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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-96 Personnel & Finance Conniff.** Z*port: Personnel and Finance Committee i0 Ujt COMM toutttil of OS Qtttg of South tub: The September 10, 1996 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Steve Luecke at 3:15 p.m. in the Council Informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Kelly, Varner, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Broden; Jeff Rinard, Kevin Horton, Citizen Member Cathy Roemer, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Mr.Kevin Horton, City Controller then reviewed proposed recommendations on the Non- Bargaining Salary Ordinance. He requested specific changes be made and provided copies (copy attached) for informational purposes. He also noted that certain corrections which are highlighted with an asterisk are to correct the current Ordinance. Mr. Horton noted that recommendations for the Superintendent of Parks, the Building Commission, Director of Code Enforcement, Deputy City Controller, Deputy City Attorney, the Loan Officer, and the other items as indicated be increased in salary due to increased duties and responsibilities overall. The Committee then briefly discussed these recommendations. PARKING GARAGES 1996 BUDGET $503,531 1997 PROJECTED $575,431 Mr. Terry Coleman and Kay Pola the new Fiscal Officer, then joined the Committee to review the Parking Garage Budget. Mr. Coleman noted that one and one-half floors were closed in the St. Joseph Garage approximately 2 weeks ago due to the deteriorating top ramp on the 6th floor. The concrete is separating and a consultant has been hired for approximately$3,000 to give recommendations. It is anticipated that the cost to repair will be somewhere between $20,000 to $50,000. It was noted that there were no long term or structural integrity improvements proposed in the budget. It was also noted that the debt service was not included in the 1996 budget but will be for a projected amount of$37,500. Mr. Coleman then reviewed the Parking Garage Forecast (copy attached). He noted that the Forecast reflects a general attrition in the Downtown area. Mr. Coleman noted that the 24-hour access has been installed since last year in all three garages and has been very favorably received by the patrons. Presently it costs $35 per month, however the deficit currently is$1.3 million. In response to a question raised by Citizen Member Cathy Roemer, it was noted that the Main Street garage has 400 patrons on a monthly basis, the St.Joseph garage 250 monthly parkers,with each garage having 420 spaces. Council Member Broden suggested more selective mailings and marketing to assist in the parking effort. 1 � Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 10, 1996 Page 2 In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke, it was noted that City of South Bend provides parking for the employees who work in the downtown area. Currently the employee chooses anywhere to park. Council Member Coleman suggested that since this is a benefit to the employee that employee should be requested to park in City garages so the City receives a benefit also. The Committee Members thanked Mr. Coleman for his presentation. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 1996 BUDGET $503,531 1997 PROJECTED $575,431 Kathy Dempsey,Director of Code Enforcement and Gary Libbey,Administrative Services Director, then joined the Committee. Kathy Dempsey reviewed the last Weights and Measures budget. She noted that in October of 1995 Weights and Measures division was consolidated with the County. Expenses are divided at the end of each year on a 50/50 split. She noted that there will be corrections made to this proposed budget. HEARING OFFICER 1996 BUDGETED $35,378 1997 RECOMMENDED $36,565 Kathy Dempsey then reviewed the Hearing Officer's proposed budget. She noted Mr. Clifford has held this position for several years. He has hearings on Monday and Thursday afternoon. She then reviewed the line item budget. JUNK VEHICLES 1996 BUDGETED $46,771 1997 RECOMMENDED $49,123 Kathy Dempsey then reviewed the line item detail for the Junk Vehicles proposed budget. She noted that since the City has purchased some towing equipment that is able to positively assist the City on snow detail, and works with the Street Department and other departments. Revenues for 1995 were approximately$26,924. She noted that currently the storage fee is $2.00 and she will be requesting an adjustment for next year. Approximately 400 vehicles were towed with only 30 vehicles being reclaimed. The rest are auctioned under applicable State law. She also noted that the Abandoned Vehicles statute will be proposed to be amended changing baseline information. Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 10, 1996 Page 3 Kidney Foundation Association received approximately 70 cars in the past year, This program has been a very positive relationship for the past two years. She also noted that the City currently gets$25 per vehicle in towing from the program. Currently the City has a contract with Super Auto for storage. The Committee then reviewed the Unsafe Buildings proposed budget requesting$135,000. Kathy Dempsey reviewed the program which involves fire damaged structures. They have instituted a new program through the insurance companies and revenues received in 1995 totaled $51,000. Currently they are recovering approximately 40%. In 1995 revenues from abandoned vehicles, bonds, clean-ups and demolitions was approximately $202, 523. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke it was noted that the average cost for demolition of a home is approximately $3,000. Kathy Dempsey cautioned, however,that with asbestos concerns in commercial buildings and home structures that the cost will increase tremendously. NEIGHBORHOOD CODE ENFORCEMENT 1996 BUDGET $854,138 1997 PROPOSED $732,739 Kathy Dempsey noted that there are 18 full time employees in this department. She noted that additional incentives of approximately$750 have been included for Inspectors to pass two national certification programs one dealing with housing inspection and the other for zoning inspection. She also noted that CDBG monies are cut from$135,000 in 1996 to a proposed$80,000 in 1997 and all monies from CDBG will be exhausted in the next three years. Council Member Varner questioned the fee and was advised that a$300 administrative fee for demolition is charged. He questioned whether there should be different fees for the types of structures involved. He encouraged the department to be more self-sufficient and that adjustment of fees should be further studied. Citizen Member Cathy Roemer also questioned the procedures utilized for uncollected accounts and procedures to cover capital costs. Council Member Broden questioned the rankweed and vegetation procedures. It was noted that the Ordinance has been on the books for approximately 2 1/2 to 3 years,however there have been numerous problems with the County Auditor's Department and their computers. Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 10, 1996 Page 4 ANIMAL CONTROL 1997 REQUESTED $165,734 Kathy Dempsey noted that to date 3,800 pet licenses have been issued. Three vans have been outfitted and the operation is located at the renovated former fire station at 105 S. Olive Street address. She noted that the average response time is less than 20 minutes. Dozens of warrants for nuisance animals have been issued. She noted that the operation is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with 3 full time employees and 1 part time employee. There was a$50,000 vehicle start-up cost. Council President Kelly and Council Member Zakrzewski were concerned with regard to the salaries paid and requested that they should be considered to be increased in order to keep good employees. Council Member Coleman voiced concern over making such a request for increases and noted that he was reluctant to support any such raise. Mr.Jeff Rinard noted that these employees would be eligible for merit bonus increases and self-directed bonuses also. Council President Kelly and the other Council Members complimented Kathy Dempsey and her department for the fine program which they are running. Following further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Steve Luecke,Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments