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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-92 Personnel & Finance Committtt 72port PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE to Os Common Counttl of the CO of £outli aenti: The September 2, 1992 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 3:45 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Puzzello, Zakrzewski, Washington, Coleman, Kelly, Luecke, and Ladewski; citizens members William Eagan and Joseph Kuharic; Jeff Rinard, Cathy Dempsey, Kevin Horton,Don Porter and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. 1. Weights and Measures. Mr. Dan O'Neill of the Weights and Measures Bureau then joined the meeting to review the Weights and Measures Budget proposed at $67,190 and located on pages 1-75 and 1-76. He noted that he is a deputy state inspector of the State Board of Health paid by the city. He reviewed the types of scales and pumps which he inspects as part of the consumer protection process for both consumer and business. 2. The Department of Code Enforcement. Cathy Dempsey, the Director of Code Enforcement, then presented the 1993 Budget proposed at$938,623 located on pages 1-72 through pages 1-74. She noted that in 1991 approximately 10,000 letters were sent and approximately 40,000 inspections were made. Her department has focused on the zoning area to shorten the time frame so that same day notice would be provided for violations. Additionally she noted from 25 372 in have gone fro $ that in collections on environmental invoices clean up revenues ha g , 1991 to $45,810 currently. She noted that she believes that the clean ups are having a positive impact throughout out the neighborhoods. In response to a question raised by Council Member Washington it was noted that Midwest Collection has done collections for the department for approximately 3-3 1/2 years. They receive 40% of monies collected for invoices nine months old and 50% of of invoices ten months or older. She noted that the Legal Department is not involved in this collection process. Council Member Washington voiced concern with regard to this arrangement and asked for a specific breakdown of monies collected with and without Midwest's assistance. She noted the CDBG monies paid for four crew members, three inspectors, and one supervisor. Approximately $150,000 is spent on management and inspection and $129,000 for crew from CBDG monies with those monies being utilized first before General Fund monies. September 2, 1992 Personnel and Finance Committee Page 2 She noted that the Human Society contract will be ending next year. The city currently receives monthly reports from the Human Society and Cathy sits as a non-voting member on the Board. Kevin Horton noted that the city has costed out in-house costs of running an animal shelter. Cathy Dempsey noted that she will be visiting Fort Wayne's Animal Shelter in October and will update the Council after that visit. It was also noted that Manpower is being used for summer help. Mr. Eagan noted that in light of the CBDG funds that there should be a decrease reflected in the Solid Waste and Street Department Budgets. Council member Ladewski questioned the policy of leasing copiers instead of purchasing. It was also noted that the director and administrative services director salaries are reduced in light of the county-city consolidation. 3. Code Hearing Officer. Cathy Dempsey then reviewed the proposed $39,486 budget of the Code Hearing Officer set for on pages 1-77 and 1-78. She noted that Larry Clifford hold hearings twice per week and that he served in this capacity for the past five years. 4. Junk Vehicles. Cathy Dempsey then reviewed the $41,022 request set for on pages 11-79 and 1-80. She noted that the city tow truck has been paid off and that a contract between the city and SuperAuto is currently in effect for storage. She also noted that they are lobbying to change state law with regard to abandoned vehicles which currently has a value set at $100 which affects the types of procedures to be followed with disposing of such vehicles. 5. Unsafe Building. The unsafe building account also known as the Building Demolition Account is requested at$100,000 and is set forth on page 1-81. This account is used for boarding and demolition. Ninety-three structures including garages,houses and commercial buildings were demolished in 1991. She noted that assisting to keep housing stock before they get into a deteriorated condition should be the overall goal of the city. She noted that they have applied for block grants of$55,000 with regard to a receivership program. 6. Art Association. At approximately 5:00 p.m. Susan R. Visser, the executive director, of the South Bend Regional Museum of Art then joined the Committee. She provided numerous handouts (copy attached) of past and upcoming events. She noted that the "Meet Me on the Island" festival will be held on September 11 form 5:30 to 7:30 and over 750 people attended the last event. She noted that the proposed $36,000 figure has been the same amount for the past several years which is then in turn given to the Century Center for rent of the facility. She reviewed the 1992 fact sheet(copy attached) and noted that they have had a name change and will have a new logo all of which will have a positive impact. • September 2, 1992 Personnel and Finance Committee Page 3 7. Morris Civic. Mr. Dale Balsbaugh then joined the Committee and reviewed his request of$294,427 for the Morris Civic Budget which is set forth on 5-1 through 5-4. He noted that currently there has been a reduction of one position. 1991 showed a down economy however the 1992 spring was exceptional. He sees the Morris Civic as the "keystone of the downtown entertainment district" and noted that is continuing to become a regional complex. He also updated the Committee on the renovation. He noted that from the stage opening to the west of the building it will entirely replaced and that the stage area will be enlarged by 50 feet making it approximately twice as large as its current facility. He noted that there is a new line item entitled "administrative cost" and has been advised that this covers services rendered to the Morris Civic for legal and city controller services. There has also been discussion with regard to closing for a substantial period of time in 1993 in light of the renovation. It was also noted that there is not lease payment in the budget for next year. The water works building may be holding up the renovation which is to begin on April 4, 1993. Questions were raised with regard to how Mr. Dan Perotti is being paid. It was noted that is believed that is being paid form the redevelopment department however the City Controller's office would verify that. 8. Community Affairs. Mr. John Williams then joined the Committee to review the $137,637 request which is set for the pages 1-3 through 1-6. He noted that he is the current events coordinator. Mikki Dobski is know in charge of the Football Hall of Fame Project and has relocated her office to the 14th floor. Mr. Horton noted that he would double-check the current non-bargining salary ordinances with regard to positions that were questioned and would update the Committee. 9. Legal Department. Mr. Richard Nussbaum, City Attorney, then joined the Committee and reviewed the$442,792 request which is set forth on pages 1-26 through 1- 28. He noted that he had just received the decision from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against the City with regard to the train whistle issue. He noted that the court ruled that it was a "moot" issue. He then reviewed his memorandum of August 18, 1992(attached). He noted that he is requesting one additional Deputy City Attorney III position. He also noted that he would like to reallocate$12,980 from the legal intern line item so that it can used for the hiring of outside legal counsel or if monies remain to have it divided between current staff as an incentive similar to the merit bonus. He noted that there has been a complete turnover in the past five years of the full time attorneys in his department. FPIMIIIIIMIMMII......m..m'-jilIlli ..I. - September 2, 1992 f Personnel and Finance Committee I Page 4 ■ Questions were raised with regard to the Police Department and their requested line item of $2,000 with regard to outside counsel.Mr. Nussbaum noted that outside counsel is used as bond counsel and that the Board of Public Safety would require their own attorney for disciplinary matters. He also noted that he believes that collection agencies should be used in light of their expertise and skip tracing. Council Member Ladewski noted that collection can be effectively done by trained collectors or not necessarily attorneys. Mr. Ladewski offered his assistance if a collection division would ever be created with in the city departments. Council Membe r Kelly noted tha t collection agencies encies do perform a specialty and spoke favorably with regard to that concept. Mr. Nussbaum noted that he does not have any paralegals on his staff. In response to a question raised by Council Member Zakrzewski it was noted that the City Attorney's Office would be requesting the $13,130 plus an additional $14,980 would be used for bonuses pursuant to his request for 1993. Mr. Nussbaum also stated that he believes that all attorneys whether part-time or full-time should be entitled to the full flexible spending account amount of$500 per person. Council President Luecke questioned whether the issue of having bond counsel on staff has ever been discussed and whether the city ever considered reimbursement for the efforts and service delivered by the city attorneys office. Mr . Nussbaum noted that this concept had been discussed in the past. 10. Self-Insurance. Mr. Horton then reviewed the proposed Self-Insurance Budget requested at$1,306,269 set forth on pages 4-1 through 4-3. He noted that this area of the city reviews on the job injuries, safety rules, and is headed by a risk safety officer. In response to questions raised Wnoticed would not be a basesincreaseshowe aerdthere aretl2 budget are set forth at a 4.334% which positions where they are requesting amounts greater than those percentages. 11. Project Future. Mr. Horton then reviewed the request of$76,400 of Project Future set forth on 1-23. The Council Attorney noted that the Council adopted a resolution last year which recommended that the figure be $80,000 for 1993. Accordingly , this line item would have to be amended by the administration if the city desired to be consistent with the council ordinance of last year. 12. Mayor. Mr. Horton then reviewed the 1993 request for the Mayor's office of $267,856 set forth on pages 1-1 and 1-2. It was noted that all travel for the entire city is set forth in the Mayor's budget. September 2, 1992 Personnel and Finance Committee Page 5 13. Controller's Budget. Mr. Horton then reviewed the request of $1,683,854 set forth on pages 1-14 through 1-18. He noted that an additional$30,000 has been requested to be added to the merit bonus. He stated that approximately 2% of the overall budget is being requested for merit bonuses proposed for 1993. He noted that he believes that there should at least be semi-annual reviews of all employees and that he believes strongly in management training and therefore is requesting a new line item for a Personal Consultant of$25,000. 14. Central Stores/Purchasing. Mr. Horton then reviewed the new request of $122,209 for the creation of a central store set forth on pages 1-24 and 1-25. He noted that there would be an overall purchasing coordinator. With this new cost center the total administration and finance requested Budget for 1993 would be$2,199,337. It was noted that the Strategic Planning Group has not met for several Months and that the request of $15,500 may be deleted from the budget. This would require a specific amendment to the budget. In response to a question raised by Council Member Puzzello it was noted that the neighborhood programs line item of $150,000 was a new line item. Council Member Puzzello requested additional information on this program. Council Member Puzzello noted that in light of the lateness of the hour that the following cost center would be rescheduled next week, namely, Human Rights, Youth Services Bureau, and Health Insurance. There being no further to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ann Puzzello,Council Member Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee attachments *all areas which require follow-up action have been bolded f