HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-13 Personnel & Finance & UtilitiesPERSONNEL & FINANCE & UTILITIES AUGUST 7, 2013
5:00 P.M.
Personnel & Finance Committee Members Present: Dr. David Varner; Valerie Schey;
Karen White; Henry Davis
Citizen Members Present: Jack Smith, Mark Brammer
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Oliver Davis (arrived at 5:07 p.m.),
Gavin Ferlic
Utilities Committee Members Present: Valerie Schey, Henry Davis,
Oliver Davis (arrived at 5:07 p.m.) Karen White
Citizen Members Present: Carol Davis
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic
Others Present: Police Chief Ron Teachman, Mark Neal, Eric Horvath, John Murphy,
Fire Chief Steve Cox, Kathryn Roos, Todd Skwarcan, Erin Hansen, John Hagen
Agenda: Bill No. 3 -13 — Budget Transfers
Bill No. 34 -13 — Appropriations
Bill No. 35 -13 — Appropriations Enterprise
Council Budget Priorities
David Varner, Chairperson of the Personnel & Finance Committee opened the joint
meeting of his and the Utilities Committee. All Council Members except President
Dieter who had called saying he would be late were present.
Three bills as well as discussion of the Council's 2014 budget priorities were on the
agenda. The Bills, 33, 34 and 35 -13 deal with budget transfers and appropriations. All
are up for public hearing on August 12, 2013.
Before opening the formal review Dr. Varner introduced his new citizen appointment to
the P & F Committee, Marc Brammer.
The discussions' regarding the three bills was relatively brief. Mark Neal, City
Controller, offered explanations for the transfers with supplemental information coming
from Deputy Controller John Murphy. Mark promised answers to Council questions
would be provided for Committee sessions on the 12` ". More specifically, Valerie Schey,
Chair of the Utilities Committee asked for a report on the status of the CSO Project.
Oliver Davis asked for a status report on the well project near the New Energy site. Eric
Horvath provided verbal response to both and said more info would follow.
Dr. Varner turning discussion to 2014 budget priorities asked each Councilmember in
turn to state their priorities.
Oliver Davis was first. He said the budget should reflect a commitment to streets and
sidewalk repairs, in particular, those in his district affected by much subsoil. He also
wants the City to follow through with its plan to provide water table relief for homes near
the Ethanol Plant.
Karen White was next. Karen said the Council should measure progress on the eight
primary priorities it listed in the last budget process. What was accomplished? What was
not? She said quality of life issues in particular; public safety and corridor improvement
need to be a top priority.
Tim Scott said public safety issues, including traffic enforcement should be a priority.
He also said KPI's or key performance indicators should be identified to measure
progress of already stated priorities like the Vacant & Abandoned Task Force Report and
corridor investments.
Valerie Schey observed that many priorities overlap so even though vague economic
development ought to be a priority. A vital part of economic development she felt had to
be investment in the City's infrastructure making the City more attractive. This includes
a focus on the Vacant & Abandoned Housing Program, curbs and sidewalks and corridor
improvements.
Councilmember Dr. Fred Ferlic stated the housing issues and crime needed to be a top
priority.
Citizen Member Jack Smith echoed the priorities including public safety concerns and
measurable progress on the vacant and abandoned housing issues.
Newly appointed Citizen Member Marc Brammer said the City needs to do a better job of
selling itself. The City, he said needs to make sure it develops and maintains a business
friendly environment that welcomes and new business and innovation. Encouragement
of investment in "smart jobs" was critical to attracting and keeping young people here...
a brain gain instead of a brain drain.
Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr. said more jobs needed to be created. The problems of
the chronically unemployed and the under - employed needed more attention particularly
in the minority population.
Councilmember Dr. David Varner said crime and infrastructure should be at the top of
the list. He added that each priority had two components — policy and funding. He said
the City needs to make sure City services should be provided in ever more efficient and
effective ways.
Going around the table again for additional input Oliver Davis again led off. Oliver said
the Council should have money in its own budget to hire its own consultants to get a
second opinion or expert opinion to see what other cities are doing.
Henry Davis made a pitch for a full -time Council funded at full salaries.
Karen White said the Council needs regular progress reports on the vacant and
abandoned housing effort.
Tim Scott who served on the Vacant & Abandoned Task Force agreed saying he would
get an update.
Councilmember Dr. David Varner announced the next budget meeting would be
Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. He asked each Councilmember to list their top
two priorities by then.
Before adjourning Dr. Varner recognized John Hagen, a private citizen who wondered
whether last years budget matched last year's priorities? He also reiterated the need for
measures to gauge progress.
There being no further business to come before the Committee's at this time, Chairperson
Dr. David Varner adjourned the meeting at 6:26 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr . David Varner, Chairperson
Personnel & Finance Committee