07-28-14 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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PERSONNEL & FINANCE JULY 28.2014 4:22 P.M. Committee Members Present: Valerie Schey, Dr. David Varner, Derek Dieter, Henry Davis (AB) Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Oliver Davis, Gavin Ferlic, Karen White Citizen Members Present: Vacant Other Present: Spence Walton, John Murphy Agenda: Bill 37 -14 Appropriations for City Departments Bill 38 -14 Appropriations Enterprise Funds Bill 39 -14 Fund Transfers Due to the large number of attendees Valerie Schey, Chairperson of Personnel and Finance Committee opted to call the meeting to order, to immediately recess, then to reconvene in the larger chamber. Because of the time necessary to set up the recording equipment, 15 minutes passed before the Committee could again be called to order. Three bills were scheduled for consideration. The first bill 37 -14 was a request from the City to appropriate additional funds for certain departments within the City for 2014 operations. This bill as well as the next two, for that matter are generally routine financial housecleaning requests often characterized as routine mid -year course corrections for budgets adopted last year. When passed the bills reflected best guess estimates. These bills reflect reality. By far the most controversial transfer and appropriation was the $125,000 from the general fund for the Council's legal expenses. Most of the legal bills were for services provided by the law firm May Oberfell & Lorber which had been hired by the Council to pursue the release of telephone tape recordings made in the South Bend Police Department last year. Spence Walton from the firm provided an accounting of the charges (attached) totaling $95,000 thru July 15. A trial hopefully, to resolve the "tapes controversy" is scheduled for August 12 and 13 which the firm continues to prepare for. There was much discussion as to the amount of the bill, who authorized the services and what the scope of continued legal services should be. In total bill 37 -14 requested over $4.5 million in appropriations. With legal amounts not agreed upon the bill was sent to full Council with no recommendation on motions by Derek Dieter and Dr. Varner, supported by Valerie Schey. Bill 38 -14 was the same type of appropriations request for enterprise funds in 2014. This bill was like the last, presented by City Controller John Murphy. After a few clarifying answers to Council questions, Dr. Varner motioned the bill be sent favorably. Derek dieter seconded and all supported.