2008 Annual Report - Personnel & Finance Committee

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2008 Personnel and Finance Committee Annual Report December 1, 2008 Page 2 • Reviewed a series of new and renewal of Scrap Metal/Junk Dealers/Recycling Operation Licenses • Reviewed RFPs to tape Common Council meetings • Reviewed proposed regulations on the pre-approval of claims • Reviewed several appropriation ordinances addressing such items as the 2007 election costs; • Reviewed parking garage rates • Authorized tax anticipation warrants in light of the late tax distributions • Reviewed the Umbaugh Study on the potential effects of HEA 1001 • Scheduled several committee meetings on the proposed 2009 civil city budget including hearing a presentation on "Enhanced Budget 101" • Receiving an update on the DLGF Executive Order extending the budget deadline from September 30, 2008 to December 1, 2008 • Reviewing and recommending approval of the City Administration's proposals for setting the maximum salaries and wages for appointed officers and non-bargaining employees for calendar year 2009 at a 2% increase over the current amounts • Established a new non-reverting gift and bequest fund • Reviewed a series of transfer requests including those from dormant accounts to the General Fund and closing out accounts with had no activity • Series of joint committee meetings held with the Health and Public Safety Committee, chaired by Council Member Karen L. White to address the funding challenges facing the 2009-2010 school crossing guard program Serving on the City's Advisory Ne~otiatin~ Team: As Chairperson of the Personnel and Finance Committee, I also spent many hours serving as a member of the City's Advisory Negotiating Team, along with Council Members Puzzello, Oliver Davis, Karen L. White (Alternate) and Henry Davis, Jr. (Alternate), along with members of the City Administration and the Council's Agent. Countless hours were spent in preparation for the actual negotiations with the negotiating teams representing the South Bend Firefighter's Association Local No. 362 of the International Association of Firefighters ALF-CIO and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 36. The Teams were successful in reaching agreement on maximum salaries, wages and monetary fringe benefits with both unions for 2009. The Teams were also successful in reaching agreement on a 1-year working agreement on working conditions with the police; with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement addressing working conditions with the fire rolling over for the 2009 calendar year. It should be noted that under the relevant Indiana state law, the Common Council is the final authority on the setting of maximum salaries and monetary fringe benefits; with the Board of Public Safety being the final authority on working conditions.