HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-28-96 Personnel & Finance A
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Personnel and Finance Committee
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The May 28, 1996,meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order
by its Chairperson Council Member Steve Luecke at 4:10 P.M. in the Council informal
meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Pfeifer, Coleman, Varner,
Washington, Broden, Zakrzewski, Hosinski, and Luecke; Mary Wadsworth, Jenny Pitts-
Manier, Gary Eritz, Mr. Jensen,Jeff Rinard, Kathy Dempsey, John Byorni, Jeff Gibney,
Ernie Szarwark, Gene Oakly, Mike Urbanski, Ed Levy, Don Porter, and Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand.
The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 36-96 which would appropriate$107,
880.00 from the General Fund; $31, 402.00 from the Cumulative Capitol Development
Fund and $350, 670.00 from the Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Mr. Jeff
Rinard made the presentation.
He noted that the General Fund request is for the remodeling of the first floor of the old fire
station on Olive Street to be used for the Animal Control Program; the the CCDF request is
for the replacement of one police vehicle and cages to be used by Animal Control; and that
the EDIT Fund would be for the Interchange Project in the Blackthorn area improvements
on Meade Street and downtown improvements. He then reviewed the line item detail
attached to the proposed Bill.
Mr.Rinard then reviewed Bill No. 37-96 which would create a division of Animal Control
within the General Fund and decrease the Division of Code Enforcement budget by
$180, 872.00.
Kathy Dempsey,the director of Code Enforcement joined in the presentation and reviewed
two hand-outs (copy attached)one entitled"Animal Control Building rehabitation"and the
other entitled"Animal Control Statistics".
It was noted that the fire station in question needs new plumbing, heating, electrical and a
new roof.In response to a question raised by Council Member Varner,it was noted that the
projected revenues were based on current actuals.
During the public portion Mr. Gary Eritz of 1515 Wildflower Way,voiced concern in light
of the South Bend Tribune Article highlighting the proposed appropriations.He noted that
in the past fees were split between the Humane Society and the City and noted that
depreciation and amortization was not included in the proposed projections by the City.
Overall he spoke in opposition to the proposed appropriations.
Mr. Jensen noted that he and various other individuals had collected 3, 212 signatures in
opposition to the proposed expenditures. He noted that the January 4, 1996 South Bend
Tribune Editorial which stated that the City was making a`Big Mistake"by going into the
Animal Control business is true. He voice concern with regard to the duplication of
services and urged the Council to have the negotiations between the City and the Humane
Society reopened.
Committee Report
Personnel and finance Committee
May 28, 1996
Page 2
Council Member Luecke took issue with Mr.Jensen's comment that the City was trying to
put the Humane Society out of business. He stated that the City's intent is to look at the
most efficient services and that it does not create patronized jobs.
Mary Wadsworth spoke in opposition to the proposed expenditures. She stated that 4 and
one-half individuals are not enough to run a program and the facility.It was noted that there
will be 60 dog runs at the remodeled fire station. She questioned why the Humane Society
receives between 15 to 20 calls per day which deal with the City's Animal control program.
She stated that 8 calls per day which has been the City average for the month of April is
low. She also noted that the projected income she does not believe is realistic since the
deadline for licensing in the City is March and that the revenue should trail off thereafter.
She also voice concern with regard to the number of vehicles in light of the total number of
individuals working for the Animal Control program. She noted that on the average the
City of South Bend under their program is responding to 295 calls where the average when
the Humane Society was in charge of the Animal Control program it averaged 498 calls.
She stated that she does not believe that the facility will be large enough for the South Bend
program and that the cost projections are too high for the number of calls received per day.
Mr. Oakley voiced concern with regard to the vans purchased and was advised that the
vans purchased by the City had between 79,000 to 90, 000 on each of them. This
information was made available by Mrs. Dempsey. Mrs.Dempsey also provided letters in
support from the various Neighborhood Associations Presidents. She stated that the
number presented to the Common Council are accurate. She also stated that if the City
needs an over-load facility that San-Mar Kennels would be available.
Following discussion Council Member Pfeifer made a motion, seconded by Council
Member Coleman that Bill No. 36-96 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
Following discussion Council Member Pfeifer made a motion, seconded by Council
Member Coleman that Bill No. 37-96 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed. With Council Member Washington abstaining on both motions.
There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned
at 5:02 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Steve Luecke
Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee
Attachments