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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-95 Personnel & Finance Commttttt It$port: Personnel and Finance Committee 'go tijt COMM COUItutl Of tljt attti Of mouth Otittl: The September 21, 1995 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was reconvened by Council Member Steve Luecke, Chairperson at 4:10 P.M. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Duda, Zakrzewski, Ladewski, Coleman,and Luecke; Citizen Member Cathy Roemer,Bernie Kish,Terry Coleman,Brian Hedman, Isabel Gonzalez, Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Chief Rick Switalski, Bernard Redwin,Tom Scarbek,Kevin Horton, Cleo Hickey, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Fire and Police Pensions: Chief Taylor gave background information in the area. Assistant Chief Switalski noted that he would present both the Fire Pension information, and Police Pension information since Jeff Koras is unavailable. He then reviewed the handout materials (copy attached). Chief Taylor provided a handout from the Summer 1995 edition of the Indiana Professional Firefighter entitled"Who Will Pay Their Pensions?" (copy attached). Chief Taylor noted that the City of South Bend has an approximately$110 million dollars as an unfunded pension liability for both departments. Assistant Chief Switalski noted that the police and fire departments pension liability for 1996 is approximately$6.9 million dollars of which the City receives approximately$4 million dollars in pension relief. Thus approximately$2 million dollars will be levied. Kevin Horton noted that pension costs are one of the key items which he and the Council Attorney factor in when preparing for public safety wage and benefit negotiations. Mr. Horton further noted that the City budgets for all officers which we know will retire and place in reserve an amount for all officers who are eligible to retire. Pension relief monies are received by the City in May and October. The City funds at 21% of the salary of the 1st Class Patrol Officer and 1st Class Firefighter. Mr. Horton noted that he would provide projections by Monday in this area, in light of the fact that costs to the City are increasing while pension relief monies are decreasing. It was also noted that 112 of the 216 people in the Fire Department would be eligible to retire, with 59 being able to receive benefits in light of the 55 year old age requirement. The Police Department is in a similar situation with regard to those officers eligible to retire. Chief Taylor noted that the Board of Public Safety should be swearing in eight (8) firefighters on October 4th, with six (6)being new and two (2) filling vacancies. Council Member Luecke thanked Chief Taylor and Assistant Chief Switalski for their update and fine services to the City. Morris Civic: 1995 = $ 237,132 1996 = $278,6566(requested) Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 21, 1995 Page 2 Cleo Hickey then reviewed the line item budget information and the performance based budget information. She noted that she took over in January of this year and is suggesting several changes and reorganization with reassignment of responsibilities. She noted the need for more auditing of operations especially the box office operations. They have reached a 3.7 million dollar pledge mark,with$750,000 being received to date. She noted that there are between 72 to 86 events annually,with the South Bend Symphony and the Broadway Theatre League being the two main users. In response to a question raised by President Ladewski, it was noted that the classic movie events have been eliminated in light of the fact that the program was not breaking even. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke, it was noted that 100 annual events would be the maximum before restoration and that 120 would be the maximum after restoration,based on the study conducted for the Morris. Attendance is projected at approximately 102,000 in 1995 which 1995 revenues were with does not include lobby $ 134 793.91, d y events. Revenues in 1994 we being projected at$ 171,052. Council Member Zakrzewski voiced concern about the box office not being open during the lunch hour. Ms Hickey noted that she is looking into that, and that typically three days prior to an event, the box office is open during those hours. She also noted that the City is looking into voice mail which would have a detailed menu available on a 24- hour basis. Mr. Rinard noted that the City has purchased such a system from Ameritech. Mr. Hedman also voiced support for the 24-hour voice mail especially since the Morris Civic has taken over the Century Center ticket operations. A customer survey will also be instituted. Council Member Luecke voiced concern over the fire escape situation, and Ms. Hickey noted that that will be addressed soon. Council Member Luecke thanked Ms. Hickey for her presentation and handouts (copy attached). It was also noted that recently the leases with various tenants have been re-negotiated. Revenues and such leases are j• administered through Redevelopment. Football Hall of Fame 1995 Budget: Mr. Bernie Kish then reviewed the proposed 1995 budget information. He noted that he began working on April 17, 1995. He then reviewed various handouts (copy attached). There have been 17,000 visitors through the Hall of Fame since it opened in August. Currently more adults and senior citizens have visited that Hall than children and students. From September through December of 1995, they have received approximately 60 requests for bookings of the Press Box and Gridiron. Sales in the Follett Store are approximately $ 80,000.00 to date. Burger King is averaging $500 to $600 per day, with needed daily projections being $1,000.00, thus additional promotion in this area is necessary for that number to be met. There will be a special event this Saturday for the Notre Dame-Texas football game. For $10.00 a person can watch the game on a big- screen television, receive a Burger King lunch and have a chance to win an autographed football. Mr. Kish noted that he has deferred hiring for two (2) positions. The Hall has approximately 100 volunteers who have put in over 1,500 hours to date. In response to a question raised by Council Member Coleman it was noted that the Exhibit Technician is { Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 21, 1995 Page 3 currently on a three-month contractual basis. A decision will be made on October 9th in this area. Mr. Kish stated that he hopes to trim the 6-person maintenance staff to 4 persons, if at all possible. Mr. Kish also noted that he hopes to attend 3 to 4 Chapter dinners each month, with the costs for such related travel and dinner hopefully to be shared. There are 99 Chapters with a total membership of approximately 10,000. Council Member Luecke suggested sending a video to each of the Chapters. Mr. Kish stated that the video is currently being made which is to be 10 to 12 minutes in length and will be used to help promote the Hall. Projected revenues are$692,940, and projected expenditures are $ 654,632. Council President Ladewski suggested events such as a pro-exhibition game, and Mr.Kish noted their continuing desire to get the Kick-Off Classic game. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke,it was noted that the Hotel/Motel revenues do have restrictions. Mr.Horton noted that there is a three-year commitment, with $600,00 this year, no dollars for 1996, and $300,00 in 1997. The monies in 1995 were to help offset pre-opening and opening day expenses. Mr.Horton apologized for the expenditures being incurred prior to the formal appropriation process, however indicated that the numbers before the Council are now available. In response to a request from Council Member Luecke, Mr. Rinard noted that a formal substitute Bill No. 48-95 would be filed with the City Clerk's office tomorrow. Following further discussion, Council Member Coleman made a motion, seconded by Council President Ladewski that substitute Bill No. 48-95 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Liability Insurance. 1995 Revenue: $ 1,444,475 1996 Revenue: $ 1,375,989 1995 Expenditures: $ 1,479,688 1996 Expenditures: $ 1,366,110 Isabelle Gonzalez then introduced Bernard Redwin to the Committee. She then reviewed the line item budget and the performance based budget information. It was noted that drug testing which has been previously budgeted at $100,000, will be reduced to $ 40,000. Ms. Gonzalez noted that much of the information has been previously provided in her Annual Report. Tomorrow will mark her third year anniversary with the City of South Bend. She also noted that IOSHA and OSHA officials have been in the City this week. A partnership approach is working very positively. The City of South Bend utilized the City of Indianapolis in confined space training, and the City of South Bend provided in-kind river rescue training for Indianapolis. More programs of this type are anticipated. Training will again be a key component city-wide. Ms. Gonzalez noted that the South Bend Fire Department will be featured in the upcoming issue of the Occupational. Isabelle Gonzalez noted that she will aim at targeting to continue to reduce the number of workers compensation claims, and increased employee training and education programs. Council Member Luecke credited Ms.Gonzalez for an excellent program which has made significant inroads in reducing employee injuries and increasing a safe working /PI Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 21, 1995 Page 4 environment. Ms.Gonzalez thanked the Council,the Mayor and the City Controller for all of their cooperation and support. Parking Garages: 1995 = $ 446,760 1996 = $ 462,550 Terry Coleman reviewed the budgetary information. He noted that AMPCO took ov e r the operations of the parking g ara e s in 1993. Their management concept is to tighten expenses and focus on special events. He noted that there is plenty of parking in the downtown area in the parking garages. Projections for 1996 include an increase in daily and validation parking, with monthly parkers remaining approximately the same. July is typically higher in light of the Ethnic Festival and the Plate Collectors Convention. Electrical expenses in the Main Street garage will always be higher than the Jefferson garage. The management fee is based on the performance of both garages. Main Street is the busier garage. A 24-hour access system is still being considered for monthly parkers. There is a continuing concern over the debt service. In response to a question raised by Council President Ladew ski it was noted that the parking spaces by the Football Hall of Fame are basically unregulated currently. AMPCO has a proposal to manage this area which can include snow removal services. Council Member Luecke thanked Mr. Coleman for his presentation. Controller's Budget: 1995 = $ 1,504,283 1996 = $ 1,353,030 Mr. Rinard reviewed the line item budget information and the performance based budget information. He noted that the needs of the department are currently being assessed. There is an on going study being conducted by Synergy Software which is recommending a MIS Division. New positions being recommended include: an EDP Coordinator, PC Specialist, and a MIS Director. The last position would be in the low $40,000,however he would check with Kevin Horton as to a specific recommendation. Mr. Rinard also discussed the need to upgrade personnel in the print shop, since the volume of printing for the City justifies having and in-house program. Council President Ladewski questioned the Archives amount of$53,300. Mr. Rinard noted that the City coordinates with the County in this area. He noted that he would contact John Lentz for further information. Mr. Rinard emphasized the need to make computers and software as necessary tools to make City employees for efficient. Council Member Luecke thanked Mr. Rinard for his presentation. 1 Budget Hearing Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 21, 1995 Page 5 Following further discussion,the meeting was recessed at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Steve Luecke Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments