06-27-12 Personnel & Finance Committee

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PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE June 27, 2012 4:30 P.M. Committee Members Present: Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Henry Davis Citizen Members Present: Tammy McNally, Juliane James Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Oliver Davis, Valerie Schey, Others Present: John Murphy, Mark Neal, Kathryn Roos, Mayor Pete, Mike Schmuhl, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Sheri Miller Story Agenda: Workshop #4 This meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee is the fourth (4th) and final workshop put together by Councilmember Karen White with the cooperation of the City's Administration and Finance Department headed by City Controller Mark Neal. This sessions agenda includes a discussion of both the administration's and Councilmember's initiatives. A budget calendar presented by Mark Neal. A brief economic overview along with revenue and expense forecasts would wrap -up the meeting. Mayor Buttigieg and Mark Neal opened by presenting their parameters in the development of their 2013 budget initiatives. These as well as the budget calendar, some 2013 assumptions, and supplemental Council priorities is attached. Upon completion of this 2013 budget overview Karen White asked Councilmember's for their personal priorities and performance measures. Tim Scott (1St Dist.) said the top issue for him was public safety along with other quality of life issues most importantly addressing the vacant and abandoned houses in the district. Other priorities would be a curb & sidewalk program and finally improvements to Muessel and Pinhook Parks. Henry Davis (2nd Dist.) focused his comments on initiating an overhauled more effective economic development plan. This would include analyzing the criteria used in expending TIF dollars, specifically tying it to job creation. Forming a job recruitment team and working with banks who would be willing to accept more risk in their lending policies. Henry also alluded to more equity in park programming and more equity in pay for minorities. Valerie Schey (3`d Dist.) also focused on measurable economic development plans. She suggested a cost/benefit analysis of city owned facilities especially those downtown i.e. Morris, Palais, Century Center, and Hall of Fame. Valerie urged work be done to increase the tax base in the downtown as well as stimulating private investment in the corridors. Dr. Fred Ferlic (4th Dist.) spoke to advocate more public /private interaction to encourage economic investment. This same type of interactive model could be used to address quality of life issues in neighborhoods such as the vacant and abandoned housing problem. Finally he suggested consistent police patrols and more effective neighborhood watch programs as a way of addressing crime both the reality and perception of crime. David Varner (5th Dist.) advocated a more creative use of TIF dollars to increase net assessed value and create jobs. He also urged more funding for curbs and sidewalks. David also hoped the City would explore the privatization of Blackthorne Golf Course and also revisit the purchase and demolition of 31 homes along Fellows approaching the by -pass.