HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-15 Personnel and Finance PERSONNEL&FINANCE SEPTEMBER 8,2015 5:00 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Karen White,Valerie Schey(AB), Derek Dieter(AB),
Dr. Fred Ferlic
Citizen Members Present: Valerie Mora-Kraus(AB), Charnelle Mayfield-Martin (AB)
Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis Jr. (5:28), Dr. David Varner(AB),
Oliver Davis(AB), Gavin Ferlic (XAB)
Others Present: Randy Wilkerson, Chuck Bulot, Brian Pawlowski,Jack Smith,
Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Becky Kaiser,Jim Lopez,Cecil Eastman,
John Murphy,Jennifer Hockenhull, Regina Preston,
Seema Timble, Matt Harmon, Marlaina Johns,Steve Cox,
Ted Skwarkan, Freddy Rodriguez, Santiago Garces,John Corthier
Agenda: 2016 Budget Review
- Code Enforcement
- Building Department
- South Bend Fire Department
Karen White, Chair of Personnel & Finance Committee, opened budget session#6 as scheduled even
though only two members of her committee and two other Councilmembers were present. Of the five
absent only Gavin Ferlic had an excused absence. The two citizen members were also absent.
Karen reiterated,for everyone present,the hearing protocols. The presentations for each department
would be made by the respective department head. Council questions would follow,then citizens
would have the same opportunity. Additional questions could be submitted for answers at a later
session.
At Karen's request Chuck Bulot, Commissioner of the joint City/County Building Department made his
presentation. Using an overhead and supplemental handout(attached)Chuck began by describing the
department vision before moving to the budget summary. Significantly, he said the 2014 deficit had
been turned to a $344 thousand profit. This was accomplished, he said, by strict monitoring of
expenses, by using more fuel efficient vehicles, and by restructuring made possible by cross training.
One area of concern was a deficit in single permits,the inspection cost not covering the fee. He said he
plans to ask the Council to boost the fee.
Dr. Ferlic asked Chuck to elaborate. According to Chuck the single permit fee should be raised from $30
to$40. Further explanation of the $344 thousand surplus was attributed to a recovering economy
prompting multiple significant construction projects.
Tim Scott applauded the cost reduction efforts and offered tacit support for a single permit fee increase.
He also suggested Chuck refine economic projections to better forecast revenue.
Karen White asked if there would be any staff increase,Chuck said FTE's would remain the constant.
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There were no questions from the public.
Karen then called upon Randy Wilkerson, Director of Code Enforcement,to present his budget. He was
assisted by Seema Timble and Marlaina Johns from his staff.
Randy's PowerPoint(attached) began as had others with a vision statement followed by listing core
values. The department's financials were somewhat confusing, he admitted, due to consolidation
producing one-time anomalies. What Randy wanted to emphasize was Code's 2015 accomplishments.
In particular, new case management software,Accela, was implemented. Accela should allow reduce
turnaround and response times increasing transparency and improving accuracy. Another significant
benchmark Randy took pride in was the progress made to address vacant and abandoned homes. To
date 991 homes have either been repaired, demolished or in 10 cases deconstructed.
Randy then listed his department's goals and objectives along with key performance indicators to
measure effectiveness.
Before allowing Council questions Karen asked Mark Harmon, Director of Animal Care& Control to make
his report. With a PowerPoint and handout(attached) Matt breezed through the department's revenue
and expenditures while focusing on the goals and objectives of 2016.
Henry Davis led off the Council questions segment. Henry mainly focused on the departments need to
improve response times responding to its responsibilities. He was happy to learn the illegal dumping
clean-up crew was reinstated within the Neighborhood Code Enforcement (NCE). Henry was also critical
of NCE's ability to respond to long grass and tall weed complaints. Randy said two new mowers had
been purchased. Also frustrating was the problems"slumlords" create in neighborhoods and the
difficulty NCE faces when attempting to either get compliance or payment of fines and services from
owners.
Randy said the hearing schedule is being improved but state law often restricts what can be done.
Dr. Ferlic leveled criticism of NCE for not billing for the citations issued. He said much improvement was
needed, in the whole process of citing, billing, and collecting. The current process, he said,was
inefficient,wasteful and ineffective.
Henry wanted to ask more questions; but Karen felt in the interest of time she would schedule a follow-
up session for NCE. In the meantime, Councilmembers should submit questions to be specifically
responded to at follow-up hearings.
The South Bend Fire Department was next, Fire Chief Steve Cox,with help of a PowerPoint and
supplemental handout (attached), presented the budget proposals for both Fire and EMS. Chief Cox
articulated the mission statement and vision of the department emphasizing operational excellence
professionalism, integrity,accountability,and service. Explaining budget salaries, pensions and
increases in health care costs. To address these challenges the Chief said savings could be found by
delaying the next recruit school and decreasing funding for capital accounts.
Beyond dollars and cents the Chief spoke to a new wellness plan, the expanded program to install fire
and carbon monoxide detectors in homes, and the formation of a recruitment committee within the Fire
Department to help diversify the force.
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During the Council portion Dr. Ferlic applauded both the fire prevention efforts and diversification
initiatives. He did maintain, as he has done repeatedly in the past, advocate the need for a single person
responsible for public safety recruitment and diversification.
Tim Scott expressed some concerns regarding the quality of service due to the PSAP consolidation.
Chief Cox said the South Bend Fire Department experience has been mostly positive. Tim also wondered
about adequate fire and ambulance coverage in his district as development moves north to the state
line.
Henry expresses appreciation for the department's minority recruitment efforts; but agreed with Dr.
Ferlic about the need for a full-time recruitment person.
Brian Pawlowski, aide to the Mayor, said the 2016 budget proposal indicates two new positions for
diversification efforts—one specifically for public safety and one for the city-wide workforce.
Karen White said the Council needs more information about these positions,their job descriptions and
implementation timetable.
Jack Smith spoke up during the public portion asking if the river rescue and haz-mat units were to
continue to which the Chief said they were.
Karen adjourned the meeting at 7:12 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
et torcica-
Karen White, Chairperson
Personnel& Finance Committee
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