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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-97 Personnel & Finance COMM Z*port: Personnel and Finance Committee to the 4COmm011 4COUtttti of the Qt1ty of 6outh ettb: The September 10, 1997 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 3:00 p.m. in the council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Pfeifer, Coleman and Varner; Cathy Roemer,Tom Skarbek,Becky Neese,Don Fozo and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. CONSOLIDATED BUILDING DEPARTMENT FUND NO. 600-1306 1997 Revenue: $ 836.362 1997 Expenses: $ 902.008 1998 Revenue: $ 933.740 1998 Expenses: $ 930.613 Don Fozo, Building Commissioner and Becky Neese, Fiscal Officer made the presentation. They began by reviewing the Summary of Major Changes from 1997 and the handouts. It was suggested that a listing of upcoming construction projects be provided to the Council. Monthly updates will begin at the end of this month. NEIGHBORHOOD CODE ENFORCEMENT FUND NO. 101-1201 et seq. 1997 Expenses: $ 736.074 1998 Expenses: $ 839.589, Kathy Dempsey, Director of Neighborhood Code Enforcement and Gary Libbey, Administrative Services Director then joined the Committee and reviewed the proposed budget for the Neighborhood Code Enforcement, beginning with the Summary of Major Changes from 1997. A $1,500 increase above the 3% salary increase is being proposed for the Administrative Services Director. A summary of the decrease in CDBG $ was provided showing a history of such funding from 1994-1998. Discussion took place regarding utilizing aid recipients from the various Township Trustee offices, DuComb Center, etc. Council Member Coleman offered to contact the Portage Township Trustee regarding discussions to assist Neighborhood Code. In response to a question raised by Council Member Pfeifer it was noted that the minimum fee to mow a property is $ 82.00. It was suggested that this fee be reviewed annually and that a total cost analysis be done to make sure it properly reflects all costs. Receipts in clean-up in 1996 were$47,000 with$96,000 projected this year. The overall cost to the City is $224,000. Council Member Varner suggested contacting private lawn services for potential contracting services. Kathy Dempsey noted that the City of Fort Wayne contracts with its Neighborhood Associations for the cleaning of county and city lots. Council Member Pfeifer suggested that perhaps the partnership centers should be contacted. It was also noted that the city does NOT track non-owner occupied properties through its computer system regarding clean-ups. The consensus of the Council Members Personnel and Finance Committee September 10, 1997 Page 2 present was that better information regarding owner-occupied and non-owner occupied records need to be utilized by the city and the better cost analysis is needed in this area. The Council Attorney suggested that networking of information between Code Enforcement and Community and Economic Development take place in the hope for spear- heading more potential properties for residential tax abatement development. Council Member Coleman concurred. It was noted that 2,158 county and city properties are cleaned each year. Council President Kelly suggested that this be made a priority and that information be sent to the Council and especially to Council Member Broden as Chairperson of the Community and Economic Development Committee. It was suggested that such information be gathered together before the next building season. Council Member Pfeifer suggested that IUSB graduate students be contacted (Ms. Hall 237-4111) for possible assistance in gathering such data. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES FUND NO. 101-0202 1997 Expenses: $ 40.520 1998 Expenses: $ 42.250 Kathy Dempsey noted there were no major changes in this budget. CODE HEARING OFFICER FUND NO. 101-1203 1997 Expenses: $ 46565 1998 Expenses: $ 47.947 Kathy Dempsey noted that the Code Hearing Officer, Larry Clifford, a local attorney has been in this position for approximately 10 years. He handles code hearings twice per week from approximately 1:30 p.m. to 3: 30 p.m. JUNK VEHICLE FUND NO. 101-1204 1997 Expenses: $ 49.123 1998 Expenses: $ 50.868 Kathy Dempsey noted that with the state law change in abandoned vehicles its is anticipated that this fund should break even in 1998. UNSAFE BUILDING FUND NO. 101-1205 1997 Expenses: $ 134.319 1998 Expenses: $ 137.005 Kathy Dempsey noted that there were no major changes anticipated in 1998. Personnel and Finance Committee September 10, 1997 Page 3 It was noted that utilizing civil penalty procedures has assisted in closing code cases. There are approximately 1,500 open housing cases at any one time. Council Member Coleman invited the Code Director to the October 6th 4 p.m. meeting when the Council will begin discussing in greater detail the adult care proposed zoning and licensing ordinances. Kathy Dempsey noted that she would like two (2) additional people and equipment added to her budget that are NOT currently reflected in the proposed budget. She noted that Sam Hensley utilizes individuals from Ducomb Center. Solid Waste is currently in a deficit situation. The City Controller noted that a$ 10,000 is projected in that account for 1998. The positions requested would be two (2) Operator II. Council Member Pfeifer noted that she has had ongoing discussions with Council member Udjak over the need for properties to be cleaned and maintained. The Council again urged that all possible alternatives be pursued such as DuComb Center and Township Trustee recipients to help with personnel needs. Council Member Varner suggested that city residents be given a priority when hiring if new positions were to be added. Discussion took place on the MACOG mandates regarding ozone alerts. It was noted that a compromise was worked out for the City whereby mowers were not used between the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on ozone days. Private business are not currently under the EPA mandates. Discussion also took place on storm damage clean-up procedures. ANIMAL CONTROL FUND NO. 101-1207 1997 Expenses: $ 165.734 1998 Expenses: $ 194.623 Kathy Dempsey noted that they now have four(4)officers (previously there were 3 full-time and 2 part-time). The biggest problem is turn-over of personnel. To help address that problem increases in salaries above the 3 % guideline are being proposed. It was also noted that the City now utilizes mail-in licensing for dogs and cats in addition to veterinarian licensing. Dr.Varner suggested better record keeping for licensed or registered animals,with follow-up procedures being put in place on a regular basis for renewals. PARKING GARAGE FUND NO. 601-0405 1997 Revenue: $ 458.400 Expenses: $ 575.431 1998 Revenue: $ 470.791 Expenses: $ 742.008 Terry Coleman then joined the meeting and began by reviewing the Major Changes from 1997 for the Parking Garages as well as his handouts. He noted an anticipated decrease in parking fee revenues of$ 12,391. He noted that there are vacant spaces in the Personnel and Finance Committee September 10, 1997 Page 4 Jefferson Street garage. If it was at capacity an additional $ 5,400 in revenue would be generated. He noted that the impact of the new garage would impact the TCU parkers in the Main Street garage initially. Mr. Coleman shared his growing concern over the physical state of the Main and Jefferson Street garages. He noted that several portions of the garages are closed because they are unsafe. $80,000 was appropriated by the Council this year to do "bandaid" work in both garages. The City has a 1992 engineering report with regard to proposed rehabilitation. Cathy Roemer noted that the City Engineering Department is looking into the the needs of the garages both on a long-term and short-term basis. Dr. Varner noted that EDIT funds were to be available for such expenses. Council Member Coleman noted that the reassessment negatively impacted the City's ability to utilize"[Ii funds for such critical needs. Mr. Coleman noted that if necessary since the Main Street garage is in the worst shape that a decision to close and repair that garage and transfer the monthly parkers may have to be pursued further. The Council Attorney noted that with the increase in construction in the downtown, that may of the handicapped parking spaces around the County-City Building are being used by workers knowing that there is no enforcement of such spaces until 8 a.m. She noted that the many disabled individuals attempting to have access to the immediate downtown are being affected. Mr. Coleman noted that he would bring this to the attention of Captain Blume. There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5: 50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dr.David Varner,Vice-Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments