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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-90 Personnel & Finance PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE The August 22, 1990, meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:15 P.M. in the Council Informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Voorde, Puzzello, Coleman, Slavinskas, Luecke, and Zakrzewski; Katie Humphreys, Joseph Nagy, Sr., Don Porter, Steve White, John Leisenring, Terry Coleman, and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. Council Member Puzzello noted that the first item on the agenda was to review the Weights and Measures budget. Weights and Measures,Pages 31,32 $45,550.00 Representing a 4.11%Increase For Personnel. Overall Budget$46,832.00. Mr. Joseph Nagy briefly reviewed the Weights and Measures Budget. Katie Humphreys gave high praise to Mr. Nagy and his staff. Mr. Nagy noted that according to his estimates, he has saved the community approximately $10,000,000.00 per year with the various inventory checks made on gasoline tanks alone. This department was computerized in 1989. Neighborhood Code Enforcement,Pages 54-56 $603,303.00 Representing a 10.74%Increase in Personnel. Overall Budget: $827,686.00. Pat DeClercq introduced Kathy Dempsey, the new Administrative Service Director for the department. Katie Humphreys noted that there have been various shifts between Community Development Funding and the Civil City Funding. She noted, however, that there are no new monies and no new personnel reflected in the shifts. It was noted that line item 397 addresses the Human Society request. Mrs. DeClercq stated that they had met with St. Joseph County in Mishawaka prior to negotiations with the Humane Society. Last year the City gave a five percent (5%) increase and fifty percent (50%) of the fees generated through licensing. They have budgeted five percent (5%) and are hoping to hold the overall increase to four percent (4%) if at all possible. They are further anticipating that there would be no increase for services in 1992. Council Member Ann Puzzello voiced concern with regard to the ongoing problem of double taxation in this area. It was noted that Jacki Wroleski is the Director of the Humane Society. Personnel and Finance Committee August 22, 1990 2 Council Member Slavinskas voiced concern that no money has been budgeted for motor equipment. Katie Humphreys noted that CCDF should pay for such items. It was also noted that the $292,000.00 in the Controller's budget will also pay for various office equipment type items. It was also noted that two (2) cars have been moved from the Water Department into the Code Enforcement Department. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke, it was noted that $150,000.00 has been requested from Community Development for administration and management and $130,000.00 has been requested from Community Development for clean-up crews. Council Member Puzzello requested that the Council be given updates with regard to various lawsuits involving the Code Enforcement Department. Mrs. DeClercq stated that she would provide small claim judgment updates. In response to a question raised by Council Member Voorde, Mrs. DeClercq noted that the legal process and repeat offender landlords are the most frustrating parts with regard to managing her department. Oftentimes the public perception that it is "big waste of time." She stated that she does not see a need for landlord licensing, but would like a receivership program if at all possible. Council Member Luecke stated that current state law is a problem, however, receivership programs similar to Ohio should be pursued. Council Member Luecke also asked for an update with regard to Environmental clean-ups. It was noted that under the prior collection agency, the return was twenty-five to thirty percent (25-30%), however, the City is doing much better currently. The City does not file liens on environmental clean-ups. Code Enforcement Hearing Officer,Page 46,47 $22,497.00 Representing a 2.64%Increase in Personnel. Overall Budget:$33,647.00. It was noted that the line item 399 entitled "Other Contractuals" has been requested to be amended by Mr. Clifford to $8,909.00 instead of$8,500.00. Mrs. DeClercq briefly reviewed the budget. Code Enforcement Junk Vehicle Account,Page 71 $20,504.00 Representing a 5.91%Increase. Mrs. DeClercq reviewed this budget. She noted that since the City has used an inspector instead of a towing service, that many of the previous problems have been eliminated. Council Member Slavinskas questioned how many cars had been actually towed and was advised that he would be provided an update. Personnel and Finance Committee August 22, 1990 3 Mrs. DeClercq and the Council Attorney noted that the state law should be changed in this area. Currently the state law has a dollar limit at $100.00 and the Council Attorney and Mrs. DeClercq believe that it should be amended to not less than $500.00 in value. Neighborhood Code Enforcement Unsafe Building Fund,Page 73 $100,000.00 Proposed. Mrs. DeClercq noted that the majority of the demolitions are fire damaged structures. She noted that work is always contracted on a per structure basis. Council Member Slavinskas questioned whether the percentage on the insurance policies which is typically used for removal of fire debris could be attached somehow so that the City could be reimbursed. Mrs. DeClercq stated that she would look into this matter. She noted that demolition permits are needed plus bonding. Council Member Puzzello thanked Pat DeClercq and Kathy Dempsey for their presentation of their budgets. Economic Development Department$492,219.00 Proposed For 1991. Mr. Jon Hunt and Beth Leonard presented the budget. Mr. Hunt noted that federal moneys are continuing to decline. He noted that the Civil City and CDBG Funds provide the greatest funding sources for the department. Mr. Hunt stated that he believes that $1.00 Civil City money returns between $4.00-6.00 of other monies brought into the City. Beth Leonard noted that the increase represents increases in salaries, fringes, and merit bonuses. Council Member Slavinskas stated that a lobbying effort should be made to place items outside of the frozen levy. Council Member Voorde again recommended that a food and beverage tax should be properly studied. He stated that the Inter-Governmental Committee or another agency should be studying all sources of funding so that dollars amounts that would be generated can be properly assessed. Mr. Hunt stated that Steve Quior and Pat McGuire of the Chamber of Commerce are working on information and that he would follow-up with them. Council Member Voorde stated that the road and street group provided the type of information on the wheel tax some time ago and that that type of thorough investigative work must be done again. Personnel and Finance Committee August 22, 1990 4 Council Member Luecke requested the amount of revenues in various accounts projected in the TIF Districts. Council Member Slavinkas questioned whether interest earned on the TIF investments could be transferred to the General Fund. It was unknown whether this was possible. Council Member Luecke also asked for an update on increased values in the TIF areas. Council Member Voorde voiced strong concern with regard to the Build Indiana Funds and how frustrating the process has become. The issue of state revenue sharing concepts was also discussed by Mr. Hunt. Beth Leonard noted at CDBG projects are opening up, however, less dollars are being made available. Council Member Luecke noted that the Savings and Loan bailouts are having some limited positive effects with dollars being earmarked for affordable housing projects. Human Rights,Pages 42,43 $103,192.00 Representing a 2.37%Increase. Overall Budget:$138,587.00. Zenia Crenshaw, representing Cynthia Love-Bush was present to review the budget. Beth Leonard reviewed the budget for the Human Rights Department. She provided a handout giving further information. It was noted that the $10,300.00 printed in line item 428 entitled "Office Equipment" should be eliminated. Office equipment of this type would be handled under the Controller's $292,000.00 budget line item. Following further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee