrical Current is proposed at a 400% increase taking the budget from $360 to $1,500. It waa noted that the City Engineering Department designed the heating system for the new park building which is the cause' of the electrical being increased. Upon a motion made by Council President Beck, seconded by Councilman Braboy and which passed unanimously the Council Attorney was requested to draft a letter to Mr. Leszczynski expressing the Council' s dissatisfaction with the current design for heat in the building and to request that a new design be done which would be much more energy efficient. Mr. Niezgodski noted that alarm equipment for the building was a necessity since there has been several attempts to break in. Except for the heating problem, he noted that the building has been quite effective. He also stated that Line Item No. 399. increased by , 150% to cover the cost of safety- shoes for employees. CENTURY CENTER page 92 $1,281,, 306 (not on tax levy) 9 . 8% increase for 1986 The following individuals were present to review the proposed budget: Mr. Tom Brubaker, Mr. John Stancati, Liz Rowell, Mr. Brian Hedman, and Mr. Dale Balsbaugh. The current 1985 budget is $1, 166 , 842. Mr. Hedman noted that there is a new emphasis on sales . Two new titles appear which were approved in the salary ordinance. Two new part-time positions of Events Coordinator and Preventive Maintenance Coordinator. Line Item No. 399 has increased from $53,522 to $81, 000 , a 51. 3% increase to reflect the parking lot situation. It was noted that there is increased parking because of the Crowe Chizek Building. Councilman Beck expressed concern over the new competition from the Fort Wayne Convention Center which has a sustained fund to support it. She noted the need for the walkway_' from the Y4ariiot.t to the Century Center. Page 3. Personnel and Finance Committee Mr. Stancati noted that there was a meeting Thursday morning to discuss the "commissions concept" which he hoped Council, President Beck and Mr. Vance would attend. MORRIS CIVIC page 87 $196, 366 (tax supported) a 152. 5% increase for 1986 Mr. Balsbaugh noted that the current budget is $77, 753. The major increase can be found.._in Line Item 379 Rents which is up 100% to reflect the $85,000. rental of various parts of the Palais Royale. It was also noted that the Palais Royale activities in 1986 have not been addressed in the proposed budget and that no moneys have been proposed for utility expenses . Revenue events are up 16% and revenue days are up 30% . Discussion was had on the ushering at Morris Civic. It was noted that promoters currently bring their own ushers but that a house usher corp was . being considered. Mr..Balsbaugh expressed concern that he needed additional labor for the remainder of 1985. He :was advised that this was an administrative problem which he would have to initiate with the Mayor. DISCOVERY HALL page 89 $201,583 . (tax supported) 46% increase for 1986 Mr. Saros noted that the current 1985 budget is $138, 032. • Two positions have been eliminated namely the Curator and a Secretary II Typing services are being furnished by the Century Center. It was also noted that there is no Archivist which was formerly funded by a grant. A volunteer is currently being used. The real estate purchase in the amount of $70 , 800 (Line Item No. .412) reflects the land contract payment of the Freeman Spicer Building. It was noted that Scott Miller of Burkhart Advertising donated a billboard on the Indiana Toll Road for the Studebaker Museum. Attendance has increased since the sign has been in place and the Committee expressed their thanks for this donation. There is no money earmarked for promotion however Discovery Hall tries to utilize all free listings in various publications as well as a two for one coupon in the "Value Checks" . Mr. Brubaker and Mr. Saros stated that they would invite the Council to tour the remodeled Discovery Hall. . Councilman Beck passed out _a letter dated June 25, 1985 from the South Bend Studebakers Drivers Club (copy attached) . It was also noted that the air conditioning at the Freeman Spicer Building is used on. a very Page 4. Personnel and Finance Committee limited. basis. Mr. Vance noted that the letter does not reflect the views of the National Studebaker Club. SELF INSURANCE page 66 $1, 096,033 °(tax 'supported) 68 . 8% increase for 1986 The current 1985 budget is. $649, 163. Line Item. No. 332 .Insurance has increased 100% to a total of $850, 000. Mr. Vance noted that in. 1979 before the City was into the self- insurance program that the premium cost projected at that time was $1,000,000. The Legal Intern position proposed at $8,316 is a new position. The retained liability in under Line Item No. 391 "Refunds" which reflects those payments under the deductible amount. CITY ATTORNEY page 6 $269, 135 (tax supported) 8.9% _increase for 1986 Eugenia Schwartz reviewed the proposed budget. The current 1985 budget is $247, 146. She noted that the only two funding sources for the Department were the . self insurance and the City Attorneys budgets. The major increase was in Line Item No. 390 "Subscriptions and Dues" which is proposed at a 1, 088-5% increase taking the account from $1,000 to $11, 885. Mr, Schwartz noted that the major reason for the increase was to provide computerized legal research through Lexis . She stated that the Council members, the Council Attorney, and theCity Attorney' s office would have access to the computer. Council President Beck expressed concern in light of the proposed computerized legal research system which is anticipated in the County Law Library. She noted that the St. Joseph County Bar Association is currently studying the matter and that by:utilizing that system there could be a sybstantial savings. Councilman Puzzello expressed concern over the funding source for the computerized legal, research and that there may be an access problem if councilmembers or the Council Attorney wish to use the system. Mrs. Schwartz stated that there would be open use for these individuals and that the system was necessary. Council President' Beck also-expressed concern over the current computer system. She had recommended from the very beginning that the system be the type which would allow individual councilmen to access code violations. Mr. Vance stated that this is still a part of the overall Page 5. Personnel and Finance Committee goal and that he would provide ballpark estimates for costs involved. RECAPITULATION OF ITEMS REQUESTED BY THE COUNCIL: (1) An update from Mr. Leszczynski on the current status of why City-owned and leased vehicles are not marked pursuant to City Ordinance. (2) A report from Mr. Vance on the Ethnic Festival . (3) A letter to Mr. Leszczynski regarding the redesign of the heating system at the new Park Department Building. (4) A tour of the remodeled Discovery Hall. (5) Estimates from Mr. Vance regarding computerization of Code violations. The fact sheets on the budget are attached. Following the review of the City Attorney' s budget the meeting was recessed at 4: 00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ann Puzzeilo, Chairman