HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-93 Personnel & Finance tommftau 2*port
PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
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The January 25, 1993 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order
by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 4:10 p.m. in the Council Informal
Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Luecke, Coleman, Puzzello,
Washington, Kelly, Slavinskas, Zakrzewski, Duda and Ladewski; Mary Hall Mueller,
Joyce Boyler, T. Brooks Brademus,Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council Member Puzzello noted that there had been a mix up in communication between the
City Clerk's Office and the Department of Economic Development with regard to
Resolutions Nos. 93-4 through 93-9, which are the fiscal plans for annexation. In light of
this, they would not be heard at the Committee meeting.
Council Member Puzzello noted that Mr. T. Brooks Brademus has made a request to be
heard under miscellaneous business.
Council Member Luecke noted that Mr. Brademus had contacted him earlier in the day to
request to speak before the Committee. Upon advice of the Common Council Attorney and
in light of the pending law suit in the St. Joseph Superior Court in the law suit of Thomas
Brademus v. Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission et al; Cause No. 71DO89-301-CP-
00054, it was recommended that Mr. Brademus be heard, but that there be no discussion
on his comments in light of the pending law suit.
Mr. Brademus accepted these guidelines.
He stated that he is concerned about two basic items, the first being the City's history with
the now failed Fredrickson Park. He stated that he had done research in to the park
property and noted that individuals had bought it at Sheriffs Sale for $25.00 which was
subsequently sold to the City for$140,000.00. He stated that this fourteen acre parcel now
remains dormant and cannot be developed.
The second item which he brought to the Committee's attention were the troubles he
foresees over the proposed 2 million dollar office building for the Waterworks Department.
He then provided copies of his completed "access to public records request" and the
various attachments to it (copy attached). He stated that this is an excessive amount of
money for a 15,000 square foot building. He noted that he was at the public hearing held
in Indianapolis on January 8, 1993. He stated that he never received the site plan or the
cost estimates which were filed with the Indiana Regulatory Commission.
He noted that the property in question had an assessed value of$3,800.00 however in light
of the fact that it is only available for leasing that the City would waste $280,000.00. He
also noted that the proposed carpet cost of$170,000.00 would be a cost of $102.00 per
yard. He stated that this is most unreasonable.
He also stated that the proposed office relocation cost of$750,000.00 was not realistic. He
requested that the Common Council reconsider its decision with regard to the rate increase
addressing the Waterworks relocation.
Personnel and Finance Committee
January 25, 1993
Page 2
Council Member Puzzello noted that each of the fiscal plans which were previously on file
with the City Clerk's Office are now available in the Informal Meeting Room for review
prior to this evening's Common Council Meeting. Mary Hall Mueller, a member of the
Board of Public Works, stated that each of the fiscal plans was recommended favorably to
the Council by the Board of Public Works.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned
at 4:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Ann Puzzello
Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee