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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-29-01 Personnel & Finance • Qommitae wort: rzottittz an finance ommittet The August 29, 2001 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member James Aranowski at 3:01 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Kelly, White and Varner; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Chief of Police Larry E. Bennett, Services Division Chief Richard R. Kilgore, Fiscal Officer Donald E. Pinckert, Director of Budgeting and Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek, Director of Central Services Matt Chlebowski, Corporal Derek Deiter, and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski welcomed everyone to the second day of budget hearings. 2002 Police Department Budget (General Fund # 101-0801) 2001 Budget: $ 21,990,694 Expenditure increase excluding capital: 1.1 % 2002 Budget: $ 21,099,843 Total Expenditure increase: $231,449 Chief of Police Larry E. Bennett thanked the Council for the opportunity to present the 2002 operating budget for the South Bend Police Department. He credited the efforts of Services Division Chief Richard R. Kilgore and Fiscal Officer Donald E. Pinckert in the preparation of the budget information. Fiscal Officer Donald E. Pinckert then made the presentation. Mr. Pinckert noted that the overall police budget is requested to be increased by 1.1 %for a total dollar increase of$ 231,449.00 over the current budget, noting that this is the smallest increase ever requested by the Police Department in recent memory. Mr. Pinckert then highlighted items set forth in Chief Bennett's August 27th letter provided in the notebook detail on the "2002 Budget" setting for the Logic Model format and the comprehensive performance based budget data(copy attached). The South Bend Police Department is authorized by budget to have the following personnel: 258 sworn officers 48 non-bargaining&bargaining civilian employees 28 crossing guards 5 crossing guard subs 2 part-time secretaries 28 non-bargaining&bargaining employees COMMUNICATIONS He then highlighted personnel changes which include three (3) additional crossing guards at high traffic intersections (Lake/Huron Streets; Lincolnway West/Sheridan Streets; and Portage/Lindsey Streets) for a total increase of $ 31,192.29; plus the reclassification of two (2) positions in the Programmer/Analyst area and the Property/Evidence area. In the personnel area, $ 1,012,412 has been proposed for the salary and fringe increases addressed in the salary ordinance. The City has never budgeted for Notre Dame football traffic detail expenses which has been covered by budget surpluses in the past. A line item of $ 80,826 is proposed in 2002 to cover this expense since limited if any surpluses are projected. • Personnel and Finance Committee August 29,2001 Page 2 2002 Police Department Budget (General Fund # 101-0801) (continued) 2001 Budget: $ 21,990,694 Expenditure increase excluding capital: 1.1 % 2002 Budget: $ 21,099,843 Total Expenditure increase: $231,449 Police PERF contribution increases by 4.5 % and a 22.9 % increase in the health insurance premiums has been included. Insurance for police retirees has been added to the police budget for the FIRST time with a cost of $ 95,728.00 which covers 18 retirees with dependents and 18 retirees with single coverage. In the "Other Uses" area, a decrease of$ 260,045 is shown which includes a 23.4 % decrease for the inter-fund transfer to the Police Pension Fund. Mr. Pinckert pointed out that the additional pays established by the Council in the salary ordinance for Field Training Officers (FTO), NEST, and on-call duty pay for a total cost of$ 26,110 have all been included in the budget. Mr. Pinckert then highlighted the following areas of revenue: $100,000 SRO $ 48,000 HUD CDBG $ 61,000 School Safety Director $ 68,000 Grant $ 95,000 E 911 revenue $ 42,000 Domestic Violence STOP Grant $ 35,000 Burglar alarm revenues In response to a question from the Council Attorney, Mr. Pinckert noted that the burglar alarm revenues are based on the current ordinance in effect. The Council Attorney inquired where the insurance costs projected in 2002 to be $ 95,728 were budgeted in the past. Mr. Skarbek stated that he would check into this and report back to the Committee.* Council Members White and Varner inquired into whether the City has approached the University of Notre Dame in the past for reimbursement of traffic detail for Notre Dame football games. They noted that they would like an update in this area since the traffic detail services benefit both the City and the University. Council Member Kelly stated that you never know if you don't ask the University. Council Member Aranowski agreed that this topic should be pursued with the University. Mr. Pinckert stated that the traffic detail cost is approximately $ 13,000 per football game. He noted that there are 30-35 Indiana State Police, 30-35 St. Joseph County Police, and 65-70 South Bend Police utilized for each home game. He also noted that night games have additional expenses related to vests, flashlights and batteries. Notre Dame has reimbursed the City for fifty percent (50%) of such night expenses when requested by the City. Council Member White inquired about past or upcoming events and the extra expenses incurred by Personnel and Finance Committee August 29,2001 Page 3 2002 Police Department Budget (General Fund # 101-0801) (continued) 2001 Budget: $ 21,990,694 Expenditure increase excluding capital: 1.1 % 2002 Budget: $ 21,099,843 Total Expenditure increase: $231,449 the City. Mr. Pinckert stated that the largest expense is for the Ethnic Festival which costs $25,000 to$30,000 each year;that there were expenses for the KKK rally;and approximately $ 10,000 for the President's visit to Notre Dame at graduation. He further noted that the expenses incurred for Sunburst are fulling reimbursed based on the actual expenses incurred. Mr. Pinckert noted that the First Source Bank Loan of$ 780,826 will be paid off this year which was a part of the original purchase of the 150 take-home police vehicles. Dr. Varner inquired about the roll-over of squad cars and the cost for the trade-ins of the 1997 Impalas. Mr. Pinckert stated that those costs would be in the capital budget. 1997 was the 1st year of the take home car program. Director of Central Services Matt Chlebowski stated that none of the 1997 cars would be disposed of, with older 1995 Fords being addressed instead. He noted that most of the vehicles go 2-2 1/2 years before reaching the 36,000 warranty limit in response to a question from Dr. Varner. Corporal Deiter inquired about the amount charged for an oil change for a police vehicle. Mr. Chlebowski stated he did not have that information with him, however stated that far more than an oil change is done and that he would provide that information to the Committee. He noted that a preventative maintenance check is performed when a vehicle comes in for an oil change and that 1994 rates are still being utilized. Council Member Aranowski inquired about the E911 revenues noting that the City receives far less than the 44% limit and that the City has inquired of the County Commissioners for an increased amount. Mayor Luecke stated that the revenue increased from $ 80,000 to $ 95,000. Council Member Varner inquired whether the % amount increased and the Mayor stated that he would check into the E911 revenues and update the Committee. 2002 Communications Center Budget (General Fund # 101-0802) 2001 Budget: $ 1,059,501 Expenditure increase : 6.6 % 2002 Budget: $ 1,150,085 Total Expenditure increase: $ 71,346 Mr. Pinckert then reviewed the proposed 2002 Communications Center budget. He noted that the four (4) Communications Supervisors are the lowest paid supervisors in the City. He also noted that there is always a Dispatcher on call who receives "Beeper Duty". The biggest increase is for insurance. Mr. Pinckert noted that if you take the two (2) budgets together(Police and Communications) that they reflect a total increase of$302,795 or 1.4%. The Council Attorney noted that Council,Member Ujdak and Council Member Varner are interested • Personnel and Finance Committee August 29,2001 Page 4 in scheduling a meeting during the budget process (on an off-Personnel and Finance Committee meeting day) to receive an update on the proposed remodeling/construction of the Police and Fire Department Building. The Council Attorney inquired about progress on mug shots and a color copier for the Region Data. Police Chief Bennett stated that a new format for the Region weekly meetings is being developed and that the color copier is being addressed. Chief Bennett stated that there still is a problems with the mug shots with the City and the County utilizing different systems. Chief Bennett stated that he hopes that with the new Police facilities building that this item would be addressed. Mayor Luecke asked for a summary of the upgrades in the Police Department. Mr. Pinckert noted that many of the upgrades have been summarized by Chief Bennett in his cover letter to the line item detail (copy attached). Some of these upgrades include purchasing and staffing a complete forensic lab thanks to grant money and matching local funds; purchasing a speed monitoring trailer; purchasing computerized records storage systems, defibrillators in the supervisors cars and at the police station, and a GPS car locator system. Mr. Pinckert further noted that the department's Record Office is behind 10-12 years in getting data scanned. This is a very labor intensive process involving storage of such data on gold CD's. Assistant Chief Kilgore noted that the federal government reimburses for only twenty-five percent (25%) of the purchase of vest. Council Member White inquired about the major challenges, goals and objectives facing the police department. Chief Bennett stated that his primary goal and objective is to continue to fine-tune the region concept. He stated that the philosophy behind the region concept is right and it has proven to make a difference. The region concept is working and he hopes that he can also keep pace with the technology changes. Mayor Luecke inquired about training, noting that Council President Pfeifer has highlighted this area as a prime on-going concern. Chief Bennett stated that in the year 2000 a refresher academy of forty (40) hours was conducted which included among other things CPR, cultural diversity, etc. Chief Bennett stated that a refresher academy has not been offered this year, however they are considering a twenty-four(24) hour program. Chief Bennett noted that each officer is required to complete sixteen (16) hours per year in order to maintain their certification. In response to a question from the Mayor, Chief Bennett stated that the firearms training simulator has not been used a lot this year since space is a problem. Chief Bennett hopes that with a new police facility that this problem will be addressed. Council Member White noted that she sees improvement relationships between the police officers and community and thanked Chief Bennett for his leadership in this area. Chief Bennett stated that the image of the department is very important;and because of the region • Personnel and Finance Committee August 29,2001 Page 5 concept working effectively it has brought police officers into better contact with the citizens so that problems can be addressed more effectively. Having a beat officer consistently assigned to an area is working and is being received positively by both the officers and the public. Council Member Aranowski stated that residents like seeing the"same face"and have noted to him that they like the new region concept and are getting to know their beat officers. Chief Bennett then noted an example of how important it is to have video cameras in each squad car. Council Member Aranowski thanked everyone for their fine presentation on the Police Department and Communications. At 3:55 pm the Committee then heard a presentation on the Consolidated Building Department. 2002 Building Department Budget (Fund # 600) 2001 Budget: $ 1,090,642 Expenditure increase excluding capital: 5.4 % 2002 Budget: $ 1,095,975 Total Expenditure increase: $ 55,833 Donald F. Fozo, Building Commissioner and Rebecca K. Neese, Fiscal Officer then joined the meeting. Mr. Fozo made the presentation. He stated that they followed the guidelines recommended by the City Administration in the preparation of the budget. The budget reflects the mandated increases for insurance and gasoline. Mr. Fozo noted that he is requesting that a part-time secretary be added to the budget who will not become permanent. This position is necessary in light of the commercial permits being up as well as the residential remodeling permits increasing. A new software program called "Permit Plus Program"and training will be utilized in the near future. At this point, Council Member Coleman joined the meeting. Council Member Aranowski stated that it appears that the proposed budget is a "break even" budget, and Mr. Fozo agreed. Mr. Fozo stated that this is the first year of paying off the obligations on the renovation of their building space. They paid $ 46,000 in rent each year at the old 1st Source Bank Building. The new arrangement calls for $ 45,000 to be paid each year for three (3) years for remodeling and thereafter to pay$ 10,000 each year for utilities and maintenance. The new office space has been a blessing and is much more efficient. The only problem continues to be parking, with the opportunity for the possible purchase of a private lot not being realized. Dr. Varner inquired about the new hummer plant and the inspection process. Mr. Fozo stated that they have created a "Hummer Room" where many many hours are spent reviewing plans. The bulk of the time is on plan review with less time being spent on inspections. • Personnel and Finance Committee August 29,2001 Page 6 2002 Building Department Budget (Fund # 600) (continued) 2001 Budget: $ 1,090,642 Expenditure increase excluding capital: 5.4 % 2002 Budget: $ 1,095,975 Total Expenditure increase: $ 55,833 The Building Department averages going to the hummer facility at least seven(7) times a week for inspections. Photographs are used during the inspection process with certifications being issued at the various stages of completions. Council Member Aranowski noted that many of his clients use digital cameras during such inspections. In response to a question from Mayor Luecke, Mr. Fozo stated that state agencies are not required to have their building inspected during construction and therefore local permits are not required. Therefore Ivy Tech, IUSB,etc have not been inspected. Mr. Fozo stated that the building code organizations are pursing changes in this area with the Indiana Association of Building Officials being the primary force to change this area. The Council Attorney noted that the quarterly State Senators/State Representatives luncheon meeting with the Council will take place at noon on Friday, September 7th and suggested that Mr. Fozo send a letter so that it can be discussed. Mr. Fozo stated that he would send a letter for discussion with the State Senators/State Representatives addressing the concerns over the lack of permits and therefore the lack of inspections for state- owned buildings. Council Member Aranwoski thanked Mr. Fozo for his presentation. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Aranowski adjourned the meeting at 4:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee KCF:kmf Attachment