HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-00 Personnel & Finance Personnel and Finance Committee
South Bend Common Council
The August 14, 2000 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to
order by its Chairperson,Council Member James Aranowski at 4:30 p.m. in the Council
Informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski,Pfeifer,King,Kelly,
Varner,Ujdak,Kirsits and Coleman;Don Fozo, Isabelle Gonzalez, Terry Bland of the South
Bend Tribune, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member Aranowski stated that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill
No. 62-00 which would amend Chapter 6 of the South Bend Municipal Code addressing
"Buildings".
Mr. Don Fozo,Building Commissioner, made the presentation. He noted that a similar
proposed ordinance will be introduced before the St. Joseph County Council. Both bills would
amend the building fees with increases being between 16 %to 67%. Mr. Fozo noted that he has
met with the Home Builders Association who would not endorse the bill but understand the need
for it.
Mr. Fozo noted that he has operated this enterprise operation since 1994. They are
required to pay rent and desire to maintain their enterprise position and believe that fee increases
are necessary to maintain this position.
In response to a question from Council Member King,Mr. Fozo noted that building
departments in surrounding counties are operating very differently then St. Joseph/City of South
Bend's. For example,Marshall County charges $25.00; LaPorte County conducts no
inspections; and counties in Michigan charge considerably more than the fees proposed. The
fees in Bill No. 62-00 would be closest to those charged in Fort Wayne. The only other
enterprise operation that Mr. Fozo is Shelbyville.
In response to a question from Council Member Udjak,Mr. Fozo anticipates that the fees
would remain in effect for at least three(3)years.
Mr. Fozo noted that the Building Department has approximately$ 271,000 in reserve by
the end of 1999. However,they have dipped into the reserves by approximately$ 56,000. The
Building Department will be moved to the Law Building owned by the County. They will need
to build out their space and pay this cost over three(3)years. Many of his inspectors are
cross-trained so that smaller projects can be inspected by the same individual. They currently
are rotating their auto fleet every three(3)years,which may be increased to every four(4)years.
Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner
that Bill No.a 62-00 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Personnel and Fiance Committee Meeting of August 14,2000
•
Under miscellaneous business,Council Member Aranowski announced that the budget
hearings on the 2001 Civil City Budget would begin next Monday,August 21, 2000 at 3 p.m. He
is hoping the budget books will be in the Council mail boxes by this Wednesday. He plans to
following the proposed schedule which as been posted as much as possible in fairness to each
department.
Council Member Aranowski also announced that following the budget hearings that he
plans to call meetings of his Committee to brainstorm all possible funding sources for the
Football Hall of Fame. He plans to invite representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and
other concerned persons and review areas such as hotel/motel tax, food and beverage tax, etc.
There being no further business before the Committee, Council Member Aranowski
adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member James Aranowski
Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
KCF:kmf
Attachments
Personnel and Fiance Committee Meeting of August 14,2000