11-13-73 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 13, 1973 IICOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) to her from the Water Works from various deposits she had made. She wondered about the leak insurance fund. Mr. Krueper indicated that the city collected insurance premiums. He stated that many people that have water breaks are not concerned about the break and the city must take care o it because it is a waste of the Water Works water. Because.of that, the insurance program was adopted. If a leak occurs between the foundation and the curb, it is repaired at no expense to th property owner. Mrs. Minton talked about the stop boxes. Mr. Krueper indicated that the stop box are being repaired for the good of the utility. Mrs. Minton thought that perhaps this was a good idea. She also talked about the estimated billing, indicating that she did not like that. She fe that many people could not afford the proposed water increase. She felt the sewer program was a poor program because the water was very rusty on the west side of town. She talked about the various conventions the city officials attend, wondering how many of them were necessary. She stated that she opposed the rate increase because of that. Chairman Newburn reminded the audience that the rate increase was not being considered at the present time. Miss Guthrie expressed her appreciation to the Council and the administration in meeting with the Civic Planning Association on the proposed budget. She indicated that the association realized that the budget adoption was a very difficult job. Councilman Kopczynski questioned the leak insurance fund and the repair of the watermain from the street to the house. He asked what funds were being used for that He asked about the leaks from the stop boxes. Mr. Krueper indicated that the ordinance reads "leaks" and does not specify. He stated that, if there is a leak anywhere along the line, it should be repaired out of the leak insurance fund. He indicated that the words "if it leaks" are used and it must be paid from the insurance fund. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that the Water Works repairs from the mains to the stop boxes. He felt that the insurance money should not be used for that repair. Mr. Krueper indicated that, if the main leaks, it is paid for from the leak fund and the work was contracted out. Councilman Kopczynski felt this item should be checked into and reviewed. Mr. Krueper indicated that he agreed with Councilman Kopczynski's comments. Councilman Taylor indicated that, on page 1, he questioned the position of Superintendent IV. He wondered if that was a new positior. Mr. Krueper indicated that that was originally meant to be the accountant. He stated that the man left the city and the vacancy was there. Another man became available to the city, and it was felt that a man was needed in that category for major expansions within the city. The growth of the Water Works for the future must be planned. He stated that a man was needed with experience for that position. Councilman Taylor asked about the relation of this particular man to the engineers. Mr. Krueper indicated that the man did not have a degree in engineering; however, he was responsibl for the change at the north pumping station and is very familiar with the distribution system. He stated that the Water Works must plan ahead and this was not being done. He also stated that this particular man-has 25 years of experience with the Water Works. Councilman Parent asked Mr. Krueper to comment on the proposed cuts the Council had made. Mr. James Barcome, City Controller, referred to a graph of the positions in the Water Works, indicating that some of the positions are not put into the right category. He stated that, at one position, there was a Head Cashier who wa responsible for a great deal of money. There was also a Supervisor in that capacity. He stated that, by the proposed cuts, there would have to be a layoff. Council President Nemeth indicated that he was of the opinion that the Superintendent was the Head Cashier. Councilman Miller indicated that, in one case, the Computer Superintendent was receiving $12,000. He stated that, under the Superintendent, there was a Billing Department Coordinator, an Accounting Clerk II and an Auditor III, all basically in supervisory functions. He was referring to the flow chart of the positions within the Water Works. Mr. Krueper stated that many of those.positions were inherited. He stated that a few shifts had been made during the past few months in order to have a more efficient operation of the plant. He stated that, starting the first of the year, he intended to have a profit -loss statement prepared every month. He briefly explained the recent shifts. Councilman Miller indicated that he was merely trying to justify the salary ordinance with the organizational chart. He stated that there was a Billing Department Coordinator listed under Offi Trainee. He stated that someone was moved into the auditing procedure and now cannot function in his past position. Mr. Krueper stated that that man would function as an advisor and foreman. Mr. Barcome stated that almost everything was now under computer and that effort must be coordinat He stated that it was a very good program and the city tries to utilize the up- grading system in employees. Councilman Miller indicated that, according to the chart, there were superintendents under superintendents. Mr. Krueper indicated that there was only one man on the trash program. He suggested a change in classifications. Council President Nemeth suggested that perhaps the two trainees should be left in their category. Mr. Krueper stated that, if a system could be developed to get 1000 of the readings three times a year, computer estimate could be utilized. He stated he felt the meter readers were needed at this time. He stated that every facility at the city's disposal must be used. Councilman Miller indicated that a draftsman was being paid part -time. He wondered if something could be worked out on that arrangement. Mr. Krueper indicat that the department needed a draftsman to keep the records up to date. He stated that there would be too much work for a single part -time draftsman. He indicated that he would go along with the Council's recommendation regarding the position to see how the department was able to function; however, he stated that he might have to come back to the Council. Councilman Miller asked if the same arrangement could be made on the position of Secretary III, and Mr. Krueper indicated that it could not. Council President Nemeth indicated that, on the reduction of the metermen, those five men were being picked up in the Depreciation Fund. Mr. Krueper stated that, with the downtown mall work, extra people would be needed. He did not know if he.could get by with.a decrease of five people. He asked if he had a choice as to what was more important, and stated that he though the men should be taken out of the meter installation program and abandon that idea rather than delete the metermen. Councilman Serge questioned Mr. Krueper on the number of employees he had when he had started. Mr. Krueper indicated that there had been 159 employees, 147 of which were full -time. He stated that now there were 140 employees and only 2 were part -time. Councilman Serge indicated that the operation was much larger now than in the past and the number of employee had been cut down. Councilman Miller again referred to the organizational chart and asked about the Redevelopment category. Mrs. Esther Gross, Auditor for the Water Works, indicated that that man supervises the redevelopment program and works in the Department of Redevelopment. Councilman Miller again brought up the matter of the work done on the downtown mall, indicating that the work should be tapering off. Mr. Krueper indicated that there was still a great deal of work involved. He stated that, by the end of next year, the major portion would be completed. He indicated that Phase IV still has to be done. Councilman Miller asked about Phase IV and wondered if a developer could be responsible for that. Mr. Krueper indicated that his department would still end up doing the work. Councilman Miller indicated that, perhaps next year, the people that the Council pro- posed be cut could be put back on the payroll. He suggested that the Council continue to make the five cuts on the position of Meter Man II and put the positions back if needed next year. Council Kopczynski stated that the men used for the redevelopment were shown in the General Maintenance e d.