02-13-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2012 then Engineering. Regarding General Government, the Mayor stated that most citizens would be surprised to know accounts for less than 3% that’s overhead administration less than 3% of our spending in Code, Sanitation, Building Department account from the smallest chunks of revenue and expenditure. He stated that if you open up the General Fund here is where you see that public safety accounts for the vast majority of the discretionary funding. This has been an increasing proportion and now stands at 83%. He reiterated that general government, engineering, streets, code enforcement, culture & recreation and parks considerably less proportionately than we invest in public safety in this community. He stated that over time you can see more clearly is that we are under pressure and have been responding as a city to that pressure by reducing overall expenditures in the general fund from what they were prior to 2008 when they began to look at the prospect of property tax caps. Mayor Buttigieg stated that it is important that the citizens and Council be aware that they now operate city government with considerably fewer people than was the case 10 years ago. The number of full time employees is down to a total of 205 since 2002. He stated that they have been able to hold public safety employment relatively steady although it hasn’t been without a reduction. There have been proportionately much steeper reductions in the enterprise funds that again incorporate sewer, water as well as the street department. The Street Department is operating with something close to half of the former strength, some of that is made up for that in the enterprise funds, but he did not want anybody to get the impression people are just moving around. They have far fewer full time employees now then we had 10 years ago. He hoped everyone was still awake and stressed that he is looking forward to a future address in April which he will be able to address any follow- up. He stated that he would be happy to take any questions. He stated that he believes they have a budget which while very much constrained is adequate for his administration to deliver on the needs of this city and working together they will still be able to deliver major improvements in efficiency, transparency, and cost effectiveness through the best possible management and leadership. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES There were no reports of City Offices. RESOLVE INTO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE At 7:53 p.m. Councilmember Henry Davis made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole. Councilmember Scott seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Councilmember White, Chairperson, presiding. Councilmember White, explained the procedures to be followed for tonight’s meeting in accordance with Article 1, Section 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code. Councilmember White stated that a brochure may be found on the railing in the Council Chambers explaining those procedures. PUBLIC HEARINGS BILL NO. 84-11 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, TO CREATE THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND CERTIFIED TECHNOLOGY PARK FUND (#439) Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to amend this bill. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand read the amendment into the record: Amend Section I to add the following sentence at the end of the current language: “An annual report on proposed short and long-term expenditures shall be filed by the South 6