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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-21-90 Personnel & Finance • 1 PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING The August 21, 1990, meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting was called to order at 2:10 P.M. in the Council informal meeting room by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello. Persons in attendance included Council Members Voorde, Coleman, Niezgodski, and Puzzello; John Leisenring, Katie Humphreys, Joel Wolvus, Steve White, Jeff Renard, Chief Ron Marciniak, Sergeant James Moreland, Don Pinckert, Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Puzzello noted that the first item to be reviewed was the Police Pension Fund. Police Pension Fund,Page 78 $2,537,985.00 Requested in 1991. Sergeant James Moreland of the South Bend Police Department then reviewed the budget. He noted that the budget reflects the forty percent (40%) widow and dependant percentage which is a five percent (5%) increase over last year. In response to questioning, he noted that his position is elected by the membership and then appointed by the President of the Pension Board. He replaces Tom Decka who retired. Council Member Puzzello thanked Sergeant Moreland for his presentation. South Bend Police Department,Pages 24-27,$6,752,544.00 Representing a 1.64%Increase in Personnel. Overall Budget:$8,430,119.00 Requested in 1991. Chief Marciniak then gave an overview to the personnel items. He noted that there is an upgrade reflected for the pay of the Safety Bill? Administrative Assistant from $13,212 to $17,250. He noted that this is close to being a Secretary IV. He stated that this individual is charged with the puppet show entitled "New Kids On The Block," the "DARE" program and the "Safety Bill" program. He noted that the changes made in personnel in April of this year have not resulted in a budgetary impact since they were dealt through reassignment. He noted that there are actually twenty-three (23) lieutenants instead of twenty-one (21). Assistant Chief Don Pinckert noted that there were actually twenty-seven (27) Crossing Guards II's instead of twenty-six (26). He and assistant Chief Wolvus then reviewed the remaining portions of the 110 accounts. He noted that a 2.8% increase in extra and overtime is requested. Only $77,000.00 remains in that fund. In I Personnel and Finance Committee August 21, 1990 2 response to questions raised by the Council Attorney, Chief Marciniak noted that savings are being realized by the quarter (1/4) hour increment in overtime. He noted, however, that due to the increased demands for the Police Department, that this line item is not keeping up with the demands. He further noted that the cost to police a Notre Dame Football game are averaging between $8,000.00-10,000.00 per game in overtime costs. Council Member Don Niezgodski questioned line item 151 entitled "Medical, Surgical, and Dental." It was noted that former police officer Maurice Woods', currently residing in Dallas, Texas, current prognosis is that no medical surgery is available to help him unless new technology is forthcoming. The City is averaging approximately $30,000.00 per year in medical treatment. Assistant Chief Wolvus also noted that approximately three to four (3-4) officers are on medical leave at any one time. He further noted that the figures reflected in this line item are to reflect more realistic figures. Sergeant Wolvus noted that the SOS boiler did not pass inspection. Money was included to upgrade it. Katie Humphreys noted that the City would like to sell the South Sector Building. In line item 399, a $2,000.00 cost is projected to wash police vehicles per month. The charge has increased by $1.00 per car which is the largest increase ever incurred by the City. Council Member Voorde raised questions with regard to the Police Vehicle Fleet. It was noted that twenty (20) new police vehicles have been received in 1990. Council Member Niezgodski questioned take-home car policies along with other Council Members. Assistant Chief Wolvus noted that the program is good if it is properly administered. Council Member Niezgodski noted that visibility is a crime deterrent. Council Member Voorde stated that an additional commitment to the public safety sector must be made by the City. He stressed that additional manpower is needed and that the City should be changing its priorities in this area. Chief Marciniak stated that he has a three (3) year plan which would involve three (3) additional added to the NEST Team, three (3) additional people to the afternoon shift to work with juveniles, two-thirds (2/3) of a person added on the street; a new beat in the south; a new beat in the northwest, which would not include Project 2010 which may necessitate one (1) to two (2) new beat, with the later resulting from increased annexation. Chief Marciniak noted that 3.5 officers are needed per beat. He noted that more officers are needed during the day and three (3) officers instead of two (2) are needed for crime prevention programs. He also would include a third person for each shift for the East Race. Council Member Puzzello praised the work of the NEST Team. It was noted, however, that traffic tickets have decreased, however, the NEST Team has issued • 1 Personnel and Finance Committee August 21, 1990 3 150 traffic tickets to date. Chief Marciniak also noted that he would propose changing to nine millimeter side-arms, that additional equipment is necessary, and over the next three (3) years, that nine (9) civilians should be added in 1991, then in 1992 nine (9) additional police officers should be added,bringing the force to 239; and in 1993, nine (9) additional police officers should be added, bring the police force to 248 individuals. Council Member Puzzello line items 427 and 429 which were provided in the fact sheets. It was noted that these items address $474,000.00 for motor equipment and $30,750.00 for other equipment. It was noted that these are the types of items that were deleted, however, they are needed by the department and hopefully will be addressed in the capital improvement budget. Council Member Niezgodski stated that there should be a top priority with regard to maintaining a proper police vehicle fleet with proper equipment. Council Member Puzzello questioned the rating of vehicles. Assistant Chief Wolvus noted that a "good" rating means that the vehicle is suitable for police work, that "fair" means that the vehicle is serviceable in the uniform division; and that "poor" means that it is proper for limited use by the Detective Bureau. In response to a question raised by the Council Attorney, Chief Marciniak noted that to date, only one grievance has been filed relative to the Working Agreement which took effect in May. Communications Center, Pages 38, 39 $500,226 Representing a 3.88% Increase in Personnel Cost. Total Budget:$587.796 Proposed For 1991. Assistant Chief Don Pinckert reviewed the budget. He noted that line item 429 "Other Equipment" in the amount of $3,125.00 was his "wish list" and that it was his understanding that this would not be funded and would come out of the Controller's budget. Assistant Chief Joel Wolvus noted that the Communications Center is "State of the Art" and that turnover of personnel is not a problem. Training typically includes fourteen (14) weeks of in-house schooling plus three (3) months with another dispatcher before a dispatcher is on their own. Typically they need three to four (3-4) people to teach at one time. Katie Humphreys complimented the Chief and his staff for an excellent job in controlling costs in light of increased demand. She noted that the $292,000.00 built into her budget would attempt to address various "other equipment" needs reflected in line item 429 throughout the City. Chief Marciniak reiterated that CCDF would be a funding source for police cars and the need to continue to have realistic replacement of the cars. He noted that to date, d Personnel and Finance Committee August 21, 1990 4 four (4) police cars have been shot at by snipers, which is the largest amount in recent memory. He stressed the need for the responsibility that he and his fellow officers have to the community, but there is also a public safety concern with regard to other officers. He further noted that 90,000 calls for service were received in 1989. The Police Department encourages reporting which is reported in the Uniform Crime Statistics. Approximately fifty percent (50%) of those calls are social disorders with the remaining fifty percent (50%) for patrol or service calls. Council Member Puzzello voiced positive statements with regard to the department. Chief Marciniak noted that utilizing public service officers for call-ins and walk-ins have helped considerably. The normal response time in emergency situations is ninety (90) seconds or less with other calls having a response time of four (4) minutes or less from the time of being dispatched. Council Member Puzzello thanked Chief Marciniak and the Assistants for presenting their budget. Park Department,Page 57-64,$2,712,290 Representing an 8.62%Increase In Personnel. Overall Budget: $5,432,710.00 Proposed For 1991. The review of the Park Department budget began at 3:55 P.M. It was presented by Park Superintendent Karl Stevens, Robert Goodrich, Robert Niezgodski, and Betsy Harriman. It was noted that the Assistant Zoo Director has been reclassified to a position of a foreman. It was noted that additional summer help is needed, especially for maintaining the parks in the summer and additional help will be needed to assist with the fall leaf pickup. Mr. Stevens noted that six to seven (6-7) new equipment operators are also needed. He stated that the automotive fleet is pathetic, with the average age ranging between ten to twenty-five (10-25) years. He also noted that the golf courses need equipment and that they are a large revenue producer. It was noted that line item 363 "Equipment Repair" is being proposed from its current amount of$40,000.00 to $130,000.00 because of the aging equipment problem. Katie Humphreys noted that there may be some double budgeting between the equipment services department and the Park Department. Mr. Steven noted that his proudest exhibit is the American Prairie Exhibit and that his department has received relatively few complaints this year. Mr. Robert Goodrich, who has been with the department for the past seventeen (17) years, noted that he would be retiring in the next nine (9) months. He noted that currently there are five thousand (5,000) softball participants throughout the City and that the City cannot expand any further. He noted that there is a growing program in the fall of coed softball. In 1989, there were six (6) teams and in 1990 there are twenty-five (25) teams. It was also noted that the veterinarian comes to the Personnel and Finance Committee August 21, 1990 5 zoo on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on demand. Mr. Goodrich stressed the need for increased salaries for those individuals who work at the various recreational centers. He noted that there are four (4) individuals at the King Center, three (3) at the Lasalle Park Center, two (2) at Howard Park, and the Rum Village Naturalist and Assistant Naturalist, should all be commended for their ongoing dedication to the City programs. Council Member Puzzello and members of the Council complimented Mr. Goodrich for his many years of service to the City. Bureau of Cemeteries,Page 21-23$82,228.00 Representing a 9.34%Increase in Personnel Cost. Overall Budget:$93,923.00 Proposed For 1991. Mr. Robert Goodrich reviewed the budget. He noted that he was pleased with the new dump truck and the resurfacing program taking place throughout the cemetery system. He also noted that the painting of the fence at the City Cemetery along LaPorte Avenue has received many favorable comments. Youth Services Bureau,Page 45 $50,000.00 Proposed Budget For 1991. Bonnie Strycker, the Director of the Youth Services Bureau then presented the Budget for the Youth Services Bureau. She noted that basically the Youth Services Bureau has a total budget of $628,000.00 with the City of South Bend contributing $50,000.00 to the overall budget. Between thirty-five to forty percent (35-40%) of the youths assisted are residence of the City of South Bend. She briefly highlighted the basic programs including Safe Station, YDS, 7001, and CASA, which stands for the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. She noted that CASA is self-supporting and self-sustaining and primarily provides advocates for children. In light of AIDS and drug dependency, advocates must be appointed once a child is born, if they are born with that disability. She stated that the overall programs are multi-teired to help assist in educational and employment endeavors for the disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged, and the working poor. She noted that each year they attempt to locate new funding sources. The Committee complimented her on a very well run program. Bonnie Strycker provided a brochure outlining the basic services (copy attached). There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was recessed at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee