HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-97 Personnel & Finance €ommittss Z*port:
Personnel and Finance Committee
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The January 27, 1997, meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to
order by its Chairperson, Councilmember Sean Coleman, at 4:45 P.M. in the Council
informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Councilmembers: Kelly, Pfeifer, Aranowski, Broden,
Varner, Ujdak, Coleman, Hosinski, Sniadecki; Amy Olsen, Citizen member, Betsy
Harriman,Don Fozo,Jeff Rinard and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Council member Coleman noted that the members of the Committee included himself as
Chairperson, Dr. Varner as Vice Chair, Councilmember Aranowski and Councilmember
Sniadecki. Councilmember Coleman noted that Bill No. 3-97 which was a request to close
the Barrett Law account would be withdrawn by the City administration. Mr. Rinard will
give an explanation of those proposed actions later in the meeting.
The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 4-97 which would appropriate$120,000 from the
Coveleski Improvement Fund (Fund No. 401). Betsy Harriman, the Administrative
Director for the Parks and Recreation Department made the presentation. She noted that the
appropriation would address six basic items,namely:redesigning areas so that handicapped
individuals can be seated with their families,purchase of a field roller,upgrading of heating
and air conditioning units, purchasing of a new sound system, extension of the
picnic/garden area,and interior and exterior painting and carpeting.
In response to a question raised by Council President Kelly, it was noted that the account
as of November, 1996, had a balance $516,000.00.
In response to a question by Councilmember Coleman,it was noted that the source of the
funding is a percentage of the ticket sales in concessions. The exact amounts are set forth
in a contract between the Silver Hawks and the City which Mr. Nussbaum could further
address.
In response to a question by citizen member Amy Olsen, it was noted that bids are only
required for items over$25,000.00.
In response to a question from Councilmember Sniadecki, it was noted that the sound
system is approximately ten years old.
Dr. Varner requested breakdowns of the proposed expenditures. Ms. Harriman noted that
the field roller would cost approximately $7,500.00, the air conditioning/heating units
would be approximately $8,000.00, the new sound system would be between $56,000.00
and $60,000.00, the picnic/garden expansion would be approximately $20,000.00, the
interior/exterior painting and carpeting would be approximately $9,000.00 with the
remaining portion for handicap/disabled family seating area reconstruction.
In response to a question raised by Councilmember Ujdak, it was noted that there is a
scheduled maintenance study prepared by Cole Associates which the Park Department is
following.
Personnel and Finance Committee
January 27, 1997
Page 2
Councilmember Coleman also noted that this is a good example of a dedicated firm which
is specifically used for capital improvements.
Following further discussion, Councilmember Varner made a motion, seconded by
Councilmember Aranowski hat Bill No.4-97 be recommended favorably to Council. The
motion passed.
Councilmember Coleman then called on Mr. Jeff Rinard to give detail with regard to the
withdrawal of Bill No. 3-97. Mr. Rinard noted that the funds in the Barrett Law account
may be necessary for possible sewer extensions in the South end of the City. This would
be the only funding mechanism available for such a expansion.
Under unfinished business, Councilmember Coleman called upon Building Commissioner
Don Fozo to review Resolution No. 97-3.
Mr. Fozo noted that this resolution would approve a lease for additional space for the St.
Joseph County/South Bend Building Department at 205 West Jefferson Blvd. He noted
that the lease calls for approximately 520 feet of additional office space for an annual rental
of $6,739.92.
Mr. Fozo noted that when his department took over design review which had formerly
been performed by the Community and Economic Development Department,that additional
files were moved to his office and that meeting rooms are necessary to review and carry out
these additional duties.
Councilmember Pfeifer questioned why a building of this type had not been purchased in
the past by the City when it was up for sale.
Councilmember Coleman noted that there is a facility study which has been conducted for
the City.
Councilmember Pfeifer expressed the need for additional space and possible acquisition of
property to facilitate or improve current programs or permit new programs to be offered by
the City. She also noted that there is a need for additional space several for current
employees. She stressed the need to look into this further.
Councilmember Coleman then requested the Council Attorney to briefly review why the
resolution was coming before the Common Council.
The Council Attorney noted that State Law requires this procedure. More specifically. IC
Section 36-1-10-7 requires a leasing agent, who in this instance would be the Board of
Public Works, to receive a petition signed by at least fifty (50) taxpayers that there is a
need for such a lease. The fiscal body or the Common Council is then required to
determine, after investigation, whether the proposed lease is needed. She noted that it is
basically a benefit cost analysis which should be performed by the Common Council in
determining whether a need exists for entering into the lease arrangement. She
Personnel and Finance Committee
January 27, 1997
Page 3
further noted that state law requires this process to be used regardless of the fmancial
amount of the proposed lease.
Councilman Coleman noted that since the resolution is coming before the Committee as a
miscellaneous item,that there would not be a formal vote taken.
There being no further business to come before the Committee,the meeting was adjourned
at 5:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Sean Coleman
Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee
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