11-13-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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W.11.1m V 121 om 1A I � ,+ U • COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) and the van. The Council was concerned about the use of the funds in the amount of $161,408 in t Other Equipment - Meter Account. There was also a question on the leak insurance fund and the suggestion that repairs for leaks be reduced to $25,000. The Council referred to the anticipated income on page 9 and questioned the omission of the income received from the Department of Redevelopment. Mr. Maurice Cohen, 725 East Eckman Street, questioned a few of the positions in the Water Works Department. He stated that he did not remember the position of Bureau Manager and Personnel Director. He stated that the city already had a Personnel Director. He questioned the Office Supervisor and Trainees. He felt there was a conflict of interest on the voting for the budget. He indicated that, if any councilman had relatives working in the Water Works, that councilman should abstain from voting on the ordinance. He talked about other positions and the various line items. He then talked about the cars and trucks and mileage. He referred to the bonding require- ments mandating an appropriation of 13% of revenues to the depreciation fund. Mr. Cohen felt that the Council had made half of the necessary cuts but that there were still more to be made. He referred to the payroll sheet he had obtained and asked Councilman Horvath if his wife worked at the Water Works Department. Councilman Horvath indicated that she did, and Mr. Cohen stated that he could not understand how Councilman Horvath could vote on the ordinance. He felt there would be a conflict of interests. Councilman Horvath felt that his vote had nothing to do with the fact that his wife worked in the department. Chairman Newburn ruled for order. Mr. Cohen concluded that, when there was a conflict of duties, he felt there could not be a vote. Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, indicated that the association agreed with the Council on some of the cuts it had made. She indicated that she still had a few questions she wanted answered and a few comments to make. She referred to page 5 of the budget an felt there should be a further reduction. On page 9, there was an anticipated deficit of $630,115. On page 4, there was an increase of $85,000 as proposed. In line item 261.0, there was an increase of $30,000. She asked about these. Mr. Krueper indicated that, in 1973, the budget that was submitted was the first budget made up. He stated that there would undoubtedly be some errors. H stated that some of the errors were being found along the way. He estimated that the operation rejuvenation would run $40,000 to $45,000 a year. He hoped that an annual schedule would be set up on what has to be done. He stated that the Water Works system was a large operation and the equipment and machines need repair from time to time. If proper maintenance is not made, then repair to the equipment would cost a great deal more. Miss Guthrie asked why there was an increase of $27,000 in Account 372, the meter repair parts account. She stated that Mr. Krueper was comparing everything to 1973. Mr. Krueper indicated that that was all he had to work with. Miss Guthrie asked about 1972 and wondered where those figures were. Mr. Krueper stated that there were certain places where there were errors and he admitted this. He stated that he had tried to make the budget right to the best of his ability. He stated that there are discrepancies with the 1973 budget. Miss Guthrie stated that the dues and subscriptions account had been reduced by the Council. She stated that the association requested that, in the future, the dues and subscription for other city departments show up in the budgets. Council President Nemeth indicated that the Council was aware of that now. Miss Guthrie indicated that there was a sizable increase in social security, group insurance, etc. She wondered about this. She stated that the Civic Planning Association agreed with the cut the Council had proposed in the meters. On the $155,000 figure for refunds, she felt it could be reduced because not everyone who had a deposit coming back to them would be requesting the deposits all at once. On page 8, item 581 (taxes to the City of South Bend), there was to be a reduction in the account for the coming year. She felt serious considera- tion should also be given to page 9. She talked about the public fire protection and the increase that would be necessary if the rate increase was approved. She felt that the depreciation expense and repayment of customer accounts should be reduced. Mr. Krueper indicated that, regarding the refund of $155,000, he agreed with Miss Guthrie; however, he stated that the state auditors had indicated that the full amount must be used. As far as the depreciation, he also felt that the meters should be divided into other things. He felt the repair and replacement of some of the radios should be included with the meters. Mr. Walter Lantz, Deputy City Controller, spoke on the tax refund. He stated that the account is actually in lieu of taxes to the City of South Bend and was not in South Bend's assessed valuation. He stated that it was not certified to the County Auditor and the state would not subsidize it because it was an offset item. He stated that the Water Works pays back that amount. Mr. H. J. Noel, 3005 Bonds Avenue, indicated that he wished to speak as Chairman of the Retired Workers Chapter of the United Auto Workers #9, which was made up of 2,400 Bendix retirees. He stated that his group realized that the community was expanding and the facilities must also expand with the growing community. He stated that they wanted to see the community grow; however, he felt that too many times things were ignored. He stated that the proposal for the rate increase failed to recognize that there were hundreds of people who are retired and aged and living strictly on social security. He indicated that this was not true of the people he was representing because they were in a little better circumstance. He did not feel that he, as a Bendix retiree, could absorb the rate increase as well as 0. C. Carmichael. Likewise, the people receiving a lesser income than he. He stated that all the home owners were being place in one category. He asked that the Council take into consideration what he had said when it acted on the water increase. He stated that, on the trash program, the retired persons were given con- sideration. He was hopeful that this procedure would be followed in all cases such as the water rate increase. Mrs. Ann Wlodarski, 1869 Riverside Drive, a member of the St. Joseph County Fair Tax Association, commended the Council for having the budget available for the people to review. She stated that, on page 1, under the Board of Trustees, she questioned the $400 increase and the increase in the salary budget of $200. Mr. Krueper indicated that that was prorated out to the various departments. Mrs. Wlodarski asked about the amount of overtime being put in. Mr. Krueper indicated that, during the past year, there has been work done at night because of problems on watermains, breaks, etc. The traffic is less and the business people are not working at that time. He stated that there are always breaks in the mains and damage done to fire hydrants because of traffic accidents, etc. He stated that he had rechecked the amount of overtime only a short time ago, and the amount as proposed was an adequate amount to cover the overtime which would be put in. Mrs. Wlodarski asked about the amount of $30,000 for the summer help. Mr. Krueper stated that the department hired summer help around the plant for various odd jobs such as cutting the grass, etc., and also for the substitution for full -time persons while on vacations. Mrs. Wlodarski asked for an explanation on the uniforms and how they are dispensed. Mr. Krueper indicated that the city furnishes the uniforms for the employees who meet the public. He stated that, even with the unifoin he is sometimes called to identify a meter man who has to be admitted to the house to read the meter. Mrs. Wlodarski indicated that she agreed on the necessity of the uniforms for the public's (sake. She asked if there were people manned at the pumping stations 24 hours a day, and Mr. Kruep indicated that there were three shifts. Mrs. Goldie Minton, 753 Cottage Grove Avenue, talked about the meter refunds to the customers and the deposits she had made. She felt she had $36 coming back