HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-98 Personnel & Finance Commit t Zsport:
Personnel and Finance
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The September 2, 1998 meeting of the Personnel and Finance and Health was called to
order by Council Member Dr. David Varner at 3:15 p.m. in the Council informal meeting
room.
Persons in attendance included Councilmembers:Aranowski and Varner; Tom Skarbek,
Phil St. Clair, Ron Radecki, Bonnie Stryker,Loretta Duda, Lew Powell, Sandy Pamerlee,
Cathy Roemer, Susan Visser,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Dr. Varner noted that this is the third meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee
reviewing the proposed 1999 Civil City Budget. The Committee than heard from the City
Clerk's Office.
City Clerk Fund # 101-0201 1998: $ 239.844
1999: $ 245.492 2.4% increase
Loretta Duda, City Clerk,made the presentation. She noted that her entire budget is
proposed with a total increase of$5,648.00. She then reviewed the information provided
in the performance based budget information and the line-item detail. She highlighted that
she would like the number of tickets voided by the City to go down. Publication of legal
notices is proposed to be increased by 2 %. She also noted that the charges for Central
Services are now in her budget for the first time in the amount of$200.00
The City Clerk noted that a member of her staff will be retiring next year and at that
point she would like to reorganize the office. She also noted that the recodification project
is very time consuming and will probably need another year before it is completed.
Discussion took place on updating all forms related to ordinance violations, with
Dr. Varner noting that such a project should enhance enforcement.
Youth Services Bureau Fund # 101-0407 1998: $ 60.000
1999: $ 60.000
Bonnie Stryker,Director of the Youth Services Bureau made the presentation. She
noted that her services are outcome oriented. She then reviewed the handouts provided to
the Committee.
Mrs. Stryker noted that the Bureau assisted 4,784 children in the past budget year
and received approximately 6,000 hours of service from volunteers.
Safe Station: This program assisted 121 youths or runaways with 75 % being
positively placed in a relative's home and 9-10 % being placed in foster care. Information
on this service is to be provided to the police departments at their roll calls.
CASA: The Court Appointed Special Advocacy Program is basically a voice for the
child. Forty-five(45)volunteers work in this area with an additional seventeen (17) being
sworn in soon for a total of sixty-two (62)persons.
Personnel&Finance Committee
September 2, 1998
Page 2
Youth Services Bureau Continued:
Young Mom Self-sufficiency Program: Seventy-eight (78) mothers ages 16 to 24
years of age with 138 children were assisted through this program during the past budget
year. 97% were residents of the City of South Bend. The Program's goal is to increase
self-sufficiency. Younger mothers have a higher incident rate of neglect.
Youth Discover Program: This program provides day care assistance to assist in
developing social skills and developmental issues.
Youth As Resources: This program is aimed at bringing problems to resolution. It
is currently in the strategic planning stage. Youth Fest is one of its internal programs.
Mrs. Stryker noted that she would be interested in sharing information and ideas with the
Commission on African-American Males when asked by the Council Attorney.
Dr. Varner inquired what part the City's $ 60,000 is of the entire budget for the
Youth Services Bureau. Mrs. Stryker said that the City is one (1) of twenty-five (25)
funding sources with a total budget of $ 980,000.00. The Committee thanked Mrs.
Stryker and her staff for a fine presentation and wished them well in their efforts.
Art Association Fund # 101-0408 1998: $ 65.000
1999: $ 65.000
Susan R. Visser, Executive Director of the South Bend Regional Museum of Art,
made the presentation. She noted that the $ 65,000 is basically an occupancy fee for the
Century Center to help pay utility and maintenance fees. She noted that she was on a leave
of absence this summer due to the adoption of her child.
Mrs. Visser provided copies of a brochure entitled "Remembering Beauty-the
seductive and nostalgic nature of American landscape" currently sponsored by the South
Bend Regional Museum of Art. She also provided copies of the "Fall 1998 Members'
News and Class Listings" highlighting upcoming events.
Mrs. Visser noted that a new marketing concept is currently underway at the
Michiana Airport where sculpture is on display. Dr. Varner suggested that better
captioning of the sculptures be considered to tie it directly to the South Bend Regional
Museum of Art.
The last "Meet Me on the Island" is scheduled for this Friday,being the last of four
(4) held throughout the summer.
Studebaker Museum Fund # 101-0409 1998: $ 173.000
1999: $ 173.000
Ron Radecki, Director, made the presentation. He noted that "Dinosaurs Alive"
was again presented in light of the overwhelming calls for it from the community. The
third catalog from the museum will soon be available. The Gift Shop sales totaled $
200,000.00.
Personnel&Finance Committee
September 2, 1998
Page 3
,Studebaker Museum Continued:.
Mr. Radecki noted that the monthly meetings with the other museum heads and the
persons from the Football Hall of Fame where issues and funding sources are discussed
have proven helpful.
He also noted that the new building design is moving along with the assistance of
Lew Powell. It was also noted that the loan payment of$ 18,000 will continue for the next
five(5)years.
Park & Recreation Department Fund # 201 1998: $ 8.271.244
1999: $ 8.624.835
4.3 % Increase
The following members of the Park and Recreation Department then joined the
Committee meeting: Phil St. Clair, Superintendent; Betsy Harriman, Administrative
Director; Matthew Moyers, Moyers Concessions Manager; Bill Carleton, Fiscal Officer;
Chad Kilmer, Director of Golf; Mike Dyszkiewicz, Maintenance Superintendent; Susan
O'Connor,Director of Recreation;and the new Director of the Potawatomi Zoo.
Mr. St. Clair noted that the Park and Recreation Department is divided into six (6)
Divisions and each budget will be presented separately.
Park Administration Fund#201-1100 1998: $788.382 1999: $734,228:
Betsy Harriman and Bill Carelton made the presentation. It was noted that a
Computer Coordinator for $ 24,700 plus benefits is proposed. The Council Attorney
brought up on behalf of Councilmember Kelly the Park Ranger situation and enforcement.
Councilmember Aranowski also voiced concern in this office. They noted that this topic
was raised with Chief Gunn and asked the two (2) departments to consult one another and
report back to the Council. Signage in the parks was also discussed. Dr. Varner suggested
that if there is not enough parking provided at Belleville that tickets not be issued.
At this point in the meeting,Council Member Broden joined the meeting.
Park Maintenance Fund#201-1101 1998: $3.679.866 1999: $3,800.318:.
Mike Dyszkiewicz made the presentation. With the addition of O'Brien Center
there will be additional maintenance expenses and utility expenses. In response to a
question to Councilmember Aranowski it was noted that the tree trimming equipment is not
in yet. He thanked all the workers for all of their efforts during the recent storms. In
response to a question raised by Council Member Broden it was noted that the tree
trimming crew would be a 3-member crew. He also thanked the workers for their efforts
during the clean-up after the storms. Mr. St. Clair stated that the tree trimming equipment
is expected in January or February. The Council Attorney suggested that once the high-
rangers are in that a letter be sent to former Councilmember Walter Syzmkowiak who long
advocated for such a program while he was on the Common Council.
At this point in the meeting, Council Member Kelly joined the meeting.
Personnel&Finance Committee
September 2, 1998
Page 4
Recreation Fund#201-1103 1998: $1.155.742 1999: $1.318.213:
Susan O'Connor made the presentation. She noted that members of the staff have
had violence prevention training at various workshops. The Assistant Recreation Director
has been replaced with two (2)academic coordinators, a computer tech and secretary. The
computer labs will have Internet access.
In response to a question raised by Dr. Varner it was noted that O'Brien School
with have youth programs and will be a multi-purpose center for Senior Citizens, along
with administrative offices being moved there in the late Spring.
Golf Courses Fund#201-1102 1998: $1.293.782 1999: $ 1.383.931:
Chad Kilmer made the presentation. He noted that the number of season passes
sold is down (the fee was increased by $ 75.00). The average cost is $ 6.00 per round.
Revenue goes into the Park Capital Fund.
In response to a question raised by Councilmember Kelly it was noted that resident
season passes cost $500.00; non-resident season passes cost $585.00 plus $200.00 for a
couple; and senior citizen resident season passes cost$ 400.00. The break even point is
approximately 36-37 rounds.
The use of personally-owned golf carts is being phased out with approximately 5-6
being grandfathered.
In response to a question raised by Councilmember Aranowski, it was noted that
the problem at Erskine is being addressed with the source of the problem coming from the
geo-thermal waters from the Christian Center. Councilmember Aranowski suggested that
some sort of public notice be provided since many rumors on this topic are being
circulated.
In response to a question from Councilmember Broden it was noted that the
opening of the Notre Dame golf course should not negatively impact the South Bend
courses.
Councilmember Kelly complimented the staff for the excellent conditions at Elbel
and Erskine courses.
Mr. Kilmer noted that the South Bend courses were ranked 52nd by Golf Digest of
300 municipally-owned courses. Bob Costas has put on the Internet that Erskine is one of
the best courses he has played.
Alcohol consumption has not been a problem on the courses.
Potawatomi Zoo Fund#201-1104 1998: $966.575 1999: $ 992.816:.
The new Zoo Director made the presentation. She noted that the camel rides and the
tram rides have been discontinued.
Personnel&Finance Committee
September 2, 1998
Page 5
Parks and Recreation Department Continued:
The Zoo is currently going through an accreditation process with an update in the
next several weeks.
Park Recreation Non-Reverting Fund#203 1999: 72.073
Special Events Fund#272 1998: $ 14.930 1999: $ 17.279
Susan O'Connor made the presentation on both of these funds. She noted that the
largest program is softball. They are attempting to be more aggressive in getting larger
tournaments. Youth Basketball and Day Care Programs are taking off. All programs are
aimed to be self-supporting.
She noted that the Ethnic Festival broke even. Rides brought in$ 15,000.00.
Councilmember Kelly questioned how the "ethnicity issue" was being handled. It
was noted that an article should be appearing soon in the Boat. Ii1 ittb Zribitttt.
Dr.Varner inquired about the concerns of local vendors who annually display at the
Leeper Park Art Fair. He noted that he believes that many of their concerns are valid and
encourage further dialogue to address their concerns.
Councilmember Broden hoped that both programs could co-exist, however he was
surprised at how the Leeper Park Art Fair was down in attendance.
The Council Attorney noted that the billboards on State Routes 2 and 20 advertised
the Ethnic Festival at Howard Park, but did not have South Bend listed any where. That
item was noted.
Mr. St. Clair noted that the budget does not address the aquatic center. They are
currently looking at potential sites and are having further discussions. Neighborhood pools
are also being discussed.
In response to a question from Councilmember Broden it was noted that the Park
Master Plan is not completed. It will not be until the aquatic and neighborhood pool issues
are addressed.
Council Member Varner thanked the Park and Recreation personnel for their
presentation.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member John Broden
Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee
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