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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-88 Personnel & Finance &mmutt, Annul • PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MO tie atommon Comae of 11e QItig of fairnith irna: The August 11, 1988 meeting of the Personnel and Finance .. Committee was called to order by its Chairman Ann Puzzello at 2:40 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Councilmen: . Slavinskas, Puzzello, Luecke, Niezgodski, Zakrzewski, Duda, and Coleman; Katie Humphreys, John Leisenring, Steve White, Dan Mirocha, Rick Switalski, Chief Taylor, Jim Wensitz, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, and specific individuals listed under the department captions. Councilman Puzzello noted that the first department to be reviewed for its 1989 budget was the Fire .Department. Fire Department / Pages 1.A. 017-18 $5,738,331.00 requested for 1989 .9% decrease. Chief Taylor then reviewed the proposed Fire Department budget. It was noted that the Line Item detailed had been submitted to the committee prior to the committee hearing. Chief Taylor noted that the riding Chief's vehicles would be replaced and that the sick leave buy back program was working. $115,000. 00 was used in 1987 for the program and $150,000. 00 was anticipated to be used for the program in 1988. It was also noted that line item 130 entitled "Extra and Overtime" is used for the sick leave buy back program, FLSA, and EMT Training, regular overtime, and recall. Dan Mirocha noted that Line Item 151 should read $35,500. 00 instead of $41,000. 00. In response to a question raised by Councilman Voorde, the Chief noted that response time would not be negatively impacted if there was to be a consolidation of fire stations. Chief Taylor noted that considerable study must go into any proposed consolidation. It is anticipated that by September 1st, the third ambulance will be in operation. Currently 54% of income generated goes to the Fire Department and 46% goes to EMS for capital improvements. As of June, 1988 $250,000. 00 was billed and there is a 70% collection rate return. In response to a question raised by Councilman Voorde, discussion took place as to whether there should be a greater presence in the Communication Center of Fire Department personnel. Chief Taylor stated that he would like someone from his department, however, with the current number of manpower, this would be impossible to do at the present time. It was noted that Rick Switalski is in the Communication Center quite a bit. Councilman Duda suggested considering recently retired Firefighters as volunteers in the Communication Center. In response to a question raised by Councilman Luecke, it was noted that currently there are 211 men in the Fire Department. There were 221 budgeted in the 1988 Fire Department and EMS budget. Three to four more retirements are expected this year with 18 projected for 1989. There were 16 retirements last year. 78 firefighters are eligible to retire this year and there will be 97 firefighters eligible to retire in 1989. Chief Taylor noted that fires are down City wide and that much of this can be credited to the Fire Prevention Bureau especially with regard to commercial fires. It was noted that Fire Station Numbers 6 and 11 could accomodate women firefighters. In the past women who have attempted to get on to the Fire Department have not passed the agility test. Councilman Voorde noted that the Labor-Management Committee would be looking into overall physical fitness programs. Chief Taylor also noted that various mutual aid agreements are in effect with surrounding communities. Currently the Haz-Mat Team has a specific cost structure in effect because of the extraordinary costs associated with such a program. Emergency Medical Services Page 1.A. 020-21 $645,932. 00 requested 1989 budget 32.9% Rick Switalski then reviewed this budget. It was noted that much of the equipment repair is done in-house and have resulted in considerable monetary savings to the City. It was also noted that four firefighters have been transferred to the EMS Department thus accounting for the considerable percentage increase. It was again noted that the third ambulance will be in service by September 1st of this year. It was noted that the City's rates for EMS services are comparable with Medicare rates with the average bill being approximately $200.00 for BLS (Basic Life Support) . It was also noted that $52,000.00 in Line Item 427 entitled "Motor Equipment" was for the new ambulance. In response to a question raised by Councilman Slavinskas, it was noted that there was a very good "exchange program" 2 in effect with the area hospitals with regard to supplies. It was also noted that Memorial is the sponsoring hospital. Fire Pension Page 19.A.001-2 $3,245,469,000 requested 1989 budget 43.9% increase. Rick Switalski then reviewed this budget. He noted that the City is to budget for all eligible firefighters who may retire. There are 97 individuals with 20 years of service of which 63 could draw benefits (i.e. are 55 years of age and have 20 years of service) . He has prepared two budgets; one being the actual budget, the other being the reduced budget and the figure of $743,309.00 is the actual picture to cover 63 potential retirees. It was noted that the Controller's Offices does the investing for both the Police and Fire Pension boards. Under Line Item 150 Pension Dependents there are 71 widows and 4 dependents with the dependents being carried until the age of 18. Widows receive 30% of the firefighter 1st class and dependents receive 10% of the firefighter 1st class. It was explained that there are two acts governing retirement benefits namely the acts of 1937 which covers 67 widows and the acts of 1977. It was also noted that Evansville is a self-funded City in this area and works off the interest earned. $266,000. 00 is projected for 19 retirements at 74% rate. It was also noted that pension relief is received from the State twice per year. Councilman Luecke requested an accounting of the actual balance in this account. Economic Development Page 1.A.026 $548,996.00 requested for 1989 70.4% increase. Mr. Jon Hunt then presented an overview to this department budget. Also in attendance in this portion of the meeting were Beth Leonard, Mary Allen, Bonnie Strycker, and Irene Gammon. Mr. Hunt then presented three hand-outs namely: a chart showing the personnel, a listing of funds to be managed for 1989, and a sheet entitled "1989 Budget Calculation" (copies attached) . Mr. Hunt noted that the budget is a project budget not a program budget. This department reacts to opportunities. Types of costs include appraisals, title policies, legal surveys, legal actions, and various studies. He noted that $72,600.00 is pledged to Project Future which reflects a 10% increase. He noted that additional work in the pre-development stage of the Studebaker quarter for soil testing, architectural engineering services, legal work, etc. , are all anticipated. 3 Additional marking of the downtown in light of the Edison Lakes Development is also projected. Additional neighborhood planning and increased capacity are also anticipated. Housing is also an important area. With regard to personnel funding, City support represents 17.32% up to 25% with the budget being increased from $159,500.00 to $230,000.00. Outside contracts also give further flexibility for budget preparation. The various funding sources include the City, community development, urban enterprise, business development, neighborhood development, industrial revolving loan funds, and service fees of 504 loan funds. In a response to Councilman Puzzello, it was noted that salaries are set by the Redevelopment Commission by specific resolution and typically follow City policies. Such resolutions are passed January 1st of each year. Mr. Hunt noted that there are 39 people in his department with 8 positions having their salaries set specifically by the Redevelopment Commission. It was noted that PERF and Social Security costs are included within the $921, 000.00 Line Item in the Controller's budget. It will not be known until February of 1989 how much actual money will be received. Councilman Slavinskas requested a breakdown of "outside contractuals" for 1988. He also requested a breakdown of where the $150,000.00 would go with regard to various priorities. In response to a question raised by Councilman Slavinskas and Councilman Luecke, it was noted that there are several outside legal council who work in this area: Bond Council-Baker-Daniels of Indianapolis with Parker, Jaicomo locally. Springstead-Financial Advisor Business Development-Robert Parker UEA-Carolyn Pfotenhauer Housing Development-Chuck Leone MBDC-Case by Case Basis-Timothy Hartzer Economic Development Commission-Ken Fedder Redevelopment Commission-Carolyn Pfotenhaur and Special Council Human Rights-Staff Attorney Mel Reed, Jenny Pitts Manier for Redevelopment Commission It was also noted that the law firm of Nickle and Piasecki is also used. 4 Youth Services Bureau Page 1.A.027 $50,000.00 requested for 1989 representing a 25% increase. Bonnie Strycker noted that 662 youths received services last year with 440 coming from South Bend. Youth Services Bureau began in 1972 and in 1986 began as a not-for-profit organization. They currently receiving funding from United Way, St. Joseph County, The City of Mishawaka, and the City of South Bend. Their budget is approximately $375,000.00 from these sources with the balance being from the Federal Government. The increase is being requested to provide the level of services which were provided back in 1987. Because the professional staff was cut and professional staff was laid off, the City monies have been requested to be increased by $10,000.00. She then reviewed a hand-out which addresses: 70001, Counseling, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and Safe Station (copy attached) . Human Rights Page 1.A.025 $127,261.00 requested for 1989 41.6% increase. Mr. Jon Hunt reviewed the major items which would result in a financial increase. These would include changing the housing specialists from part-time to full-time and the addition of the Secretary II. In the other contractuals Line Item the hearing officer would also be elevated from a part-time to a full-time position. The Staff Attorney requested at $13,300.00 would represent 1/2 of the funding with the other being paid by the Federal Government. He noted that in addition to Civil City funds this department is funded by community development EEOC and HUD. Councilman Ann Puzzello received verification that the position of the housing specialist was not additional staffing but represented the increase in the City's portion of funding this position. Previously it had been entirely paid by HUD. Mary Allen, the Executive Director of this department, stated that there is a work sharing agreement with HUD. They received $670. 00 per case which is paid by HUD at the end of each case. 7% of the cases handled are in the housing area. She also noted that EEOC gives $400.00 for each case handled by the commission. In the past, if probable cause had been found and it went to the hearing stage, they would have received an additional $400.00, however, this later $400.00 has been eliminated. She then 5 • utilized a series of flip charts to review the types of cases handled. The charts were as follows: Charge Filed Investigation Finding No Probable Cause Probable Cause Conciliation Pre-Hearing Public Hearing Finding Discriminatory Practices Non-Discriminatory Remedy & Cease Practices & Desist Order Compliance Court Review Mrs. Allen noted that the commission attorney is Jenny Pitts Manier and that the staff attorney has been Melvin Reed. She noted that they would like to handle cases and have them completed within 180 days. Currently there is a legal backlog. She then highlighted the following types of cases handled: Employment 83% Public Accomodations 9% Housing 7% Education 1% Total 100% Race 54% Sex 15% Race/Sex 14% National Origin 5% 0 Handicapp 6% Religion 3% Retaliation 2% Race/Housing 1% Total 100% 6 In response to a question raised by Councilman Luecke she noted that there is an educational component and that several presentations have been made available to the public. Councilman Ann Puzzello again addressed concern that age discrimination is not addressed at the State or local level. Questions were raised by the Council members with regard to jurisdiction of the South Bend office, and a possible conflict of interest with regard to the new duties proposed for the staff attorney for the charging party. Councilman Puzzello suggested that questions with regard to jurisdiction, probable cause, and the overall working rules and regulations of the commission should be handled at a time different than the budget hearing. The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Councilman Ann Puzzello AP:srk Attachments 7