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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-95 Personnel & Finance • Qtommtttu *sport: Personnel and Finance Committee IT0 tbs tOmmolt CountUY of the City of Rout 140: The September 5, 1995 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was reconvened at 4:05 P.M. in the Council informal meeting room, by Committee Chairperson,Council Member Steve Luecke. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Zakrzewski, Duda, Ladewski,Puzzello, Coleman, and Luecke; Jeff Rinard, Citizen Member Cathy Roemer, Don Pinckert, Assistant Chief Joel Wolvos, Police Chief Ron Marciniak, Kevin Horton, Tom Scarbek and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Luecke began the meeting by introducing Citizen Member Cathy Roemer to the Police Department Administration Staff.He noted that this would be the first meeting where the individual Department would be reviewed with the overall preliminary review of the budget being provided last week. Police Department Budget: 1995 Budget = $ 13, 290, 893.00 1996 Budget= $ 13, 890, 532.00 (requested) The Police Department Administration then provided a handout entitled "1996 Budget South Bend Police Department and Communication Center". Chief Ron Marciniak noted that the Performance Base Budget Format was followed and it provides the opportunity to set forth the wide based programs carried out through Police Department. Don Pinckert noted that the new concept took a substantial amount of time and effort in detailing performance indicators and took a substantial amount of time and input from the staff. Mr. Pinckert then reviewed the packet of material. He noted that it began with an introductory from the Chief highlighting that the Department is divided into 3 basic divisions namely Services,Uniform, and Investigative with each being further subdivided into specific programs. Immediately after the line item data is the 1996 budget summary which he then reviewed. Following all of the Police Department data then is the Communications Budget. Council Member Kelly stated that he recently had a relative in from the state of California who is a Police Reserve Officer. He is very excited about the concept being proposed by the Chief. Chief Marciniak noted that the concept has been discussed since the 1980's when he was Services Chief. 30 Reserve Officers are proposed for the 1996 calendar r. Each would require 1 week minimum of mandatory training. He also noted Y � that workers compensation has not been included in the budgetary dollars. Duties that could P g �'Y be covered by a Reserve Police Officer would include traffic control at major intersections during storms, fires, parades, walks, house moves; they could do accident investigation and provide invaluable assistance to the Department. Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 6, 1995 Page 2 He noted that last year the Civil Defense Department did over 8,000 hours of service. Assistant Chief Wolvos noted that Civil Defense has become has become more associated with emergency management of FEMA focusing on storm weather type of conditions. It was noted that similar cars and similar uniforms would be utilized which should be a deterrent to crime throughout the City. In response to a question raised by Council Member Duda,Assistant Chief Wolvos noted that burnout should not occur if there are challenges presented to a Reserve Officer. Such things as directing Notre Dame traffic, accident investigation, and keeping them productive and busy are necessary ingredients. Often times a Reserve Officer is in a training period for becoming a sworn officer. Mr. Horton noted that in discussions with the Council Attorney and the Chief that there is a potential for the take over of the Park Police Programs through good Reserve Officers with Chief Marciniak agreeing to this concept. It was further noted that between 12 to 16 per week has been the average for Civil Defense Officers. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke, it was noted that Radar Patrols could not be done by Police Reserve since certification is necessary in that area. The Council Attorney also recommended that in the drafting of the Ordinance which would create the Police Reserves and would be acted upon by the Common Council that a larger number than the 30 actual Reserve Officers be included such as perhaps 100. In response to a question raised by Council President Ladewski, it was noted that monies are being utilized for the College Incentive Program established during the last wage negotiations. It was also noted that 2 lap-tops have been purchased through the Controllers Budget for the Police Department. The City is currently waiting for an update from the Federal Government with regard to their Grant Proposal for mobile data terminals and lap-tops for thee Police Department. If the City is successful in receiving this Grant it would be a 75% Federal Grant with a 25% City Grant for a total of$1,000,000.00. Chief Marciniak noted in response to a question that forfeiter monies could only be utilized to enhance programs but not to replace them.He noted that the$90,000.00 SWAT Truck is an example as well as the 2 Bomb Robots and the Kevlar Bullet Helmets being purchased by the City from such funds. Don Pinckert noted that a Lieutenant and a Corporal would be transferred from the Police Department budget into the Communications budget with the Lieutenant acting as a Commander and the Corporal acting as a Front Desk Officer during midnights. Total cost for the Police Reserve Proposal without any monies currently being budgeted for workers compensation is at$48, 690.00. It was noted that the Records Department is still behind on data entry with the backlog being approximately 2 to 2 1/2 years. Down sizing the staff has not worked and they are still on restrictive hours from 12 to 6 P.M. Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 6, 1995 Page 3 Increase personnel for that Department is necessary in light of the disposition of criminal cases which is dependant upon the Records Bureau.It was also noted that the last Sergeant in Communications was civilianized recently by the City.Fees which are currently at $3.00 may be reviewed in light of the state law authorizing a increase. Additional increased areas requested to be increased by the Controller Office were liability insurance of $95, 776.00 and automotive equipment by$42,000.00. Council President Ladewski questioned whether further civilization and/or privatization could be considered for the Armorer and the Photographer in the Police Department.Assistant Chief Wolvos voiced concern over such concepts for the Armor. Communications Center: 1995 Budget= $ 894, 836.00 1996 Budget= $ 1, 025, 455.00 (requested) Don Pinckert noted that the total increase is approximately 14.5% for a total of$ 130,619.00. Much of this increase is the result of the 2 transferred positions from the Police Department to the Communications Center. Council Member Kelly stated that when reviewing proposals for communication and new facilities and security that the City should be looking at programs that would meet the needs for the City in the next 20 to 25 years. Council Member Puzzello requested budget summaries for each department from Jeff Rinard as the Committee continues its review of individual departments. Council Member Luecke questioned working with the South Bend School Corporation in grant writing. It was noted that with Sergeant Chapman as the Liaison Officer that there is ongoing joint grant proposals taking place. It was also noted that the concept of having School Resource Officers acting as security as well as counseling is currently in the discussion stage. The Chief noted that there is limited networking on PC's now between SOS, NEST, and Juvenile however improvement in this area is imperative. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke with regard to concern over the murder rate especially during the month of August and trends, it was noted that typically there is a 10 year lag between what happens in the larger cities verses the smaller cities. Although New York, Detroit, and Chicago have overall rates that are declining the effects are now reaching smaller cities like South Bend. It was noted that turf battles are taking place involving drug, shootings, and gang related activities where is very little "value of life" being considered. In response to a question raised by Council President Ladewski,it was noted that there is some impact with regard to early releases. Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 6, 1995 Page 4 With regard to sweeps questioned by Council Member Luecke it was noted that although the Chief has concerns with regard to constitutional rights that he believes that his department is taking proper steps currently and is utilizing every possible avenue provided under the law. Council President Ladewski noted that Grand Rapids has a SWAT Team which utilizes EMS training. Chief Marciniak noted that one of the officers has transferred from the Fire Department to the Police Department and has assigned to SWAT and has technical training in the medical area. It was noted that SWAT began in 1976. Chief Marciniak also noted that training has taking place for potential terrorist targets and that the need for further equipment to address such potential problems is needed. Council Member Kelly thanked the Chief and his staff for an excellent presentation. Council Member Luecke thanked the Police Administration for their very thorough presentation and noted that the entire Council would take the time necessary to review all of the documentation provided today. Council Member Puzzello, Council Member Duda, Council Member Zakrzewski, and Council President Ladewski thanked the Chief and his staff for their excellent presentation and informative data. Council Member Luecke recessed the meeting at 6:15 P.M. to be reconvened tomorrow at 4:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Steve Luecke Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments