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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-14-92 Personnel & Finance Committee Zeport PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE "go tit Qtommon QtountiW of the Qtity of Zouth 1140: The December 14, 1992 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Luecke, Coleman, Puzzello, Washington, Kelly, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski,Duda and Ladewski; Glenda Rae Hernandez, James Caldwell, John Broden, Norman Primus, Don Porter and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrrand. The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 104-92 which would amend Section 13-57.05 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Mr. Jim Caldwell, the Mayor's Administrative Assistant, made the presentation. He thanked Council Members Luecke, John Broden and the neighborhood task force for their input. He noted that this Bill would increase the penalties for violation of the Loud and Raucous Noise Ordinance. The fines for the first offense would be $50.00, second offense $100.00 and the third offense and. every subsequent offense in the same calendar year would be $200.00. Council Member Slavinskas questioned where the $100.00 payment is made. He noted that by state law the Ordinance Violation Bureau can only collect up to $50.00. Mr. Broden said he would check into this update the Council this evening. He believed that the money was being collected by the City Attorney's office. Council Member Zakrzewski questioned how many Loud and Raucous Noise Citations had been issued. He noted that to date 95 have been issued with five being voided. $4500.00 has been collected for a total of 38 paid citations. The rest are in Small Claims. When a case is filed in Small Claims Court there is a request for reimbursement of the Court fees of $30.00. The next Court session is December 22nd. Council Member Ladewski questioned how noise is regulated and was advised that it is measured from a fifty foot distance or by a decibel reading. It was also noted that the Code Enforcement Hearing Officer handles barking dogs. The question was also raised with regard to motorcycles and it was not believed that any citations have been issued for motorcycles. Council Member Slavinskas also questioned enforcement procedures with regard to persons owning vehicles as opposed to using vehicles and landlords versus tenants. In response to a question raised by Council Member Duda it was noted that if a citizen calls in loud noise from a vehicle that an officer needs to witness the noise and that that license plate number is kept for future reference. Personnel and Finance Committee December 14, 1992 Page 2 Following further discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion, seconded by Council Member Ladewski that Bill No. 104-92 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 105-92 which would create three funds for the Park Department namely the Potowatomi Zoo Non-Reverting Capital Improvement Fund, the Municipal Golf Courses Non-Reverting Fund and the Park and Picnic Facilities Non- Reverting Capital Improvement Fund. Council Member Coleman then gave the presentation. He noted that Phil St. Clair, the acting Park Superintendent, would be available this evening for questions. He noted that overall the Bill would increase the fees for a round of golf by one dollar per round and that admissions to the zoo would be raised by one dollar. The increase of the increment would then be designated into the specific funds. He noted that the Park Transition Committee had worked carefully on these proposals with their favorable recommendation being made to the Park Board. Council Member Puzzello questioned the creation of three special funds in light of the position of the past City Controller who was against such creation. Council Member Coleman noted that he believes that this is an exception since the funds deal with revenue generating areas. He noted that there is precedent for this such as the Coveleski Stadium Fund and the East Race Fund. Council Member Duda spoke in favor of the Bill. Council Member Slavinskas questioned the rates for season ticket holders for the golf courses. It was noted that they would raise by $50.00 except juniors and seniors which would raise only by $25.00. Council Member Slavinskas stated that the quality of play for the money is a "real bargain". Council Member Coleman noted that the average season ticket holder plays 55 rounds of golf which can now be tracked by the Park Department. Council Member Kelly and Council President Luecke stated that the dollar amounts are most reasonable in light of the good condition of the golf courses. Council Member Coleman noted that South Bend sets the standard with regard to fees with the City of Mishawaka currently looking over their fee amounts. He also noted oven rentals would be $5.00, $10.00, and $15.00 depending on the amount of people and that the fee for an alcohol permit would be $2.00. It was noted that the City does have the potential for liability with regard to this permit program and whether there is adequate police protection made available. Council Member Zakrzewski questioned whether the funds would be ear-marked for specific parks such as Rum Village, and was advised that the Park and Picnic Facilities would all go into one major fund for capital improvements. The Council Attorney noted that the Bill has been drafted so that all interest earned would remain within the special designated fund. Council Member Coleman reiterated that he believes that all of the three proposed non- reverting funds are proper in light of the distinctive quality of the Park Department being able to generate revenue from each one of these areas. Personnel and Finance Committee December 14, 1992 Page 3 Following further discussion, Council Member Zakrzewski made a motion seconded by Council Member Ladewski that Bill No. 105-92 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee