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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-31-98 Personnel & Finance s tommfttt* Z port: Personnel and Finance 10 the Common touiitfl of the City of foutb Altnt': The August 31, 1998 meeting of the Personnel and Finance and Health was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member John Broden at 3:20 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, Ujdak, Broden, Sniadecki, Kelly, and Varner; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Terry Bland, Cathy Roemer, Shirley Roemer, Lew Powell, Chief Gunn, Assistant Chief Kilgore, Fiscal Officer Don Pinckert,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Broden welcomed Mayor Luecke and members of the City Administration to the meetings of the Committee over the next several weeks which will address the civil city budget for 1999. Mayor Stephen Luecke began the presentation by giving a city-wide overview. He thanked the Council, Department Heads and in particular Cathy Roemer and her staff for their hard work. The Mayor noted that he is presenting a balanced budget to the Council. 73 % of the budget is dedicated to public safety items. Mayor Luecke than reviewed a two-page handout entitled "The City of South Bend-1999 Budget-Significant Issues/Highlights" (copy attached). Mayor Luecke then noted that six (6) budgets are not balanced, namely: MVH, Human Rights-EEOC, Police Pension , Solid Waste, Project Releaf and the Parking Garages. City Controller Cathy Roemer then reviewed the format of the Budget Notebooks. She noted that "projections" have been added to the information provided to the Council. She also noted that the Budget Summary format has been enhanced. She then reviewed the preliminary pages and charts contained in the Budget Notebooks. Mrs. Roemer noted that five (5) ordinances will have first reading at the Special Council Meeting this evening at 5:15 p.m. The non-bargaining ordinance has been filed by title only. The Committee than began their review of departmental budgets. Police Department Fund # 101-0801 1998: $ 17. 551,642 1999: $ 18. 282.689 5.1% increase Chief Gunn, Assistant Chief Kilgore and Fiscal Officer Don Pinckert then made the presentation. Chief Gunn noted that the overall increase in the budget is $ 894,247.00. He noted that the take-home car fleet has experienced 400,000 more miles than projected. 1,600 officer hours in off-duty responses have been provided as a result of the program being in place. He further noted that crime has dropped 18 % since the take-home car program was initiated,with it being one component part of the total police department program to deter crime. Personnel and Finance Committee August 31, 1998 Page 2 Police Department Budget Continued: $ 102,00 is being requested for computer maintenance in order to properly maintain the fifty (50) desk top computers and the one hundred fifty (150) mobile computers in the squad cars. The City received a$ 100,000 grant to also assist in this area. Chief Gunn was complimented by Council Member Pfeifer for improved communications with the Council. In her position as Chairperson of the Health and Public Safety Committee she noted that she attends the monthly staff meetings of the Police Administration. Chief Gunn noted that the quarterly newsletter and employee of the month were suggested by Council Member Pfeifer and are working successfully. Don Pinckert than reviewed the line item and performance based budget information for the Police Department. He noted that 35 positions for"Safe Neighborhoods" assistance was budgeted in 1998 and that 39 positions are requested for 1999. Decreases are reflected in longevity pay, shift differential pay, buy back and personnel days with the later being now a "use it or loose it" program. Reclassifications are proposed of certain civilian positions including the PM Coordinator who is in charge of 300 vehicles. Three(3) non- bargaining Secretary IV positions are recommended to be reclassified to Secretary V positions in light of changes to the Teamster positions in the department. In addition to civil city funds, the Police Department receives the following grant monies: $ 138,000 SB School Corporation Reimbursement 70,000 HUD CDBG for two officers 54,000 SB School Corporation Security Director Position 156,550 Indiana Criminal Justice STOP Program 33,333 Indiana Law Enforcement Fund Council Member Aranowski requested a written update on the names of the officers by Councilmanic District who participate in the Safe Neighborhoods program. Chief Gunn noted that he would provide this update to the Council. Don Pinckert noted that today the department has 255 officers with 257 officers being budgeted. He noted the following: 1997: 14 retirements 2 resignations 2 deaths 1998: 5 retirements 5 resignations 1 dismissed Chief Gunn voiced disappointment in the recruitment of minorities to the department. Mr. Pinckert noted that state law will change on July 1, 1999 and will then permit an officer to retire at the age of 52. 100 officers could retire today. New line items include: $ 28,500 Print shop $119,550 Radio shop repairs $ 14,643 Central Service Allocation Personnel and Finance Committee August 31, 1998 Page 3 Councilmember Pfeifer voiced concern over the education and training line item. She requested an update on the officers who have utilized this training. She also stressed the need for anger management, diversity, etc. Chief Gunn noted that each officer is required to have sixteen (16)hours of mandatory training each year. He also noted that the city has purchased a verbal judo machine for$70,000.00. Council Member Kelly inquired into the training of the Park Rangers. He noted several instances raising concern when such rangers deal with the public. Several complaints have been made to the City Clerk's office. Chief Gunn noted that a Lieutenant is in charge of the Park Rangers and that he would contact him on this matter. Council Members Aranowski and Ujdak also voiced concern over the Park Rangers and provided examples of such instances. Cathy Roemer noted that Central Services should be an internal service fund resulting in a "wash"in each department budget. Communications Center Fund # 101-0802 1998: $ 943.083 1999: $1.013.068 7.4 % Increase Don Pinckert noted that the budget reflects an increase of$ 69,985.00. He further noted that all dispatchers are Teamster employees. The Center has four(4) supervisors and one (1) director with a Sergeant sometimes filling in as a supervisor. Sick buy back monies have been eliminated as well as training pay. The City receives the following reimbursements: E911 $ 54,000.00 Indiana Enforcement Assistance Fund $ 33,333.00 Mr. Pinckert noted that when reviewing both the Police Department and the Communications Center budgets including all grant and reimbursement dollars that the total increase is 2.3 %. The SRO grant will continue through the year 2000 and the Indiana Enforcement Assistance grant will continue for three(3) more years. Chief Gunn noted that Captain Horvath fills the research and planning position which was created two and one-half years ago and has yielded approximately $2 million in grant and reimbursement monies. Council Member Pfeifer noted that several elderly residents are upset by the response they receive when they dial Communications. The Chief noted that he has issued a General Order on this topic and is concerned about the intimidation and retaliation factors. Council Member Broden noted that he believes that the take home car program is working well. Upon his inquiry Chief Gunn noted that the maintenance costs are much higher than anticipated. Council Member Aranowski inquired into the replacement program for the take home cars. It was noted that fifty(50)vehicles will be replaced each year. Personnel and Finance Committee August 31, 1998 Page 4 Council Member Broden thanked Chief Gunn, Division Chief Kilgore, and Mr. Pinckert for their detailed presentation. There being no further business to come before the committee,the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member John Broden Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments