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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-90 Personnel & Finance b i ftnmmtitn avert PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE too the stuntman Connrtt of tip Mtha of Dnut4 lamb: The March 26, 1990, meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its chairperson Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:55 PM in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Niezgodski, Soderberg, Puzzello, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Duda, Voorde; Katie Humphreys, Don Porter and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Puzzello noted that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 20-90 which is a bill which would appropriate urban development action grant funds to defray expenses in the Department of Administration and Finance and the Department of Engineering. Katie Humphreys, the City Controller, noted that the ordinance would appropriate UDAG funds to support an additional construction manager in the Department of Engineering. The salary would 'be $26,712 with an additional $3288 being appropriated to the Controller's budget for PERF and FICA costs. She noted that the position is needed due to the anticipated construction in the- downtown area beginning this summer. The City further anticipates that funding will be available to support this position for up to two (2) years. It would then be evaluated at the end of 1991. She noted that the position would be for the purposes of hiring a licensed professional engineer to oversee construction projects involved with TIF and Studebacker Corridor projects. In response to a question raised by Council Member Voorde, it was noted that the City believes that this alternative is preferable to hiring an engineering company. Council Member Luecke raised questions with regard to coordination of the construction manager and was advised by the Controller that both Jon Hunt and John Leszczynski were comfortable with the arrangement. Council Member Slavinskas voiced concern over the utilization of UDAG funding and was advised that any projects not qualifying would be under the control of Mike Meeks who is also a licensed professional engineer. Personnel and Finance Committee 3-26-90 Page 2 Following further discussion, Council Member Luecke made a motion seconded by Council Member Coleman that Bill No. 20- 90 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member Puzzello then noted that the next item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 21-90 which would transfer monies from one account to another account within the Department of Administration and Finance in the general fund. Council President Zakrzewski noted that this ordinance would provide funding support for the St. Joseph County Strategic Planning Committee. It represents the City of South Bend's share of the proposed $55, 000 budget for 1990. He noted that other participants included St. Joseph County, the City of Mishawaka, South Bend School Corporation, Mishawaka School Corporation, and Penn-Harris-Madison Schools. The City Controller provided a one page handout (copy attached) of the proposed amounts for each entity. Council Member Voorde questioned who would oversee the projects and was advised that the Strategic Planning Committee would have that authority. Council Member Voorde further stressed the need for intergovernmental cooperation but voiced concern that an overall presentation had not been given to the City as well as to the other entities. Council Member Luecke also voiced concern with regard to how this committee would impact MACOG. It was noted that MACOG is primarily in the transportation area. Katie Humphreys noted that some of the projects which the Strategic Planning Committee would oversee included centralized purchasing, and investment bidding. Council Members Voorde, Luecke, and Slavinskas voiced concern over the Mr. Piser's fee and how it related to the "other grant writing and consulting fees" projected at $20, 000 cost and the administrative costs at a projected fee of $10,000. Council Member Puzzello noted that Mr. Jack McGann of the South Bend Tribune was one of the original members. She noted that cooperation is necessary between these types of entities. Council Member Voorde also noted that Project Future was also instrumental in the initial planning of such a committee. Personnel and Finance Committee 3-26-90 Page 3 Council Member Duda suggested that something in writing should be given to the Council with regard to the overseeing of expenditures. Council Member Coleman questioned what would happen to the funds in the event that the other entities would not appropriate the suggested amounts of money. The Council Attorney noted that proper amendatory language could be inserted into the bill to address this situation. She was authorized to proceed ahead with the preparation of such language. Council Member Voorde noted that a clear understanding of the project is necessary and further stressed that a presentation to the Council would be in order. Council Member Soderberg also voiced similar concerns. Following further discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion seconded by Council Member Voorde that Bill No. 21-90 with the amendatory language to be prepared by the Council Attorney, be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 PM. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello Chairperson, Personnel and Finance Committee Attachment