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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-92 Personnel & Finance and Utilities Committee Upon PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE UTILITIES COMMITTEE tro tljt Qtommou Qtountil of t e City of Ooutb 113e0: The November 19, 1992 joint committee meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee and the Utilities Committee was called to order at 3:40 p.m. by Ann Puzzello and Tom Zakrzewski in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Kelly, Ladewski, Luecke, Zakrzewski, Puzzello, Coleman, and Duda; Joseph Kuharic, Brian Hedman, Jeff Rinard, Kevin Horton, Ed Ehler,Elizabeth Rowell,Don Porter and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Mr. Ehler form the Century Board of Managers and Mr. Brian Hedman then reviewed the Century Center Budget located at pages 8-1 through 8-7 of the Enterprise Funds Budget Book (copy attached). It was noted that with the Johnson Control Equipment, that there will be a projected cost savings of approximately$90,000.00 on the energy system. It was also noted that they have streamlined purchasing as well as ticket purchasing by the public, and with these changes have reduced personnel. There are now less part-time people and more full-time people employed at the Century Center. The Century Center remains the busiest convention center in the state of Indiana. They noted that on November 22nd from 1-4 p.m. the celebration of "Rediscover Century Center" will take place. Projected revenue for 1993 is $2,213,286.00. The convention fee line item represents hotel/motel fees which are projected in the amount of$772,286.00. In response to a question raised by Council Member Puzzello, Council Member Coleman noted that there now is a lease arrangement in effect between the Art Center and the Century Center Board of Managers. It was noted that the Art Center rent is projected at an amount of$40,000.00 Council Member Puzzello noted that the request for appropriation from the City during the budget review process from the Art Center was for $ 36,000.00. Consequently, the Art Center will be paying for the extra rental amount from funds other than the City's. Mr. Ehler noted that the salaries on page 8-2 do not all comply with the salary ordinance passed this summer by the Common Council. He stated that the Board of Managers approved the salaries set forth on this page. Mr. Hedman added that the salaries were based on what other professionals are paid in other competing communities who work in the convention centers. Mr. Hedman noted that the salaries set forth represent an 8% increase. Hen noted that the salaries approved by the Common Council over the past several years represented a 1 1/2% increase. The Council attorney noted that in addition to the salary discrepancies that there are also job title discrepancies. Mr. Hedman indicated that memorandums had been sent to the City Administration with regard to both titles and dollar amounts. Mr. Horton stated that the salaries that were approved by the Common Council in this summer's salary ordinance Personnel and Finance Committee Utilities Committee November 19, 1992 Page 2 were those recommended to the Council by the Mayor. The Council was not provided copies of documentation from the Century Center Board of Managers at that time. Council Member Puzzello suggested that Elizabeth Rowell meet with Mr. Rinard and Mr. Horton while the Committees continue to discuss all other budget items, excepting personnel, in order to receive further clarification on the personnel line items. Mr. Ehler and Mr.Hedman noted that in light of new "Convention Hall" C that there would be additional monies needed for promotion for new brochures and other types of marketing. Mr. Ehler also noted that until he was apprized this afternoon, he was unaware of the Administration cost transfer to the City set forth on page 8-7 in the amount of$48,950.00. He stated that he is requesting that this amount be paid over a three year basis. He also suggested that the total amount on page 8-7 be amended to read$2, 165,477.00. In response to a question raised by Council Member Ladewski, it was noted that the "Made in Indiana Store" in the Century Center leases the facility for$250.00 per month plus 2% of all sales. Mr. Horton noted that he would be opposed to having the administration cost of $48,950.00 paid over a three year basis in light of the increased amount of hotel/motel monies anticipated for next year. Council Member Puzzello then handed out a revised page 8-2 reflecting the salary ordinance amounts versus the requested amounts by the Century Center Board of Managers prepared by the City-Controller and Assistant City-Controller with Mrs. Rowell (copy attached). Council Member Ladewski and Council Member Zakrzewski voiced concern with regard to the requested 8%pay increases for various Century Center Employees. The Council Attorney noted that as the chief negotiator for the City in this past summer's FOP negotiations and Teamster negotiations, that the request by the Century Center Board of Managers to increase salaries at this point was at best unfortunate. She stated that the battle over salaries should have taken place during the salary ordinance hearings. She stated that in light of the overall discussions which took place throughout the year on hourly rate increases and salary increases, that to change the overall philosophy now would negatively impact the credibility of the City. She also stated that comparisons to other cities,especially when bargaining with the public safety sector are always on the table. This is similar to the philosophy used by the Century Center Board of Managers in recommending their proposal, as indicated by Mr.Hedman. Mr. Ehler appreciated the remarks of the Council. He stated however that in light of the Football Hall of Fame and the new administrative functions required, that they will need quality people to handle these new challenges. ti Personnel and Finance Committee Utilities Committee November 19, 1992 Page 3 Council Member Kelly stated that he knows that you need quality to render quality service. He stated however that he agrees with the Council Attorney that the timing is "tough", while acknowledging the new functions required for the upcoming Hall of Fame. He stated that he is on the Advisory Committee for the Football Hall of Fame and that they will be undertaking tremendous responsibilities in the future. Council Member Coleman suggested that there be a subcommittee with Council Member Puzzello being a member to help during this transition period. He stated that he believes that the future relationship between the Century Center Board of Managers and the City is critical in the years ahead. Council Member Puzzello praised Mr. Hedman and Mr. Ehler for their leadership and continuing to make Century Center the busiest convention center in the state. She cautioned however that she could not support pay increases at this time. Mr. Ehler stated that he would like the City and the Century Center Board of Mangers to work together, that he would hope that there would be open and ongoing communications in light of the changes which all of us will be facing in the months and years ahead. There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee Council Member Tom Zakrzewski Chairperson, Utilities Committee attachments