Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-01 Personnel & Finance ommitt a ort: Vitroottittl attb final= e ommitte The August 28, 2001 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member James Aranowski at 3:03 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Kelly, King, Pfeifer, Coleman and Varner; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Sgt. Paul Niezgodski, Director of Budgeting and Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek, Director of Central Services Matt Chlebowski, Jack Dillon, Gary Gilot, Carl Littrell, Terry Bland of the 'oUttj WO 'Ur antut and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski welcomed everyone to the first day of hearings on the City's proposed 2002 budget. He noted that last year many of the follow-up items became lost in the process therefore he will be requesting all department heads to send all follow-up items through him as the Chairperson of the Personnel and Finance Committee. Each department head would receive a copy of the Committee minutes which summarize their budget presentation. Council Member Aranowski stated that the public hearing would take place on September 10th with the vote on the budget taking place on September 24th. Council President Pfeifer noted that September 17th was listed on the Committee meeting notice as the date when the 3rd reading on the budget would take place. She had the Council Attorney check the need for a special Council meeting on the 17th and noted that it was not necessary therefore the 3rd reading was recommended to take place on September 24th. Mr. Skarbek stated that he was given incorrect information form the Tax Commissioners and agreed that the 3rd reading on September 24th would be acceptable. Mayor Luecke then provided an overview of the Comprehensive Operating Budget for calendar year 2002. The Mayor then summarized the "significant issues/highlights" of the 2002 budget set forth in the budget book. He noted that the capital budget would be addressed in February. Mayor Luecke stated that the projected revenue in 2002 is $ 150 million which is proposed to be allocated as follows: $ 136.5 millon for operating expenses $ 13.5 million for capital He noted concern over the reassessment and the impact that it will have on homeowners since 76 % is funded by property tax. He noted that 74%of the General Fund budget is dedicated to public safety operations. The levy is proposed at the maximum 5%. Mayor Luecke further noted that no additional funds were allocated in the 2001 state budget for the local road & streets fund and the Street Department Fund, since the last three (3) state budgets contained additional monies. As a result the Street Department budget will decrease by 5.1 % which equals $ 162,472 and the Local Road & Street Fund will decrease by 39 % which equals $ 799,347.00. • Mayor Luecke stated that the hotel/motel tax will decrease by 20% which will equal $249,066.00. Personnel and Finance Committee August 28,2001 Page 2 . The Mayor will also be proposing an increase in water works rates of 18%. The Mayor also noted that the guidelines given to the departments include no more than a 3.5% increase in supplies and no more than a 2.5% increase for other services unless there was an unusual circumstance. Gasoline is being proposed at $ 1.75 per gallon and insurance will be increased at 20.3%. Cash reserves are being proposed at 15 %whenever possible and higher when bond requirements dictate higher percentages. Council President Pfeifer inquired about the procedure the city uses for insurance. The Mayor noted that quotes are received from the hospitals in three(3) years cycles,with the next cycle being in 2003. 2002 Fire Department Budget (General Fund # 101-0901) 2001 Budget: $ 15,833,431 Expenditure increase excluding capital: 5.1 2002 Budget: $ 16,635,934 Total Expenditure increase: $802,503 Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Chief Robert Quinn, Assistant Chief Richard Switalski, Assistantt Chief Bert Prawat, Assistant Chief Randy Magdalinski, Battalion Chief James Lopez, and Battalion Chief Mark Nowicki then joined the meeting for the 2002 Fire Department budget presentation. It was noted that EMT training has increased as well as AEMT training with a cost of$ 1,300 per firefighter. Assistant Chief Switalski stated that $ 400,000 will be transferred from the General Fund to the pension fund. In response to a question from Council Member Aranowski, Assistant Chief Switalski noted that currently the department is down by three (3) firefighters. A minimum of six (6) individuals are needed for a class for new firefighters. He further noted that recall is being used to meet minimum staffing requirements. Council President Pfeifer inquired about the gender breakdown of the Fire Department. She recommended that a task force be considered which would work with the women's studies divisions of IUSB and Notre Dame be pursued. She also noted that Mayor Archer of Detroit is instituting a"Day of Diversity" which could be considered also. Chief Taylor stated that the department is not holding its own in this area, and agreed to address this topic in a separate meeting with the Council. It was noted that four (4) women picked up applications with one completing the form and pass/fail test and is currently#26 on the list. Council Member King inquired about NFPA# 1710 Standard. Chief Taylor noted that the implementation process is currently underway. There is an "equivalency" factor which can be used in getting four (4) firefighters to a location. 14-15 firefighters would be used for an incident attack which is defined as a structural fire. Four (4) minutes is the standard for the 1st responder and eight (8) minutes for all others. Chief Taylor stated that he would make available to the Coupcil a copy of "NFPA 1710: A Decision Guide" which comes in pamphlet form. It was noted that one (1) minute is permitted for"print out time" by Dispatch. Personnel and Finance Committee August 28, 2001 Page 3 It was noted that the EMS Task Force has had its second meeting which is addressing the topic of the growing shortage of paramedics. A report should be ready from the EMS Task Force within six (6) months. It was noted that the Task is made up of three (3) paramedics, Mayor Luecke, Assistant Chief Switalski, one (1) doctor from each hospital, one (1) County Commissioner, the President of the Firefighters Union, and two (2) other individuals. Council President Pfeifer requested copies of the minutes from the EMS Task Force for the Council. Assistant Chief Switalski noted that the next EMS Task Force meeting will take place on September 7th at 11 am. The Council Attorney inquired whether the Fire Administration had been given a copy of the letter which Leon Stein gave to the Council on Monday, prior to that meeting, or if they had discussed any of these concerns raised by the Union. The Chiefs noted that limited discussion has taken place. Assistant Chief Switalski noted that a grant will assist the Fire Department partment in purchasing thermal imaging cameras. Two(2) are proposed in the budget. There will be a total of four(4) with each quint having one. The hand-held version is more versatile and has a larger screen. The cost per camera has gone from $ 25,000 to$ 16,000. It was also noted that Spanish classes will start in September at Fire Stations#4, #5, and#6 for eighteen(18) firefighters who have volunteered for these classes. 2002 EMS Capital Budget (Fund # 288) 2001 Budget: $ 1,043,900 2002 Budget: $ 736,967 Assistant Chief Switalski noted that 2002 will be a leaner year. A fund transfer may be needed before the end of the year in order to balance this account. The Council Attorney noted that Council Member Ujdak has expressed a desire to hold a joint meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee and Dr. Varner's Public Works and Property Vacation Committee to receive an update on the fire/police facilities expansion and remodeling project. Chief Taylor noted that he would also like to provide an update on Station # 2 after this .Friday's meeting. g Council President Pfeifer questioned which side of the river the new Station #2 would be located and Chief Taylor stated that various areas are still under consideration and that the consultants are looking at each location. Council Member Kelly noted that Fire Station#9 was built in 1926 and urged that something has to be done to address his increasing concerns about that fire station. Chief Taylor noted that he brings those concerns up each year. Sgt. Paul Niezgodski and Assistant Chief Switalski then reviewed the fire and police pensions. Tom Skarbek noted that SEA 260 guarantees that the State of Indiana will pay fifty percent(50 %) Personnel and Finance Committee August 28,2001 Page 4 of the pension costs through the year 2007.„Mr. Skarbek also noted that a considered of South a catch-upend p when It will receive"a little extra financial assistance"for this year noted that the police department and the fire department each use a number of ten (10) projecting retirements each year. a question from the Council Attorney, Assistant Chief that they track oted the medicare In response to q 1997. He further noted Y rates was made in revision to the ambulance rat be changed in January or February 2002• which are expected g nt rates wh ex I� to me reimburse e requested a summary of the revenue generating agreements it Attorney 9 would specifically highlight / The Counc Y ent which P rtm currently in effect with the Fire ofIeepiration. t t and dates expiration.en the term of agreement provided to the utilized in the sery p rs are utili how many firefighters that the city has Member King inquired Y _ (21) firefighters and th Y Council Me County. Assistant Chief Switalski stated there are twenty-one( g re uested in the past a percentage of the collections but that this concept was rejected by the q County. Council Member A ranowski that the Fire and Police officials for their presentation. 2002 Morris Performing Arts Center Budget (General Fund # 101-0404) -1.9 °% 2001 Budget: $ 696,197 Expenditure increase excluding capital: 13 273 2002 Budget: 682 924 Total Expenditure increase: Dennis Andres, Executive Director of the Morris Performing Arts Center; Margaret King, a member of the Morris Performing Arts Center Executive Board, and Susan Halstrom joined the meeting and made the presentation. ATM year of service are now Mr. Andres stated that 2002 has been a successful year.new In his office;full year of service many upgrades in operations have been made. available, and they have exceeded the number of events. He provided a handout to the committee highlighted several upcoming productions. all logic models and went to zero based budgeting for the Andres noted that he has re-written g true em of the community re-birth An re-birth of the Morris. He noted that the Morris is "the gem proposing a smaller budget with increased revenue which will ccontn to ha ea and everlasting impact on the downtown. He noted that there basically revenue positive s with with the surcharge funding capital improvements. He continues to develo p partnerships businesses. For example, he is working on get-away weekends with local downtown des is so that non-football weekends will be improved downtown. He noted that his salary is the Palais Royale paying one-third and the Morris paying two-thirds. 2002 Palais Royale Ballroom Budget (General Fund # 101-0405) 2001 Budget: $ 0 2002 Bud et: 236 523 • Dennis Andres noted that this is a new budget. The Palais R oyale will be open for the last four(4) months of 2002. He then reviewed the proposed personnel. Personnel and Finance Committee August 28,2001 Page 5 Dr. Varner inquired whether the Palais Royale would compete with the Century Center. Mr. Andre stated that he would like to develop a team approach with co-marketing initiatives in many areas. He is working directly with Brian Hedman. Council Member King stated that the Palais Royale will provide an opportunity to attract even more business which the Century Center is unable to handle currently. Council Member Aranowski commended Mr. Andres and his staff for how clean the Morris is, especially the restrooms. Council President Pfeifer commended Mr. Andres and his staff for the Salvation Army Kick-off which was held at the Morris last year. In response to a question from Council Member Kelly, Margaret King noted that approximately one-half million dollars is needed in pledges to complete the funding. The Mayor noted that the City of South Bend will fill in with financial support in the interim. Dr. Varner inquired whether a tenant has been found to fill the area where Office Interiors used to be. Mr. Andre noted that there are hearing and air conditioning concerns in the area. The space is being considered for restaurant use. Council Member Aranowski thanked everyone for their presentation. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Aranowski adjourned the meeting at 5:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee KCF:kmf Attachments •