09-09-15 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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PERSONNEL&FINANCE SEPTEMBER 9,2015 5:00 P.M. Committee Members Present: Karen White,Valerie Schey(AB), Derek Dieter(AB), Dr. Fred Ferlic Citizen Members Present: Valerie Mora-Kraus (AB), Charnelle Mayfield-Martin (AB) Other Council Members Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis Jr., Dr. David Varner(AB), Oliver Davis (AB), Gavin Ferlic (XAB) • Others Present: John Murphy,Jennifer Hockenhull, Kareemah Fowler, Kathy Cekanski-Farrand,Adriana Rodriguez, David Cangavy, Cecil Eastman,John Voorde Agenda: 2016 Budget Review - Transpo - Clerk/OVB - Common Council Karen White, Chair of the Personnel & Finance Committee, opened the seventh session of the departmental budget hearings with three budgets to be heard. Prior to beginning the Transpo review Karen asked the record reflect that she was again asking all Councilmembers to submit any questions about the budgets they may have to her. Answers would be provided by respective department heads at subsequent hearings. She wanted it known she was not filtering, not stifling, not policing Council questions. She was only interested in getting each budget vetted thoroughly. David Cangavy the General Manager led off. With the PowerPoint and handout(attached), David was eager to report that Transpo was not going to lessen any services in spite of severe budget constrictions. He indicated most revenue sources including federal,state,and local ridership had gone down. Nonetheless, by efficient operation, borrowing from capital, converting the CNG,and financing 16 new buses soon to be in service,Transpo can remain operable and solvent. One concern he voiced was the fact 40%of Tranpo's drivers and mechanics were eligible to retire over the next five years. To address this concern he said a partnership was formed with Ivy tech to become a resource for potential new employees. Another challenge in service provision was not being able to go beyond municipal boundaries when Transpo service was needed to get folks to jobs in the county. As with most agencies controlling health care costs is also a major challenge. In an effort to alleviate that rising cost a wellness program was begun; but was opposed by the union (ATU) representing their workforce. Dr. Ferlic,Tim Scott, and Henry Davis all volunteered to lobby the state legislature to allow Transpo to expand to a county-wide service. The City Clerk's budget was next. City Clerk John Voorde along with Chief Deputy Kareemah Fowler made the presentation. Using a handout,John guided the Council through the accomplishments of 2015 and challenges of 2016. Highlighted were advancements in audio and visual technology with the 1