HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-08 Personnel and Finance CommitteePERSONNEL AND FINANCE NOVEMBER 10. 2008
Committee Members Present: Tom LaFountain, Chairperson; David Varner, Vice-Chairperson;
Oliver Davis; AI "Buddy" Kirsits
Other Present: Henry Davis, Jr.; Ann Puzzello; Karen White; Timothy Rouse; Mayor Steve
Luecke; Catherine Fanello; Jamie Loo; Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; Gary Gilot; Phil St. Clair
AGENDA:
JOINT HEARING 3 BILLS:
FUN
Chairman LaFountain asked City Controller Catherine Fanello to make a presentation. The City
Controller explained there were no new changes since the last public hearing of the city's '09
baseline budget. She once again explained the difficulty to projecting revenue available when
property tax rates for'07 pay'08 have yet to be certified by the state. Tax bills and tax
distribution to units of government will not happen until early next year. Then '08 pay '09
assessed values and subsequent rates need to be certified. Until money is received tax
anticipation warrants will continue to be relied upon at considerable interest cost the taxpayers.
Karen White wanted to confirm the '09 pay increases for city employees of 2°l0 only applied to
contractual obligations for public safety employees. Non-Bargaining employees will not receive
raises.
Henry Davis, Jr. expressed dismay at not having real numbers from the state while asking
Fanello for regular financial updates.
Karen concurred emphasizing the council's work was not over with votes on these bills, but was
just beginning. Karen along with Dave Varner then asked the Controller whether any funds
appropriated in '08 were unspent and available for use in '09.
Catherine Fanello indicated this was how monies for capital projects were found in the past. This
could be the case again in '09.
Councilmember Varner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kirsits to send Bil{ Nos. 58-
08; 59-08 and 60-08 to full Council favorably.
BILL N0.33-08 -AMEND CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE 5 TO ALLOW PREAPPROVED PAYMENT
OF CLAIMS
Catherine Fanello asked this bill be continued until November 24, 2008.
Councilmember Varner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kirsits to continue this bill
until the November 24, 2008 meeting of the Council.
BILL NO.68-08 -AMEND CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE 18, ADJUSTING FEES FOR DOCUMENTS
AND SERVICES
Tom Bodnar, Senior Deputy Attorney, Legal Department made the presentation for this bill. Tom
explained the increases were proposed to recover amounts closer to the cost of actually providing
the services while remaining reasonable. It is estimated the increases would generate upwards
of $60 thousand dollars in '09 if approved.
Councilmember Varner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Oliver Davis to send this
bill to the full Council favorably.
BILL N0.69-08 -ADJUST FEES RELATED TO ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
Catherine Toppel, Code Enforcement Director, provided a substitute bill and revised fee schedule
(see attachment) for consideration. She explained the fees while higher had not been adjusted
since 1996 and even at the increases proposed did not cover the cost of service. This is so
.because she explained the mission of Animal Control was to encourage care and adoption of
animals by responsible owners.
Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Varner to send this
bill to the full Council favorably.
BILL N0.70-08 -AMEND CODE CHAPTER 20 ADJUST FEES FOR REMOVAL 8< STORAGE
OF ABANDONED VEHICLES
Catherine Toppel using the same rationale asked the fee increases be allowed. These like
animal fees have not been adjusted in 12 years and need to more closely mirror the cost of
service.
Tim Rouse expressed concerns for the public hoping fee increases could be held to a minimum
during these bleak economic times.
Karen White suggested reviewing the fee structure every two years.
Councilmember Kirsits made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Oliver Davis to send this bill
to the full Council favorably.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Mayor submitted a rationale (see attachment) explaining the balance his administration tries
to strike between costs and services. The Parks Department submitted a list of actions taken to
control costs as did the Legal Department. (See attachment)
There being no further business to come before the committee, Chairperson LaFountain,
adjourned the meeting at 5:17p.m.
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