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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-01 Personnel & Finance c • c4mmttt e port: likvoottul att4 Irina= tommttte The September 10, 2001 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by the Committee Vice-Chairperson Council Member David Varner at 4:02 pm in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Varner, Coleman, White, Kelly and Pfeifer; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, Richard Nussbaum, Kathy Davis, Ann-Carol Nash, Michael Danch, Public Works Director Gary Gilot, Gerald Ujdak, Mr. Czerniak, Jon Hunt, Terry Bland of the Routh V tb Ertbttttt, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner noted that the Committee does not have a quorum therefore presentations will be made for informational purposes only. Dr, Varner then called for a presentation on the following bills: Bill No. 76-01: Which would levy taxes and fix the rate of taxation for the purpose of raising revenue to meet the necessary expenses of the city for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002 Bill No. 77-01: Which would appropriate monies for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the enterprise funds of the city for 2002 Bill No. 78-01 Which would appropriate monies for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the city departments for 2002 Mayor Luecke made the presentation. The Mayor noted that the rates are proposed higher in order "to capture the maximum"with the actual tax rate being set by the State Tax Commissioners. The Mayor thanked the Council for the time they have spent in budget hearings and the time they will continue to take to review the entire budget. In response to a question from Mr. Czerniak, the Mayor noted that the principal and interest payments for the Football Hall of Fame will be: 2002 $ 1,406,500 2003 $ 1,405,204 with the payment continuing to slightly decrease until the bond maturity date of 2018. Dr. Varner stated that he appreciates the fact that the tax bills are now broken out so that one can see the taxes for the city, the county and the schools;noting that many are under the misconception that the tax is totally for the city. The Mayor noted that he was in Indianapolis as part of the "Metro Mayors" who are lobbying along with IACT to attempt to protect home owners during the upcoming tax reassessment. In light of a committee quorum not being present, no formal action was taken by the Committee on Bill Nos. 76-01, 77-01 and 78-01. Dr. Varner then called for a presentation on Bill No. 82-01 which would appropriate funds from the Hall of Fame Operations Fund#677 and from the College Football Hall of Fame Fund#377 • Personnel and Finance Committee September 10, 2001 Page 2 for the purposes of satisfying the City's obligation to the National Football Foundation. Mayor Luecke noted that Mr. Richard Nussbaum in the audience and credited him with negotiating the agreement which would transfer the operations of the Hall to the NW. The Mayor noted that the City operated the Hall until May 31, 2001. The minimum obligation of the city from the Professional Sports Development Fund is $ 150,000 which would be transferred to the NW; as well as a minimum of$ 350,000 from the Century Center funding of hotel/motel is required to be transferred by the city to the NW. Mr. Nussbaum stated that the transfer of operations over to the NFF is for a period of five (5) years. In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Nussbaum noted that the NFF is not required to pay rent for the facility. Council Member Coleman inquired about the feasibility of having a cap on investment for capital. The Mayor stated that there is no cap on such expenditures by the NFF, however he stated that they have had discussions on establishing an endowment fund. Council Member Coleman inquired how one would differentiate between needed capital items and ones wish list items. The Mayor stated that capital items which may be in dispute would be resolved by the State Board of Accounts acting as the arbitrator. Council Member Coleman stated that he strongly believes that the unspent monies should go into a sinking fund or an endowment fund to cover future roof, air conditioning, heating, field cover upgrades and repairs. Council Member Coleman stress that the issue is what is the most efficient use of the monies if more monies come in that projected. Mr. Nussbaum noted that there are reporting requirements which the NW must follow,noting that the next meeting will take place in October. Dr. Varner asked the City Administration to provide to the Council the statutory authority which permits the City to give to the NFF all of the personal property items in the Hall for $ 1.00 if the Hall is not ultimately successful, noting that the City has invested between $ 6-8 million in such artifacts with an additional $ 1 1/2 for upgrades to date. He expressed concern that there is little incentive for the NFF to be successful in light of the agreement. Mr. Czerniak voiced concern about the reporting provisions required of the NFF as well as his projected figure of$3/4 million would be spent by the City this year on the Hall. Mr. Nussbaum stated that the report would be made public and that it would be filed quarterly with the City. The Fall meeting of the Century Center Board of Managers is coming up and two (2) members of the Council are on that Board, namely Council Members Kelly and King. Mr. Nussbaum further noted that an additional appropriation ordinance would be required if additional monies are required of the city. Dr. Varner suggested that the NW report be sent to all of the Council and that a copy be filed with the City Clerk's Office. Personnel and Finance Committee September 10, 2001 Page 3 Since a quorum of the Committee was not present no formal action was taken on Bill No. 82-01. There being no further business to come before the Committee, Dr. Varner adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member David Varner, Vice-Chairperson Personnel and Finance Committee KCF:kmf Attachment