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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-14-09 Personnel and Finance Committee.i ^~~ ~'\ ~~:_~ Personnel and Finance Committee 2009 South Bend Common Council The August 14, 2009 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Thomas LaFountain at 11:02 a..m. in the Council's Informal Meeting Room Persons in attendance included Council Members Rouse, White, Henry Davis, Jr., LaFountain, Puzzello, and Oliver Davis,; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Uniform Division Chief Jeff Walters, Police Division Chief Gary Horvath, Police Fiscal Officer Don Pinckert, Fire Chief Howard Buchanon, II, ,Assistant Chief for Services Mark Nowicki City Controller M. Catherine Fanello, Assistant Controller John Murphy, City Attorney Charles Leone, Gregg D. Zientara, Ken Marks, President of South Bend Firefighters Local # 362, Todd Skwarcan, Thomas "Chip" Lewis, Local # 362 Attorney, Chris Baker, Gerard Ellis, Martha Lewis, Captain Christian Rose, Tom Price from the Mayor's Office, members from the news media personnel, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member LaFountain noted that the Committee Members include Council Members White, Varner, Oliver Davis, and himself; and that a quorum was present. Presentation on the Proposed 2010 South Bend Fire Department Pension Budget: Fire Department Pension Secretary Captain Christian Rose made the presentation. He reviewed the "Fire Pension Summary of Funding Sources and Expenditures 2010 Budget" (1-page attached). Captain Rose noted that the proposed 2010 budget is for $5,945,326; and that there is no change in personnel proposed. Nine (9) firefighters are eligible to retire and the city is mandated to budget that potential cost which is $235,561. Death benefits for a firefighter are $12,000 with a total of $96,000 being budgeted for this item. One (1) firefighter is under the DROP program and will leave in December; with that cost being $93,423. Captain Rose stated that there are: 143 retirees 1 DROP retiree as of December 2009 68 widows and dependents 9 Firefighters eligible to retire Council Member LaFountain thanked Captain Rose for his presentation. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting August 14, 2009 Page 2 Presentation on the Revised 2010 South Bend Police Department Budget: City Controller Fanello stated that with the passed of LOIT and notice that the city would be receiving federal monies in a police "COPS Grant", her department has updated all revenues. She then reviewed the 3-page handout entitled "Police Department & Communications Center Summary of Funding Sources and Expenditures 2010 Budget" (copy attached). The Controller stated that they are projecting a 3.8% growth in the property tax levy. She has assumed assessed value will not be adjusted significantly from their projections; and they should receive confirmation in the next 4-6 weeks. She stated that the Administration is "cautiously optimistic". She added that revenue estimates could change. The Administration is proposing to add back in $3 million to the 2010 Fire budget and budget 240 sworn firefighters; and that the 2010 Police budget have $2 million added back into it. The goal is to be at full strength for both departments by the end of 2010; with the Fire Department goal being 248. The Fire collective bargaining agreement has many caveats in it which will need to be discussed. City Controller Fanello then provided copies of the multi-page "City of South Bend Summary of Full-Time Equivalents by Department" (copies attached) one version "With NO Additional Income Tax Dollars" and the other version "With Additional Income Tax Dollars". A 3-page "Summary of Expenditures by Object and Fund" handout and a News Release entitled "City's Cuts May Restore Fire Department to Full Strength" were provided to the committee (copies attached). Don Pinckert, Director of Finance for the South Bend Police Department and Division Chief Gary Horvath then provided further information. Mr. Pinckert summarized the handout which reflects the 2010 adjusted budget and noted among other things that: • SBPD will have 260 sworn members • SBPD will NOT lay-off the 19 sworn officers previously indicated • SBPD will be able to hire the eight (8) open sworn officer positions • SBPD will return nine (9) critical civilian positions • SBPD will eliminate three (3) civilian positions which are unfilled • SBPD wi11 return two (2) Police Cadets, P/T Mr. Pinckert stated that the SBPD will be down ten (10) officers at the end of 2009. In response to questions from Council Member LaFoutain, Division Chief Horvath stated that it takes 45-50 weeks of training before a sworn officer can be placed on a police beat. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting August 14, 2009 Page 3 In response to questions from Council Member Oliver Davis, Mr. Pinckert stated that the SBPD has not hired any officers in over a year. Division Chief Horvath added that the department goes to a conference in Bloomington which recruits individuals who are already certified. In response to a question from Council Member Henry Davis, Jr., Mr. Pinckert stated that one (1) female police officer is serving in Iraq and is hoping to return to the SBPD next Summer. There are three (3) officers currently on active military duty with another officer leaving in January 2010. Mr. Pinckert stressed that the 2010 proposed police budget is over $1 million less than the 2009 SBPD budget. Council Member Rouse voiced concern over what he called "bells and whistles" being added back into the police department budget, while other departments are being asked to cut. Mr. Pincket stated that there are "very little bells and whistles". He noted that the Police Cadets earn a maximum of $10,000 per year. These are college students who work at the SBPD part-time and receive on-the-job training. He believes it is "an investment well worth it". Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. stated that he likes incentive-type programs, but knows of unpaid internships as well. Division Chief Horvath stated that the city has agreements with Bethel College, the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University South Bend. Programs encourage home grown sons and daughters to later work on the SBPD. Each who qualifies signs a contract at the end of four (4) years and has a degree; must pass physical and agility tests. Currently one (1) cadet is assigned to the Investigative Bureau and works the equivalent of 2/3 days for a total of $10,000 per year. He also handles fraud investigations. Cadets live in South Bend and are vested and interested in staying in South Bend. Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. stated it sounds "like a great thing". Council Member White inquired as to what the parameters were in adding dollars back into the police budget. She stated that the Council needs to know the standards which were used by the Administration. In response to a question from Council Member LaFountain, Division Chief Horvath stated that all officers must go through FTO and the Academy in Plainfield; and the Cadet program reduces the overall training by about 2-3 weeks. Council Member Rouse stated that he is not attempting to quarrel with the Police Department and sees the programs which they have highlighted as being excellent. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting August 14, 2009 Page 4 However when reviewing all programs funded by the General Fund, he stated that we must look at all parameters. Code Enforcement is proposed at a 20% cut which is raising many concerns and challenges for personnel. He stated that he is concerned also about the aggregate budget overall. Mr. Pinckert stated that the front desk at the SBPD will now have personnel with $3,000 each being added back in. He noted that all new police officers begin on the midnight shift; and that the items added back in are absolute necessities. In response to questions from Council Member Oliver Davis Mr. Pinckert stated that gasoline is bought by the city. The City Administration recommended that the amount per gallon be changed from $3.25 to $3.00. Mr. Pinckert also noted that the costs for special events are the best projections available. Marathon costs average $15,000, with much of that cost being reimbursed. Dignitary visits area "big issue" and have a direct effect on overtime expenses. The SBPD provides protection to the President, but this does not address the additional costs to the city for commencement activities and demonstrations. In response to a question from Council Member Rouse, Division Chief Horvath stated that grants have been used to purchase the patrol vehicle computers, with the primary source being federal grants. Mr. Pinckert noted that from 2007 to 2008 the overtime spending decreased by $326,000. This year overtime spending is also decreasing which is a direct result of the real efforts made by Chief Boykins and his administration. $200,000 is the average annual costs for court time due to recall when the County Prosecutor subpoenas police officers. In response to questions from Council Member Rouse, Mr. Pinckert noted that there are thirty (30) categories for overtime -such as overtime neighborhood beat patrols, Operation Pull-Over, court subpoena time, recall -just to name a few. He noted that he has print- outs for all overtime on a payroll basis which are consistent with State Board of Accounts reporting requirements. Court time is based on language set forth in the collective bargaining agreement with four (4) hour minimums when an officer is off-duty and a two (2) hour minimum when on-duty. The County Prosecutor issues all subpoenas which are based on case reports. The SBPD have worked with the County Prosecutor's Office and requested that they be more selective in the issuance of such subpoenas. Division Chief Horvath stated that they are continuing to work with Prosecutor Mike Dvorak and are developing aweb-based system of calling officers off from an issued subpoena. Council Member LaFountain stated that the issue of court time and subpoenas from the County Prosecutors office is a very complicated legal area. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting August 14, 2009 Page 5 It was noted that crossing guards had training yesterday. There are twenty (20) corners compared to thirty-two (32) corners last year; resulting in a savings of almost $400,000 in light of the decrease in payments and no benefits being offered by the city. In response to questions from Council Member LaFoutain, Mr. Pinckert stated that pay for the crossing guards is considerable less and adjustments may be made with regard to the selected corners based on traffic counts and safety issues. There is a Sergeant in charge now of all crossing guards and patrol units can do traffic counts. He added that the SBPD is aware that wage/fringe benefit and CBA labor negotiations are currently underway. The revised budget does not reflect anything that is subject to negotiations.. Council Member White inquired about the $438,490 figure. Mr. Pinckert stated that that sum may be affected by the results of negotiations, noting that there is not a lot of money sitting there. Council Member Davis inquired about mutual aid agreements and enforcement powers of police officers working for the University of Notre Dame and IU South Bend. Division Chief Horvath stated that all of the university police officers have full police powers. There are MOU's in place and they can write tickets around the perimeter of their campuses. Typically they do not respond except for backup. There are guarantees that they will be there. Council Member Rouse noted that currently we are looking at forecasts, with the City Administration being "cautiously optimistic"; but there are many caveats and the city does not know all of the impacts caused by the Circuit Breaker. Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. recommended that the City interface with the Universities so that there are enhanced partnerships for police coverage to free up SBPD officers and money. Division Chief Horvath stated that they will look into opportunities, but cautioned that the University of Notre Dame is a private institution and for their officers to go off-campus is significantly different that IU South Bend officers. He added that a lot of cross-training of officers takes place. The SBPD is also looking into more grant monies which are competitive. Council Member LaFountain thanked Mr. Pinckert and Division Chief Horvath for their update. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting August 14, 2009 Page 6 Presentation on the Revised 2010 South Bend Fire Department_Budget; City Controller Fanello stated that the Fire Department was authorized to add $3 million back into their budget from the $4 million which they had previously cut. The $4 million cut reflected decreasing sworn firefighters by 52; but did not account for the resulting increase in overtime. The proposed revised SBFD budget will reflect 240 sworn firefighters. She noted that $535,000 is needed to get the department to the 248 sworn firefighter goal. They project that there would be a savings in overtime of $307,000 to go to full-strength. Assumptions being used include that taxes will come in and that they will go to manpower of 240 by putting the $3 million back into the SBFD budget. The SBFD overtime costs in 2007 were $700,000. She stated that if tax rates and payments come in as projected that the SBFD could "possibility go to 248". She added that in all of the Town Hall meetings public safety was identified as the top priority. In response to questions from Council Member Rouse, Fire Chief Howard Buchanon II and Assistant Chief of Services Mark Nowicki noted that the department is operating with 240 firefighters, but would like to get to full strength. They added that there is a detailed application process involved as well as written exams, tutorials, 4-week physical agility tests; oral interviews as all being part of the process in addition to much detailed training. Chief Buchanon stated that it would take more than six (6) months to get to full-strength. Asst. Chief Nowicki stated that the SBFD has never had problems getting qualified people to work on the SBFD. Council Member Rouse noted that the difference in overtime between 2007 to 2010 appears to be $272,000. Asst. Chief Nowicki stated that the cost to the city to have a new firefighter begin ranges from $72,000 to $75,000 each. City Controller Fanello stated that the budget is still down and that there is no operational growth. Fire Chief Buchanon stated that they have talked with St. Joseph Medical Center personnel but have reached no conclusions. They are dealing with a very "delicate situation" which includes medical personnel being in Mishawaka; heavy traffic affecting response times; monies lost in order to get SBFD units back into the City of South Bend city limits, etc. He added that the hospital has stated that it cannot do anything monetarily to address these concerns. Another meeting is scheduled in the next 2-3 weeks. Asst. Chief Nowicki stated that the SBFD has four (4) ambulances, which at any one time once the new hospital opens could be all in Mishawaka with none available for South Bend. Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting August 14, 2009 Page 7 Chief Buchanon stated that there were about 3,600 South Bend runs last year and between 1,400 to 1,500 county EMS runs. He confirmed in response to a question from Council Member White that the revised SBFD 2010 budget reflects a cut of $688,000. He added that they are continuing to discuss patient options and insurance coverage. City Controller Fanello stated that the city should proceed ahead as being "cautiously optimistic" and work toward a goal of 248 sworn firefighters. Council Member LaFountain thanked the Fire Department officials for their presentation. Council Member LaFountain then adjourned the meeting at 5:53 p.m. Res ully mi , ounce e b r omas LaFountam, a Personnel and Finance Committee Attachments irperson