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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-01 Personnel & Finance QC4lttmttt port: rison i I attb ;jrt11an1rt Gommtttt t The September 12, 2001 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by Council Member Sean Coleman at 3:14 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Coleman and Kelly; Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, City Clerk Loretta Duda, Director of Budgeting & Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek, Director of Code Enforcement Kathy Davis, Assistant Code Director Gary Libbey and Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Council Attorney. The Council Attorney noted that the items previously scheduled for the September l lth Committee meeting which was canceled due to the"Attack on America",would be heard at the September 13th Personnel and Finance Committee meeting since it was listed as a meeting date and was noted as "Open for Rescheduling". 2002 City Clerk's Office Budget (General Fund # 101-0201) 2001 Budget: $ 240,085 Expenditure increase,excluding capital: 6.1 % 2002 Budget: $ 287.963 Total Expenditure increase: $ 16,489 City Clerk Loretta Duda made the presentation. She noted that the budget has increased due to rising costs and increased advertising Ms. Duda stated&Int XisAatisry,_livrew klate,s.i'l..ppr wiiina,+r) t35Q .Jzeul'7 In response to a question from Council Member Roland Kelly, the City Clerk noted that she will need a new software program which will cost$ 27,000 which includes the cost of training. Ms. Duda stated that she continues to roll over the monies for codification. She is currently waiting on updates from the various departments and then will have the attorney for Municipal Code Corporation come to South Bend for a meeting. 2002 Neighborhood Code Enforcement (General Fund # 101-1201) 2001 Budget: $ 1,311,436 Expenditure increase,excluding capital: 5.6 % 2002 Budget: $ 1,210,105 Total Expenditure increase: $ 64,669 Director of Code Enforcement Kathy Davis and Assistant Code Director Gary Libbey presented the proposed 2002 Neighborhood Code Enforcement budget. They noted that the clean-up crews are split between their department and the Street Department. They operate out of 521 Eclipse which was formerly used by the Bureau of Housing. As of January 1st they pay $ 100 per month for the building In response to a question from Council Member Coleman, Ms. Davis noted that the building is centrally located for their operations and working out. She noted that they under-projected the costs for utilities and therefore an increase is reflected in the proposed budget. In response to a question from Council Member Coleman, Ms. Davis stated that they charge the county $ 60 per lot to mow. Many of the lots are contracted out with the city being charged$ 35 per lot. Personnel and Finance Committee September 12, 2001 Page 2 Mayor Luecke inquired whether the county was more desirous to turn over some of those lots to the city. Ms. Davis said that the county is not. She also noted that her department gained 20-25 additional lots to mow from Community and Economic Development. These lots are mowed every three(3) weeks with 100-150 lots per week being mowed. Council Member Kelly inquired about how many contractors mow lots for the city. Ms. Davis stated that originally there were four (4) but they are now down to one (1). She also noted that they mulch but do not bag. 2002 Weights and Measures (General Fund # 101-1202) 2001 Budget: $ 46,167 2002 Budget: $ 48,013 Ms. Davis noted that the city pays one-half (1/2) of the amount determined by the county to run this operation. The Mayor noted that they do not take complaints about alleged gas gauging. 2002 Hearing Officer (General Fund # 101-1203) 2001 Budget: $ 52,677 2002 Budget: $ 54,784 Ms. Davis noted that this budget reflects the 4 % increase for the Hearing Officer who meets twice per week. 2002 Junk Vehicles (General Fund # 101-1204) 2001 Budget: $ 55,510 2002 Budget: $ 64,313 Ms. Davis noted that the city utilizes one(1) impound lot which is approximately 150 yards by 200 yards located at 3300 South Main. The city is currently looking for another location in light of potential ground water contamination. At this point in the meeting, Council President Pfeifer joined the meeting. She inquired about cars which do not have titles. Ms. Davis noted that individuals can apply for a duplicate title through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Ms. Davis noted that they had 771 junk vehicles last year, and that they are close to that number already this year. She noted that less than forty (40) cars were reclaimed with probably half of that amount being cars related to prostitution tows. 2002 Unsafe Building (General Fund # 101-1205) 2001 Budget: $ 187,104 2002 Budget: $ 191,781 Mr. Libbey stated that they would exceed the amount budgeted for this year. More demolitions are taking place this year. Many more garages are being taken down. . ., Personnel and Finance Committee September 12, 2001 Page 3 Council President Pfeifer inquired about promoting home ownership for low and moderate income families and inquired about what proactive actions are taken between the various departments. Ms. Davis noted that HDC gets a copy of all of the Code dockets. Ms. Davis noted that two (2) years ago there was a loan program to assist individuals from rental to home ownership, but this program is no longer in existence. 2002 Animal Control (General Fund # 101-1207) 2001 Budget: $ 315,993 Total expenditure increase excluding capital: $ 47,596 2002 Budget: $ 348,589 Expenditure increase: 15.8 % Mr. Libbey noted that they are asking for one (1) additional employee to assist primarily over the weekend. Their weekday hours are 8-5, and they receive complaints that their hours of operation are not more user friendly. Council Member Coleman inquired about the qualifications for such workers. Mr. Libbey stated that they are basically kennel attendants and sometimes help out in the office. With more and more tests being able to be done in staff that some additional training will have to take place in this area. Council President Pfeifer noted that the ambiance of the shelter is very important to the public when they come to the facility. Council Member Kelly inquired about the city's euthanasia program. Mr. Libbey noted that 55% of the animals are euthanized. Animals required to be quarantined are kept for ten (10) days; others are kept for five (5) days if they have collars and/or identification; and those without identification are kept for two(2)days. He noted that the city will be purchasing a crematory which should be delivered in 12-14 weeks. Mr. Libbey further noted that volunteers work closely with them and that every four (4) weeks a foster/adoption program is held at Pet Supplies Plus. Council Member Coleman inquired about the siding on the building and was advised that it will be addressed. There being no further business before the committee, Council Member Coleman adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Sean Coleman* KCF:kmf * There were no members of the Personnel and Finance Committee present, therefore Council Member Coleman took charge of the committee meeting.