Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-92 Personnel & Finance Itommtttte Ztport PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE Zo tbt Common tountiU of t jit eat/ of 0outt The September 9, 1992 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson Council Member, Ann Puzzello at 3:35 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Coleman, Puzzello, Washington, Kelly, Slavinskas,Zakrzewski,Duda, and Ladewski; Joseph Kuharic,Kevin Horton, Jeff Rinard, John Leszczynski, Tom Scarbeck, Phil St. Clair, Carl Littrell, Don Porter,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. 1. Engineering Department. Council Member Puzzello noted that the first proposed budget to review was the Engineering Department located on pages 1-29 through 1-33 in the requested amount of$3,728,578.00. Mr. Leszczynski noted that the Engineering Department, Traffic and Lighting, and Board of Public Works budgets have been combined into one budget for this year. He noted that he has one of the best staffs ever since being City Engineer. Mr. Littrell then reviewed the proposed budgets. He noted that he is paid from the Wastewater budget. He noted that there are three requests for upgrades namely that an engineer be upgraded to a project in engineer reflecting a $5,000.00 increase, that a secretary V be upgraded to an office manager and that an engineering aid III be upgraded to an engineer. He noted that the department will be down two positions from 1991. There is one public construction manager paid form the Economic Development Department. With the upgrades the budget reflects an overall $1,000.00 decrease in salaries than the current budget. He also noted that hourly teamster employees will spend less in 1993 than in 1992 because of the bonus concept. He noted that there will no interns and that temporary services will be used instead. Council Member Zakrzewski questioned the paint used for streets and asked for a breakdown of the specks. It was noted that the specifications do meet the state specifications in this area with regard to viscosity. Council Member Zakrzewski also questioned the use of thermal plastic rather than tape and noted that it typically wears between 5-7 years. Council Member Ladewski questioned the contract with regard to the removal of the graffiti on the various bridge overpasses. It was noted that the contract has not been awarded yet. Council Member Slavinskas noted that beyond repainting these areas that there is a need for increased police surveillance and community watch programs. It was noted that the City absorbs the difference between the salt and sand costs. Council Member Luecke noted that Marshall County is using a beet juice byproduct instead of salt on an experimental basis. Council Member Coleman questioned whether there was nay cost savings with regard to the Centrex phone system. He was advised that the City does not believe that there was any savings overall. L Personnel and Finnance Committe September 9, 1992 Page 2 Council Member Slavinskas questioned the costing for the use of electricity and telephone service. Mr. Rinard noted that they do not currently breakdown by extension however that was a possibility in the future. Council Member Zakrzewski questioned the service provided by I&M and was advised that it is "terrible and getting worse" Council Member Slavinskas questioned the City's position this area. It was noted that this is part of the CIP with the ballpark figure of approximately 3 million dollars. Currently electricity for street lights and traffic signals is $1,186,427.00 per year. It was also noted in response to a question raised by Council Member Zakrzewski that the City is to receive a credit if a light is off three days or more. The cheapest street light costs $12.00 per month to light however most lights are not metered. It was also noted that the $273,000.00 line item under buildings is the amount used to maintain the county-city building under a contractual agreement. Approximately 30-40% is recovered on damage to street signs due to accidents. 2. Equipment Services. Mr. Phil St. Clair then reviewed the Equipment Services Budget found on pages 1-38 through 1-42 proposed at the amount of$2,714,184.00. He then introduced Mr. Matt Garbowski who is running the day to day operations currently. It was noted that the budget reflects an overall increase of $312,411.00 of which $279,070.00 are cost for FICA, insurance and administration. It also reflects a $25,000.00 line item from streets for gutter brooms and $17,400.00 for bonuses. Overall the budget reflects a $9,000.00 decrease from the current budget when reviewing these items. Currently there are 39 people on staff. They are requesting that a fiscal aid be upgraded to an auditor II and they are requesting two secretary III's instead of one. They are also requesting an upgrade of a park's clerk to a park's foreman. Overall there are two new salary positions and two less hourly personnel. They are also requesting that a body man IV be upgraded to a body man V, that a part's clerk I be upgraded to a part's clerk II. In response to a question raised by Council Member Ladewski it was noted that the gasoline bids are done annually with each company providing a bid at the time that fuel is ordered. In response to a question raised by Council Member Duda it was noted that batteries are typically traded in and that the hazardous waste line item of$8,500.00 is used to remove hazardous material. The City currently has a fluid recovering recycling program however tires and filter are becoming an increasing problem. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke it was noted that the 12,000 gallon tanks are being removed from the underground and being replaced by two above ground 20,000 gallon tanks which will have concrete dikes. The new tanks are cheaper to install. It was also noted that labor is charged at the rate of$24.00 per hour and that the department has a ongoing truck replacement rebuild program. In response to a question raise by Council Member Ladewksi it was noted that the Street Department uses an "Omaha orange color" that Parks use a "tawny tan", that the Fire Department uses "red", that the Water Department uses "blue", and that the Sanitation Department uses "white and orange". . Personnel and Finance Committe September 9, 1992 Page 3 In response to a question raised by Council Member Zakrzewski it was noted that $24,000.00 is budgeted in the Police Department budget for car washes and $3,000.00 is budgeted in the current budget for both full-service and outside car washes. Mr. Leszczynski noted that take home cars are to be maintained by the individual employees. 3. Communications Bureau. Mr. Leszczynski reviewed this budget which is run by Mr. Glen Zubler. It is located on pages 1-36 and 1-37 at the proposed amount of $225,005.00. 4. Building Maintenance. Mr. Sam Hensley reviewed the budget found on pages 1-43 through 1-45 for a total amount of$414,331.00 The overall Public Works budget is $7,082,098.00. He noted that there has been an adjustment in the building maintenance man with all other items remaining the same. The Committee then reviewed the Street Department Budget set forth as the "Motor Vehicle Highway" found on page 3-1 proposed at the amount of$2,919,218.00. This budget contains an administrative fee of$63,341.00 to cover the services of the Legal Department in Controller's Office. There are 85 full-time employees of which 69 are hourly. It was noted that the overall goal with regard to personnel is to compress the management structure throughout the Public Works Department. It was noted that a fiscal officer is being requested to be upgraded to an auditor II, and that summer help will increase in dollars because of the use of manpower. It was also noted that it is requested that the maintenance supervisor position be removed and that there two foremen and two general foremen. 6. Building Department. Mr. Don Fozo then joined the Committee to review his proposed budget set forth on pages 1-82 and 1-83 at the requested amount of$751,666.00. He noted that the accounting procedure currently used between the City an County with regard to monthly revenues and monthly costs has become unworkable. He noted that the City Controller should be updating the Committee with regard to the proposed changes. Currently the City is taking in all revenues and paying all costs. He then passed out handout material to supplement his presentation (copy attached) he highlighted the personnel changes set forth in his letter. He noted that the capital expenditures dated July 21,1992 requests $30,400.00 for office space. He noted that there is an increasing moral problem because of the need for new office space. It is not believed that the public is receiving the best service in light of the tight quarters. As an example there are four telephone incoming lines to be used by 19 individuals. Personnel and Fianace Committee September 9, 1992 Page 4 Council Member Puzzello questioned whether Mr. Fozo's input is being used by the City in the relocation. He noted that hopefully his input will be. He also noted that there is a need for computerization in light of the permit system and that there is a need for additional radios however there is no base of operations. He also noted that approximately $63,550.00 of projected budgeted monies will be returned to the General Fund because of the current inadequate working conditions. He then highlighted the return of monies to the County General Fund over the past several years. He noted that to date his department has taken in$423,418.28 which is far ahead of the projected revenue. In response to a question raised by Council Member Zakrzewski,Mr.Horton noted that the time table for relocation should realize new space by October 1 for the department. Mr. Fozo noted that the contractors registration program will take effect on November 1 and it will require desks to be placed in the hallway if space is not addressed soon. Mr.Horton then passed out information in response to Council Member Puzzello's request for information. Each is numbered in response to the question raised by Council Member Puzzello. Mr. Horton noted that there are 318 individuals in the non-bargaining unit and the City proposal reflects $1,000.00 times the 318 individuals reflecting an overall increase of 4.334%. The base wages would be frozen at 1992 rates except for those indicated. The Mayor is requesting a one year ordinance for non-bargaining which reflects some positions where monies would be added to the base. Mr.Horton also noted that the City Clerk has requested that each of her employees receive $1,000.00 to the base instead of the bonus. This is not reflected in the handouts provided by Mr. Horton. He also noted that the merit bonus program reflects that for each of the three years that there was a $50,000.00 beginning amount with a $50,000.00 increase each year. The City Administration is therefore requesting an additional$50,000.00 for next year bringing it to a total of$200,000.00. He did note however in response to questions that the City would be willing to negotiate on the merit bonus concept in light of the adjustments requested on the non-bargaining position. There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee attachments