08-29-00 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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font it loaf: sonnet atb fluattrt tommitat The August 29, 2000 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Council Member James Aranowski at 3:00 pm in the Council Informal Meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Varner, Kelly, Pfeifer, King, and Kirsits; Citizen Member Isabelle Gonzalez, Director of Public Works Gary, Gilot, City Engineer Carl Littrell, Director of the Sewer and Street Departments Sam Hensley, Director of Environmental Services John J. Dillon, Director of Water Works John Stancati, Director of Equipment Services Matt Chlebowski, Michael Giulioni, Linda Curl,Ms. Stevens, City Controller Cathy Roemer and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski welcomed members of the Public Works Department to the budget meetings for a review of their proposed 2001 budget. PUBLIC WORKS OVERVIEW: Mr. Gary Gilot, Director of Public Works,welcomed the opportunity to review his first budget with the Council. He stated that his 400 employees in the department design, build, and maintain the water, sewers and roads which make up the building blocks of the city. He plans to administer by evolution rather than by revolution and concentrate on effectiveness and efficiency of customer services. He noted that the curb and sidewalk program is popular with the residents and he hopes to improve it. The budget will reflect creative new approaches which will include outreach and partnering programs. He has initiated an environmental research program with the University of Notre Dame and hopes to turn many current problems into opportunities such as Fredrickson Park. Other outreach programs will include efforts in the.wastewater utility areas, drinking water, combined sewer overflows. Over the next six (6) months he hopes to address commitments to new programs focusing on competence. Mr. Gilot noted that the overall budget for all divisions in Public Works totals $ 37.5 million. $ 31 million is generated from user fees. Book values have improved with ongoing improvements made to the utility operations. Mr. Gilot stressed that he would be proactive regarding the many challenges facing the Public Works Department. He noted that Streets,MVH, Solid Waste and Sewer Insurance Repair Funds all reflect UNBALANCED funds. In the utility area, new debt services are included. EPA regulations require debt reserve replacement funds. This area reflects increased operation and maintenance funding and corresponding rate increases will be recommended where necessary. Mr. Gilot noted that South Bend has the second lowest water and sewer rates. In the personnel area, new positions are included and also upgraded positions and some positions have been eliminated. Mr. Gilot has recommended salary adjustment for his five (5) Division heads. He also recommends that the pay for an Engineer position with a Professional Engineering License (PE)be $45,900. He hopes to strengthen in-house engineering. Engineers in training will be paid less. There are a total of thirty (30) position of the 400 which have been adjusted above the 3.5% guideline. Supplies are proposed at 1.5% and services at the 2.5% guidelines. Mr. Gilot noted that the City closed on 7.8 acres for the proposed Public Works Service