08-26-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 26, 1974 COMMITTEE ON FINANCE MEETING (CONTINUED) VEHICLE MAINTENANCE Council President Nemeth proposed the following reductions: Reduce Stock Clerk I classifications to one position at $7,480. Reduce Account 130, Extra and Overtime, to $12,000. Reduce Account 213, Travel Expense, to $250. Change Account 264, Veterinarian, to Account 260, Other Contractuals. Reduce Account 324, Other Garage and Motor, to $60,000. Reduce Account 430, Repair Parts, to $60,000. Reduce Account 722, Motor Equipment, to zero. Reduce Account 723, Garage and Maintenance Tools, to $3,000. Reduce Account 726, Other Equipment, to $600. Mr. James Meehan, Manager of the Bureau of Vehicle Maintenance, questioned the deletion of one stock clerk. Council President Nemeth asked about the responsibilities of the stock clerks. Mr. Meehan stated that one man inventories and dispenses all motor equipment (oil and anti - freeze, etc Council President Nemeth asked about the hours worked by the men. Mr. Meehan indicated that one man worked from 7 to 3:30; one from 8 to 4:30 and one from 8 to 5:00. He stated that the man who takes care of the motor equipment also rebuilds brooms for the sweepers. He stated that the other man does errands in picking up special merchandise and does inventory of the supplies and equipmen The third man is the "parts manager" and runs the stock room. He talked about the need for security in the stock room. Council President Nemeth stated that the Stock Clerk I does work on the sweepers as he understood Mr. Meehan to say. He wondered about the duties of the mechanics if the stock clerk was working on the equipment. He asked which mechanic worked on the sweepers. Mr Meehan answered that the Mechanic IV does that work. Council President Nemeth wondered what else the mechanic did. Mr. Meehan stated that they assist wherever possible. He stated that the work- load was very great at the present time. Council President Nemeth wondered about the turnover in the stock items to justify three men during the day. Mr. Meehan stated that the distribution is tremendous and the stock clerk must carefully check and maintain the supply. Councilman Miller stated that the Council was faced with a personnel problem. He asked which of the individuals would Mr. Meehan prefer be cut. Mr. Meehan stated that initially he had been proposing the addi- tion of two mechanics. He indicated that the amount of $81,813.36, a reduction over last year, was spent in maintaining city equipment. He felt that part of this reduction was due to increased security. Councilman Parent stated that the Council was having a hard time trying to justify the positions. Mr. Meehan questioned the reduction of the motor equipment. He stated that he had a 1968 Ford station wagon with 55,000 to 60,000 miles, and a 1968 Chevrolet pickup truck acquired from Solid Waste. He stated that the station wagon would not pass inspection when the time came. This vehicle was used for the pickup of equipment, tools, etc. He asked that he be allowed one vehicle in good operating condition. He stated that the vehicles for the animal control program were budgeted for around $3,600. He stated that this type of vehicle would be adequate. Council- man Horvath felt there would always be a car available to pick up parts somewhere at the Municipal Services Facility. He felt this cut should be made because he was certain a vehicle could be made available to Mr. Meehan. Mr. James Barc.ome, City Controller, stated that the administration would agree with the cut but hoped, if need be, that revenue sharing funds could be used for the purchas of a vehicle. Mr. Meehan indicated that, if the man was cut, mail service would have to be stoppe to the County -City Building. Mr. Barcome stated that a pickup goes from the Municipal Services Facility to pick up the mail. He felt that the mail service would not be hampered if the position was cut. Councilman Kopczynski asked about the Council's mail delivery. Mr. John Walsh, Personne Director, stated that all mail is brought up to the mail room and the parts man takes the mail out for re- distribution. Councilman Szymkowiak felt there were sufficient personnel in the County - City Building to pick up the mail. BUILDING MAINTENANCE Council President Nemeth questioned Accounts 262 and 426, and Mr. Walter Lantz, Chief Deputy Controller, stated that Account 262 should be data processing, and Account 426 should be 430, repair parts. Council President Nemeth then proposed the following reductions: Reduce Accounting C Reduce Account 130, Reduce Account 221, Reduce Account 251, Reduce Account 252, Reduce Account 260, Change Account 262, Reduce Account 321, Reduce Account 333, Change Account 426, Reduce Account 726, lerk II to zero. Extra and Overtime, to $3,000. Electric Current, to $29,000. Buildings and Structures Repair, to $8,000. Equipment Repair, to $5,000. Other Contractuals, to $22,000. Medical, Surgical, Dental, to Data Processing. Gasoline, to $170,000. Other Institutional and Medical, to $3,000. Salt, to Account 430, Repair Parts. Other Equipment, to $2,000. Mr. Stanley Przybylinski, Manager of the Bureau of Building Maintenance, explained that the amoun budgeted in repair parts was needed to maintain the centra -vac, boilers and the many repairs to be made to the entire facility. Council President Nemeth asked about the amount budgeted last year for that account. Mr. Przybylinski stated the amount had been $3,750. Council President Nemeth asked how much had been spent to date, and Mr. Przybylinski answered by stating that $1,837 had been spent through July. He explained that the equipment was getting older and addi- tional repairs would be needed as time goes by. Council President Nemeth felt the amount could b cut to $4,000. Mr. Przybylinski talked about a breakdown recently on.the emergency generator whe a man from Utah had been called in to fix the equipment. Councilman Kopczynski could not under- stand why a man from Utah had to come in. He felt someone in the area could have cleared up the problem. Mr. Przybylinski stated that a specialist and other men were called in and could not repair the generator. Councilman Parent supported the reduction. He stated that the Council mus make these reductions and it had no alternative but to reduce some accounts. Councilman Szymkowi felt the $1,000 cut should be reinstated because it was for a worthwhile cause. Councilman Mille compared the Building Maintenance and Vehicle Maintenance budgets. He stated that, even after th cuts, there was an $84,000 increase. He wondered about the increase in this area. Mr. Donald Decker, Manager of the Bureau of Streets and Transportation, talked about the tremendous increase in gasoline, oil and bituminous materials. He stated that the Municipal Services Facility budget