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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-86 Personnel & Finance izlnmmn smart In tit Mammon Coi ntit of the Mita of f►mttli irnh: PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE The April 1, 1986 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its chairman, Councilman Ann Puzzello at 3: 30 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Zakrzewski, Puzzello, Voorde, Serge, Beck, Paszek, and Barcome; Michael Vance, Jim Wensits, John Leszczynski, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Councilman Puzzello noted that the first item to be discussed by the Committee was Bill No. 27-86 which would appropriate $127,844 from the Federal Assistance Grant Fund to be used to purchase various City vehicles - for Code Enforcement, Weights and Measures, Engineering, Communications, and Traffic and Lighting. Mr. Michael Vance reviewed the bill. Mr. John Leszczynski then was requested by Councilman Zakrzewski to provide a list detailing the types of vehicles to be purchased. (copy attached) Mr. Vance noted that currently• a balance in revenue sharing is $1,680, 000 and if the four bills up for hearing this evening are passed by the Council, a balance of $655,000 would remain. Following further discussion, Councilman Paszek made a motion seconded by Councilman Beck that Bill No. 27-86 go to Council favorably. The motion passed unanimously. Councilman Voorde noted that the motor vehicles inventory report is due by April 1 of each year. He further noted that routinely the report is not received by' the Council until summer. He requested that Mr. Leszczynski provide an updated list to the report to reflect any purchases made by:.the City since the report is through January 1st of each year. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 28-86 which was sponsored by Councilman John Voorde. Councilman Voorde noted that the bill would repeal the current residency requirement. he stated that the original ordinance was passed in August of 1976. Last year he had been contacted by Mr. George Herendeen with regard to two (2) Street Department employees who lived outside of the City limits. He further noted that at least nine employees had been identified as to be not in compliance with the City Ordinance. The City Administration had given six month time periods to comply and had extended these with the last deadline to be June 13, 1986. Councilman Voorde noted that the law was difficult to enforce, was difficult to track "bona fide" residency, that it lacked fairness, that it impeded the City's ability to hire "the best and the brightest" . He noted that people in the computing area were a prime example of the City not being able to hire the best qualified individuals. Lastly, he noted that a significant number of the City work force, namely the police and fire employees were exempt from the bill itself. FR[[ ►Rtli PURLIININ6 Co. Pr -- Page 2. Personnel and Finance Committee He also noted that Resolution No. 9-B would be the companion Resolution wnereby the City would merely be setting forth a policy encouraging City residents but not mandating such a requirement. Councilman Serge noted the calls he had received regarding "double-dipping" . Mr. Vance noted that a bill this evening would permit a policeman to retire and fill a position which would be civilianized. Councilman Beck spoke in favor of the bill to repeal the residency requirements. Mr. Vance noted that the City Administration would be speaking in opposition to the bill. He stated that the Legal Department had done research and found the ordinance was legally defensible. He further noted that South Bend is the only City in Indiana that has such a residency requirement. Councilman Puzzello noted concern of why the City Administration had taken such a long time to address the lack of compliance with the ordinance with lower administrative individuals. Mr. Vance responded that the City had checked drivers licenses and HMO mailings. He believed that the number may be greater than nine individuals. Councilman Beck again stressed that the City Administration had taken too long to enforce the ordinance. Councilman Zakrzewski questioned the terminology in the companion resolution which referred to promotions. Councilman Voorde stated that the resolution addressing residency only affect hiring. The Council Attorney noted that the concept of requiring residency for City positions is a legally defensible concept. However, she stated that the implementation of the law would be flawed based on not only the number of individuals not in compliance, but also in the time it has taken for the City to seek compliance. Some estimates are six years or more. Following further discussion Councilman Beck made a motion seconded by Councilman Paszek that Bill No. 28-86 go to Council without a recommendation. The motion passed. Bill No. 29-86 was then reviewed by the Committee. The bill would establish a new position entitled police armorer. This would be the individual charged with overseeing all ammunition in the department as well as the target practice area. The City would be taking a retiring policeman and hire him in a civilian position. Following discussion by the Committee Councilman Serge made a motion seconded by Councilman Paszek that Bill No. 29-86 go to Council favorably. The motion passed unanimously. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4 : 00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ann Puzzello, Chairman