09-11-02 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2002 Page 3 Council Member Aranowski requested Mr. Thon to update the Council on both,the Code Hearing Officer and the Code Director before any changes are made public. 2003 Junk Vehicles 2002 Expenditures $ 64,313 General Fund # 101-1204 2003 Expenditures $ 65,942 Mr. Libbey stated that this is the only area of Code's operations which is self-supporting. They currently use two (2) tow trucks and project to tow 1,000 vehicles this year. The funds for this operation come from the monies received from scrap. 2003 Unsafe Building 2002 Expenditures $ 191,781 General Fund # 101-1205 2003 Expenditures $ 255,166 Mr. Libbey stated that bids are award to the lowest bidding contractor. In response to a question from Dr. Varner,Mr. Libbey stated that they have demolished 33 houses and 56 accessory structures to date; with 100 houses projected to be demolished this year. Dr. Varner noted that too often the vacant lot then becomes an environmental concern after the demolition. In response to a question from Council Member Aranowski, Mr. Libbey stated that they use between 4-6 contractors, although information is sent out to a larger number. A contractor is not paid until the lot is inspected. Mr. Thon stated that the City may be moving in a different direction so that there is a stronger city effort to work with saving structures which may be structurally sound. At the request of several Council Members, they are looking into working more closely with other agencies with regard to putting the property owner in contact with possible funding sources. Council Member Aranowski stated that he hates to see homes torn down, but it one is structurally unsound it should be. 2003 Animal Control 2002 Expenditures $ 348,588 General Fund # 101-1207 2003 Expenditures $ 361,852 Mr. Libbey stated that they have added an additional kennel attendant to the budget. The adoption program will adopt out 800 animals this year, compared to 600 last year. The foster program is also up. Two (2) years ago, the city purchased incinerator which should pay for itself over three (3) years. Mr. Libbey noted that Animal Control has started to accept credit cards which has been received very well. Previously they used a promissory note if a person did not have sufficient funds. Council Member Aranowski suggested that Animal Control should look into purchasing more capture cages. He noted that this is a good service for the public and perhaps they could be purchased in a similar manner as the thermal imagers were p by the Fire Department. Mr. Libbey stated that the city has twenty(20) capture cages and they run roughly $40 per cage. Mr. Libbey added that they are"tough to track",and that people have problems with wild life.