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The September 1, 1998 meeting of the Personnel and Finance and Health was called to
order by its Chairperson, Council Member John Broden at 3:10 p.m. in the Council
informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Councilmembers:Aranowski,Varner,Broden, and Pfeifer;
Tom Skarbek, Paul F. Niezgodski, Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Chief Rick
Switalski, Assistant Chief Robert Quinn, Cathy Roemer, Ron O'Connor, Susan Wallace,
Bernard Redman, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
The first budget for the Committee to review was the Fire Department.
Fire Department Fund # 101-0901 1998: $ 13.079.315
1999: $ 13.633.896
4.2 % Increase
Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Chief Rick Switalski and Assistant Chief Robert Quinn
made the presentation. It was noted that the total increase is $ 554,581. The Fire
Department is budgeted for 257 firefighters. Pursuant to the negotiated salary ordinance
the budget reflects a 3.77 % increase for union members and a 3.25 % for non-union.
Proposed personnel changes reflect a total increase of$ 8,519.00; with the allocation for
the radio shop,print shop and central services being$ 120,989.00.
Highlights for the current year include: 2 IN 2 OUT policy, the Rehab Policy, putting a
new pumper into service, addressing the County EMS and putting EMS into service,
receiving a Rating#3 from ISO,updating the CAD and Fire reporting system,and entering
into a critical care agreement with St.Joseph Medical Center.
It was noted that the agreement with the County is a five (5) year agreement with the
salaries tracking the collective bargaining agreement with the union thus leaving the last two
(2)years open for salary amounts. The County pay$ 115,000 at the end of each month to
the City.
In response to a question raised by Councilmember Pfeifer, it was noted that fifteen (15)
firefighters were sent to Dr. McTigue for hearing, with that number being reduced to three
(3) in 1997 and none being sent this year. Hearing loss was addressed through the
physicals.
Councilmember Aranowski noted that he has received may good comments from St.
Joseph County residents regarding service from our EMS personnel. Response time in the
County is 9.36 minutes (averaged).
Councilmember Pfeifer inquired into whether Spanish was still being learned by our
paramedics, a program begun with the assistance of Isabelle Gonzalez. Chief Taylor said
he has encouraged all paramedics to participate. Councilmember Pfeifer suggested that this
be further emphasized in light of the growing Spanish-speaking population in our city.
Personnel&Finance Committee
September 1, 1998
Page 2
Councilmember Pfeifer inquired about the two (2) women on the Fire Department. Chief
Taylor noted that one has been with the department over a year and the other will soon
reach her one(1)year anniversary. The more senior woman has a lead-medic status and is
interested in the Dive Team. Chief Taylor added that the time and money spent on
sensitivity training was time and money well spent.
Chief Taylor noted that the department is looking into a physical fitness program which will
contain among other things education,cessation of smoking, self-assessment, etc. 78 % of
the department are non-smokers. The Council Attorney suggested that information in this
area should be considered to be shared with the Police Department since they also will be
gathering information in light of the September 2000 deadline to begin a physical fitness
program which will have a monetary incentive for health insurance as a component part.
Fire Pension Fund # 701 1998: $ 3.976.269
1999: $ 2.886.797
Assistant Chief Switalski then reviewed the handout in this area. Numbers reflect the
Firefighter First Class salary at $25,000 in 1998, $ 25,650 in 1999 (2.6% increase) and$
28,045 in the year 2000 (9.3% increase). The proposed numbers further reflect eight (8)
payouts each year. Senate Bill 120 was also highlighted. As a result, a $ 1,089,472
reduction from the current year will take place.
Police Pension Fund # 702 1998: $ 3.693.017
1999: $ 3.568.283
Paul F. Niezgodski of the Police Department made the presentation. He noted that three(3)
schedules are required, namely: Schedule I: Retired; Schedule II: Eligible to Retire; and
Schedule III:Widows and Dependents.
Cathy Roemer noted that a shortfall is projected in the year 2001. 60 % of what we pay out
we get in pension relief on the average. Unless the state law changes,property tax dollars
will be necessary to shore up in this area.
Assistant Chief Switalski noted that the state law changes include changing the death
benefit form$6,000 to$9,000 and increasing the death benefit for being killed in the line
of duty from $75,000 to$ 150,000. Both are effective on January 1, 1999.
Dr. Varner inquired into the Y2K computer issue. Cathy Roemer noted that the 1999
capital budget will address this issue. Not all PC's are in compliance. Chief Taylor noted
that he has been advised that the CAD system will be okay.
The Committee members thanked the members of the Fire Department for their presentation
and detailed handouts.
Personnel&Finance Committee
September 1, 1998
Page 3
Liability Insurance Fund # 226 1998: $ 1.508.455
1999: $ 1.523.607
Bernard Redman and Cathy Roemer made the presentation.
Mrs. Roemer noted that each police officer pays$260.00 per year for insurance to cover
coverage when they are using their police vehicles off-duty. Ten dollars ($ 10.00)per pay
check is deducted. She noted that their is no paper trail on how this amount was
determined under the former City Controller.
Mr. Redman deals primarily with workers compensation claims whereas Dean Tinkel deals
with general liability claims with the Legal Department. The City has a contract with
Gibson Insurance and utilizes the services of Greg Downs. The City has changed
providers from Coresource to JWF Specialty Company. The City is not self-insured for its
buildings.
Internal Service: Self-Funded Employee Benefits Fund 711
1998: $ 5.659.271
1999: $ 5.845.189
Susan Wallace made the presentation.
In response to a question raised by Councilmember Pfeifer, it was noted that the City has
health incentives such as discounts being offered at Memorial Health & Life Style, Pro
Health,and the YMCA. Weight loss and smoking cessation programs are also offered.
Cathy Roemer noted that approximately $ 3 million was paid out in 1997 and that
approximately $ 4.8 million will be paid out in 1998. $ 521,340.00 in back claims are a
part of the 1998 figures. This year reflects a high number of employees exceeding the
$ 75,00 cap.
It was also noted that as part of the Teamster negotiations, going outside the network will
result in out-of-pockets being raised from$ 1,500 to$7,500. In-network with remain the
same. This policy will also be in effect for non-bargaining employees.
The overall increase is 6.4%.
In response to a question from Dr. Varner,it was noted that the Administrative Fee reflects
services for the Legal,Engineering and Finance Departments.
There being no further business to come before the Committee,the meeting was adjourned
at 5:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member John Broden
Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee
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