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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-96 Personnel & Finance QCommfttu *tport: Personnel and Finance Committee g0 tlje COMM QCOUtttfl Of the tttV of South larttb: The September 18, 1996 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Steve Luecke at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Kelly, Pfeifer, Varner, Zakrzewski, Coleman and Broden; Jenny Pitts Manier,Ann Kolata,Beth Leonard, Cheryl Phipps, Don Inks, Kay Pola, Pam Meyer, Richard Nussbaum, Don Fozo, Jon Hunt, Rebecca Neese, Fiscal Officer for the Building Department, Jeff Rinard, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. BUILDING DEPARTMENT 1996 BUDGETED $770,219 1997 REQUESTED $892,008 Mr. Don Fozo, the Building Commissioner,reviewed the proposed budget. He noted that this is an enterprise budget. Design and plan review will be a new project added to the duties and responsibilities of the Building Department. These duties were formally provided by the Redevelopment Department. Mr. Fozo noted that the actual requested budget in 1996 was approximately $847,000 and therefore the overall increase is not as significant as shown by the dollar amounts. He noted that computer upgrades will begin in 1997. He also highlighted increases for inspectors. The Granger area received significant hail damage which increased inspections by over 1,100. He also noted that Osceola is now part of the operation. LaPorte County is interested in talking about services being provided with this being discussed at a per-inspection basis only. Mr. Fozo noted that in 1998 grading of building departments in Indiana will begin. Certification of inspectors will be a key factor in such a process. He noted that reductions in insurance rates up to 17%per homeowners are a possibility. The State of Indiana has no State requirements for inspections. He is recommending combination inspectors with testing as a key component. He also noted that a new lease was recently entered into which added approximately 500 square feet to the Department. There will be a contract with Jon Hunt's department in light of the design and plan duties being added. He noted that Jim Markle will be involved in making the office more user friendly. Two leased cars are being eliminated with the addition of one City car to the vehicle fleet. He also noted that there is a possibility for a local plan review option in light of the 6 week turn around time down by the State. Contractors will be updated for this opportunity. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke,it was noted that projected income is $836,062 before interest. Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 18, 1996 Page 2 LEGAL DEPARTMENT 1996 BUDGETED $509,598 1997 REQUESTED $530,403 Richard Nussbaum, City Attorney and Jenny Pitts Manier, Assistant City Attorney, then reviewed the budget for 1997. Mr.Nussbaum highlighted the adjustment requested for the full time attorneys which had been requested by the City administration. He noted that the staff is assisting other governmental agencies which has increased significantly in the past year. He also noted that the Swift Rail Act has been amended to include "community needs" before mandatory train whistle blowing. He noted that the South Bend Legal Department took the lead on this case and several other cases during the past calendar year. He noted that temporary services will be decreased with a move toward outside legal counsel which is necessary for the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board of Public Safety, various tax and pension questions when there is a potential conflict. Mr.Nussbaum also noted that one deputy city attorney position has not been filled but will be in the very near future in light of the increased annexation issues. The Department is moving toward more CD-ROM capability and are checking the feasibility of legal publications on the Internet. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke, it was noted that the Legal Department will continue its intern program where it utilizes law students from Valparaiso, Indiana and Notre Dame law schools. Both the Council Attorney and Council Member Luecke provided favorable comments on the leadership and professionalism of the Department. COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Mr. Hunt then introduced his staff to the Committee and noted that the overall budget reflects a 3 1/2% increase. Mr.Hunt then provided an overview. He noted that the federal government's inability to balance the budget created a five to six month delay which impacted his department. He saw the department as providing the leadership necessary to create opportunities for jobs and new development throughout the community. Currently they are working on five corporate projects with approximately $260,000,000 worth of projects being developed over the next two years. They are currently managing 246 loans, one-half of which are business loans for a total of$21,000,000. Beth Leonard then reviewed the sources of revenue. The City dollars would be gradually reduced in light of the EDIT monies being phased in with an overall increase of approximately$20,861. Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 18, 1996 Page 3 Council Member Pfeifer suggested developing a specific focus which would be beneficial to all communities. She highlighted communities in Minnesota which focus on a clean environment. She noted that criminal elements look at neighborhoods and believes both a philosophical discussion and a plan of action is necessary for similar programs in our City. Mr. Hunt noted that the"neighborhoods strategic planning teams"are currently discussing such items as how behavior can be changed and are continuing to strategize in an attempt to foster personal responsibility and mutual obligation where anti-community attitudes are involved. Council Member Luecke noted that this is an important topic, however, he believes it should be directed toward the Department of Code Enforcement in light of the limited time commitments for the budget. Council Member Pfeifer stated that programs which require accountability should be provided with proper prosecution of violators. Council President Kelly provided an example of a resident in his district who had obstructed the law for over ten years. Council Member Luecke noted that there are many component factors which affect the image of the City and he appreciated all of these suggestions. Ann Kolata noted that the budget is incorrect and it should reflect seven and one-half positions in 1996 with it being increased to eight positions in 1997. One of the new activities will be commercial corridor planning with Council Member Luecke suggesting Portage Avenue and Council Member Pfeifer suggesting Western Avenue being added to such strategic planning. Ms. Kolata noted that all East Bank property has been sold and that only two parcels are left in the downtown,namely the old Senor Kelly building and the Baer's Lot. The demand is for industrial parcels with the majority being three to five acres. In response to a question raised by Council Member Coleman it was noted that the tax abatement fees are reviewed internally on an annual basis. Council Member Zakrzewski voiced concerns with regard to the weeds, trash,etc., which is detracting from the old Torrington Building on Sample Street which is the current incubator project. Mr. Inks noted that currently the project does not break even, however he would look into these concerns. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke in light of the City's commitment to TCU for parking, it was noted that this area is currently being discussed. Council Member Coleman suggested a general parking plan for the downtown area may be needed. BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY 1996 & 1997 BUDGET $10,200 Mr. Jeff Rinard reviewed this budget noting that it is identical to last year which addresses the three-member Board of Public Safety. Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 18, 1996 Page 4 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 1996 BUDGETED $204,343 1997 REQUESTED $214,709 Lonnie Douglas, the Director, was out of town and would be willing to arrange another meeting date to review the budget and the overall programs at a future date. Mr. Rinard noted that the same staffing levels are included which reflect a 3% increase. CITY CONTROLLER 1996 BUDGETED $1,353,030 1997 REQUESTED $1,337,774 Mr. Rinard reviewed the budget and noted that staffing levels drive the overall budget. Two new positions are being requested"MIS Director" (Management Information System) and an Internal Auditor. He noted that city-wide networking is currently in transition in order to allow the City to become more paperless and have more sharing of information in light of the fiber optic resources being made available. He noted that there will be growing pains during this transition. The first department to be moved forward will be the Economic Development with Engineering being second. Training will be increased in light of the MIS staff. Neighborhood programs of approximately$200,000 in soft costs are not included in the operating budget. Separate discussions on the Good Neighborhoods Program, Mr.Rinard stated,would be part of the capital needs discussion. Council Member Broden questioned the city-wide training and noted that it will be seven hours for approximately $60 per employee with approximately 260 being projected. Programs will include WordPerfect as well as Lotus. Council Member Luecke noted that the AS400 is overloaded very quickly and Mr. Rivard assured him that the"Super Server"would have ample capacity. Council Member Zakrzewski requested a breakdown of the Sagamore Associate's project over the past year. Several Council Members requested that the Council be included in the new computerization programs. Mr. Rinard then reviewed the General Fund Summaries (copy attached). He noted that general property tax in 1996 was $30,903,225 with 1997 being projected at $32,558,386 reflecting a 5.36%. Total sources in 1996 were $37,750,835 with total source income in 1997 projected at$40,146,453. Mr. Rinard noted that the Council has now reviewed approximately 20 funds of which 7 would be operating in a deficit. He noted,however,that many have adequate reserves for a limited period of time. He complimented all department heads and managers in providing this city-wide focus. Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 18, 1996 Page 5 LIABILITY INSURANCE 1996 BUDGETED $1,373,954 1997 REQUESTED $1,387,114 Isabel Gonzolez and Bernard Redman to review their budget. Ms. Gonzolez introduced Mr. Bernard Redman to the Committee. She then reviewed the Annual Report. She noted that with the fatality of Karl Stevens,that IOSHA will have a hearing on that accident next Friday. Education and training will be a focal part of the department. She highlighted participation with the City of Indianapolis which provides building collapse and confined space training for the City of South Bend while the City of South Bend provides river rescue training for the City of Indianapolis on a partnership basis. She also noted several joint ventures involving private industry. The Council Attorney noted that several programs in the Fire Department received regional and national recognition due to the efforts Isabel Gonzolez and her staff. HEALTH INSURANCE 1996 BUDGETED $4,875,773 1997 REQUESTED $4,990,099 Ronalda Minnis then joined the Committee. She reviewed the summary sheets on health insurance and noted that approximately $1,000,000 is in the insurance fund. She noted that several new companies are involved with insurance being bid every three years. She noted that the City is currently in a survey regarding a health and wellness program which the mayor has requested. The Council Attorney again noted that Ronalda Minnis and her staff provided needed information during the Fire Fighter negotiations in a professional and timely manner. MAYOR 1996 BUDGETED $291,175 1997 REQUESTED $357,363 Denise Sanford, the Manager of the Mayor's department, then reviewed the proposed budget. She noted that it reflects the addition of an administrative assistant and that the security system reflects the actual cost. She also noted that the Dues line item is increased since the IACT fees had previously been included in the Controller's budget. Committee Report Personnel and Finance Committee September 18, 1996 Page 6 COMMON COUNCIL 1996 BUDGETED $235,371 1997 REQUESTED $228,708 Mr. Roland Kelly, Council President, then reviewed the proposed Council budget. The Council Attorney reviewed the Performance Based Budget handout previously provided to the Council. Council Member Luecke requested that the Council Budget be revised to include $750 to address the hearing impaired concerns voiced at a recent Council Meeting, and that the Council Attorney's budgeted salary be adjusted since it currently reflects a freeze for 1997. Council Members also suggested that the Council have adequate equipment in the area of computers,copiers and supplies to assist them in performing their duties. Following further discussion,the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Steve Luecke,Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments