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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-13-87 Personnel & FinanceElk entntrittUt Rood PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE a/0 tip U nuw ou Mtounrtl of tip (Oita of entutfl Sri: The August 13 , 1987 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was reconvened at 1 : 30 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included : Councilmen Beck, Serge, Braboy , Taylor , Barcome , and Zakrzewski ; Steve White , Carol Sanders, Michael Vance , Chief Hurley , Jim Wensits , Ronald Marciniak of the South Bend Police Department, Donald Pinckert of the South Bend Police Department, Thomas Gargis of the South Bend Police Department , and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand . Councilman Beck noted that the purpose of the meeting was to continue the review of the proposed civil city budget for 1988. The Committee then proceeded to review the following proposed budgets. POLICE DEPARTMENT Page 1 .A.013 - requested budget of $8,037,589 representing a 4% increase. Michael Vance noted that the Police Department did request one (1) additional crossing guard for Hamilton School where the kindergarten program will begin this September. He noted , however, that he did not place monies for this crossing guard in the proposed budget. He stated that, in his opinion, the school corporation should bear the cost of this guard. Tom Gargis of the South Bend Police Department stated, however, that the public expects the Police Department to handle this responsibility and that there are certain public safety factors involved. Mr. Vance stated that he would prefer that it remain in limbo for now. He further indicated that the administration was not taking any formal action on the request from the Common Council with regard to insurance and PERF benefits for the new crossing guards. He stated that it is their intention to let the next administration deal with this problem. Mr. Vance noted that the proposed Police Department budget for 1988 includes provisions for 231 sworn personnel . He also indicated that the sworn personnel is currently at 234. Utiliza- tion of civilians continues; however, Police Chief Hurley noted that he is opposed to utilizing more civilians. He stated his desire that the full compliment of 234 sworn officers for 1988. He stated that he loses flexibility as the sworn force becomes smaller . Councilman Taylor stated that he believes the reduction problem could be "critical." He recalled when the sworn police force was up to 268 officers . Iw.. ..... *PM**. •u.,.■ MUN. CO Personnel & Finance Committee Minutes - 8/13/87 Page 2 Mr. Vance noted that the original proposal had been that eight (8) to nine (9) positions be filled by civilians and that, in light of Chief Hurley' s concerns , the number of civilian positions was reduced to six (6). Tom Gargis stated that he would prefer to see 234 sworn personnel . He noted that there are two (2) new shifts which began in October of 1986. These are basically two (2) overlap shifts, the first of which works from 10 :30 a.m. to 7 : 00 p.m. and require four (4) additional officers. The second shift works from 6 : 30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. and utilizes six (6) additional officers. The overlap shifts are to address the peak demand call period . Chief Hurley noted that the recall account has been very useful but, in some respects, it has been detrimental with regard to the police officers. Typically, there is a small percentage of the same officers who work the recall . The Chief further stated that it would be difficult to maintain the overlap shifts and that 234 sworn personnel were needed to address emergency situations . Ron Marciniak of the South Bend Police Department noted that there are currently 163 officers in the uniform division, 55 in the detective bureau, and 16 in the services division - for a total of 234 officers. The services division covers fingerprinting , lab work, etc. It was also noted that the civilian positions would be as follows: one (1) in printing; one (1) in film processing ; two (2) in communications; one (1) in physical management ; and one ( 1) in fingerprinting . Tom Gargis noted that when the sworn personnel consisted of 268 officers , there were also 25 cadets and 40-45 civilians. With the reduction of the force to 234 sworn officers , the City has continued to grow geographically and the demand on the force with response to calls from citizens has increased. Don Pinckert noted that there are currently 55 civilians in clerical and technical areas . Mr. Vance noted that approximately 16 positions have been turned over to civilians since the program started. The first began with the jail operation being turned over to the County . Personnel & Finance Committee Minutes - 8/13/87 Page 3 Chief Hurley noted that the situation becomes more critical when personnel retire or resign. As the training period for an officer takes at least 7-8 months, there is a substantial period of time before a new officer can be useful to the department. Mr. Vance stated that the administration is attempting to use manpower more efficiently and , therefore , was advocating a reduction in the sworn personnel to 231 . Upon questioning from several Councilmen, Mr. Vance stated that it would cost approximately $100, 000 (or $.025) , including all pension costs, to maintain the requested 234 sworn officers. He stated his willingness to talk with the Mayor and report back to the Council. Councilmen Barcome, Taylor, Serge and Zakrzewski all stated that they were in favor of maintaining the sworn force at 234 officers plus six (6) civilians . Don Pinckert of the South Bend Police Department also noted that Court time was up by over 50% from the prior year. Councilman Taylor noted that public safety is a high priority and that , with the community continuing to become in more activities (i.e. , the East Race , the Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium, etc.) , more and more demands will be made on our Police Department . Chief Hurley also noted that the S.B. Police Department offers many services not offered in most other communities. Councilman Zakrzewski also noted his opinion that the 234 sworn officers must be maintained in light of the East Race, the stadium and other projects throughout the City . It was noted that the land rental paid to the FOP for use of the pistol range was increasing from $3 , 296 to $6, 500. It was further noted that the South Sector police substation has been paid off. Therefore , the sum of $5 , 252 in Account # 4372 , Building Rental , will not be needed and can be deleted from the proposed budget for the Police Department . It was also noted that the sum of $18,000 in Account # 4412, Real Estate Purchases , is for the East Sector substation. The City is purchasing this structure on a three (3) year land contract. $45 , 000 was used as a down payment , and $45 , 000 will be paid over a three (3) year period . Personnel & Finance Committee Minutes - 8/13/87 Page 4 COMMUNICATION CENTER Page 1.A.023 - requested 1988 budget of $624, 142 .00 representing a 27 .4% increase. Mr. Vance noted that the communication center would house the CAD. Prior to the centralized communications system, sworn police officers and firefighters were utilized. However, sworn personnel are currently being used only in supervisory capacities . Mr. Vance also noted that additional monies were being included for fringe benefits since they were not budgeted within this department in 1987 but were in the Police Department budget. Councilman Taylor questioned whether ULO funds could be used to pay part of the communications costs. Mr. Vance stated that he was uncertain in this regard but would check into the matter and report back to the Committee. POLICE PENSION Page 18.A.001 requested 1988 budget of $2 , 180 , 498.00 representing a 6. 2% increase. Mr. Vance noted that the budget incorporates a projection of fifteen (15) officers retiring in 1988. Carol Sanders indicated that the figures incorporated into this proposed budget were those submitted by the pension secretary . Chief Hurley noted, however, that approximately 50% of the Police Department could retire within the next five (5) years. He further indicated that , under the old pension plan , the pensioners received their benefits immediately upon retirement whereas, under the new plan, benefits are withheld until the age of 55. Councilman Beck noted that the Committee has reviewed all of the proposed civil city budgets and that no formal action is to be taken until Mr. Vance provides the requested information for Committee review. There being no further business to come before the Committee , the meeting was adjourned at 2 : 35 p .m. Respectfully submitted , Councilman Beverlie J. Beck, Chairman