HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-09 South Bend Common Council Summit~~~
~__ - SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL SUMMIT MARCH 16. 2009
Council Members Present: Derek Dieter, Presdient; Karen White; Timothy Rouse;
AI "Buddy" Kirsits; Ann Puzzello; Tom LaFountain;
Others Present: Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; Jamie Loo; Rita Kopala; Mayor
Stephen Luecke; Jerry Niezgodski
Council President Dieter called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and announced only four (4)
Councilmember's had submitted their rankings of job applicants by the deadline of Friday, March
13, 2009. The consensus of those present was to honor the deadline and proceed.
President Dieter then announced the Council's State of the Council would be scheduled for the
next regular meeting Monday, March 23, 2009. He said this was not to be viewed as a response
to the Mayor's State of the City but as an opportunity for each Councilmember to give a 5-7
minute view reflecting their own perspective.
President Dieter then shifted focus to the main item on the agenda, namely, the ongoing budget
review process. The Mayor interjected that an updated projection of revenues available in '09
was forthcoming from Umbaugh & Associates. Thee estimates would be forwarded to the
Council and preliminary budget review sessions through the Council's Personnel & Finance
Committee and the Controller's Office would be scheduled on the 15t and or 3`~ Mondays of each
month. "
Councilmember White suggested working toward reaching a consensus on a budget review
model. Previous discussions considered the adoption of "performance based" budgeting
- - ~ ~ - ~ ~~ techniques. Councilmember Rouse reminded the Council that the=GontrolleF had` promised a" - ~ ~~ '
~` "legend"to define and bettei-`evaluate budgeting alternatives. ~ -" ' ~`"'' ~ ' " "
Mayor Luecke said he has been working on a process of public participation to better establish
budget priorities. He said this process would not impinge the Council's role in the budget.
President Dieter recalled formed President Rouse's retreats in '08 which revelaed public safety as
a #1 priority. President Dieter opened discussion focusing on what "public safety" means. How
can it be defined? What does public safety encompass?
Councilmember Puzzello said there should be no cuts in the number of sworn police officers or
firefighters.
Councilmember White felt the idea of "public safety" needed to be "shaped." Her impression from
past discussions was that citizens want a safe and clean city. If these are priorities then it should
be recognized that priorities would drive the budget process.
Councilmember Puzzello added that while sworn personnel should be exempt from public safety
cuts civilian personnel would be non-exempt.
Councilmember Rouse said if we say no to cuts in the public safety sector, deeper cuts would
need to be made elsewhere.
Councilmember LaFountain said its not just bodies, but an evaluation of how services are
provided. Can technology investments result in efficiencies? Dieter agreed asking if the current
police and fire department administrative structures were sacrosanct. Could different
management structure produce efficiencies?
Mayor Luecke said the city is faced with the need to cut dollars across the board, in every
department. Due to revenue caps all core services were in jeopardy of being cut.
Councilmember White said cuts should be phased in while we continue to explore other possible
revenue streams.
Councilmember Rouse observed that because the Council can only cut or "dispose" of items in a
budget "proposed" by the Mayor, the Mayor and Council shold be at the same table at which the
budget is "formulated."
Mayor Luecke agreed. Every service has its constituency. Every prospective cut will hit
someone's "hot button."
Councilmember Kirsits and LaFountain both underlined the fact that when city residents dial
9-1-1, they expect someone to show up. That is both the benefit and price of a high level of city
service.
Councilmember Rouse took this opportunity to bring up the Hojnacki/IUSB report on public
service provision.; This who,~what, when, and how study was cited as appropriate valuable
reading for all. He again emphasized the importance of identifying expected services, prioritizing
them, and then figuring out the best way these services can be provided and how to pay for
• them.. According to Councilmember Rouse collaboration if key.
Councilmember White agreed that collaboration among elected officials and the public was key to
making decisions understood and accepted by everyone.
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand went on record in the name of transparency stating the 70% plus
::dollar figures spent,on public•safety were misleading.. Though that fgure maybe a true% of . ,
-- - - -- - dollars from property taxes it is more like 35% of total dollars spent on provision of city-services. -
Council President Dieter advised that no other summit sessions are yet scheduled and adjourned
this summit at 7:43 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted.
l
erek D. Dieter, President
South Bend Common Council