HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-30-00 Personnel & Finance Committee pot:
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The August 30, 2000 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order
by its Chairperson,Council Member James Aranowski at 3:05 pm in the Council Informal Meeting
room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Varner, and Kirsits; Citizen
Member Isabelle Gonzalez, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Fiscal Officer Rebecca Neese,City
Controller Cathy Roemer and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Aranowski welcomed members of the Building Department to the budget
meetings for a review of their proposed 2001 budget.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT IEUND it 600)
2000 Total Revenue Projection: $1,027,440 2001 Total Revenue Projection: $1,079,490
$ 52,050 reflecting a 5.1 %increase
2000 Total Expense Projection: $1,099,120 2001 Total Expense Projection: $ 1,040,142
$34,506 reflecting a 3.4%increase
Don Fozo, Building Commissioner made the presentation. He noted that the anticipated
changes in revenue would be directly related to the rate changes. An ordinance is pending before
the County Council which will be acted upon in October which is similar to the ordinance passed
by the Common Council. Mr. Fozo noted that they may have to dip into reserves. He then
reviewed the footnoted material on the"Summary of Major Changes"page.
Mr. Fozo added that his department is looking at rolling over the vehicle fleet every four
years as opposed to every three years which is the current policy. The fleet covers 440 square
miles. In response to a question from Dr. Varner it was noted that the vehicles average between
80-90,00 miles. The vehicles are obtained as demos with approximately 12,000 to 20,000 on
them. All employees have the option to take the vehicles home or park them in the city garage.
In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Fozo noted that at the beginning of this
year he had$271,000 in cash reserves which is now down $ 50,000.
Mr. Fozo noted that his staff is stretched to the limit. One person goes to AM General daily
to check concrete work and there is additional time needed to review prints before checking. By
state law, the Building Department is a public safety department and therefore the inspection phase
is critical to safety. Permits are becoming more complicated in light of DNR, asbestos checks,
Design Review, historical reviews, etc. As a result, it is impossible to train personnel in light of
the load.
In response to a question form Dr. Varner, Mr. Fozo noted that permits are not longer
seasonal. The commercial side is strong throughout the year thanks to the warm winters.
Jim Markle is certified and can get a state stamp for prints. They are considering reviewing
local plan review which would not be mandatory. The State Building Commissioner's stamp
however would still need to be obtained.
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Personnel and Finance Committee
August 30,2000
Page 2
Mr. Fozo noted that more staff is necessary in order to properly do plan and design
reviews. They hope to have a one-week turn around whereas the state has a ten-week turn around
process. The state is currently doing a very generic review addressing building type and
occupancy.
The City's Board of Zoning Appeals typically reviewed four (4) requests at each meeting
which has now grown to ten (10); and the County Board of Zoning Appeals has gone from ten
(10) to twenty(20) per meeting. It is becoming more time-consuming and the Board members are
not paid for their services.
Mr. Fozo noted that he gives educational talks to professional groups as an education
outreach and keeps in touch with title companies.
Council Member Aranowski inquired whether licenses were being sold noting that a lot of
that had happened in 1998-1999. Mr. Fozo stated that it does but not as much, with only one
incident this year. He noted that all testing is now national and most problems are related to
contractors who are not locally licensed.
Council Member Coleman joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Fozo noted that AM General needs 600 pipefitters, as a result they will be seeking
persons nationally. Isabelle Gonzalez noted that housing skilled trades are in short supply also.
Mr. Fozo noted that he has entered into a contract with the County Commissioners to move
into the Law Building 1st floor. Remodeling will cost $ 45,000 per year for three years which
reflects a$ 1,000 savings on their current lease per year. After the three year period they will pay
$ 10,000 per year for the space.
Council Member Kirsits inquired about joining the inspections efforts with those in the fire
department. Mr. Fozo noted that they have worked with the fire department but have not had
discussions, but he would be open to it. He noted that the fire inspectors are brought in for final
inspections since they are used in the area of maintenance and building use, whereas the building
inspectors are used for construction codes. The Council Attorney noted that fees for fire
inspections are a topic which the Fire Administration would like to pursue since most cities the size
of South Bend have been charging for such services for years.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned
at 3:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
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