City of Milwaukee - File #: 030734

• File #: 030734
• Version: 0
• Type: Budget
• Status: Passed
• File created: 9/23/2003
• In control: FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
• Final action: 11/25/2003
• Title: Communication from the Mayor transmitting the 2004 City Budget.
• Sponsors: THE CHAIR
• Indexes: BUDGET

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
4/30/2013	0	COMMON COUNCIL	HEARING NOTICES SENT
11/24/2003	0	MAYOR	RETURNED NOT SIGNED; Minutes note: November 25, 2003 Common Council meeting - Veto of budget lines in the 2004 budget which were affected by Common Council amendment #13a which Restore Minimum staffing of Five Personnel of Four Single Engine Companies.(Fire Department) THE CHAIR put the question: "Shall the said budget item be adopted notwithstanding the objection of His Honor the Mayor?" Ayes: 16 - AL. Davis, D'Amato, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines and President Pratt Noes: 0 The motion Prevailed. - Veto of budget lines in the 2004 budget which were affected by Common Council amendment #21 which convert Neighborhood Library Improvement Fund to Borrowing (Library/Capital Improvements) THE CHAIR put the question: "Shall the said budget item be adopted notwithstanding the objection of His Honor the Mayor?" Ayes: 13 - Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Breier, Murphy, Hines and President Pratt Noes: 3 - Ald. Bohl, Witkowski and Nardelli The motion prevailed. - Veto of budget lines in the 2004 budget which were affected by Common Council amendment #27a - Restoration of additional funding for pruning. (DPW-Operations) THE CHAIR put the question: "Shall the said budget item be adopted notwithstanding the objection of His Honor the Mayor?" Ayes: 15 - Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines and President Pratt Noes: 1 - Ald. Bohl The motion prevailed. - Veto of budget lines in the 2004 budget which were affected by Common Council amendment #34 which Increase recreational facility funding and convert to borrowing. (Capital Improvements Budget) THE CHAIR put the question: "Shall the said budget item be adopted notwithstanding the objection of His Honor the Mayor?" Ayes: 11 - Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Breier, Murphy and Hines Noes: 5 - Ald. Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Witkowski, Nardelli and President Pratt The motion prevailed. - Veto of budget lines in the 2004 which were affection by Common Council amendment #36 which Increase transfer to the general fund (DPW-Parking Fund). THE CHAIR put the question: "Shall the said budget item be adopted notwithstanding the objection of His Honor the Mayor?" Ayes: 11 - Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Breier, Murphy and Hines Noes: 5 - Ald. Bohl, Sanchez, Witkowski, Nardelli and President Pratt The motion prevailed. - Veto of budget lines in the 2004 which were affected by Common Council amendment #54a which provided funding to move up the 2004 police officer recruit classes to April and September (Police Department). THE CHAIR put the question: "Shall the said budget item be adopted notwithstanding the objection of His Honor the Mayor?" Ayes: 14 - Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Sanchez, Dudzik, Sanchez, Breier, Murphy and Hines Noes: 2 - Ald. Richards and President Pratt The motion prevailed.
11/14/2003	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ADOPTED; Minutes note: ALD. GORDON offered the following amendments approved by the Finance and Personnel Committee to the 2004 proposed budget. AMENDMENT NO. 1 COMMON COUNCIL CITY CLERK - To change positions and funding related to 24 hour business establishment license administration. Add position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for one License Specialist and reduce funding for a Staff Assistant and Council File Specialist to reflect staffing changes. APPROVE (Ald. Nardelli voting no) AMENDMENT NO. 2 COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To eliminate funding for the monthly home phone payment for all Common Council members. Implementation of this amendment would require adoption of legislation to repeal current ordinances (Section 350-189) governing this payment. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 COMMON COUNCIL - CITY CLERK - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for a Personnel Payroll Assistant I. APPROVE (Ald. Nardelli, Bohl and Witkowski voting no) AMENDMENT NO. 4 CITY DEBT - To update the City Debt budget to reflect the September 2003 bond and note sales and to update the borrowing authorizations to reflect $200,000,000 in authorization for MPS Unfunded Pension Liability purposes and $50,000,000 for purposes of anticipated increases in revenue anticipation borrowing. APPROVE (Ald. Nardelli, Bohl and Witkowski voting no) AMENDMENT NO. 5 DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT - To add position authority, salary funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for an Associate Planner position and a Plan Examiner position. Ald. D'Amato moved to Hold Amendment No. 5 in order to prepare Substitute Amendments to split the question. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Richards, Sanchez, Witkowski, Hines - 5 Noes: Ald. Davis, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Wade, Dudzik, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Pratt - 11. Motion to Hold FAILED. Ald. D'Amato moved approval: Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Gordon, Richards, Wade, Sanchez, Witkowski, Murphy, Hines - 8 Noes: Ald. Davis, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Donovan, Dudzik, Breier, Nardelli, Pratt - 8. FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 6 SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISCELLANEOUS - Restore funding of the Milwaukee Fourth of July Commission Special Purpose Account to 2003 levels. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Hines, Pratt - 12 Noes: Bohl, Sanchez, Nardelli, Murphy - 4. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND - To update the 2004 Business Improvement District Economic Development Fund appropriations. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 8 DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for two Code Enforcement Inspector II positions in the Commercial Inspection Section and two Nuisance Control Officer II positions in the Nuisance Control Section. Restore $40,000 in funding for the Community Sanitation Fund. Salary costs would be partially offset by increased revenues. Per Comptroller in letter of November 3, 2003, they will recognize $90,000 of new revenue from the creation of these positions. APPROVE (Ald. Bohl, Nardelli voting “no”) AMENDMENT NO. 9 SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISCELLANEOUS - To restore funding of $45,000 to the Graffiti Abatement Special Purpose Account. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Hines - 11 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Dudzik, Nardelli, Murphy, Pratt -5. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 10 EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM - To appropriately reflect anticipated special purpose account expenditures for 2004. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 11 SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNT-MISCELLANEOUS & PROVISIONS FOR EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT FUNDS - To reduce the contribution to the employers' reserve fund by $550,000 and create a special purpose account to perform an actuarial study of the future reserve fund needs. APPROVE (Ald. Davis, Bohl voting “no”) AMENDMENT NO. 12 FIRE DEPARTMENT - Restore staffing of Paramedic MED units to one Paramedic Officer and one Paramedic (vs. two Paramedics) APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 13 FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore minimum staffing of 5 personnel per day on six single engine companies. This amendment will restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for 18 Fire Fighter positions. These positions will be footnoted to state that they shall be assigned at the discretion of the Fire Chief to areas with the greatest need. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. This amendment also adds 36 unfunded auxiliary firefighter positions. Ald. Bohl moved to hold till later in the meeting. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Sanchez, Witkowski, Hines, Pratt - 5 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy - 11 FAILED Ald. Gordon moved for separate action. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy - 11 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Richards, Sanchez, Hines, Pratt - 5. APPROVE Ald. Gordon moved reconsideration and submitted Substitute Amendment No. 13a. (Ald. D'Amato, Murphy voting “no”) SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT NO. 13a FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore minimum staffing of 5 personnel per day on four single engine companies. This amendment will restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for 12 Fire Fighter positions. These positions will be footnoted to state that they shall be assigned at the discretion of the Fire Chief to areas with the greatest need. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. This amendment also adds 44 unfunded auxiliary firefighter positions. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 15 Noes: Ald. Bohl. - 1. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 14 FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Administrative Assistant II position in the Fire Department. APPROVE (Ald. Bohl, Sanchez voting “no”) AMENDMENT NO. 15 HEALTH DEPARTMENT - In the Health Department, add position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for one Healthcare Outreach Coordinator in the Maternal and Child Health Division. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Sanchez, Witkowski, Murphy, Hines - 10 Noes: Ald. Davis, Bohl, Dudzik, Breier, Nardelli, Pratt - 6. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 16 HEALTH DEPARTMENT - In the Health Department, add position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for one Community Capacitation Coordinator in the Home Environmental Health Division. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 16. FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 17 LIBRARY - Restore funding for Villard Library. Ald. Hines moved to hold till later in the meeting. Approve Ald. Pratt moved for separate action. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Richards - 1 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 15. FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 18 LIBRARY - To carryover $99,891 of unspent funding in the Library's 2003 Reciprocal Borrowing Special Fund and reduce the 2004 funding by an equal amount ($99,891 is based on the remaining balance in this account as of November 1, 2003). The carryover funding will be included on the 2003-2004 Carryover Resolution. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 19 LIBRARY - To carryover $100,000 of unspent funding in the Library's 2003 Salaries & Wages Account and reduce its 2004 funding by an equal amount ($100,000 is based on 2003 projections as of pay period 21, 2003). The carryover funding will be included on the 2003-2004 Carryover Resolution. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 20 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - LIBRARY - Shift $1,000,000 for New Northside Library - Acquisition and Construction to Neighborhood Library Improvements Fund. Ald. Murphy moved to hold till later in the meeting. Approve Ald. Gordon moved for separate action. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Pratt - 13 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Hines - 3 APPROVE. AMENDMENT NO. 21 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - LIBRARY - Convert the Neighborhood Library Improvement Fund financing from $175,000 tax levy cash to borrowing authorization. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 9 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli - 7. APPROVE Recess: 12:10; Reconvened 1:00 P.M. AMENDMENT NO. 22 POLICE DEPARTMENT - Restore position authority for 113 Police Officers. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 23 POLICE DEPARTMENT - To restore the positions of Deputy Chief, Sergeant, Captain, Administrative Lieutenants, and Administrative Assistant II. Replace two Commanders with two Inspector of Police. Increase the Personnel Cost Adjustment by $160,000 with the intention that the Police Chief will find additional savings to cover the full year salaries of these positions. Footnote the Administrative Lieutenant of Police position in the Medical Section to be civilianized or otherwise changed through attrition only. Footnotes will require companion resolutions for legislative intent. APPROVE (Ald. Bohl voting no) AMENDMENT NO. 24 POLICE DEPARTMENT - Restore salary funding, position authority, FTE's, and direct labor hours for the operation of the Police Department Print Shop. Insert footnote to indicate that an evaluation of the feasibility of combining the Police Department Print Shop functions with Milwaukee Printing & Records shall be completed in 2004 for 2005 budget planning purposes. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 25 DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours in DPW-Operations for three Garage Attendant positions. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Pratt - 12 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Sanchez, Murphy, Hines - 4. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 26 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISON - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for boulevard maintenance, including watering, mulching, mowing, and flower beds. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Wade, Witkowski, Breier, Hines - 8 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Bohl, Richards, Dudzik, Sanchez, Nardelli, Murphy, Pratt - 8. FAILED Ald. Sanchez moved reconsideration of Amendment No. 26 (Withdrew motion) Ald. D'Amato moved reconsideration of Amendment No. 26. Ald. D'Amato presented Substitute Amendment No. 26a and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 26a DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To restore position authority, salary funding, FTE's, direct labor hours and operating supplies to maintain the current number of boulevard flower beds and plant perennial flowers only in these beds. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Breier, Nardelli, Hines - 11 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Sanchez, Witkowski, Murphy, Pratt - 5. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 27 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Add position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours to provide additional personnel for special tree pruning requests. This amendment maintains the proposed 5 year tree pruning cycle. Ald. Dudzik presented Substitute Amendment No. 27a and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 27a DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Add position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours to provide additional personnel for tree pruning special requests. This amendment maintains the proposed 5 year pruning cycle. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Pratt - 14 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Hines -2. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 28 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To provide funding for herbicide application on concrete median islands. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, Donovan, Dudzik, Witkowski, Nardelli, Hines - 6 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Richards, Wade, Sanchez, Breier, Murphy, Pratt - 10. FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 29 DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore funding in DPW-Operations for four garbage special pick-up crews from April through December to keep special pick-ups on current schedule. APPROVE (Ald. Bohl, Sanchez, Murphy, Nardelli voting “no”) AMENDMENT NO. 30 DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours in DPW-Operations for three Sanitation Supervisor positions. APPROVE (Ald. Bohl, Nardelli voting “no”) AMENDMENT NO. 31 DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours in DPW-Operations to restore the current seven day garbage collection schedule. APPROVE (Ald. Murphy, D'Amato voting “no”) AMENDMENT NO. 32 DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISON - Reduce funding in DPW-Operations Sanitation Section for the replacement of refuse carts, providing funding for 20,000 carts instead of 25,000 carts. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 33 DPW - INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for one Grinder Crew, one Concrete Crew, one Mini Concrete Crew, one Crack Fill Crew, and one Router Crew. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Hines, Pratt - 12 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Donovan, Sanchez, Murphy - 4. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 34 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - Convert Recreational Facilities financing to borrowing and increase to $400,000. Adoption of this amendment would not meet the Infrastructure Cash Conversion policy for 2004 as established by Resolution 851157a. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Sanchez, Murphy - 9 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Hines, Pratt - 7. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 35 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS- WATER WORKS - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for one Water Meter Technician I, one Water Revenue Collector, one Inventory Assistant III, and one Engineering Drafting Technician IV. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 36 GENERAL CITY REVENUES AND PARKING FUND - To increase the payment to the General Fund from the Parking Fund by $1.1 million. This amendment assumes recognition of revenue by the Comptroller. APPROVE (Ald. Bohl, Sanchez, Nardelli voting “no”) AMENDMENT NO. 37 SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISCELLANEOUS - Freeze the 2004 salaries of all management employees at Salary Grade 11 and above. The intent of this amendment is not to grant the 2004 cost of living adjustment (COLA) for these employes. APPROVE (Ald. Witkowski voting “no”) AMENDMENT NO. 38 COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK/MAYOR'S OFFICE - To reduce the salaries of the Mayor and the members of the Common Council to reflect the freeze in salaries for these positions as adopted by the Common Council in File 030516. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 39 SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNT-EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE AND TAX STABILIZATION FUND - To reduce funding in the Health Care Benefit account by $500,000 and reduce the withdrawal from the Tax Stabilization Fund by $380,000. Note: The change in the Tax Stabilization Fund withdrawal will require a separate motion and resolution by the Common Council. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 40 CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - To restore salary funding, position authority, FTE's and direct labor hours for one Office Assistant II position to work in the nuisance abatement program. The cost of this position will be offset by salary savings in other positions within the City Attorney's Office. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 41 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - To fully restore boulevard concealed irrigation program. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, Johnson-Odom, Witkowski - 3 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Bohl, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 13. FAILED Ald. Gordon, Chair moved to approve the foregoing amendments (1-41) which separate action was not taken. Prevailed. AMENDMENT NO. 42 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISC. - To reduce salary funding for the Administration Director by 1/3, the Budget Director by ½ and eliminate all salary funding for the Legislative Liaison Director and the Fiscal Planning Specialist-Senior. The savings will be used to create a special purpose account for legislative lobbying consultant fees. Ald. D'Amato presented Substitute Amendment No. 42a and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 42a DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISC. AND COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To reduce salary funding for the Administration Director by 1/3 and the Budget Director by ½. Increase funding for the Legislative Liaison Director to provide 6 months funding. Create an Intergovernmental Liaison Analyst that will report to the Common Council President and the Chair of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee. Eliminate salary funding for the Fiscal Planning Specialist-Senior. Finally, create a special purpose account for legislative lobbying consultant fees of $50,000. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Richards, Witkowski, Hines - 4 Noes: Ald. Davis, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Pratt - 12 . FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 43 VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS - Reduce the salary grades for certain city positions. These positions will be reduced to step one of the new salary grade commencing with the new term in April, 2004. Changes in salary grades requires amendment of the city's salary ordinance. Ald. Pratt moved to hold till later in the meeting. Approve (Ald. Bohl, Wade and Witkowski voting no) Ald. Bohl presented Substitute Amendment No. 43a and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 43a VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS - Reduce the salary grades for certain city positions. These positions will be reduced to step one of the new salary grade commencing with the new term in April, 2004. Changes in salary grades require amendment of the city's salary ordinance. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Wade, Witkowski - 3 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Dudzik, Sanchez, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 13. FAILED Ald. Hines moved to reconsider and presented Substitute Amendment No. 43b and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 43b VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS - Reduce the budgeted salary for certain city cabinet positions. These positions will be reduced to step one of their existing salary grade commencing with the new term in April, 2004. (Add Bohl and Wade as co-sponsors) Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Wade, Sanchez, Witkowski, Hines - 5 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Dudzik, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Pratt - 11 FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 44 DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Development, beginning in April, 2004. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Sanchez - 2 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 14. FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 45 COMMON COUNCIL - CITY CLERK - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy City Clerk (retain position authority), beginning April, 2004. WITHDRAWN, by Ald. Bohl. AMENDMENT NO. 46 COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK- - To reduce the salary of the Deputy City Clerk. To reduce the salary grades requires amendment of the city's salary ordinance. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl - 1 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 15. FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 47 COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To reduce the salary of the Executive Administrative Assistant II. To reduce the salary grades requires amendment of the city's salary ordinance. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Donovan, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli - 6 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Richards, Wade, Sanchez, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 10. FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 48 COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To add position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for one position of Intergovernmental Liaison Analyst in the Common Council budget. Include a footnote requiring this position to report to the Common Council President and the Chair of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee. Duties of the position will include lobbying efforts, working with Common Council members to identify grants, and assisting in community building efforts. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. WITHDRAWN, by Ald. D'Amato. AMENDMENT NO. 49 FIRE DEPARTMENT - Restore position authority for 54 auxiliary Firefighter positions. These positions will be unfunded in the 2004 budget. WITHDRAWN, by Ald. Nardelli, Witkowski. AMENDMENT NO. 50 FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore minimum staffing of five personnel per day on three single engine companies. This amendment will restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for nine Firefighter positions. Ald. Bohl moved to hold till later in the meeting. Prevailed. WITHDRAWN, by Ald. Bohl. AMENDMENT NO. 51 LIBRARY - To restore funding, positions, FTE's and direct labor hours to provide full year operation of the Villard Avenue and Center Street Library branches. In order to accomplish this, operating funding for Atkinson Library is restored and CDBG funding is applied toward operating the Center Street branch for the entire year. Ald. Johnson-Odom moved to hold till later in the meeting. Approve (Ald. Donovan, Richards and Sanchez voting no) Ald. Pratt moved for separate action. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Richards, Wade, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Hines, Pratt - 11 Noes: Ald. Bohl, Donovan, Dudzik, Nardelli, Murphy - 5. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 52 LIBRARY - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy City Librarian, beginning April, 2004. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl - 1 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 14 Excused: Ald. Gordon - 1. FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 53 MAYOR'S OFFICE To eliminate position authority for three vacant Staff Assistant to the Mayor positions and to reduce the salary grade for various positions in the Mayor's Office. Implementation of the provisions of this amendment reducing salary grades requires adoption of legislation changing the city's salary ordinance. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy - 10 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Hines, Pratt - 6. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 54 POLICE DEPARTMENT - Provide salary funding, O&M FTE's, and direct labor hours to move up the Police Officer Recruit classes so that one starts in March, 2004 and the other in September, 2004. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, Johnson-Odom, Donovan, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy - 9 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Bohl, Gordon, Richards, Sanchez, Hines, Pratt - 7. Ald. Nardelli moved reconsideration of Amendment No. 54. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 16 Noes: 0. SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT NO. 54a POLICE DEPARTMENT - Provide salary funding, O&M FTE's, and direct labor hours to move up the Police Office Recruit classes so that one starts in April, 2004 and the other in September, 2004. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines - 12 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Richards, Sanchez, Pratt - 4. APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 55 POLICE DEPARTMENT - To provide salary funding, O&M FTE's, and direct labor hours to move up the first Police Officer Recruit class so that it starts in February, 2004. WITHDRAWN, by Ald. Bohl. AMENDMENT NO. 56 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To restore position authority, salary funding, FTE's, direct labor hours and operating supplies to maintain the current number of boulevard flower beds. WITHDRAWN, by Ald. Murphy. AMENDMENT NO. 57 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To restore position authority, salary funding, FTE's, direct labor hours and operating supplies to maintain the current number of boulevard flower beds and plant perennial flowers only in these beds. WITHDRAWN, by Ald. D'Amato, Bohl. AMENDMENT NO. 58 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS-DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - Convert $3 million of the $11.9 million Capital Improvements tax levy to borrowing. Adoption of this amendment would not meet the Infrastructure Cash Conversion policy for 2004 as established by Resolution 851157a. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Johnson-Odom, Hines, Pratt - 3 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Bohl, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy - 13 FAILED AMENDMENT NO. 59 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS-DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - Eliminate all 2004 funds for DPW Menomonee Valley Facilities Relocation. (Remove Gordon and Davis as co-sponsors) Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Dudzik, Sanchez - 3 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 13. FAILED Recess: 5:10; Reconvened: 5:30 P.M. Ald. Nardelli moved reconsideration regarding Amendment No. 54. AMENDMENT NO. 60 DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS - To add position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for one position of Labor Relations Officer Senior at Salary Grade 10 in the Labor Relations Section. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Witkowski, Pratt - 3 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines - 13 FAILED Ald. Nardelli presented Amendment No. 61 and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 61 MAYOR'S OFFICE - To reduce the salary of the Mayor by $10,000. Implementation of this amendment requires adoption of legislation to reflect the salary change in the City Salary Ordinance and in Section 350-100 of the Ordinances. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 14 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato -2. APPROVE Ald. Nardelli, moved for reconsideration of Amendment No. 61. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Bohl, Donovan, Sanchez, Pratt - 4 Noes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines - 12. FAILED Ald. Pratt presented Amendment No. 62 and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 62 ASSESSOR - To restore funding, direct labor hours, and FTE's for an Accounting Assistant I. Roll Call re Reconsideration: Ald. D'Amato, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Hines, Pratt - 8 Noes: Ald. Davis, Bohl, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy - 8 FAILED Ald. D'Amato presented Amendment No. 63 and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 63 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - Footnote the Capital Improvements Budget for the Department of Public Works to require a Common Council Resolution approving a plan for the Menomonee Valley Facilities Relocation project before funds may be expended. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 16 Noes: 0. APPROVE Ald. D'Amato presented Amendment No. 64 and moved for its approval. AMENDMENT NO. 64 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-WATER WORKS - Footnote the Water Works Capital Improvement Budget to require a Common Council Resolution approving a plan for the Distribution Building Replacement project before funds may be expended. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Davis, D'Amato, Bohl, Johnson-Odom, Gordon, Donovan, Richards, Wade, Dudzik, Sanchez, Witkowski, Breier, Nardelli, Murphy, Hines, Pratt - 16 Noes: 0. APPROVE NOTE: Complete detail of the adopted 2004 Budget is set forth in a separate publication entitled "2004 Budget of the City of Milwaukee Wisconson" and will be available in the Management Division, Room 307, City Hall, 200 East Wells Street.	Pass	14:2
11/12/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	REFERRED WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION AND ASSIGNED TO	Pass	5:0
11/10/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
11/7/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Also appeared: Joseph Czarnezki, Director (DOA-Budget), W. Martin Morics, Comptroller, Marianne Walsh, Manager (Fiscal Review), Cassandra Patterson, Special Assistant to the Finance & Personnel Committee AMENDMENTS: (continued) 70. SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNT-EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE AND TAX STABILIZATION FUND - To reduce funding in the Health Care Benefit account by $500,000 and reduce the withdrawal from the Tax Stabilization Fund by $380,000. Note: The change in the Tax Stabilization Fund withdrawal will require a separate motion and resolution by the Common Council. (Ald. Gordon) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. 72. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - To fully restore boulevard concealed irrigation program. (Ald. Breier) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 3-2. (Ald. Murphy & D'Amato voting “no”). Recess: 9:33; Reconvened: 9:43A.M. Reconsider Amendment 19a, by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 5-0. 19a. FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore minimum staffing of 5 personnel per day on six single engine companies. This amendment will restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for 18 Fire Fighter positions. These positions will be footnoted to state that they shall be assigned at the discretion of the Fire Chief to areas with the greatest need. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. This amendment also adds 36 unfunded auxiliary firefighter positions. (Ald. Hines, Breier, Donovan, D'Amato, Murphy, Wade, Dudzik, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 3-2. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Murphy, Gordon - 3 Noes: Ald. Hines, Donovan - 2. Reconsider Amendment 42, by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 5-0. 42. POLICE DEPARTMENT - Restore salary funding, O & M FTE's, and direct labor hours to move up the Police Officer Recruit classes so that one starts in March, 2004 and the other in September, 2004. (Ald. Nardelli, Breier, Davis, Gordon, Wade) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Donovan, Murphy - 2 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Gordon - 3. Recess: 10:22; Reconvened: 10:30 A.M.	Pass	5:0
11/6/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	NOT ACTED ON; Minutes note: Also appeared: Joseph Czarnezki, Director (DOA-Budget), W. Martin Morics, Comptroller, Marianne Walsh, Manager (Fiscal Review), Cassandra Patterson, Special Assistant to the Finance & Personnel Committee AMENDMENTS: 1. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION/SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISC. - To reduce salary funding for the Administration Director by 1/3, the Budget Director by ½ and eliminate all salary funding for the Legislative Liaison Director and the Fiscal Planning Specialist-Senior. The savings will be used to create a special purpose account for legislative lobbying consultant fees. (Ald. D'Amato) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Gordon -2 Noes: Ald. Hines, Donovan, Murphy - 3. 2. ASSESSOR - To restore funding, direct labor hours, and FTE's for an Office Assistant II and an Accounting Assistant I. (Ald. Gordon) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Failed. 1-4. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Gordon - 1 Noes: Ald. Hines, Murphy, D'Amato, Donovan -4. 3. COMMON COUNCIL CITY CLERK - To change positions and funding related to 24 hour business establishment license administration. Add position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for one License Specialist and reduce funding for a Staff Assistant and Council File Specialist to reflect staffing changes. (Ald. Bohl, Witkowski, Gordon, Davis) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. 4. COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To eliminate funding for the monthly home phone payment for all Common Council members. Implementation of this amendment would require adoption of legislation to repeal current ordinances (Section 350-189) governing this payment. (Ald. Dudzik, Bohl, Wade, Witkowski, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Hines -1. 5. COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To add position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for one position of Intergovernmental Liaison Analyst in the Common Council budget. Include a footnote requiring this position to report to the Common Council President and the Chair of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee. Duties of the position will include lobbying efforts, working with Common Council members to identify grants, and assisting in community building efforts. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. (Ald. D'Amato) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Gordon -2 Noes: Ald. Hines. Donovan, Murphy - 3. 6. COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for two positions and to reduce the salary grade for two other positions in the Common Council-City Clerk's budget. Changes in salary grades requires amendment of the city's salary ordinance. (Ald. Nardelli) Amend, per Ald. Nardelli. 6a. COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To reduce the salary of the Deputy City Clerk. To reduce the salary grades requires amendment of the city's salary ordinance. (Ald. Nardelli) Approve, as amended, by Ald. Murphy. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Donovan, Murphy - 2 Noes: (Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Gordon - 3. 6b. COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To reduce the salary of the Management & Accounting Officer. To reduce the salary grades requires amendment to the city's salary ordinance. (Ald. Nardelli) Withdrawn by Ald. Nardelli. 6c. COMMON COUNCIL - CITY CLERK - To reduce the salary of the Executive Administrative Assistant II. To reduce the salary grades requires amendment of the city's salary ordinance. (Ald. Nardelli) Approve, as amended, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 1-4. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Donovan - 1 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Murphy, Gordon - 4. 6d. COMMON COUNCIL - CITY CLERK - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for a Personnel Payroll Assistant I. (Ald. Nardelli, D'Amato) Approve, as amended, by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: - 0. 7. COMMON COUNCIL - CITY CLERK - To eliminate funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy City Clerk position effective April 20, 2004. This makes the elimination of funding effective with the start of the new aldermanic term of office following the Spring 2004 election. (Ald. Dudzik) Withdrawn by Ald. Dudzik. 8. COMPTROLLER - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for one Office Assistant III position and one Administrative Assistant I position. (Ald. Gordon) Withdrawn by Ald. Gordon. Reconsider, by Ald. Gordon. Prevailed. 5-0. (Ald. Murphy “Chair”) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0. Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 9. CITY DEBT - To update the City Debt budget to reflect the September 2003 bond and note sales and to update the borrowing authorizations to reflect $200,000,000 in authorization for MPS Unfunded Pension Liability purposes and $50,000,000 for purposes of anticipated increases in revenue anticipation borrowing. (Ald. Gordon) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. 10. DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT - Restore salary funding, position authority, and Non-O & M FTE's for the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation. (Ald. Hines, Wade, Gordon, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, Gordon - 2 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy - 3. 11. DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT - To add position authority, salary funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for two Associate Planner positions and one Plan Examiner position. The cost of the Plan Examiner position is to be offset from a “Priority Processing” fee which will require recognition of $46,562 in revenue by the City Comptroller. (Ald. D'Amato, Sanchez) Amend, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. 11a. DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT - To add position authority, salary funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for an Associate Planner position and a Plan Examiner position (Ald. D'Amato, Sanchez). Approve, as amended. by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Murphy, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Donovan - 1. 12. SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISCELLANEOUS - Restore funding of the Milwaukee Fourth of July Commission Special Purpose Account to 2003 levels. (Ald. Dudzik, Witkowski, Breier, Richards) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prev. 4-1. (Ald. Murphy voting “no”) 13. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND - To update the 2004 Business Improvement District Economic Development Fund appropriations. (Ald. Hines) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Prev. 5-0. 14. DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for two Code Enforcement Inspector II positions in the Commercial Inspection Section and two Nuisance Control Officer II positions in the Nuisance Control Section. Restore $40,000 in funding for the Community Sanitation Fund. Salary costs would be partially offset by increased revenues. Per Comptroller in letter of November 3, 2003, they will recognize $60,000 of new revenue from the creation of these positions. (Ald. D'Amato, Murphy, Witkowski, Gordon, Breier, Sanchez, Richards) Approve, by Ald. Donovan. Prevailed. 5-0. 15. SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISCELLANEOUS - To restore funding of $45,000 to the Graffiti Abatement Special Purpose Account (Ald. Donovan, Breier, Hines, Witkowski, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. Donovan. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Murphy - 1. 16. EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM - To appropriately reflect special purpose account expenditures for 2004. (Ald. Murphy) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. 17. PROVISIONS FOR EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT FUNDS - To reduce the contribution to the employers' reserve fund by $500,000. (Ald. D'Amato) Amend, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. 17a. SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNT-MISCELLANEOUS & PROVISIONS FOR EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT FUNDS - To reduce the contribution to the employers' reserve fund by $550,000 and create a special purpose account to perform an actuarial study of the future reserve fund needs. (Ald. D'Amato, Murphy) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: 0. 18. FIRE DEPARTMENT - Restore staffing of Paramedic MED units to one Paramedic Officer and one Paramedic (vs. two Paramedics) (Ald. Murphy, Breier, Gordon, D'Amato, Sanchez) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. 19. FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore minimum staffing of 5 personnel per day on six single engine companies. This amendment will restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for 18 Fire Fighter positions. These positions will be footnoted to state that they shall be assigned at the discretion of the Fire Chief to areas with the greatest need. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. (Ald. Hines, Breier, Donovan, D'Amato, Murphy, Wade, Dudzik) Amend, by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 5-0. 19a. FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore minimum staffing of 5 personnel per day on six single engine companies. This amendment will restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for 18 Fire Fighter positions. These positions will be footnoted to state that they shall be assigned at the discretion of the Fire Chief to areas with the greatest need. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. This amendment also adds 36 unfunded auxiliary firefighter positions. (Ald. Hines, Breier, Donovan, D'Amato, Murphy, Wade, Dudzik, Gordon) Approve, as amended by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 5-0. (Ald. D'Amato excused, but requested unanimous approval to be added as an “Aye” vote.) Prevailed. 5-0. SEE 11-7-03 minutes for RECONSIDERATION of Amendment. 20. FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore minimum staffing of five personnel per day on six single engine companies. This amendment will restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for 18 Firefighter positions and position authority for 36 Firefighter positions. The 36 positions will be unfunded in the 2004 budget. (Ald. Murphy, Davis, Gordon) Withdrawn, by Ald. Murphy. 21. FIRE DEPARTMENT - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Business Operations Manager position in the Fire Department. (Ald. Donovan, Hines, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 1-4. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines - 1 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 4. 21a. FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy Fire Chief position in the Fire Department. (Ald. Gordon) Withdrawn, by Ald. Gordon. 22. FIRE DEPARTMENT - Restore position authority for 54 Firefighter positions. These positions will be unfunded in the 2004 budget. (Ald. Nardelli & Witkowski) Withdrawn, by Ald. Nardelli. 23. FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore minimum staffing of five personnel per day on three single engine companies. This amendment will restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for nine Firefighter positions. (Ald. Bohl) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 4-1. (Ald. Hines voting “no”) Reconsider, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Failed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 23a. FIRE DEPARTMENT - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Administrative Assistant II position in the Fire Department. (Ald. Gordon) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 4-0. (Ald. Hines excused) 24. HEALTH DEPARTMENT - In the Health Department, add position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for one Office Assistant III position and one Environmental Health Specialist II position in the Consumer Environmental Health Division. (Ald. D'Amato) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Amato, Gordon - 2 Noes: Ald. Hines, Donovan, Murphy - 3. 25. HEALTH DEPARTMENT - In the Health Department, add position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for one Office Assistant III position and one Environmental Health Specialist II position in the Consumer Environmental Health Division, and one Healthcare Outreach Coordinator in the Maternal and Child Health Division. (Ald. D'Amato) Hold, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. Reconsider, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. Amend to reflect only Healthcare Outreach Coordinator position. Approve, as amended, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: - 0. 26. HEALTH DEPARTMENT - In the Health Department, add position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for one Office Assistant III position and one Environmental Health Specialist II position in the Consumer Environmental Health Division; one Healthcare Outreach Coordinator in the Maternal and Child Health Division, and one Community Capacitation Coordinator in the Home Environmental Health Division. (Ald. D'Amato) Amend, by removing all but last position (Community Capacitation Coordinator). Approve, as amended by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 3-2. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Gordon - 3 Noes: Ald. Donovan, Murphy - 2. 27. HEALTH DEPARTMENT - To restore certain positions in the Milwaukee Health Department eliminated in the 2004 proposed budget and to create new positions relative to the MHD strategic plan. (Ald. D'Amato) Withdrawn by Ald. D'Amato. 28. HEALTH DEPARTMENT - To restore certain positions in the Milwaukee Health Department eliminated in the 2004 proposed budget and to create new positions relative to the MHD strategic plan. (Ald. D'Amato) Amend to relate only to two Auxiliary Public Health Nurse positions, by Ald. D'Amato. Approve, as amended by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Gordon - 2 Noes: Ald. Hines, Donovan, Murphy - 3. 29. HEALTH DEPARTMENT - In the Health Department, soft red circle one position of Custodial Worker II/City Laborer at the current pay range of Robert Kendzierski, incumbent for the eliminated Delivery Driver position. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. (Ald. D'Amato, Bohl) Hold, by Ald. D'Amato. Reconsider, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 1-4. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato - 1 Noes: Ald. Hines, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 4. Recess: 12:52; Reconvened: 1:45 P.M. 30. LIBRARY - To restore funding, positions, FTE's and direct labor hours to provide full year operation of the Villard Avenue and Center Street Library branches. In order to accomplish this, operating funding for Atkinson Library is restored and CDBG funding is applied toward operating the Center Street branch for the entire year. (Ald. Gordon, Richards, Breier, Hines, Wade, Pratt, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, Gordon - 2 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy - 3. 30a. LIBRARY - Restore funding for Villard Library (Ald. Richards, D'Amato, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 3-2. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Gordon - 3 Noes: Ald. Donovan, Murphy - 2. 31. LIBRARY - To carryover $99,891 of unspent funding in the Library's 2003 Reciprocal Borrowing Special Fund and reduce the 2004 funding by an equal amount ($99,891 is based on the remaining balance in this account as of November 1, 2003). The carryover funding will be included on the 2003-2004 Carryover Resolution. (Ald. D'Amato, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. 32. LIBRARY - To carryover $200,000 of unspent funding in the Library's 2003 Salaries & Wages Account and reduce the 2004 funding by an equal amount ($200,000 is based on 2003 projections as of pay period 21, 2003). The carryover funding will be included on the 2003-2004 Carryover Resolution. (Ald. D'Amato) Amend, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. 32a. LIBRARY - To carryover $100,000 of unspent funding in the Library's 2003 Salaries & Wages Account and reduce its 2004 funding by an equal amount ($100,000 is based on 2003 projections as of pay period 21, 2003). The carryover funding will be included on the 2003-2004 Carryover Resolution. Approve, as amended, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. 33. LIBRARY - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for a Librarian IV at Central Library. (Ald. Breier, Donovan) Withdrawn by Ald. Breier. 34. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - LIBRARY - Eliminate $1,000,000 for New Northside Library - Acquisition and Construction. (Ald. Dudzik, Wade, Gordon, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. Ald. D'Amato moved reconsideration for Amendment 34a. Prevailed. 5-0. 34a. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - LIBRARY - Shift $1,000,000 for New Northside Library - Acquisition and Construction to Neighborhood Library Improvements Fund. (Ald. D'Amato.) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. 35. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - LIBRARY - Reduce funding for New Northside Library - Acquisition and Construction from $1,000,000 to $825,000. (Ald. D'Amato) Withdrawn, by Ald. D'Amato. 36. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - LIBRARY - Convert the Neighborhood Library Improvement Fund financing from $175,000 tax levy cash to borrowing authorization. (Ald. D'Amato, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: 0. 37. MAYOR'S OFFICE - To eliminate position authority for three vacant Staff Assistant to the Mayor positions and to reduce the salary grade for various positions in the Mayor's Office. Implementation of the provisions of this amendment reducing salary grades, requires adoption of legislation changing the city's salary ordinance. (Ald. Nardelli) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Donovan, Murphy - 2 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Gordon - 3. 38. POLICE DEPARTMENT - Provide salary funding, O & M FTE's, and direct labor hours to move up the Police Officer Recruit classes so that both are finished during the 2004 calendar year. (Ald. Bohl, Wade, Witkowski, Gordon, Donovan, Breier) Approve, by Ald. Donovan. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Donovan, Gordon - 2 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Murphy - 3. 39. POLICE DEPARTMENT - Restore position authority for 113 Police Officers (Ald. Bohl, Breier, Donovan, D'Amato, Murphy, Nardelli, Witkowski, Gordon, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 3-2. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 3 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato - 2. 40. POLICE DEPARTMENT - To restore the positions of Deputy Chief, Sergeant, Captain, Administrative Lieutenants, and Administrative Assistant II. Replace two Commanders with two Inspector of Police. Footnote the Administrative Lieutenant of Police position in the Medical Section to be civilianized or otherwise changed through attrition only. Footnotes will require companion resolutions for legislative intent. (Ald. Nardelli, Gordon, Wade, Witkowski, Davis, Breier) Amend per Ald. Nardelli. 40a. POLICE DEPARTMENT - To restore the positions of Deputy Chief, Sergeant, Captain, Administrative Lieutenants, and Administrative Assistant II. Replace two Commanders with two Inspector of Police. Increase the Personnel Cost Adjustment by $160,000 with the intention that the Police Chief will find additional savings to cover the full year salaries of these positions. Footnote the Administrative Lieutenant of Police position in the Medical Section to be civilianized or otherwise changed through attrition only. Footnotes will require companion resolutions for legislative intent. (Ald. D'Amato, Nardelli, Gordon, Wade, Witkowski, Davis, Breier, Murphy) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: - 0. 41. POLICE DEPARTMENT - Restore salary funding, position authority, FTE's, and direct labor hours for the operation of the Police Department Print Shop. Insert footnote to indicate that an evaluation of the feasibility of combining the Police Department Print Shop functions with Milwaukee Printing & Records shall be completed in 2004 for 2005 budget planning purposes. The footnote will require a companion resolution for legislative intent. (Ald. Donovan, Nardelli, Hines, Gordon, Breier, Wade, Witkowski, Sanchez, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Donovan. Prevailed. 5-0. 42. POLICE DEPARTMENT - Provide salary funding, O & M FTE's, and direct labor hours to move up the Police Officer Recruit classes so that one starts in March, 2004 and the other in September, 2004. (Ald. Nardelli, Breier, Davis, Gordon, Wade) Withdrawn by Ald. Nardelli. Reconsider, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. D'Amato - 1. SEE 11-7-03 minutes for RECONSIDERATION of Amendment. 43. POLICE DEPARTMENT - To increase Police Department overtime by $500,000. (Ald. Bohl) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 44. POLICE DEPARTMENT - To provide salary funding, O & M, FTE's and direct labor hours to move up the first Police Officer Recruit class so that it starts in February, 2004. (Ald. Bohl.) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 45. DPW - OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours in DPW-Operations for five Garage Attendant positions. (Ald. Murphy, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Gordon, Davis) Amend per Ald. Dudzik. 45a. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours in DPW-Operations for three Garage Attendant positions. (Ald. Murphy, Wade, Dudzik, Witkowski, Gordon, Davis) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 3-2. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Donovan, Gordon - 3 Noes: Ald. Hines, Murphy -2. 46. DPW- OPERATIONS DIVISION - Eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours in Department of Public Works-Operations Division for one Equipment Operations & Training Coordinator position and one Equipment Operations Supervisor I position. (Ald. Dudzik) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 47. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISON - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for boulevard maintenance, including watering, mulching, mowing, and flower beds. (Ald. Donovan, Gordon, Breier, Hines, Richards, Johnson-Odom, Wade, Witkowski, Sanchez) Approve, by Ald. Donovan. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Murphy - 1. 48. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours to maintain the tree pruning program's current cycle. (Ald. Johnson-Odom, Richards, Wade, Witkowski, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 2-2. (Ald. Hines excused) Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Gordon - 2 Noes: Ald. Donovan, Murphy - 2 Reconsider, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 2-3. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Gordon - 2 Noes: Ald. Hines, Donovan, Murphy - 3. 48a. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours to maintain the tree pruning program's current cycle. However, funding for the tree pruning program will be reduced by $211,168 from 2003 levels. (Ald. Breier, Dudzik, Gordon, Johnson-Odom) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Hines - 1. 49. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To restore position authority, salary funding, FTE's, direct labor hours and operating supplies to maintain the current number of boulevard flower beds. (Ald. Murphy) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Failed.. 1-4. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Murphy - 1 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Gordon - 4. 49a. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To restore position authority, salary funding, FTE's, direct labor hours and operating supplies to maintain the current number of boulevard flower beds and plant perennial flowers only in these beds. (Ald. D'Amato) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 50. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours to restore a portion of flower bed maintenance on boulevards, yielding a 20% net reduction in flower beds rather than the proposed 40%. (Ald. Bohl, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 51. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To provide funding for herbicide application on concrete median islands. (Ald. Dudzik) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 3-2. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, Donovan, Gordon - 3 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Murphy - 2. 52. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore funding in DPW-Operations for four garbage special pick-up crews from April through December to keep special pick-ups on current schedule. (Ald. Pratt, Gordon, Hines, Donovan, Breier, Johnson-Odom, Wade, Bohl, Witkowski, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Murphy - 1. 53. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours in DPW-Operations for three Sanitation Supervisor positions. (Ald. Donovan, Hines, Breier, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. Donovan. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Murphy - 1. 54. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - Restore funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours in DPW-Operations to restore the current seven day garbage collection schedule. (Ald. Gordon, Donovan, Breier, Hines, Johnson-Odom, Wade, Witkowski, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Donovan. Prevailed. 3-2. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, Donovan, Gordon - 3 Noes: Ald. D'Amato, Murphy - 2. 55. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION - To require property owners to purchase garbage carts directly from the vendor with the city cart contract and remove the cost of purchasing new carts from the property tax. The city would act as the collection agency for the cart company. (Ald. Murphy, Gordon) Withdrawn, by Ald. Murphy. 56. DPW-ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION - To establish a garbage cart replacement fee that begins on December 21, 2003. Legislation is required to create the garbage cart replacement fee. The Comptroller is reviewing this proposal for potential revenue impacts. (Ald. Murphy, D'Amato, Gordon) Withdrawn, by Ald. Murphy. 57. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISON - Reduce funding in DPW-Operations Sanitation Section for the replacement of refuse carts, providing funding for 20,000 carts instead of 25,000 carts. (Ald. Bohl, Murphy) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Hines - 1. 58. DPW - INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DIVISION - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for one Grinder Crew, one Concrete Crew, one Mini Concrete Crew, one Crack Fill Crew, and one Router Crew. (Ald. Hines, Breier, Gordon, Witkowski, Davis, Dudzik) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Prevailed. 3-2. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Gordon - 3 Noes: Ald. Donovan, Murphy - 2. 59. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - convert Recreational Facilities financing to borrowing and increase to $400,000. Adoption of this amendment would not meet the Infrastructure Cash Conversion policy for 2004 as established by Resolution 851157a. (Ald. Murphy, Davis) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 4-1. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 4 Noes: Ald. Hines - 1. 60. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - Eliminate all 2004 funds for DPW Menomonee Valley Facilities Relocation (Ald. Bohl, Davis) Withdrawn, by Ald. Bohl. 61. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - Add $100,000 borrowing to Capital Improvements - Recreational Facilities, with $50,000 each for Carmen Playfield and Bryant Playfield. This amendment does not meet the Infrastructure Cash Conversion policy established by Resolution 851157a adopted November 21, 1986. (Ald. Davis) Withdrawn, By Ald. Davis. 62. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS- WATER WORKS - Restore position authority, funding, FTE's, and direct labor hours for one Water Meter Technician I, one Water Revenue Collector, one Inventory Assistant III, and one Engineering Drafting Technician IV. (Ald. D'Amato, Nardelli, Bohl, Witkowski, Gordon, Breier, Hines) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0 Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: 0. 63. GENERAL CITY REVENUES AND PARKING FUND - To increase the payment to the General Fund from the Parking Fund by $1.1 million. This amendment assumes recognition of revenue by the Comptroller. (Ald. D'Amato, Murphy, ) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. 64. VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS - Reduce the salary grades for certain city positions. These positions will be reduced to step one of the new salary grade commencing with the new term in April, 2004, Changes in salary grades requires amendment of the city's salary ordinance. (Ald. Bohl, Witkowski, Gordon) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Donovan, D'Amato, Hines, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 65. VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS - Reduce the salary grades for certain city positions. These positions will be reduced to step one of the new salary grade commencing with the new term in April, 2004. Changes in salary grades requires amendment of the city's salary ordinance. (Ald. Nardelli) Withdrawn, by Ald. Nardelli.. 66. VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Development, the Deputy City Clerk (retain position authority) and the Deputy City Librarian. (Ald. Bohl) Amendment by Ald. Bohl. 66a. DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of City Development. (Ald. Bohl) (Mr. Czarnezki recited corrected savings if funded through April-Dep. Commr. DCD - $69,791; Dep. City Clerk - $60,520; Dep. City Librarian - $58,948) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 66b. COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy City Clerk (retain position authority) (Ald. Bohl) Approve, by Ald. D'Amato. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 66c. LIBRARY - To eliminate position authority, funding, FTE's and direct labor hours for the Deputy City Librarian. (Ald. Bohl) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 0-5. Roll Call: Ayes: 0 Noes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5. 67. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - convert $3 million of the $11.9 million Capital Improvements tax levy to borrowing. Adoption of this amendment would not meet the Infrastructure Cash Conversion policy for 2004 as established by Resolution 851157a. (Ald. Hines) Approve, by Ald. Hines. Failed. 1-4. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines - 1 Noes: Ald. Donovan, D'Amato, Murphy, Gordon - 4. 68. SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISCELLANEOUS - Freeze the 2004 salaries of all management, non-represented employees who have an annual salary of $60,000 or above. The intent of this amendment is not to grant the 2004 cost of living adjustment (COLA) for these employes. (Ald. Murphy, D'Amato, Richards, Gordon, Davis) Amend, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. 68a. SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS-MISCELLANEOUS - Freeze the 2004 salaries of all management employees at Salary Grade 11 and above. The intent of this amendment is not to grant the 2004 cost of living adjustment (COLA) for these employes. (Ald. Murphy, Gordon, D'Amato, Bohl) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: 0. 69. COMMON COUNCIL-CITY CLERK/MAYOR'S OFFICE - To reduce the salaries of the Mayor and the members of the Common Council to reflect the freeze in salaries for these positions as adopted by the Common Council in File 030516. (Ald. Murphy, Gordon, Pratt, Nardelli, Hines, Donovan, Dudzik, Wade, Bohl, Richards, Witkowski, Breier, D'Amato, Sanchez) Approve, by Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: 0. 70. SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNT-EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE AND TAX STABILIZATION FUND - To reduce funding in the Health Care Benefit account by $500,000 and reduce the withdrawal from the Tax Stabilization Fund by $380,000. Note: The change in the Tax Stabilization Fund withdrawal will require a separate motion and resolution by the Common Council. (Ald. Gordon) Hold, by Ald. D'Amato. Prevailed. 5-0. (SEE 11-7-03 minutes) 71. CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - To restore salary funding, position authority, FTE's and direct labor hours for one Office Assistant II position to work in the nuisance abatement program. The cost of this position will be offset by salary savings in other positions within the City Attorney's Office. (Ald. Gordon) Approve, by Ald. Murphy. Prevailed. 5-0. Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Hines, D'Amato, Donovan, Murphy, Gordon - 5 Noes: 0.	Pass
11/4/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Discussion with the newly appointed Police Chief relative to the Proposed 2004 Budget.	Pass	5:0
10/17/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Also appeared: Joseph Czarnezki - Director (DOA-Budget), W. Martin Morics (Comptroller's Office), Marianne Walsh, Manager (Fiscal Review), Cassandra Patterson (Special Assistant to the Finance and Personnel Committee) Library Appeared: Angelyn Ward, Kathleen Huston, Jennifer Gonda, Arthur Harrington (President of the Board of Trustees of MPL), Paula Kiely, Patty Yunk, Ald. Don Richards, Judith Zemke and Sandra Lockett The Library consists of the Central Library, twelve neighborhood libraries, and Mobile and Outreach Services. The Central Library serves as the resource library for the Milwaukee County Federated Library System. The Milwaukee Public Library provides a full array of library services to Milwaukee residents. The Central library also houses the state funded Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. A view of the 2003 Budget includes the following significant Library activities and changes: 2003 Budget Adjustment, New Washington Park Library, Villard Ave. Library and other library issues. In the 2004 Proposed Budget MPL's direct labor hours (DLH's) are 559,890, a decrease of 21,366, -3.7%, from 581,256 in the 2003 Budget. The proposed authorized positions for 2004 are 399, a decrease of 46, -10.3%, from 445 in the 2003 Budget. There are currently 88 vacancies. The 2004 Proposed Budget includes eliminating, transferring and adding various positions. The total operating expenditures are $1,976,751, a decrease of $145,153, -6.8%, from the 2003 Budget of $2,121,904. Funding for Equipment Purchases in the 2004 Proposed Budget is $2,117,204, a decrease of $252,235, -10.6%, from the 2003 Budget of $2,369,439. In the Proposed Budget, $900,000 is the estimated Reciprocal Borrowing costs. This is a decrease of $230,000, -20.4%, from the 2003 Budget of $1,130,000. The 2004 Proposed Budget indicates that MPL anticipates receiving $1,496,731, in total Grant funding, a decrease of $111,260, -6.9%, less than the 2003 Budget of $1,607,991. In the 2004 Proposed Budget, the Comptroller's Office projects MPL will generate $2,324,400 in revenues, an increase of $65,400, 2.9%, from the 2003 Budget of $2,259,000. It also provides the Library with $2,000,000 for capital improvement projects, an increase of $1,010,000, 102.0%, from the $999,000 provided in the 2003 Budget. The new Washington Park Library opened in 2003, replacing the Finney Library. The new two story structure offers traditional library programs, services and collection for adults, young adults and children, state-of-the-art computer technology and utilizes geothermal heating ventilation and air conditioning, requiring little maintenance and is cost effective and energy efficient. MPL is the first to install this type of equipment in southeastern Wisconsin. Due to the hiring freeze, as of April 1, 2003, MPL had 34 vacancies out of 445 authorized positions, resulting in an 8% vacancy rate. As of August 18, 2003, there were 77 vacant positions, a 17% vacancy rate. MPL was allocated $15,784,500 (without fringe benefits) for the 2004 Requested Budget. The library complied with the allocation by submitting a 2004 Requested Budget, reducing the number of authorized employees from 445 in 2003, to 376, a decrease of 69 positions. This was to be accomplished through eliminating vacant positions, possibly laying-off employees and closing three branch libraries, effective January 1, 2004. In the 2004 Proposed Budget, the Comptroller's Office projects MPL will generate $2,324,400 in revenues, an increase of $65,400. Villard Library was authorized to be closed on August 5, 2003. It is scheduled to be closed December 20, 2003. Mr. Harrington stated there is no question that the city of Milwaukee is experiencing financial stress. Mr. Harrington stated they should follow the recommendations outlined by the Mayor and Ms. Huston. He feels if they have to have cuts, they should close Villard. Mr. Harrington quoted a poem which stated: “Library, here is where people one frequently finds, lower their voices and raise their minds.” Of the 57 positions being slated for layoff, 55 are vacant, 1 is retiring at the end of the year and one is slated for layoff. They met with neighbors at the Center Street Library to see what the people would like. $368,000 plus fringe benefits is what it would cost to keep the Villard Avenue Library open. $1 million is in the budget for capital. Ald. D'Amato stated he feels the library is one of the best run departments we have in the City. There are two processes for waivers: State mandate waiver process and where the Dept. of Public Instruction can waive the requirement. If not granted we could get kicked out of the Federated Library System. The result of that is, we would lose money and our citizens would not be able to use the libraries in the suburbs. There is a slight chance that the state would change the State Statute issue. The MPLS board is on record opposing a change in this status. Surplus in salary account is at least $200,000. Ald. D'Amato asked how we could carry this money over to the Library and not put it in the TSF. Mr Joseph Czarnezki stated we would be robbing from Peter to pay Paul. The library charges $1 a week for certain first run books. State law does not allow them to charge more for videos. MPS (Clark Street School) might take over the Center Street Library and are still pursuing it. It will rest with the council as to what they want to do. They will operate the Center Street Library, just as it is till June. If MPS will not take over it in June what would happen to Center Street Library. Michelle Nate from MPS stated they are very excited about taking over the Center Street Library. There will be a reduction of one position of assistant coordinator. For the average user, there will be no change. The coordinators do work with volunteers. Librarians now go from school to school. In one week, they could go to 3 or 4 schools. Ald. Hines would like the presence of the MPLS in the Center Street Library even if it is taken over by MPS. There are contractual relationships with the unions and at this point neither of the unions have been contacted about it (Center Street Library being taken over by MPS). Even if we keep the Villard Avenue library open, we would have to deal with the asbestos and that will be expensive. Ald. Richards asked the committee to find a way to keep Villard Avenue Library funded this year and then they will look for funding in future years. Phyllis Wolford, 1620 N. 20th St. stated she lives next to the Washington Park Library, and feels if they need to close a library, they should close the Washington Park Library. Recess: 10:22 AM Reconvene: 10:40 A.M. FIRE DEPARTMENT Appeared: Sandy Rotar, Chief William Wentlandt, Mark Sain, Greg Gracz, Bobby Wilbur, Ald. Willie Wade and Emma Stamps The Fire Department is responsible for the protection of life and property from fire and other catastrophes. In addition to the maintenance of a fire fighting force to accomplish this primary objective, the department is also responsible for overall emergency medical and rescue service and fire prevention. Through a 1991 service agreement, the City became responsible for fire protection and emergency rescue services for the Village of West Milwaukee. The 2004 Proposed budget reduces authorized personnel from 1,146 in 2003 to 1,094. 18 to 21 Engines will operate using 4 staff compared to the current 5 staff. The 2004 Proposed Budget creates a Business Operations Manager that, if authorized in the city budget, will be studied by the DER to determine the appropriate title and pay which may be adjusted. Milwaukee County requires that MFD maintain 25 Paramedics on duty every day, 24 hours per day. In 2004, a fire captain or fire lieutenant who is certified as a paramedic may be assigned to the engine company assigned in a house with a MED unit. The proposed budget provides for combining the Emergency Medical Services and Special Teams into a Bureau of Special Operations, resulting in the elimination of one Deputy Chief position. The proposed budget provides for one recruit class with approximately 40 recruits. The 2004 Proposed Budget provides $88,243,402 for the operating budget, compared to $78,433,193. The 2004 proposal to reduce the daily minimum staffing requirements affects the number of firefighters at 18 to 21 engines; sworn administrative personnel are not affected. Significant personnel changes are proposed based on an initiative to combine the Bureau of Special Operations and Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The Fire Budget and Finance Manager proposal is substituted with a Business Operations Manager. The 2004 Proposed Budget provides funds to implement a new Paramedic MED unit on the northwest side. The 2004 Proposed Overtime Compensated (Special Duty) increases $330,258 (or 6.16%) to $5,197,339 compared to $4,896,081 provided in 2003. It provides $608,506 for Equipment Purchases, compared to $358,736 in 2003 and proposes $462,000 in CDBG funds for FOCUS. The Common Council in a resolution dealing with 2004 CDBG fund allocation has already approved this amount. It provides $5,840,000 for capital improvement projects, an increase of $735,000 from the $5,105,000 in the 2003 Budget. The Milwaukee Fire Department expects to apply for and receive a total of $5,047,428 total from grant sources in 2004, although the Milwaukee County Paramedic Grant will be recognized as revenue instead of grants and aids. The 2004 Proposed Budget Charges for Services general fund revenue estimate $6,093,304 includes the $4,865,304 Milwaukee County Paramedic Grant but does not include Tunnel Rescue Services because those funds are now considered reimbursable. In 2004, the City will work to establish Basic Life Support service contracts with private ambulance companies for the 2005-2009 contract period. The proposed budget provides $608,506 for Equipment Purchases, compared to $358,736 provided in 2003. The $249,770 or 69.63% increase is related to costs associated with a new initiative introduced by the Fire Chief that focuses on firefighter safety equipment. No known grants are available for this initiative. The 2004 city budget proposes $462,000 in CDBG funds for FOCUS. The FOCUS allocations will transfer salaries and wages and fringe benefit costs from the tax levy. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District reimburses the Fire Department for the provision of tunnel safety rescue services. The 2004 Proposed budget estimates a $178,588 MMSD Tunnel Safety Rescue reimbursement for salaries for Tunnel Safety Rescue services. The Fire Department faces some tough challenges to maintain an adequate level of funding and services. They made a decisions that they would not close any fire stations. They have used lots of effort to recruit minority fireman. They added a MED unit as the result of the action taken by the EMS system by the County. The focus of 2004 is not only to add value but focus on firefighter safety. Ald. Donovan asked about the reduction of manpower and what effect it will have on the public. Engine companies are first responders. The busiest companies have 4 or 5 personnel. The challenge in focusing on the fire department budget by lowering the amount of personnel to 4, constituents will receive the same level of service. This must be approved by the Fire and Police Commission. Other cities of our size are truly a leader in fire fatalities. Our staffing levels compared to the 23 largest cities, only 3 major cities staff with 5 personnel. They are having a medical oversight study to look at cardiac events. The study could take up to a year. The City of Milwaukee was rated as the third best in the country (study was from USA Today). In the Rescue study they are partnering with Milwaukee County. The Budget Manager position, they have a person on board that is doing an outstanding job, but they feel more good could be done with that person working with other communities to perform services for them, assisting the Chief and the Deputy Chief to work with grants. He feels if you have an $80 million dollar organization and you add a $50,000 person, the Chief feels that he can get a lot more out of that person than $50,000 (grants, etc.). Ald. Wade asked about the chart on 2002 Fire Fatalities, if the other departments have the same amount of staff that we have. The Chief replied they would have to study that and see how many personnel they are putting on training. The fire department educates and puts in smoke detectors and put over 20,000 children a year through the survive alive house. In 1990 we had 26 fatalities, and they would have had similar staffing to what we had today. Milwaukee Fire Fighters Association feels they are cut to the bone and can no longer accept any cuts. Everyone has an agenda, but Mr. Gracz feels its time to put agendas aside and realize that this budget if enacted will have a severe impact on our citizens. The major part of the budget is money and staffing levels. We were just recognized by USA today and were rated as one of the top 3 Paramedic (EMT) units in the country. This did not happen by accident. It's because they had 5 people at a station. They started out with a team leader situation and that did not work in the city of Milwaukee. On Wednesday they had to close down an engine 37 (5300 N. Teutonia) house because they had training. Ladder 15 was closed for 30 minutes to an hour the other day. They want to be able to provide the type of service they feel this city deserves. The fire department did install smoke detectors. Ald. Murphy feels they should hold the capitol project and he would like to see a chart, a flo chart, so we do not have an over run on expenditures. Recess: 11:43 AM Reconvened: 1:10 PM POLICE DEPARTMENT Appeared: Chief Jones, Dep. Insp. Sucik, David Schroeder, Ald. Breier, Ald. Nardelli, Mark Ramion, Rudy Konrad, Cheryl Olivia, Capt. Glenn Frankovis, Mr. Horlick, Ed Ellenberger (MPSO), Bradley DeBraska and Barb Butler The Police department is responsible for the protection of life and property through the apprehension of criminals and for the preservation of the public peace and order. The department assists in the safe movement of pedestrians and a vehicle on city streets, acts on citizen complaints, provides crossing guard and juvenile services and investigates persons applying for various city licenses. The 2004 proposed budget for the Milwaukee Police Department is $178,481,318 and increase of 5% from the 2003 budget. The MPD proposed budget includes 2,830 positions, a reduction of 122 authorized positions from the 2003 budget. This reduction includes 113 vacant police officer positions. The Capital Expenditures in the 2004 proposed budget are $6,510,000. Major capital projects include $5 million for digital radio conversion and $950,000 for renovation and remodeling needs for the firing range at the Safety Academy. The MPD Print Shop is eliminated in the 2004 proposed budget. Three currently filled positions will be eliminated and MPD will contract out for its printing needs. MPD produces approximately 650 different forms, brochures and reports for the various sections of the police department. In addition to printing duties, MPD Print Shop staff has been cross-trained in other duties at MPD including operation of lighting systems for stage productions at the Safety Academy, installing video cameras and monitors at district stations and department bureaus, assisting in video documentation of training material and repairing damaged department issued badges, cap shields and name tags. The Overtime allocation for 2004 is $9.8 million, an increase of $700,000 from the 2003 budget. 140 officers have graduated from the Safety Academy, to date, in 2003. MPD is budgeted for two police classes in 2004. In 2004, 149 sworn members will be eligible for retirement. Vacancies relative to retirement are difficult to predict, as eligibility to retire does not necessarily mean that the officer will retire. MPD anticipates receiving $500,000 in CDBG reprogramming funds to pay for officers' overtime when patrolling in Neighborhood Strategic Planning Areas. MPD is estimating that $9.7 million will be received from various grant sources in 2003, funding 31.5 positions, in whole or in part. The 2004 proposed budget for capital expenditures includes a total of $6,510,000. $5 million is proposed to continue the work on the digital radio conversion. It also projects the receipt of $757,500 in revenue. Chief Jones said he was informed 10 minutes before the budget was published on the impact it would have on the Milwaukee Police Department. Chief Jones said he was talking about the reorganization of the Police Department. Mr. Konrad stated the opinion is what is the effect of the passage of the budget. The budget specifies certain positions at certain locations to be eliminated. The Council can determine the number of positions that can be established in the police department, but the placing of these officers is strictly under the responsibility of the chief. The adoption of the budget will not automatically be put into effect. The council does not have the authority to eliminate a sergeant in the property bureau. That authority is given to the chief of police and the Fire and Police Commission. He told the Mayor “We cut through muscle, we cut through skin and now we are cutting bone.” The Mayor told him we have nothing to discuss. If the cuts suggested were to go forward it would effect the MPSO and MPA. The fire and police commission is the body that would have to adopt rules to govern this layoff/bumping down. The process for creating a position is: the chief writes up a proposal, sends it to the Fire & Police Commission, who sends it to DER and back to the Commission and then back to the chief. Ald. Gordon asked the budget how they arrived at the position cited for elimination. He said it looked like “cherry picking” to him. The 79 individuals cited for layoff, several of them contacted Ald. Gordon and other members of the Fire and Police Commission. Every position targeted to be cut, was filled by a female and 6 of them were of color. Ald. Breier stated we have two unions we are dealing with MPA and MPSO. The chief stated elimination of the print shop is totally irresponsible and they are fully prepared to explain the negative impact. They is no provision in the budget to even buy these printers the budget office told them they would get. The Chief said their print shop is an award winning print shop and they could do printing work for other departments. Ald. Nardelli said he felt the budget put together for the police department in his mind was a whopping. (Dispute between the Mayor and the Police Chief) Ald. D'Amato said the new chief will get $178 million (93% of that goes to salaries and fringe benefits) to fight crime, effectively and responsibility. Citizens are pleased to see police officers walking the streets in their neighborhoods. The funding for police recruit classes, 2 were budgeted, 1 class was actually held and graduated Oct. 1. Only one recruit class will graduate in 2004, so the officers can not patrol on their own till 2005 (after field training). We are left with 1,117 officers after retirements and terminations. Recruit classes have either been postponed or not held at all. The equipment and operating budgets are the two budgets the chief has some control over and if you look at those budgets, they have decreased since the Chief was appointed. The police sought out grant funding of over $6 million. The chief will retire November 18, 2003. They would not have 250 vacancies at the end of the year if they were able to have the classes that were authorized. Priority one calls are up 138% over the last years. 3rd District Capital Project is not yet operational and it will be up and running possibly by November 16, 2003. Ald. Gordon suggested to the Committee that they invite Chief Nan Hegarty so that we can hear some of the concerns she may have with the proposed budget. The budget director stated that they are going to look at combined the Police print shop with the DOA print shop. Cheryl Olivia stated paper is the least effective way of spreading information. Deputy Inspector Sucik stated they print, at the direction of the police department, Milwaukee's Most Wanted. They post them in the police stations. Someone came in and recognized one of these people and that most wanted person was quickly taken into custody. Ald. Gordon expressed his gratitude to the Chief and his great command staff. Mr. Czarnezki stated he had a relationship with the chief where they both have a mutual respect for each other. Mr. Horlick executive director of the union that represents the civilian members of the police department spoke on the damage of eliminating the print shop. Ed Ellenberger from the MPSO read a prepared statement. Bradley DeBraska (MPA) stated he agreed with the chief of police.	Pass	5:0
10/15/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Also appeared: Joseph Czarnezki, Director (DOA-Budget), Wally Morics Comptroller's Office), Marianne Walsh, Manager (Fiscal Review), Cassandra Patterson (Special Assistant to the Finance & Personnel Committee) ERS-ADMINISTRATION & RETIREMENT PROVISIONS Ann Bahr, Katie O'Sullivan, Jim Carroll appeared. To reflect the Positions Ordinance all 8 ERS Board members are included in the 2004 Proposed Budget. There is no additional cost for this change. The 2004 Proposed Budget includes approximately $16.1 for ERS Operating Expenditures. This is an approximately $700,000 increase from the $15.4 million provided for in the 2003 Budget. It also includes $4.8 million for Special Funds: $300,000 Fiduciary Liability Deductible; $4,500,000 Pension Management Information System. As of June 20, 2002, the market value of the Fund was approximately $3.63 billion. The year-to-date rate of return as of July 31, 2003 was 11.2%. ERS manages two tax levy funded special purpose accounts with proposed funding of approximately $3.1 million. Ann Bahr stated they have been working on the Global Pension Settlement approved by the Court , on January 1, 2001 In August of 2003, the court ordered that members who had not (1700) consented to the global settlement. 1,947 members received paid former member bonuses and 43 retires would not consent. They are working for enhancements for ERS which will include an imaging system. The system will include some work flow. Web based membership features - that system will be uprunning sometime in 2005. They are in the process of buying hardware and software for the new system. They have continued to produce a monthly newsletter to their retirees. Most of their activities will be focused on their new technology. No contribution is needed for the 2004 budget. We will make an average of 8 and ½ % each year. We are number two in the country. We are being sued by the Mil. Police Association where the computerization was part of the Adm. Process and it may cost $3 million or more out of the fund. If we lose that lawsuit, it will cost the taxpayers $3,000,000. The Global Pension discussions began in the mid nineties. The safety net is the reserve fund. 17 people still owe us for the over payment and is probably in the $30,000 range. POLICE ANNUITY & BENEFITS FUND George Sprague, Bonnie Stahl, Sandra Rotar and Jim Carroll appeared. The 2004 Proposed Budget includes $975,733 as the City's PA&BF pension contribution. Of that amount, $505,773 is to fund the amount annually set by the PA&BF actuary. The remaining $470,000 is to fund part of the unfounded past service liability. The liability amount will be amortized over the next 5 years. The 2004 Proposed Budget includes a levy funded, lump sum supplemental contribution of $500,000 to this fund. Another $500,000 is being provided to the Firemen's Pension Fund. It also provides $61,700 for Professional Services. As of August 20, 2003, PA&BF membership included 235 total retired annuitants and spouses. The 2002 Annual Actuarial Statement shows that the PA&BF currently had assets of $6.2 million and projected liabilities of $8.3 million. The Funds unfounded liability is $2.1 million. TREASURER Wayne F. Whittow, James Klajbor, Katie O'Sullivan, Jim Owczarski appeared. The 2004 Proposed Budget allocates $2,916,895 in total expenditures. This is a - 3.54% ($106,965) decrease from 2003. The office's Direct Labor Hours drop - 1.63% from 58,366 to 57,416. Position authority decreases by 1. One vacant position of “Customer Service Representative I (SG 425) is eliminated from the Customer Services Unit and to help reduce the impact on front-line customer service caused by this reduction, one position of “Tax Enforcement Specialist” (SG 540) is transferred from the Administrative Services and Information Systems Support Unit to the Customer Services Unit. There it is re-titled “Tax Collection Specialist” (SG 540). In an effort to make the operations of all the City Treasurer's sections more uniform, the structure of the Cash Management, Investments and Financial Services Unit is being changed. One position of “Accounting Assistant II” will be eliminated. In their place will be created 2 positions of “Accounting Assistant I.”. the 2004 Proposed Budget provides $783,590 for operating expenses. This is a decrease of $75,915 (-8.83%) over the 2003 allocation of $859,505. For 2004, the Treasurer's Office, along with the City Attorney's Office and other agencies, is near completion of a protocol that would allow the City to be more aggressive in pursuing properties eligible for in rem foreclosure. Under the protocol, City agencies would be permitted to pursue particularly desirable actions separate from the annual in rem proceedings undertaken by the City, provided the agency was willing to bear the cost. The 2004 Proposed Budget indicates that $225 million will be available for investment purposes, an increase of $31.44 million (16.24%) from the $193.56 million projected in the 2003 Budget. The Treasurer's Office expects its rate of return to be 1.25% in 2004, a decrease of 0.3780 percentage points compared to 1.6280% projected in the 2003 Budget. It also indicates the Treasurer's Office will receive $2,013,450 in total revenue, a decrease of $223,690 (10%) from the $2,237,140 projected in the 2003 Budget. DELINQUENT TAX FUND Dennis Yaccarino and Jim Owczarski appeared. The Delinquent Tax Fund provides tax levy authority to fund the loss or shortfall resulting from the sale of tax deed parcels, and to provide a reserve for delinquent taxes based on prior uncollectables. The City Treasurer initiates foreclosures on tax delinquent real estate parcels. The Comptroller is authorized to make fund transfers with the appropriation. The Comptroller implemented accounting changes as of July 1, 2001. The Delinquent Tax Account will be used exclusively to absorb losses on the sales of delinquent tax properties acquired prior to July 1, 2001. DCD is responsible for the maintenance of these properties. Delinquent taxes foreclosed as of July 1, 2001 will be accounted in the Special Revenue Delinquent Tax fund. Per the City Assessor's Office report “2002 Assessments and Taxes Booklet”, the City, by this most recent count, holds 2,787 tax deed properties with an estimated total value of $15,592,245. In 2004, $1 million will be dedicated to the Delinquent Tax Appropriation Account. This is the same amount as the 2003 Adopted Budget. In addition to in rem foreclosures, statute now permits in personam actions against delinquent taxpayers. Common Council File Number 011094 authorized the City to enter into an agreement with the Kohn law firm for the collection of various receivables including those resulting from in personam actions. Since then, this agreement has been amended several times up to and including authorization for the firm to pursue these actions on the City's behalf. Since the inception of this program, which began as a pilot in June, 2002, the firm has collected approximately $1 million in delinquent taxes. Ald. Gordon asked about selling tax delinquencies. Mr. Whittow stated we buy tax delinquencies. We have no guarantee that the county will continue to sell their delinquencies to the City. We collect 85 to 90% of the delinquent taxes. We have over 3,000 vacant parcels in the City. Mr. Whittow has been in City employment since 1976. Ald. D'Amato asked about our role in sheriff's sales? We don't have sheriff's sale for the City. Most properties at the sheriff's sale are by the mortgage companies. HEALTH DEPARTMENT Dr. Seth Foldy, Bevan Baker, Patrick Shambarger, Loyce Robinson, Patty Yunk, Yvette Rowe, Mark Mayland, Irmine Reitl and Mark Ramion appeared. The Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) 2004 proposed budget is $13.1 million, a 4.9% decrease from 2003. MHD anticipates receiving approximately $16.6 million in new and continuing grants in 2004. Grant funding represents approximately 56% of MHD operations. Operation & Maintance (O&M) Direct Labor Hour (DLH) decreases by 4%. DLH from other sources will remain the same as in 2003. Position authority is reduced by 9 positions for 2004, DLH from other sources will remain the same as in 2003. Position authority is reduced by 9 positions for 2004, primarily from vacant positions. Public Health Nurses remain the single largest classification vacancy in MHD representing approximately 7 unfilled positions. New strategies have been implemented in 2003 in order to attract more nurses to public health nursing. Some public health services will be reorganized in 2004. MHD continues to monitor and respond to various public health issues of concern with plans for continuing programming through 2004. MHD administers an SPA for AIDS initiative with funds of $314,200. In 2004 the allocation for the AIDS Initiative will come from CDBG funds and is included in the grant funds total. The budget includes $1,240,000 for Capital Improvements for exterior maintenance, mechanical systems upgrades and building maintenance. 2004 anticipated revenues for MHD are $2.16 million, a 0.8% decrease from 2003. Health Department gets about 6% from CDBG and 7% from billings for health services. In 2003 they recruited 6 new health nurses and only lost one due to retirement. The health department has expended $45,000 grant fund and $45,000 of their own funds to the West Nile Virus. $12,000 was spend on an individual with TB that needed to be isolated. We are making progress in lowering the infant mortality rates. Low birth rate contributes to infant mortality. Initiation of prenatal care in the first trimester. Milwaukee leads the state in reducing smoking during pregnancy. We put more emphasis on washing hands, etc. To promote healthy behaviors and access to health services in Milwaukee and have Lead safe rental housing units. Asthma hospitalization of children under age 5 has been driven done. When people come in for their WIC program, we could make Public Health Nurses available to deal with any problems people may be having. Less than 5% of the schools have health services, as they can't afford it. The federal deficient is probably going to lead to receiving less grants in the future. We have a 12% infant mortality rate compared to 2% mortality rate for trees. Ald. D'Amato asked Dr. Foldy for a priority list on what would be the most and what would be least important, if they were to give them back some money in their budget. Ald. Donovan asked if they could work with the police department and possibly get them to enforce hand washing and other food safety concerns. Drugs play a big part in the infant mortality rates. They received a grant from NADA house and they are working with woman trying to get themselves off of drugs. The county used to provide the social work program. It has changed and is now under the State. Teen pregnancy continues to be one that health department monitors and also what teens are doing to not become pregnant. We operated very much like a unit with the staff of 7 or 8 other health departments when it came to monkey pox. Municipal regulations of these doesn't get us very far. They are advertising for flu shots and hoping that more people do get the flu shots voluntarily. Diabetes is an epidemic. Ald. Murphy asked if perhaps we could really start a “campaign” to get employees to get or stay healthy and lose weight. HMO's are investing more money to reach their members. Their goal is visit 100% of establishments. They created a school age health care manager that meets with the public and parochial schools. The health department contains the only non-WIC local public health nutritionist in Wisconsin to deal with these issues. Patty Yunk stated the county currently plans to eliminate 89+ social workers in the Department of aging. Each worker will have a 200 or 250% increase in their work load. Mental Health Services has a lifetime max under Medicare. There are lots of social workers out their including at Aurora. The State has taken over child welfare. There are plenty of social workers in the community and they are available and they work very well with the Milwaukee Health Department. DEPT. OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES Martin Collins, Jeff Crouse, Erick Pearson, Angelyn Ward appeared. Total labor hours in the 2004 Proposed Budget are 292,644, a decrease of 2,196, -0.7% from the total labor hours in the 2003 Budget of 294,840. The net authorized positions change from 216 in the 2003 Budget, to 219 in the 2004 Proposed Budget. Department activities include: Neighborhood Services System database to track complaints and violations; nuisance vehicles towed; certificate of Code Compliance changes; chronic Nuisance Premises. The 2004 Proposed Budget for Operating Expenditures if $1,033,319, an increase of $34,001, 3.4% from the 2003 Budget of $999,318. The 2004 Proposed Budget for Additional Equipment provides $90,000. an increase of $390, 0.4% from the 2003 Budget of $89,610. In the 2004 Proposed Budget, Special Funds provides $1,770,000, an increase of $145,106, 8.9%, from the 2003 Budget of $1,624,894. These line items include funding for the Community Sanitation Fund, the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission and Anderson Lake Tower Building. Grants in the 2004 Proposed Budget anticipate $2,096,131 in funding from CDBG. Special Purposes Accounts are funded at $1,635,000 in the 2004 Proposed Budget, a decrease of $45,605, -2.7% from the 2003 Budget of $1,680,605. The accounts include the Graffiti Abatement Fund, the Maintenance of Essential Services, Razing and Vacant Buildings, and Neighborhood Cleanup. Estimated revenue in the 2004 Proposed Budget is $10,328,200, an increase of $1,244,400, 13.7%, more than the 2003 projection of $9,083,800. They have the highest compliance in graffiti abatement. Ald. Donovan complimented Marty Collins and the entire staff and stated he feels they work very hard. He stated he has concerns in the reduction in the budget for nuisance abatement. Mr. Collins stated they have a unionized work force and they do everything they can to keep their costs down. They have 4 zoning inspectors in the City. Ald. Murphy thanked Commissioner Collins and his great support staff. He feels their department has done more with less. An impact statement is only available in sentencing. Ald. D'Amato asked why they give extensions for absentee landlords. Mr. Collins stated he will talk to the City Attorney's Office. The code says “you have to give a reasonable time to comply”. The Commissioner does not have the authority to issue tickets to cars parked on the lawn per Jim Owczarski of the LRB. Mr. Collins stated they enforce codes relating to private property. They have court case loads of about 3,000. $20,000,000 of private reinvestment has gone back into the housing stock. In 2002 only 7% of their budget was on the tax roll. Alderman have asked them to tighten up on illegal car repair dealers and perpetual rummage sales. Mr. Collins stated keep the tax rate down, but be aware of what this decrease in his budget is going to do for production. In 2004 they will be working on a new electronic route sheet. They need better tools to monitor field activity. Their 2003 project was successful - crime is still done. They look forward to their continued collaboration with the MPD. Mr. Collins thanked the Committee for allowing him to be the Commissioner of Neighborhood Services. Ald. Gordon thanked Ron Roberts for all his help and thanked Marty Collins for the great work they have done. Big rivers are made out of a lot of different streams. Mr. Collins stated the biggest impact on them will be the proposed cuts in Sanitation. Skid loader crews do a wonderful job, but due to union rules, every week they had a new skid loader crew and you can't keep training a new skid loader crew every week. They have done a better job than most cities in graffiti abatement. 1:05 P.M(Recess) 1:25 P.M.(Reconvened) DEPT. OF CITY DEVELOPMENT Julie Penman, Mike Dawson, Tom Croasdaile, John Egan, David Schroeder and Emma Stamps appeared. The 2004 Proposed Budget reflects a review of the housing production function with DCD as it relates to staffing and funding changes. The 2003 Proposed Budget eliminates 73 positions. The 2004 Proposed Budget provides funding for 4 Special Purpose Accounts; Milwaukee Fourth of July, Milwaukee Arts Board Projects, Business Improvements Districts, and the Economic Development Fund. The 2004 Proposed Budget separates total Business Improvement District funding for 23 projects amongst the Business Improvement District Special Purpose Account and a newly created “Economic Development fund” special revenue fund. It also provides various BID projects a total of $169,000 in city contributions through the BID special purpose account. Funding for the Development Fund capital improvement account increases $500,000 from $1.7 million in 2003 to $2.2 million in 2004. The 2004 Proposed Budget provides $20.6 million total in borrowing authority for Tax Incremental Districts compared to $144 million provided in 2003. According to the Budget and Management Office, 2004 charges for services revenue are expected to increase 4.80% to $1,377,200 compared to $1,3144,200 in 2003, but the 2004 estimate does not include a $63,000 Zoning Change Fee revenue estimate. The Budget Office will draft a technical amendment to correct this oversight. The 2003 Public Housing Programs Funding is $19,494,188 more than the $48,505,172 estimate, according to annual Budget and Management Office budget summaries. In 2004, the programs total revenue is expected to decrease 9.65% or -$6,557,190 to $61,442,170 from the $67,999,360 funded in 2003. From 1999 to date: Assisted 47 project, $1.2 million grants; leveraged $12.2 million in investment; $2.7 million granted local businesses. 20 active BIDS, 1700 private properties, raising $4 million annually, improvements such as streetscapes, economic development, and public safety. In 2004 they are looking at 3 new bids. On National Ave. from 1st to 12th they were able to get a grant to make some improvements to the area. They are working on Capitol Court transformation to midtown center. The city has invested $6.1 million for this project. Before the holiday season we should see the opening of TJ Max and Linens N Things. The River walk continues to spur economic development downtown. Jobs Move Downtown - new office development, Cathedral Place, 875 Wisconsin and relocation of the Bank One. Since 1997 nearly 5,000 new housing units completed or planned. Total $1 billion of new investment. Since 1990 - 22.6 % increase in population. Four Hope VI sites: Hillside, Parklawn, Carver Park, Highland. Total $10 million Federal investment for economically integrated neighborhoods. It has put tax exempt properties back on the tax rolls. Housing Authority not only focuses on houses but help residents get GED's etc. They assisted 204 families with the purchase of a home. Lindsey Heights - 65 new homes built, City Homes - more than 70 homes built Private investment through Low Income Housing Tax Credits. DCD - Development Center has been extremely busy this past year. By spring of 2004, they are hoping their on-line permits will be on line. No service of walk-ins on Wednesday afternoon. No phone calls before 10 AM in the Development Center. Comprehensive Planning: Completed Plans in Recent Years: Downtown Plan, Menomonee Valley Plan. Nearing Completion: Fond du Lac and North Neighborhood Plan; Near West Side Neighborhood Plan. Continue/Begin 2004: Third Ward Neighborhood Plan, City wide Comprehensive Plan (WI Smart Growth), Washington Phase I and Green Tree Button Park Neighborhood. The City owns 3 of the 4 corners in Traser Yard (20 acres total). Park East is a major area that they will be dealing with next year. The Park East Redevelopment project continues to move forward. The Knapp Street bridge is almost half way done. By Spring of 2004 we expect the government will turn most of the land over to the County. They plan to designate 3 to 4 main streets that will receive guidance. They will begin construction on the Lloyd Street Playground which is 47 homes. Greenfield Corridor, Hampton-Atkinson, Harambee Riverwest, Layton Blvd. West, Metcalfe Park, Midtown Triangle, Muskego heights, Near West., St Adalberts. They eliminated 73 positions which are mainly vacant. 5 of those positions were filled. Ald. Gordon complimented the department on the great job they are doing in the City. The private market takes care of itself in the downtown. Ms. Kelz from the NIDC Board commended Ms. Penman on her report. She is a principle of Legacy Bank Core. NIDC is a private corporation (501-3C). The Board of Directors of NIDC approved the recommendations put forth by DCD. DCD has a contract with NIDC to provide certain services. NIDC reimburses the City to do certain services for them. All of the people who performed services for NIDC are city employees of DCD. The executive director of NIDC technically reports to NIDC and DCD. They have a million dollar grant with the health department to do lead abatement. The development center generated $8.3 million in revenue. How many condemnation projects can DCD take on. Training the people in the neighborhood to help us help them. Certain positions will move from the City directly to HACM or RACM. We have 3 park areas are in the redevelopment plan. The Pabst development is moving along. They have lots of letters of intent. Vacant, improved lots are maintained by DNS. SPECIAL PURPOSE ACCOUNTS OVERVIEW & MISC. SPA'S. Erick Shambarger and Marianne Walsh appeared. $125.8 million is the grand total of all the special purpose accounts. 2004 Special Purpose Account: Aids Initiative The 1997 Adopted Budged provided $240,000 to six agencies for AIDS case management, support services, prevention outreach and education. For 1998, funding of $69,200 that had formerly been located in the Health Department Services Account donated to the Milwaukee Aids Project for educational programs, was added for purposes of funding AIDS related services. The 1999 budget continued to provide $309,200 to AIDS agencies based upon anticipated Request for Proposal results. This account has a tax levy impact. It provides no funding for this SPA. The plan in the 2004 proposed budget is to fund community-based AIDS initiatives using 2004 CDBG dollars. Alternative Transportation for City Employees This program began in April, 2000. It is designed to provide all city employees with the opportunity to purchase reduced fare bus passes. All city employees are eligible to participate. This program is known as the Milwaukee County Transit System commuter Value Pass Program and is valid on local and freeway flier bus routes. This program is offered to encourage bus ridership and decrease the number of autos driven to work. This program is an employee benefit that does not require labor negotiations. Currently, 321 employees participate in this program. The city share for the program is $22 per month. The cost to the employee is $17 per month through payroll deduction. Annual Payment to DNR This account represents a refund to the State Department of Natural Resources of its payment-in-lieu-of-taxes to the City for the operation and maintenance of the Havenswoods property. The State maintains Havenwoods as a State Park and is required to pay the City on an annual basis to use the property as a state park. The required payment was initially at $100,000 in the first year, to be reduced until it reached the $7,100 level, which it did in 1998. It will remain at $7,100 as long as the property is a State park. The City agreed to return each annual payment to the State for park operation and maintenance costs. This account merely relects that offsetting exchange. Audit Fund This account provides for the preparation of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This account has a tax levy impact. Funds from City component units also contribute to the cost of CAFR preparation. Boards and Commissions Reimbursement Expense This account reimburses public members of certain boards and commissions for expenses incurred in attending meetings. The salary ordinance authorizes $20 per meeting for citizen members of certain boards and commissions, $60 for Board of Assessment and $180 for Administrative Review Appeals Board members. This allowance, not to exceed $400 for all boards except the Board of Assessment and the Administrative Review Appeals Board, is intended as reimbursement for expenses in attending board meetings. Board of Ethics Marianne Walsh, Erick Pearson, Kit Halloran and Nola Deveraux appeared. This account supports expenditures for the administrative costs related to the Board of Ethics. The special account request sheet has a total of $24,101 with $15,000 of it going to the Research Assistant. They have had a marked increase for confidential opinions. Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Cities are authorized under state statute (s.66.1109) to establish BIDs consisting of contiguous parcels for promoting business developments. BID plans are subject to City Plan Commission and Common Council approval and may not proceed if owners of 40% or more of the assessed value of the proposed assessable property file an objection. BID Boards have at least 5 members appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the Common Council. Budget Bid Funding The 2004 Proposed budget separates total business Improvement District funding amongst the Business Improvement District Special Purpose Account and an Economic Development Fund special revenue fund, capital funding excluded. Cable TV Franchise Regulation and Negotiation This account provides funding for a consultant to provide technical assistance associated with the City's cable television franchise. Care of Prisoners Fund Sections 303.18 and 800.095, Wisconsin State Statutes, require the City to reimburse the County for certain costs related to transporting and housing persons convicted of city ordinance violations at the House of Corrections. City Attorney Collection Contract This account funds private collection agencies' contracts with the city for the collection of outstanding personal property taxes and other city receivables. The Collection contract generates over $4 million in net revenue for the city. City Employee Innovation Award This account was created in 2003 in order to reward city employees for contributing towards the improved quality of city services. Clerk of Court Witness Fees This account reimburses witnesses subpoenaed by the City to appear before the Municipal Court, excluding police officers. Even though subpoenas require witnesses to appear, fees are believed to encourage court attendance. Contribution fund - General This account, which was first added in the 1991 budget, provides expenditure authority to the City. City departments, or City employees for contributions received by the City. Actual contributions are received as revenues by the City; contributions must be expended under the guidelines set forth in Section 304-24 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. Damages and Claims The Damages and Claims Fund Account is used to cover the cost of judgments against the city. E-Government Payments System This account (created in the 2003 Adopted Budget) provides funds to purchase hardware and software required to improve the City's information technology capabilities. The funds enable the multiple language capability, electronic document distribution, electronic service requests, and e-payments capability of the City's web site. DOA - Information and Technology Management Division works with other City departments to implement technologies needed to ensure that the City's e-governments capabilities integrate effectively with existing departmental processes. Economic Development Committee Fund This fund supports costs related to advertising and marketing the City for industrial and commercial development, business attraction and retention, and tourism. Employee training fund Funds in this account are used to provide technical training and policy training to city employees. Training includes, for example, computer technology, management principles, ethics and leadership principles. Other subjects for training are provided as requested or as needed by individual departments. Fire and Police Discipline and Citizen Complaint Account This special Purpose Account was initiated in 2002. This fund pays for the legal defense expenses for exonerated police and fire personnel. This fund allows the city to more clearly track police officer and fire fighter investigations and the subsequent legal fees paid for sworn personnel cleared of wrongdoing. Firemen's Relief Fund This account helps defray the costs of the Fire Department Relief Association, established under Section 20-18 of the City Charter. The Association provides assistance to injured or fatally injured firefighters and their families. Funding is set per Charter, and represents 1/8 of the State Aids for Fire Insurance Premiums. Flexible Spending Account The flexible spending account program allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for certain medical care and dependent care expenses. This ongoing account provides funding to contract with a third party administrator to coordinate and manage the program. This account also covers administrative cost to the city associated with marketing the program to city employees. Graffiti abatement Fund This account was established by amendment to the 1996 Budget. It provides funding for residential and commercial graffiti abatement throughout Milwaukee. The Anti-Graffiti Policy Committee is responsible for developing and implementing graffiti abatement strategies. Group Life Insurance Premium This account covers the City's share of the premium for the Group life Insurance benefit for all eligible City employees. Insurance Fund Funds are provided in this account to pay the insurance premiums on various policies carried by the city, and to pay the fee of the city's risk management consultant, who advises the office on an as-needed basis (approximately $10,000 per year). Long Term Disability Insurance This account funds an income replacement program for employees who cannot work due to injury of illness. Currently, about 3.400 employees are eligible as a result of collective bargaining and extension to non-represented and management employees. Insured benefits begin 180 days from the date an employee can no longer work because of illness or injury. Low Interest Mortgage Program The Low Interest Mortgage Program, which has been accounted for as an Enterprise fund, was closed out at the end of 1996. The debt utilized to finance mortgages under the program has been retired. No new loans have been made since 1985 and all remaining outstanding mortgages will be transferred to the General Fund. This account provides the necessary expenditure authority for mortgage servicing fees, mortgage guarantee insurance and foreclosure expenditures. There are approximately 32 mortgages with a total value of approximately $449,050. The Department estimates 2003 revenue of $36,800 from mortgage interest which should decline as mortgages are repaid. Maintenance of Essential Services City Memberships Milwaukee Arts Board Projects Milwaukee Fourth of July Commission Municipal Court Intervention Program Neighborhood Cleanup Initiative Outside Counsel/Expert Witness Fund Razing and Vacant Building Protection Fund Receivership Fund This fund is reduced by $100,000 Reimbursable Services Advance Fund Remission of Taxes Fund Reserve for 27th Payroll Retirees Benefit Adjustment Fund Sewer Maintenance Fee MMSD - Sewer User Charge - Pass through Less Recovery from Sewer User Charge Tuition Reimbursement Fund Unemployment Compensation Fund Wages Supplement Fund Increases by $1.2 million Board of Zoning Appeals Worker's Compensation Increases $700,000	Pass	5:0
10/14/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
10/13/2003	0	COMMON COUNCIL	NOT ACTED ON; Minutes note: Present at the podium and acknowledged were his Honor, Mayor John O. Norquist, Deputy City Attorney Linda Burke, Wayne Whittow, City Treasurer, W. Martin Morics, City Comptroller, Ald. Fred Gordon, Chair of Finance & Personnel Committee. President Pratt announced that a public hearing will be held on the proposed budget for 2004 in accordance with State Statutes and the City Charter and farther indicated that the Joint Public Hearing was published in the newspaper on October 1, 2003. The following speakers appear and addressed the Mayor, Common Council and other City Elected Officials: 1. Lois Redic, 2410 W. Mckinley Ave. (Library) 2. Reginald Radney, 5432 N. 41st St. (Library) 3. Vicki Davison, Green Tree-Teutonia Community Learning Center, 3744 W. Greentree Rd. (Library) 4. David Pleskatcheck, 5401 N. 40th St. (Library) 5. Betty L. Johnson, 5049 N. 37th St. (Library) 6. Arnetta Johnson, 5303 W. Custer Ave. (Library) 7. Connie Hagler, 5372 N. 35th St. (Library) 8. Thaoneus C. Haney, 1707 N. 23rd St. (Library) 9. Ken Pagen Koff, 5526 N. 42nd St. (Library) 10.Jane Schrameyer, 11110 W. Meinecke Ave. (Library) 11. Rita Qureshi, 5525 N. 42nd St. (Library) 12. Heidi B. Rattner, 1442 N. Farwell Ave. (Library) 13. Adele McCrank, 3931 W. Kaul Ave. (Library) 14. Thomas G. McCallum, 5710 N. 35th St. (Library) 15. Tarzan Sims, 3062 N. 37th St. (Library) 16. Vincent Bobot (Library) 17. Barbara Vesaas, 604 E. Burleigh St. (Library) 18. Wilma LaBelle, 2201 N. Cambridge Ave., Apt. 415 (Library) 19. Mary Glass (Library) 20. Joy R. Bowers, 4402 W. Roosevelt Dr. (Library) 21. Vivian Houston, 6940 W. Villard Ave. (Library) 22. Amy Schwabe, Public Policy Forum 23. Alan C. kerr, 646 S. 63rd St. (Sanitation) 24. Rich Wineland, Vice President Local 61 (Sanitation) 25. Scott Miller, 3019 S. 51st St. (Re: Green Space) 26. Rick Rutten, 3728 S. 43rd St. (Sanitation) 27. Steve Shea, 2011 E. Park Ave., #4 (Forestry) 28. Joseph Kaminsky, 3062 N. Newhall St. (Forestry) 29. Sal Bruno, 1541 W. Ramsey Ave. (Sanitation) 30. Kris Hansen, 4223 S. Adams Ave. (Forestry) 31. Darron Walker, 4459 N. 66th St. (Forestry) 32. Michael Schmit, 9032 N. 70th St. (Milw. resident) 33. Raymond Oekle, 4163 S. 54th St. (Milw. Police Printing Section) 34. Kenneth R. Mobile, 2252 N. 60th St. 35. James C. Cleveland, 11330 W. Daphne St. (Milw. Police Dept.-Lt.) 36. Mr. Christy Dannecker, 4841 S. 22nd St. (Forestry) 37. Richard J. Clark, 10400 W. Dean Rd. 38. Steve Nickels, 5433 W. Oklahoma Ave. (Forestry) 39. Brian P. Stafford, 2680 S. 63rd St. (AFSME Local 550-Water) 40. Tom Udee, 3535 S. 25th St. (Garbage Attendant) 41. John Garland, 4870 N. 37th St. (AFSCME Local 33) 42. Tom Ludan, 6537 N. 83rd St. (Forestry) 43. Ernest Verhume, 5527 N. 13th St. 44. Randy Krouse, 2782 N. Hartung Ave. (Forestry) 45. Orville Seymer, (Apartment Assn.) 46. Mike Ruzicka, 12300 W. Center St. (Greater Milw. Assoc. of Realtors) 47. Robert Kendzierski, Jr., 1815 W. Upham Ct. (Heath) 48. William Mullins, 3774 S. Austin St. (Sanitation Supervisor) 49. Ms. Amatullah Umrani, 545 N. 29th St. (overnight parking) 50. John Constant, 3124 S. Logan Ave. (President Local 40 - Assessor) 51. Jaime Jastrab, 3139 N. 54th St. (Forestry) 52. Robert Timmler, 3359 S. Honey Creek Dr. (Retired City Employee) 53. Wendy Thieme, 4174 N. 73rd St. (Forestry) 54. Patrick Arnold, 5236 S. 8th St. (DPW-Garage) 55. Russ Schroeder, 8955 N. 86th St. (retiree, private sector) 56. Kurtis Gelhar (Forestry) 57. Ms. Helm 57 Non-speakers	Pass
10/13/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Also appeared: Joseph Czarnezki, Director (DOA-Budget), Wally Morics (Comptroller), Marianne Walsh, Manager (Fiscal Review), Cassandra Patterson (Special Assistant to the Finance & Personnel Committee) MUNICIPAL COURT Kristine M. Hinrichs, Judge Gramling, Thomas Bell and Emma Stamps appeared. The Municipal Court reorganization proposes eliminating and creating positions to lower salaries costs by $18,944. The Court reorganized in 2003, eliminating authority and funding for several vacant positions. The 2004 Proposed Budget provides for 45 authorized positions, compared to 46 in 2003 by eliminating 1 Administrative Specialist - Senior, 2 Office Assistant II, and 1 Administrative Assistant III position, and creating 1 Court Assistant III and 2 Administrative Specialist positions, to recognize a savings of $18,944. However, total salaries increase $30,431 in 2004. The 2004 Proposed Budget provides $1,858,709 in net salaries and wages to support 45 positions (40.8 FTE) compared to $1,889,709 in net salaries and wages to support 45 positions compared to $1,889,140 for 46 positions as provided in 2003. The 2004 Proposed Budget provides $564,523 for Operating Expenditures compared to $714,234 in 2003, a $149,711 or 26.52% decrease. The 2004 Proposed budget provides $15,000 for minor projects and $45,000 for Court Hardware Replacement Project. It also provides $250,000 to update the Court Case Management System and provides $430,000 to fund the Clerk of Court Witness Fees Special Purpose Account ($15,000) and the Municipal Court Intervention Program Special Purpose Account ($415,000), which pays the Justice 2000 contract. The 2004 Proposed Budget estimates revenues from Charges for Services will increase $102,300 or 8.89% to $1,253,100 compared to $1,150,800 in the 2003 Budget. According to the Budget Office, forfeiture revenue will total $4,784,400 in 2004, an increase of $671,700 or 14.71% from 2003. In January of 2000, the Court initiated a “motion to reopen fee”. A $15 fee is charged upon granting motions to reopen judgments that are not based on a good cause. If the defendant requests to have the case reopened, and does not have a good cause for not appearing when the judgment was issued by default, a $15 fee charge is added to the original judgment. The court expects to hear 185,000 cases in 2003 and 2004. They have community court sessions at Journey House which have turned out well. Judge Gramling stated they were so pleased that their janitorial staff remains in place. Their friends at Circuit Court were threatening to come back. Professional Placement Services was selected as the revenue collector. The new case management system has the potential to do even more, access court data and make changes. They have been asked to participated in the South Side and hold court there. Staff and judges will spend a great deal of time implementing the new case management system. This will be a stable system that they can rely on, on a day to day basis. Their cases have been driven by contested parking citations (3,500 cases handled thus far this year). There is a very high attendance rate at evening court. They are looking for a way to staff it with non-overtime status and also looking at early morning court. Court commissioners are paid an hourly rate no matter what hours they work. Ald. Murphy asked how much it would cost to hold night court on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The budget office will do an estimate. Subpoenas issued by the City are sent by first class mail. Officers are trying to serve subpoenas on citizen witnesses to see if it will be necessary for the policeman to actually be there. They will try it for six month to see how it goes. The Tax Intercept program is very labor intensive. The real problem is trying to obtain a social security number. When they get the money, it is still a very manual process. They update the dept. of revenue on any changes that are made. The collection company now does this. 2 million dollars that are owed in judgments was collected thus far this year. Outstanding judgments are approximately in the 30 million range. Ald. Murphy asked if they could increase the penalty for people parking in handicap parking places, who are not handicapped. Judge Gramling stated the police department is working on that. Ald. Murphy replied the police department asked if Municipal Court could increase the penalties. The workload of traffic cases in Municipal Court is between 60 and 70%. A small percentage of the cases are generated by the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS). Each of the judges has a half day a week, when they are on intake, to handle DNS cases. There is a penalty range which is first put in place by the Common Council. Fines can range: If it's owner occupied $150, if it's an absentee landlord its about $220. The judges usually recommend the amount of the fine that is recommended, as the inspectors know the cases and knows what the problem is doing to neighborhood. Ald. D'Amato complimented the court on the great job they are doing. Judge Gramling stated we are sending them good judges. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS (all) Florence Dukes, Mark Ramion appeared. The 2004 proposed budget includes $5,077,262. This is an 8% decrease from the 2003 budget. DER has reorganized within their existing divisions in 2004, Administration, Operations and Employee Benefits. DER has utilized information technology in order to enhance its services and provide ready information to city employees and others needing information on city employment and training operations. DER has utilized information technology in order to enhance its services and provide ready information to city employees and others needing information on city employment and training operations. The number of authorized positions decreases from 105 in 2003 to 99 in 2004. Various reclassifications related to the reorganization of DER, the merger with the Fire and Police Commission in 2003 and increased duties and cross training for staff are components of personnel changes in the proposed budget. In, 2003, DER developed an Employee Placement Program for current city employees deemed to be at-risk for layoff in light of staff reductions throughout the city. The creation of the Office of Diversity & Outreach is a direct result of the merger of the Fire and Police Commission with DER. The Fire and Police Commission is composed of five citizen members who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council to overlapping five-year terms. State law and City Charter set its authority and responsibilities. The Commission sets rules and regulations governing the selection and appointment of police and fire department personnel. The Executive Director or designee conducts examinations for entry and promotional positions for both departments. The Commission approves or denies appointments made by the fire and police departments, reviews personnel policies, conducts appeal hearings on personnel disciplinary matters, and reviews citizen complaints. The Commission has statutory responsibility for conducting annual reviews of the operations of the police and fire departments, and may issue directives to the departments' chiefs based upon such reviews. One of the 2004 goals for DER is to merge the staffing functions of the Fire and Police Commission with the staffing functions existing in DER into one area. This new section will be included in the operations division. It will provide staffing and recruitment services for General City, Fire and Police Departments and the Milwaukee Public School System. The number of formal written complaints filed with the Fire and Police Commission has held relatively steady over the last several years, averaging approximately 70 per year. A similar number of formal complaints are resolved each year. In 2004, DER is prepared to provide the Milwaukee Police Department with candidates for two training classes and the Milwaukee Fire Department with candidates for one training class. The Milwaukee Police Department has begun counseling and providing extended training to police recruits who are having difficulty in recruit training in order to retain newly hired police officers. This practice is in recognition of the cost of recruiting, testing and training new officers. Police Officer candidates are now undergoing psychological examinations prior to appointment to identify and eliminate those candidates who are psychologically unfit for police work and who would tend to leave law enforcement work early in their careers. The decision as to whether or not formal disciplinary action is warranted, and the level of discipline imposed, is within the discretion of the Chiefs of the Fire and Police departments. State law gives fire department and police department members the right to appeal formal discipline imposed by the Chief to the Fire and Police Commission if the discipline exceeds more than 5 days for the police department and 2 working days for the fire department. The creation of the Office of Diversity & Outreach is a direct result of the merger of the Fire and Police Commission with DER. Three, once separate and distinct complaint processes (general city, Equal Rights and Fire and Police Commission) have been combined into one function within the Office of Diversity. Staff has been cross-trained to increase efficiency while providing management greater flexibility in assigning work. The increase in efficiency has enabled the Diversity Outreach Officer to take on the new function of ADA Coordinator for the City and responsibility for the development of Citywide Diversity/Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action. In addition, forms and procedures have been combined or created to eliminate duplication and to increase productivity. Special Purpose Accounts under the responsibility of DER are budgeted at $90,798,100 for the 2004 proposed budget, an increase of less than 1% from 2003. Employee Health Care Benefits, budgeted for $80,401,100 for 2004, represent a less than 1% increase from 2003. The Worker's Compensation SPA is increased by 10% for 2004. Most of the Contract negotiations in progress in 2003 are for successor agreements to contracts that expired at the end of 2002 or mid 2003. DER is in negotiation with District Council 48. Contracts with the Milwaukee Police Association and the Milwaukee Professional Fire Fighters Association will expire at the end of 2003. In coordination with Leadership Development Institute, DER will provide employment law update training for key managers and supervisors on such topics as ADA, FMLA, IRCA (Immigration Reform and Control Act), legal interviewing, anti-harassment/anti-discrimination, Wisconsin Public Record Law, etc. DER-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ACCOUNTS Florence Dukes, Michael Brady, Jennifer Gonda, David Heard, Edwin Reyes, Mohammad Abdallah, Andrea Knickerbocker, Michael Brady and Mark Ramion appeared. Between 1998 and 2002, the average increases for employee health benefits for the City of Milwaukee was 9.6%. A 0.6% decrease (overall) for employee health benefits is projected for 2003 to 2004. The 2004 proposed budget includes the increase in monthly premiums, adopted by the Common Council in July 2003, for management employees enrolled in the Basic Plan, from $136.40 to $184.86 for single coverage and from $249.22 to $326.14 for family coverage. The proposed budget decreases the Basic Plan Claims account by $2.9 million from the 2003 budget and increases the HMO funding account by $2.4 million from the 2003 budget. The city's contribution for HMOs remains at 100% of the lowest HMO for each category of coverage. For 2003, the city's monthly contribution will be $336.43 for single coverage and $918.45 for family coverage. The 2004 proposed budget for the dental insurance sub-account remains the same as in 2003, $2.475 million. The City's contribution for dental insurance has not changed since 1992. $13 is contributed monthly for single coverage and $37.50 for family coverage. The proposed budget for Administrative Expense increases from $1,200,000 to $1,226,100. Health care cost containment and rising health care premiums for employers are issues of local and national concern in both the public and private sectors. The Mayor's Task Force on health care issues has formally concluded and will issue a report by the end of 2003. This task force examined the various forces impacting the local health care marketplace. Monthly rates for Fire and Police (MPA Only) Basic Plan enrollees are $60 for single coverage and $120 for family coverage as specified in the 2003 contract. In 2004, city employees will have the choice to two HMO plans: CompcareBlue Aurora Family Network and CompcareBlue Traditional Network. Current City of Milwaukee General City eligible retirees can select any health insurance plan the city offers at no cost until they reach 65 years of age. City of Milwaukee management employees, less than 65 years of age, who retire after December 31, 2003, however will contribute the same amount to their health care as active employees in their respective employee/bargaining group or have no cost for the Aurora Family Network HMO. Fire and Police retirees pay for health insurance based on a formula related to their sick leave. The department is very pleased with all of the progress they have made with the Mint System. They have training bulletins on the mint and are utilizing all of the technologies that are out there. The dept. let out an RFP ($150,000) and are working with the City Attorney for the 79 positions cited for layoff, 8 positions that have been sited for layoff have been hired by other departments. The first meeting will be held at the end of this month for all of the employees that will be laid off. Ald. D'Amato asked them to wait on the contract till after the budget process, because what happens if we have $150,000 contract and no one gets laid off. If there are no layoffs, no one will be referred to the vendor. They have decided to schedule more City Service Commission meetings, as they had several meetings that lasted past midnight. They need to look to the departments. Last year some of the departments were able to re-deploy employees, who were sited for layoff to other sections of the office. Some of the functions of the Human Resources Manager have been transferred to the Labor Relations Section. Ald. D'Amato stated we are at a near or all time high on Police overtime and discipline and wanted to be certain they put some new policies into place before the selection of a new police chief. We have asked the taxpayers to pay about $20 million dollars on each of those issues combined. He also asked about the COMPASS program and each of the candidates has agreed to release information as far as use of force and the COMPASS program. Ald. Gordon asked considering the 100 year plus history of the Fire and Police Commission what substantive changes have been made relative to the Commission's ability to dictate policy and policy concerns. Ald. Murphy stated the Fire and Police Commission has a lot of authority, but they have not exercised it. There will be a long time impact on lawsuits filed against the police department. This is the largest budget (police) of the City. Ald. Donovan asked if it was the responsibility of the Fire and Police Commission to hire relative to diversity. Mr. Heard said it was, but will now become the job of the new office of Diversity. The police department has two officers assigned to recruiting. Mr. Heard said they are constantly recruiting. Worker's compensation costs are about even with what they had last year ($6.9 million). There are training efforts scheduled for January. Safety training is constantly going on. Our workers are getting older and perhaps that counts for some of the injuries. We are involved with a PPO with five other taxing units to help reduce expenses. Standard Insurance handles long time disability benefits. Each individual on disability receives an annual review. Even if they go on SS disability, SS requires an annual review. In discipline by the police department, most of the disciplines are for courtesy and civility and failure to show up in court. Ald. Gordon complimented Mr. Brady on the great job he is doing with health care costs. The task force realized there is a clear realization that these health care costs go beyond the City of Milwaukee. A number of employers are looking at managed competition. They are looking at drug controlled tools and cooperating with other taxing districts and other municipalities. PORT OF MILWAUKEE Kevin Szallai, Hattie Billingsley, Larry Sullivan, David Schroeder and Angelyn Ward appeared. The operations of the Port include: leasing of harbor lands, equipment , and facilities; establishing rates for use of the Port and its facilities; planning, designing, and constructing harbor improvement; and day-to-day operations and promotion of the Port. The Port is a city department included in the tax levy supported budget; however it is accounted for as an enterprise fund. In the 2004 Proposed Budget, the Port has 33 authorized positions, a decrease of 1 position. Operating Expenditures are $778,831, an increase of $25,026 and the Capital Improvements Budget provides $650,000. In the 2004 Proposed Budget, the Harbor Assistance Grant funding from the State of Wisconsin provides a supplement to the City Capital Project titled Pier, Berth and Channel Improvements of $200,000. The grant is expected to cover 80% of the total costs. The Proposed Budget provides $1,220,101 for Special Funds, an increase of $137,501, 12.7% from the 2003 Budget. Two projects, formerly providing capital funding, are now part of Special Funds. They include Major Maintenance of Terminal and Piers for $72,600 and Major Rehabilitation and upgrades for Equipment for $50,000. The Proposed Budget also provides $3,422,909 in revenues. Due to vacancies, critical duties are being performed by the other personnel; non-critical duties have been delayed or have ceased to be performed by the staff. The Port will demolish a dock office (formerly used by the Port) that is no longer needed. All Port operations are contained in the new Port Administration Building. With the demolition of the office, more space will become available for cargo operations and in turn increase Port revenues. The Port of Milwaukee has worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and the barge industry to eliminate certain restrictions that the American Bureau of Shipping inspection requirements. The U.S. Coast guard ruled in June, 2002, that hopper barges transporting cargo on the country's inland waterways could be used to ship goods via Lake Michigan. The regulatory change has increased the port's overall tonnage. The Port is working with various cruise ships to make Milwaukee a destination in the tour itinerary. Many of the projects for upgrades, rehabilitation and improvements are mandated by the department's lease agreements with the tenants. The buildings must be maintained in a safe and useable condition to meet code regulations. The port is working with MMSD and DNR to increase fishing opportunities. They are trying to re-connect the citizens with the lake. The ship will carry 250 passengers and 46 automobiles in a trip of 2 and ½ hours dock to dock. This service will start on June 1, 2004. They expect a very large influx of visitors from western Michigan. What it shows is that port business is solid and healthy. They want to even out their revenue flow and employment, so folks can count on a good job in the business. Ald. Murphy complimented Mr. Szallai and Mr. Sullivan on a great job being done, as 10 years ago, they were thinking about closing the port. Ald. Gordon stated he was really impressed with the Pier Wisconsin project and its educational impact. They are getting ready to have a design competition. They are excited about the future of the organization. The lease calls for Pier Wisconsin to have all the financing in place and construction by December, 2004. They provide cost effective transportation packages to continuously reach out and touch someone. $1 million fee that is in place for a 20 year agreement (sales taxes) with Summerfest. Ald. Murphy asked about all the species of fish that have invaded the great lakes and asked what could be done to eliminate this. It's a international problem and is being very closely looked at. They are looking at ways to chemically treat invasive species. It's anything from a kid dumping his aquarium to a fisherman who wants.	Pass	5:0
10/13/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
10/10/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Also appeared: Joseph Czarnezki, Director (DOA-Budget), W. Martin Morics (Comptroller's Office), Marianne Walsh, Manager (Fiscal Review), Cassandra Patterson, Special Assistant to the Finance & Personnel Committee DPW-ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION Mariano Schifalacqua, Dorinda Floyd, Thomas Bell & Jim Carroll appeared. Mr. Schifalacqua noted a 10% reduction in staffing and budget levels, with three areas: 1) payment for outside services (rebidding some contracts); 2) increased efficiencies; and 3) service level changes. Mr. Bell then proceeded to read from the Budget Office highlights. Mr. Carroll followed by reciting the fiscal overview. The Chair noted $5 million in Capital funding for a new phone system, and Mr. Schifalacqua stated a consultant was hired to review the present infrastructure system, and Ms. Floyd hoped work could commence in April and be completed by year end. Ald. Hines encouraged maximized use of technology and the DPW's WebPages, but most requests for service still come by phone (over 200,000). (Ald. D'Amato arrived) Ald. Murphy was advised DPW worked with MPD and the City Attorney regarding building a module for tracking of police overtime and time adjustments. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION---SANITATION Mariano Schifalacqua, James Purko, Preston Cole, Michael J. Engelbart, Ald. Richards, Ald. Witkowski, Wanda Booker, Leonard Streich, John Garland, Gary Colorez, Michael Campbell, Patty Yunk, Ken Wischer, Patrick Hartmann & Jim Carroll appeared. Mr. Hartmann read the budget overview, noting reduction in staffing and service levels. Mr. Carroll thereupon gave his fiscal presentation. Ald. Donovan expressed concern over extending garbage pick up by one day, to eight days; It may cause problems during the winter collection of garbage, especially during the holiday season and storm season. Mr. Schifalacqua noted flexibility in staffing which would continue to be reassigned to address the holiday delays despite proposed layoffs, but conceded snow days (4-inches) could not be predicted and could create a day or two delays. Mr. Engelbart distributed two calendars to answer concerns and also gave a PowerPoint presentation. They would continue their symbiotic relationship with Dept. of Neighborhood Services (DNS) inspectors and use other DPW sources for catch-up and clean-up work. Holiday refuse tends to be wrapping paper, and any food products remain frozen and should not putrefy. Ald. Murphy suggested charging citizens for replacement of garbage carts, and Mr. Morics advised there could be revenue realized and could come off the tax levy. Mr. Czarnezki warned that this could cause more incidents of stolen carts. Mr. Schifalacqua noted a $282,000 savings by going to an extended winter collection cycle. He also stated that per Alds. Murphy & D'Amatos' request, DPW is studying the possibility of charging for special pickups. Ald. D'Amato noted that the eight-day cycle is often extended from 10 to 15 days due to weekends. Saturday overtime pickup costs are approx. $75,000, which amount remains in the budget. Brush pickups were restored through a State grant. Sanitation staffing is proposed to be reduced by six Supervisors (to 21) due to efficiencies. Mr. Cole explained the Code Green enforcement program, which frees up Sanitation Supervisors by using lower wage employees to perform certain services. Layoffs of up to 17 employees were discussed. Flexibility of workforces and setting of priorities were also mentioned. Ald. D'Amato noted that a regular cycle for special pickups appears less costly than reacting to calls for same, but funding remains an issue. Ald. Murphy suggested working with West Allis and Wauwatosa regarding brush pickups, which could generate revenues for the City. He expressed concerns with the Call Center, which created a reduction in clerical staffing at the Ward Yards. Ald. D'Amato was advised the Call Center could track calls for special pickups, with a majority of calls being one-time only. Ald. Donovan was advised there are six unfunded Sanitation Inspector positions included in the budget-need to work with City Attorney and DNS. The Chair was advised by Mr. Schifalacqua regarding data accessibility, and assured that increased efficiencies allow for supervisory staffing changes. The SPA for Neighborhood Pickups remains at $70,000. Ald. Richards was advised there are informal snow and ice removal contracts with surrounding communities, i.e., Glendale. Mr. Leonard Streich, Local 61, commented on possible problems due to eight-day collection cycle and concerns over 22 layoffs and change in employee titles. The Chair was informed that if crews do “call-in” pickups, they would also remove neighboring piles. Ald. Witkowski was advised regarding curbside pickups. Mr. Garland, AFSCME, was also concerned about layoffs in Forestry, noting these employees are often moved into Sanitation Operations. Mr. Gary Colorez, San. Supervisor, concurred there will be a problem with the eight-day pickup proposal and with the staffing reductions, citing emergency situations-salting operations could be delayed by hours. Mr. Schifalacqua disputed this last statement. Wanda Booker stated that DPW uses an historical five-year average, removing abnormal storms, when estimating snowfalls. Michael Campbell expressed concerns over eight-day and beyond collections. Ms. Yunk, AFSCME, discussed the issue from a wholistic view. Ald. Hines agreed that entities need to be put in place to react to possible problems. Ald. D'Amato was inclined to support the eight-day proposal, but challenged DPW to respond to issues raised. He also requested them to provide scenarios if three or five or more crews were restored. Ken Wischer, Local 423, thereupon expressed concerns regarding work performed by crews where jobs are contracted out. Shifting of assignments means that certain work is not performed in timely fashion. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION---FORESTRY Mariano Schifalacqua, James Purko, Preston Cole, Robert McFadyen, John Garland, Ken Ottman, Erick Shambarger & Jim Owczarski appeared. Mr. Shambarger gave a budget presentation. Mr. Owczarski followed with the fiscal overview, distributing late information regarding Flower Bed Statistics received from the Budget Office and a map showing Proposed Flower Bed Retention and Eliminations. The Chair commended the Division for the improved citywide state of islands this past year. Mr. Schifalacqua conceded the proposal would change the appearance of these beds and would result in fewer mowings. A PowerPoint presentation showed the difference in boulevard plantings (proposed and existing). There would only be irrigation of flowerbeds, not full-turf areas. They would still be planting in 60% of the areas. Mr. Czarnezki confirmed to Ald. Hines that the Aldermen would be consulted in phasing out certain boulevard plantings. Low-maintenance perennials will continue to be used. The experimental use of “hard” medians was not totally successful. Ald. D'Amato suggested a “one-time hit” by converting the 40% of beds proposed to be eliminated to perennials. Mr. McFadyen confirmed that without both fertilization and irrigation, significant amounts of weeds and loss of turf would result in the medians. Fertilization was already eliminated 2-1/2 years ago. Ald. Hines was advised there would be Capital costs involved if planting beds were installed, as this would be a policy change. Forestry does respond to requests of community groups for flowerscapes. Ald. Murphy was advised the “Friends of Boulevards” signage proposal, where corporations might donate monies and generate revenues may come before this Committee this November. Mr. Morics advised revenue estimates could not be done in time for the 2004 budget. Ald. Murphy argued trees and plantings in boulevards add value to properties. Forestry disseminated the UW-M “City of Milwaukee Boulevard Survey”. Ald. D'Amato hinted at offering an Amendment to restore boulevard maintenance and plantings. Mr. Cole explained the training program for Arborists as well as duties of other staff and changes to a five-year pruning cycle. Mr. Garland distributed a three-page handout “City of Milwaukee Forestry - What are we all about?” He cited problems, which could result from the proposed extended pruning cycle. He also lobbied for retention of existing personnel. The Capital Program in Forestry is financed through cash financing. Budget Office will review this and get back to Ald. Hines. Ald. Murphy questioned whether revenue could be projected from an intergovernmental agreement with Milw. County since they closed their greenhouses. Mr. Cole agreed this is an area which could generate significant revenues-will work with the Budget Office on a cost analysis and return to the Committee with a proposal. Mr. Ken Ottman, Urban Forestry Dist. Mgr., spoke to the issue of field managers being short of personnel during the peak periods of July and August. He suggested there would be a loss of well-trained individuals, which will be felt during storm seasons. DPW-OPERATIONS DIVISION---BUILDINGS & FLEET SERVICES Mariano Schifalacqua, James Purko, Venu Gupta John Garland, Patty Yunk, Patrick Hartmann & Mark Ramion appeared. Mr. Hartmann gave the budget overview of the Division, and Mr. Ramion proceeded to present his fiscal review. Mr. Gupta addressed cost containment in all areas of the bureau. The Chair was advised that the elimination of many Auxiliary positions was merely a housekeeping matter since over at least ten years, most positions were never filled. There would be a total of 33 positions actually affected, with only two currently filled positions. Mr. Schifalacqua discussed the timeline for City Hall restoration-DPW interviewed & selected a consulting team and design has commenced. Contract letting should be in place next year, and this has been funded over several years, with only small funding anticipated in 2005. Ald. Murphy mentioned his request for an audit for the Third District Station. Ald. Hines was assured there would be proper oversight of any Capital projects. Mr. Gupta advised Ald. D'Amato that a priority system would dictate how repairs are effectuated. The division will continue to work on preventive maintenance, which will provide dividends in keeping safe equipment in use. Ald. Murphy was advised the $2.5 million was for design, site collection, etc. for relocation of the Tracer Yard-looking at the Port site, among others, which are centrally located. Ald. Hines was advised DPW has run the ADA Compliance Program for a number of years. The Environmental Remediation Program addresses asbestos/lead abatement and storm water best practice plans. Mr. Garland spoke to the elimination of the Garage Attendant position, in view of possible increased work responsibilities due to other staffing reductions. Ms. Yunk agreed with Mr. Garland and spoke to the ripple effect of the loss of positions and questioned whether potential privatization was being considered. Ald. D'Amato was assured there was no budgeting for outsourcing. He also requested a priority list of the positions being eliminated, and Mr. Venu will supply same. Ald. Murphy expressed concern about delayed maintenance of vehicles, but Mr. Gupta noted parts are often hard to acquire in timely fashion. Recess: 12:50 P.M. Reconvened: 1:35 P.M. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN Mariano Schifalacqua, John Ledvina and Angelyn Ward appeared. The 2004 Proposed Budget for the Capital Improvements Project derived from all sources is $204,247,131 an increase of $20.162,798. 11% from the $184,084,333 provided in the 2003 Budget. Sources include city funds, e.g. tax levy, general obligation debt and special assessments. Grant and Aid funding, i.e. funding from state and federal sources; and enterprise funds, i.e., funds generated from revenues collected for a specific purpose. Special Projects - $10,325,000; Department of Administration - $630,000; Department of City Development - $23,950,000; Neighborhood Commercial revitalization - $500,000; Tax Increment Financing - $19,000,000; Development Financing - $19,000,000; Development Fund - $2,200,000; BID Districts - $500,000; Fire Department - $5,840,000; Health Department $1,240,000; Milwaukee Public Library - $2,000,000; Municipal Court - $250,000; Milwaukee Police Department - $6,510,000; Port of Milwaukee - $650,000; Department of Public Works - $58,073,250 Ald. Gordon asked about the shifting of resources from one category to another category. The capitol and operating are two different pots of money and it would be up to the council to recommend it. The City Comptroller strongly recommended not doing that. Ald. Murphy stressed he wants to make sure that they talk to and take into consideration the needs of the neighborhood when they bid out the project in his area. DPW-INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES DIVISION Mariano Schifalacqua, Jeffrey S. Polenske, Jerry Zaremba, Clark Wantoch, Thomas Bell, John Garland, John English and Angelyn Ward appeared. Total operating expenditures in the 2004 Proposed Budget are $21,744,851, a decrease of $2,003,52 - 8.4% compared to $23,736,887 provided in the 2003 Budget. Capital improvement projects in the 2004 Proposed Budget total $30,629,185 provided in the 2003 Budget. Capital Improvement projects in the 2004 Budget each decision unit has personnel changes; however, the most significant personnel changes occur in the Street and Bridge Operations Decision Unit. The rate for assessable improvements levied on a property owner in 2004 will remain the same as 2003. The 2004 Proposed Budget projects that the Division will receive $2,965,500 in revenue. Other Major Projects include the completion of Park East Expressway demolition, and starting of the Marquette Interchange and the W. Canal Street - from N. 6th Street to Miller Park Roadway. 78 positions will be impacted. A good majority of them are seasonal and none of them will involve people being laid off. They have a number of crews that are being reduced. They have 2 mini concrete crews that are available and deal with smaller patches. Some patches will take longer to make a permanent repair. Ald. D'Amato asked when he could expect that the patches, which now take approximately two years to get done, will get done. Why not invest it now, so there is no backlog was asked by Ald. D'Amato. Mr. Polenske stated they would have to be a little more inventive to get these things done. We now have 3 crews and they would be eliminating one of the crack filling crews. Due to vacations or injuries, some crews get bumped off to work where there are more urgent projects. The biggest amount that the City gets from DOT is in the street-paving program. They are still building everything that was budgeted for. You will always have streets that are less than the optimal. They are looking at a program with a new type of light that will have cheaper energy costs. We now have 25 location signals that have LEB signal lights. They try to get streetlights replaced that have burnt out within a 24-hour period. If it is something other than the bulb, it takes around 3 days to get it fixed. In the group replacement program, besides changing the lights they clean out the entire system. There will be 19 less seasonal employees. 84 people they used to call back, in 2003 they called back 63 and plan on calling back 68 in Street Maintenance in 2004. In the underground cable we have some that are pretty old and are direct buried cable and it does wear out. Ald. D'Amato asked if they had a goal for cable replacement. The Commissioner said he would get it to him. John English stated they are behind in paving and it is not proposed to be made up this year. As we began this year, we held off calling back seasonal some 2 and ½ months. Mr. Garland stated the crews they have went from 4 to 3. The average seasonal employee has 13 or 14 years of coming back. He urged the Committee to take a good look and by removing these personnel is an injustice to the City and devastating to our taxpayers. The Commissioner of Public Works stated all the jobs that got delayed this year, will be taken care of next year. DPW-SEWER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM Mariano Schifalacqua, Erick Shambarger, Jeff Polenske, Martin Aquinos and Emma Stamps appeared. The 2004 Proposed Sewer Maintenance Fund budget provides $45,665,233, a $582,826 or 1.26% decrease from $46,248,059 listed in 2003. No layoffs are planned in the Proposed Budget. Although several divisions under DPW are planning major re-organization or restructuring of duties and responsibilities in 2004, no such plans are scheduled for the DPW Sewer Maintenance Fund division. The 2004 Proposed Budget eliminates a net 11 authorized positions, most of which are vacant and unfunded. Eliminating positions normally result in cost savings; however higher budgets for Sewer Crew Leader I (PR 245) and Sewer Laborer II (PR 248) positions offset any cost benefit and result in a $249,523 net impact on total salaries. That is due to an adjustment to reflect true FTEs for these positions. Excluding salaries and wages, equipment, and special funds, the 2004 Proposed Budget provides $7,422,750 for Operating Expenditures, a $1,892,644 or 20.32% decrease from the $9,315,394 for 2003. Funding for the manhole rehabilitation project decreases by $1,130,000 to $670,000 in 2004, compared to $1,800,000 provided in 2003. Annual costs for clean fill disposal and debris removal continue to decline. Special Funds changes to $9,331,952 from $9,616,101 in 2003, a decrease of $284,149 or 2.96%. The Proposed Budget includes $4,200,000 for Payment to General Fund for street sweeping and leaf removal services. The 2004 Proposed Budget provides $21,500,000 for the Relay Program, an increase of $1,800,000 from the $19,700,000 provided in 2003. The Sewer Maintenance Fund will provide cash funding for 36.28% of the total 2004 Relay Program costs. The Proposed Sewer User Fee is $31,661,733, compared to $28,236,959 in 2003. The budget fee was calculated on the premise that water consumption will increase from the 25,452,460 Ccf budgeted in 2003 and that the sewer rate will remain unchanged at $1,1094 per 100 Ccf. DPW-PARKING Mariano Schifalacqua, Dorinda Floyd, Cindy Angelos, Thomas Bell and Jim Carroll appeared. The 2004 Proposed Budget does not include any personnel changes to the Parking Fund Budget. It also includes $7.2 million for Professional Services and includes funding for the replacement of 7 jeeps and 1 power sweeper. It also includes $462,336 for the Parking Fund Contingent Fund. This is a $447,372 reduction from the $909,708 that was included in the 2003 Budget for the Contingent Fund. It includes a $10.9 million transfer from the Parking Fund to the General Fund. It is estimated that Parking Citation Revenue is $19 million, a slight increase from the $18.9 million included in the 2003 Budget. The DPW strategies for dealing with the large number of parking scofflaws were outlined in a letter, dated August 28, 2003, sent to the Common Council. According to the “2004 Plan and Budget Summary”, the City will issue RFPs in order to the sell the City's 4 parking structures, MacArthur Square, 4th and Highland and 2nd and Plankinton and 1000 N. Water St. DPW has made several enhancements to better serve the public. Many of the recent enhancements were outlined in a letter sent to the Common Council on November 27, 2003. The 2004 Proposed Budget includes $1,035,900 (not including $5 million for the Permanent Reserve Fund) for Parking Fund capital projects. Most of the efforts that they work with City Attorney and Municipal Court are to get people to adjudicate their tickets. There have been substantial increases in parking revenue. Ald. Murphy complimented the management staff of Dorinda Floyd and Cindy Angelos stating they have done a remarkable job. The Parking Citation Manager position was created about a year ago. They feel the decision making process is more fair and more consistent. They have a 2-month delay in getting an appointment with the Parking Citation Manager. Some people say the lady that fills the position is too tough and does not release tickets. They spend a lot of money on parking enforcement: Jeeps and parking enforcement. The supervisor for the Parking Citation Manager is Deputy City Attorney Linda Burke. Paperwork is prepared for the court. Dorinda stated they track all of their citations in terms of how many are dismissed. In 2001 when the Assistant City Attorney handled these and released 52,000. In 2002, after the Parking Citation Manager was hired, they dismissed 25,000 tickets and thus far in 2003, 5,400 tickets have thus far been dismissed. They tow people for unpaid citations, yet they come to the tow lot and pay the towing fee and none of the unpaid parking citations. Now they give them a summons and complaint and a court date. If they don't show up in court, the court has more tools that they can use. The court is the only place you can get payment plans. Juneau and Broadway lot was sold (MSOE) for $960,000 this year and $360,000 each year for the next 3 years. Structures are paid for out of the parking fund, so when they sold them the money goes back into the parking fund. We still have outstanding debt on the parking structures. DPW would like to sell the City parking lots, except the one on Michigan and Water, as we have a lease on that lot. They try not to hold vehicles for longer than 10 days that are towed. They want to put a kiosk in a high traffic area that will be able to dispense parking permits. It has to handle cash, credit card and check. It will be in English and Spanish. They have to put them in a high traffic area, so they can pay for themselves. The City of Chicago uses them for their water bills and citations. The police department now sells the parking permit. There will be transaction fees and the machine will cost about $20,000. For this to be cost effective, we need to partner with other entities. About 45% of the payments are made through the payment center. DPW-WATER Mariano Schifalacqua, Carrie Lewis, Dale Mejaki, Erick Shambarger, Patty Yunk, Emma Stamps and John English appeared. The 2004 Proposed total source of funds for the Water Works is $107,862,899; (1) $63,222,899 in operating and non-operating revenues (2) $22,020,000 in deposits to Retained Earnings for Capital (3) $22,020,000 capital projects using retained earnings, and (3) $600,000 in out-of-pocket developer assessments. 2004 Proposed Budget reduces the total number of positions in the department from 382 in 2003 to 359, a decrease of 23 positions. The overall breakdown includes eliminating 99 positions and creating 76 new positions. Of those 99 positions eliminated, 36 adjust for 2003 budgeted reclassifications, 56 are vacant or will be reclassified during this budget process, and 7 will be laid off in 2004. The Water Works does not propose increasing water rates in 2004. The Public Service Commission authorized a 6.5% rate of return for the Water Works per PSC Docket 3720-WR-10 effective June 1, 2002. The water rates were implemented on that date. It is expected that the portion of City of New Berlin that lies east of the sub continental divide will begin receiving Milwaukee Water in 2004 or whenever their infrastructure is constructed and operational at no cost to the City. Our water utility is doing such a great job that they will be receiving a national award. Hawley Road water project should be 100% completed on the tank part in a week or so. Ald. Gordon asked how negotiations are going. Ms. Lewis stated she read in the paper that Germantown is not interested in partnering with the City for their water. There are around 600 water main breaks every year in the city of Milwaukee. Ms. Yunk stated that none of reclassifications have gone through the normal process of DER.	Pass	5:0
10/8/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Also appeared: Joseph Czarnezki, Director (DOA-Budget), John Egan (Comptroller's Office), Marianne Walsh, Manager (Fiscal Review), Cassandra Patterson (Special Assistant to the Finance and Personnel Committee) DEFERRED COMPENSATION William Thompson, Katie O'Sullivan and Jim Carroll appeared. The 2004 Deferred Compensation Plan's Proposed Budget increases approximately 5% from the 2003 Budget, due to a $48,000 increase for Professional services. The 2004 Proposed Budget includes $878,233 for Professional Services primarily related to services such as the third party administrator, equity option advisor fees, record keeping and other account maintenance activities. The major reasons for the increase are the additional costs for trades performed by the Third Party Administrator Consumer Price increase adjustments for the Plan's administrators' contracts and increase in the Plan's Custodian contract. Salaries and Wages ($116,459) a step increase for the Executive Director that was inadvertently not included in last year's budget. The Proposed Budget includes $75,000 for the Plan's Contingent Fund. As of December 31, 2002, there were a total of 7,398 participants in the plan. Approximately 67.4% of current eligible employees participate in the Plan. The average monthly cash deferral per participant during the first quarter of 2003 was $547.69. For 2003, Plan participants are able to defer salary up to $12,000 of their salary. The Plan will be enhancing its educational curriculum for 2004. Ald. Murphy asked how many people participated in the choices offered other than the normal. Mr. Thompson replied about 54. Ald. Murphy asked if we were about average for administrative costs. Mr. Thompson said our costs were low. GRANT & AID FUND Eric Pearson and Angelyn Ward appeared. Only grants that are anticipated in the 2004 Budget year are reflected in the Proposed Budget. The 2004 Budget anticipates grants with a grantor share of $71,908,461 which will be awarded to the City in 2004. This includes a grantor share of $10,000,000 for unanticipated grants. Grant expenditures require Common Council approval. The expenditure authority for In-Kind City share has been eliminated because the city's FMIS no longer records this expenditure. Prior to this change, the In-Kind City share grant match was contained within department budgets. It is no longer necessary to deduct the In-Kind contribution from the Grant In Aid Budget. This account has been budgeted at $50,000 for a number of years. Excess funds are typically carried over into the next budget year for a maximum of three years. The 2004 Proposed Budget does not fund this account. Most departments will receive less money in grants. Ald. Murphy met with the Fire Department and advised them to ask for assistance from Home Land Securities. Ald. Hines asked if their was any coordination with the budget office and the Washington delegation to try to increase grant dollars. Mr. Czarnezki replied there is coordination, but needs to be greater coordination. COMPTROLLER (and PUBLIC DEBT) W. Martin Morics, John Egan, Mike Daun, Richard Li, Dennis Yacarino, Jim Carroll and John English appeared. The 2004 Proposed Budget includes the consolidation of the Public Debt Commission with the Comptroller's Office. The Budget is approximately $360,000 less than the respective individual 2003 budgets for the Comptroller's Office and Public Debt Commission. It includes the following personnel changes: -1 Office Assistant III, -1 Administrative Assistant, -1 Management Accountant Sr., +1 Accounting Program Assistant III, +1 Accounting Intern. This Proposed Budget includes the outside pilot audit program. Two currently vacant Auditing Specialist positions, which are currently vacant, will remain unfilled which will offset the cost of the pilot program. There is a total of $593,000 of CDBG funding which supports the salaries and fringe benefits of certain positions in the office. The CDBG funded accounting and auditing services are performed by a staff of 11 full-time positions and one part-time intern. This Proposed Budget provides funding for the 8 special purpose accounts that will be administered by the Comptroller. On September 17, 2003, the Public Debt Commission approved a $4.0 million withdrawal from the Public Debt Amortization Fund. While the 30% minority participation goal has not been met. The Public Debt Commission indicates it appears it has been able to expand minority participation in negotiated offerings. An Audit is being done on the 3rd district capital project and Mr. Morics stated the final audit should be put to bed by the end of this week. The guidelines for grants were out dated and the new guidelines have been approved by the Common Council. Grants are done more on a department basis than a City wide basis. $5 million would more adversely affect the bond rating. Ald. Hines asked about the strengths or weaknesses of the budget as proposed. Mr. Morics stated the strengths are the revenue estimates are realistic. It is a realistic budget and the resources are good. Tax levy freeze - what you have is fundamentally a budget that attempts to live within a budget that has a 9 million gap from the state. Publie Debt Fund withdrawal is the lowest its been in 20 years which is $4 million. If rates were at 8% you'd be looking at a larger withdrawal. We have a 6 year capital improvement plan in place. How much you use this year, is then how much you have left for next year. 2 of the positions being eliminated are filled. Mr. English represents the office assistant III and the Administrative Assistant I. He met with some office personnel to discuss this. There are very few clerical positions in the union. He stated they understand this is a difficult year and there is some tough choices that are going to have to be made. Ald. D'Amato asked about grants that are really small and why they come to the council for review. Mr. Morics replied it would have to be a policy of the council and he would follow up on it. Ald. Gordon asked about the 30% minority participation goal that has not been met and what measures they are taking to increase that goal. In competitive issues they have tried to encourage minority firms by lowering the minimum bid. They have made progress. They have received some bids from minority and women owned firms. We are at about 20% percent tile for minority firms that have bid. Rates can change and their capital is at risk. Ald. Murphy asked if they are still having trouble getting acountants. Mr. Morics stated they are not. CITY DEBT W. Martin Morics, Jennifer Gonda, and Marianne Walsh appeared. The City Budget for Debt Service includes Milwaukee Public School Debt and all City government-related purposes. The City may also use its own borrowing authority for school purposes. As of December 31, 2002, the outstanding debt service requirements for the City totaled $855.3 million. Of the $855.3 million, $453 million (53%) in outstanding debt service requirements is related to general city capital expenditures. The remaining obligation is split between MPS debt service ($139.4 million) and self-supporting debt service requirements is related to general city capital expenditures. The remaining obligation is split between MPS debt service ($139.4 million) and self-supporting debt service ($263.1 million). The largest component of the city capital debt is $224 million for street, sewer and bridge systems: $177 million for public facilities, $33 million for economic development-related activities, and $19 million for other miscellaneous projects. Approximately 30.8% or $263.1 million of the $855.3 million total General Obligation Debt outstanding was classified as “self-supporting debt.” The concept of “self supporting” debt is that proceeds from borrowing will fund projects that generate a revenue stream sufficient to offset debt service obligations. Examples of this type of debt include Tax Increment Financing, Special Assessments and the Parking Fund. GO self-supporting debt is a general City obligation and must be paid from the property tax levy if the offsetting revenue stream is insufficient to meet debt service. The largest component of self-supporting debt is tax incremental districts, which total $128.7 million. The other components are: parking - $27.6 million; water - $54.9 million; special assessments - $27.6 million; delinquent taxes - $23.9 million; and land bank - $381,000. The debt needs of the City in 2004 total $116.6 million, a decrease of $2.2 million from the 2003 debt budget. The tax levy supported portion of the 2004 debt budget is $54 million, a decrease of $760,000 from the 2003 tax levy contribution. Mr. Morics stated the system is so large and replacements are so predicable and they are steady. Our bond rating was last altered 3 or 4 years ago. We lost one of our AA ratings. CITY REVENUES W. Martin Morics, Michael Daun, Dennis Yaccarino and Marianne Walsh appeared. The 2004 general City purposed budget totals $492.9 million, an increase of $4.5 million or 0.9% from the 2003 Adopted Budget. A variety of revenue sources support the general City purposed budget, including intergovernmental aid, fringe benefits, property taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, charges, miscellaneous revenues, the Tax Stabilization Fund, fines and forfeitures, licenses and permits, and cost recovery. Intergovernmental revenues and the property tax levy account for nearly ¾ of total revenues for general City purposes in the 2004 Proposed Budget. Nearly 50% of these revenues are from state shared revenue. Total revenues for 2004 are expected to increase by only 0.9% above 2003 estimated levels, 0.9% under the 2004 projected rate of inflation of 1.8%. In 2004 the solid waste fee will remain at $75 and the snow and ice fee will remain the same. Revenue for licenses and permits is estimated at 9.6 million for 2004. 16.4 million will remain in the fund after the TSF withdrawal. Conversation ensued on parking checkers. We let the districts dictate their parking regulations. People pick up their cars and pay the towing and storage and not the tickets. TAX STABILIZATION FUND W. Martin Morics, Dennis Yaccarino, Mark Ramion appeared. The Tax Stabilization Fund (TSF) balance available for 2004 purposes is $33,745,000. The 2004 proposed budget TSF annual withdrawal of $17,250,000, includes $16,750,000 for a contribution to property tax levy offset would leave a remaining available balanced of $16,495,000 prior to 2003 regeneration. The proposed withdrawal includes $500,000 (not recognized by the Comptroller) in anticipation of recognition by the Comptroller for changes in various fees. This revenue includes proposed increases for several fees in 2004 that require approval by the Common Council. The Tax Stabilization Fund (TSF) is the portion of unrestricted general fund balance not designated for a specific purpose. Withdrawal from the TSF serves as a revenue item in the budget, and offsets the amount of property tax levy that would otherwise be required. State law permits cities of the first class to establish a TSF. The City, in establishing a TSF, set forth the following purposes and objectives for the fund in section 304-29 of the Milwaukee Code. To assist in stabilizing the city's tax rate “within reasonable limits” from year to year. To protect the city and its citizens from fluctuations in the City property tax rate “which can result from erratic variations in non-property tax revenues”. To improve the city's financial planning ability. To better enable the city to comply with state levy limits. The primary funding sources for the TSF established by Section 304-29 of the Milwaukee Code are: Revenue surpluses, i.e., the difference between estimated revenues and the actual receipts. Unexpected appropriations not carried-over, except from internal service funds. Any internal service fund retained earnings that exceed 5% of that fund's budget. Mr. Morics stated one of the fundamental points when you look at the city's budget, they have done a fairly good job in recognizing revenues and anticipated revenues. If you increase the withdrawal, your structural balance is up for 2005 so you eating away faster at a smaller amount. (see exhibit A) Ald. D'Amato asked Mr. Morics if he agreed with the regeneration proposed by the Budget. Mr. Morics has been the comptroller for 12 years. He has never experienced such a significant revenue cut. State laws permit cities of the first class to establish a TSF. The City of Milwaukee, in establishing a TSF, set forth by the following purposes and objectives for the fund in section 304-29 of the Milwaukee Code. The estimated balance after regeneration is approximately $30 million (Mr. Morics stated that is on the high side). Ald. Murphy asked why the Comptroller let the Mayors office take out as much as they propose with an outstanding debt of Police overtime. Mr. Morics stated the Mayor does not ask his permission. This is his executive budget. You have to pay for that withdrawal in 2005. We (cities of the first class) are the only municipality in the state that is required to appropriate money for every expense. The state contract trumps the Citys and we are left with $3.38 million from Potowatomi. COMMON COUNCIL CONTINGENT FUND Dennis Yaccarino and Mark Ramion appeared. City Contingent Fund spending has been authorized since 1874, when the state legislature enacted a new charter for the City of Milwaukee. Currently, the fund is authorized by Section 18-0404 of the Milwaukee City Charter and state statute. The Contingent Fund provides for unanticipated needs by enabling transfer of funds into existing or new accounts. Other applications of the funds may be for emergency uses or for purposes for which no express provisions are made in the Budget. Unspent funds revert to the Tax Stabilization Fund. Contingent Fund appropriation requires a ¾ vote of the Common Council. As of September 12, 2003 the available remaining 2003 Contingent Fund balance was $3,346,994 (67% of the total 2003 appropriation). Any Contingent Fund requests are expected to meet the following criteria to be considered by the Finance and Personnel Committee: Emergency Circumstances, Obligatory Circumstances, or Fiscal Advantage/Compliance with Fiscal Management Principles. The proposed budget includes $5 million dollars for the contingent fund. 100% of the expenditures were non discretionary expenditures. The budget office expects the hiring freeze to continue.	Pass	5:0
10/7/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
10/7/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
10/3/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
10/3/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Also appeared: Joseph Czarnezki, Director (DOA-Budget), John Egan (Comptroller's Office), Marianne Walsh, Manager (Fiscal Review), Cassandra Patterson, Special Assistant to the Finance & Personnel Committee Ald. Pratt appeared and addressed the committee. He had the first of the budget briefing meetings last night at Madison High School. They will also have meetings at Rufus King, Riverside and Bay View. Residents do not want a cut in services. 750 jobs cut in the last 10 to 12 years. This year the proposed budget eliminates 650 positions. 5.5% added to the rate comes to a million. Garbage collection is proposed to go from 7 days to 8 days. Special pickups will go from 10 to 14 days. The Committee makes the recommendations to the Common Council. This will be a tough budget. Members of the Common Council will have to follow this budget very closely. BUDGET OVERVIEW Joseph Czarnezki, Marianne Walsh appeared. Mr. Czarnezki complimented his staff on their hard work putting together the budget. There is a changing relationship between state and local governments. State Shared revenue was frozen from 1995 to 2001. 2003 - 2005 it was cut by $50,000,000. Expenditures are growing at a much faster rate than our revenues. Health Care costs continue to rise since 1996. They are anticipating a leveling off in 2004. Revenues are not projected to grow at the same rate as our expenses. The City has charted a course for 2004, must reduce the size of the staff. Maintain our city infrastructure. One of the keys to accomplish this is to freeze the property tax levy. This is the lowest tax rate since 1945. 643 temporary positions will be eliminated. Property tax rates have also declined. Since 1988 the City budget has grown less than the rate of inflation. It has been City vs. County since 1988. In 1988 the City was higher on their tax rate than the county. Now the City is lower than the county on their tax rate. 80% of our budget is personnel costs. The Public Debt Amortization fund for 2004 is $4 million, $1 million less than the 2003 withdrawal. No major fee increases, no increase in solid waste, water rate, ice removal. They will be implementing an on-line service system. There is a reorganization of the City Attorney's Office and the City Assessor's office. We have a new paramedic contract with Milwaukee County. This budget maintains core services and is fiscally responsible. The 2004 Budget will set the tone for years to come and will help to determine Milwaukee's future. The City will be calling back fewer seasonal workers in 2004 than it did in 2003. MAYOR'S OFFICE Jennifer Meyer, James Rowen, Eric Pearson and Emma Stamps. appeared. The loss of the COMPASS Grant funding results in elimination of the full time COMPASS Project Policy Director in the 2004 proposed budget. Information needed for this project was not submitted from the Police Department. Mayor Norquist will resign in early 2004. Between the date of his resignation and April 20, 2004, the position of Mayor will be vacant. Common Council President Marvin Pratt will assume the role of Acting Mayor, although his salary will continue to be paid from the Common Council City Clerk's budget based on what the City Attorney has told them. The Proposed Budget lists 18 authorized positions, the same level authorized in 2003. The Proposed Budget total for 2004 is $1,076,189, a decrease of approximately 10.47% from the budget of 2003. The positions were budgeted at step one of the pay range. Mr. Rowen said it's been his experience over the past few years that the working relationship between the Council and the Mayor's Office has been a good experience. He thanked the staff for their personal assistance. There is a reduction of about 10% for salaries, as the administration will be changing. Grant from the Social Development Commission (SDC). SDC took over management of NIDC. 74% of city neighborhoods have not changed or changed for better. CITY CLERK Ronald Leonhardt, Donna Johnson, Eric Pearson, and Angelyn Ward appeared. The aldermanic Districts will be reduced from 17 to 15. The number of Legislative Assistant positions will also be reduced by two effective at the beginning of the 2004 budget. No capitol funding in the City Clerk's budget. Wireless computing in meeting rooms and will become available from a laptop thereby possibly eliminating the huge books committee members now receive. 7 vacant positions are eliminated for 2004. They are working at web broadcasting of committee meetings and council meetings. Web based citizen complaint form is being worked on. The number of authorized positions is 102 for 2004, a decrease of 12 positions. In Operating Expenditures, the Budget provides $718,153, a decrease of $90,305 No funding for the handgun media account. A new position was created in the 2003 budget called Legislative Fiscal Analyst (Salary Grade 7) to combine the functions of the Legislative Research Analyst senior and the Fiscal Review Analyst Senior (both salary Grade 6) into a single position. The 2004 proposed budget continues this staffing imitative by creating two more Legislative Fiscal Analyst positions and eliminating one Legislative Research Analyst Senior and two Fiscal Review Analyst Senior positions. This proposed budget eliminates the two Community Services positions. The salary savings is $111,744. The Deputy City Clerk position has been downgraded. They will be increasing use of the Internet and will be implementing bartender renewals and a daily listing of home improvement contractors. They have been working with LRB to cross train personnel. Mr. Leonhardt does not feel the workload has decreased to limit the staff to one office designer. ELECTION COMMISSION Victoria Robertson, Erick Shambarger, and Angelyn Ward appeared. The 2003 Budget funded 2 elections. Due to recall and special elections, the City has participated in 6 additional elections, with two pending state recall elections. Citywide redistricting reduced the number of aldermanic districts from 17 to 15. The Election Commission will revise the number and location of polling locations according to the new aldermanic district boundaries. The Proposed Budget provides funding for 4 elections for a total of 110 positions, an increase of 38 positions. In Operating Expenditures, the Proposed Budget provides $984,113, an increase of $447,473, 94.2% from the 2003 Budget. They have had 10 elections this year. Created detailed hands on training for registering of voters. Will have a Get Out to Vote campaign. They have increased participation of City employees in helping out at the polls. They are asking for one reclassification. They have had two this year. In February, there will be a huge election. In 2004 they will ask for additional supervisors. Average age of a poll worker is 72. Their goal is to register people to vote before the elections. They have 1,600 poll workers. Help America Vote Act is a federal act. By law we are required to have one voter registration by 2006. All the money is being funneled through the state. The state requires the City to have a certain number of pollworkers at each location. The state has an open registration. When someone registers on site they need to show some form of identification. It can be a driver's license, recent utility bill dated within 90 days, ID card. Driver's license, etc. When people register to vote they have to take an oath. CITY ATTORNEY Grant F. Langley, Barbara Woldt, Sandy Rotar and Mark Ramion appeared. The Proposed budget for this office is $6,301,050 a decrease of 2% from the 2003 budget. The reorganization in 2003 consolidates legal services in three sections led by one of three Deputy City Attorney's. Support staff is reorganized by the creation of one position of Administrative Specialist Senior and the elimination of three positions: Legal Office Assistant IV, Legal Office Assistant II and Office Assistant II. The Kohn Law Firm is contracted to collect delinquent property taxes and accounts receivable. Through August 2003, they collected $1.8 million in personam delinquencies with a projected amount of $3.8 for 2003. They will continue to use Parking Citation Review Manager position. Funds contained in Special Purpose Accounts under the authority of the City Attorney have increased by 4% from the 2003 budget. Under the auspices of the Collection Contract SPA, over $4 million has been collected, to date, in 2003. The Tax Intercept Program has collected approximately $2 million, through August, 2003, in overdue municipal forfeitures. The Comptroller's Office estimates a 2004 increase of 15% in revenue. They are renovating the offices for support staff and some of the attorney offices. They have had a significant change since David Halbrooks was elected to Municipal Court. Ald. Murphy asked if there could be a legal education to the new police chief. He suggested they make an offer to the new chief. Mr. Langley replied he has an excellent working relationship with the current chief. He feels they can do a better job in the area of discipline. He plans to develop a good working relationship with the new chief. He asked who will be filling the position. Mr. Langley stated G. O'Sullivan Crowley will be filling that position. Receivership is a primary weapon in dealing with problem properties. Ald. D'Amato stated they have a reduction in the number of attorneys in the office and wonders if they could be put to use in revenue producing positions. Mr. Langley stated he is very pleased with the skill and expertise of his legal staff. Tax intercept program is done through contract and will be up for renewal (5 year contract). Two contractors Professional Placement Services and Kohn law firm hold the contracts at this time. ERS has the authority to re-evaluate disabled City employees receiving a disability on a yearly basis. ASSESSOR Mary Reavey, Dennis Yaccarino, Jim Owczarski, John Constant and Patty Yunk appeared. The Assessor's proposed budget decreases to $2,724,779. The number of positions decreases from 65 in 2002 to 56. 2 positions would be laid off, as all the others are vacant. The Proposed Budget allocates $75,000 for a “State Manufacturing Assessment Payment”. The State of Wisconsin is responsible for the assessment of the real and personal property of manufacturing properties. In 2004, the state will be charging local communities for this service. The Proposed Budget provides $500,000 for the Remission of Taxes Fund SPA. 2,487 appeals were filed with the Assessors Office. It is anticipated that this department will bring in $2,000 in revenues for charges for services. There was a substantial reduction in appeals for 2003. They are attempting to do their personal property different. They will seek law changes especially in the personal property level. They are not making any substantial changes to the “model”. Smaller communities hire out for their assessing services. They looked at doing the assessing for these communities. They couldn't just absorb the work with the staff they have now. The majority of municipalities have their own staff. They cannot just trade services, as there would be union issues. Once every 4 years the municipality must be within 10% of market value. The average processing cost for an exempt property is $100. By State law you must file by March 1 for an exemption. Hits on the internet site are 1.5 million. Some cities are assessing a larger portion of the amount that is assessed for land. Ald. D'Amato feels Detroit and Cincinnati are already doing this. Patty Yunk appeared for District Council 48. John Constant, President of the Local 40, appeared. He pleaded that there be no administrative staff lay offs for the department (2 clerical). If annual assessments are required it means 5 positions of assessor should be filled in a timely manner instead of eliminating these positions. (See attached Exhibit A). Ald. D'Amato asked Mr. Constant if he was familiar with how other municipalities assess. He stated very few are unionized as they have 1 or 2 in house assessors. Ms. Reavey stated they have 30 appraisers. An appraisal is a type of science. Most if not all of the appraisers are being trained and are moving up the pay scale. She will always maintain a quality assessment program. DEPT. OF ADMINISTRATION (all division, incl. CDBG) Michael Soika, Katie O'Sullivan, Rhonda Kelsey, Cheryl Oliva, Randy Gschwind, Steve Mahan (CDBG) and Jim Owczarski appeared. The 2004 Proposed Budget decreased by 14% to $7,340,588. Position authority decreases 9% and direct labor hours drop 11%. This department will be undergoing a significant reorganization in 2004. The basic premise is the elimination of 3 divisions, Administration, Budget and Management and Intergovernmental Relations and the creation of 2 new divisions, Budget and Policy and Community Development Block Grant Administration. It is anticipated that this reorganization will result in a savings of approximately $235,000 and elimination of 4 positions. It reduces the salary grade of the division head of ITMD and IRD from 17 to 15 and creates the position of Budget and Policy Director at 15. The Proposed Budget projects that the City will retain its 2003 Aa2/AA+ bond rating. The Proposed Budget for Printing and Records will reduce some of its printing operations due to reduced demand for this service. The City's in-house high speed and color copy service, as well as some of its offset print operation, will be eliminated in 2004. Position authority for 2 full-time and 2 part-time staff members will be eliminated and the remaining employees will be reorganized in a Document Services section. The department indicated it would use master contracts to purchase and regulate the remaining printing needs of the City departments. The Community Block Grant Administration will administer grant funds of approximately $28.2 million. This is a loss of $1.2 million in CDBG entitlement funds and $2 million in HOME funds. The Proposed Budget includes funding for 1 new position of Rental Rehab Specialist (SG 4) to perform regulatory functions required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The position is funded through the City's CDBG and HOME allocations. The Proposed Budget recommends the elimination of the 6-section structure of ITMD and its replacement with a new 3-section structure. This change will result in the elimination of 2 vacant positions and the transfer of a person and function to the Comptroller's Office. It allocates $630,000 in capital spending for an upgrade of the People Soft Financials module to Version 8. This upgrade helps insure that the City remains eligible for full People Soft support for all of its resource management system. Mr. Soika stated way back in March, when they began looking at this budget they realized this would be their last budget and they would streamline. Ms. Kelsey (EBEP) stated that in 2002 they had 88 certifications and today they have 56 certifications. Pat Curley stated one of the positions being eliminated is vacant. He feels there is going to be a serious look in the state administration on what is happening in local government. Mr. Soika does not feel the City Attorney would go for merging our program with the county. The City's program has never been challenged and the county's program has. If they combined the EBEP, despite the City Attorney's objection what would be the benefits? They wouldn't have to pay the consultant to do the certifying ($40,000) in the budget. Capitol projects need to identify all the parties that will be involved and this plan should be in place for the aldermen by the end of this month. Cheryl Olivia reported that in City wide printing services the demand has gone down and the costs have risen significantly. The print shop would need new modern equipment if it were to stay in place. In other City's their printing costs have decreased 20% and they are open 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week and they have free pickup and delivery. Ald. Hines stated he doesn't feel there has been a significant study, especially with the printing at the police department. Ms. Olivia stated they did a study of 20 other municipalities relative to sensitive documents. Companies that are awarded these contracts are required to be bonded. She stated they may want to look at what documents are being printed at the police department and whether they are really necessary. Ald. D'Amato asked if the Police printing shop were eliminated would the City's print shop be able to handle it. Ms. Olivia stated we are a reimbursable organization. She stated they would have to look at billing etc. The other personnel within MPR will be restructured to show what they do. People can now go right to their desktop to retrieve the documents they want. Departments are going to the online procedure and there is less calls for their printing services. The Library has one print position that is dedicated to running a printer. People Soft is not utilized as fully as it could be. ITMD would be freed up to allow more time for training.	Pass	5:0
9/30/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
9/25/2003	0	FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
9/23/2003	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO; Minutes note: ALDERMAN GORDON moved that the Common Council do now resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole for the purpose of hearing from His Honor, Mayor John O. Norquist relative to the Proposed Executive Budget for 2004. PROCEEDING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Mr. John O. Norquist, Mayor appeared and addressed the Committee relative to the Proposed Budget. MAYOR JOHN O. NORQUISTS 2004 Budget Address September 23, 2003 President Pratt, honorable members of the Common Council. Good morning. For some of you, this will be the 16th budget that we've worked on together. By now, there's no mystery left in how we budget. Our budgets are an open book -- what you see is what you get. Call it boring if you want to, but here's what we do: · We look for ways to improve city government and run it more efficiently. · We reduce the size of the city workforce. · We hold down spending. · We keep taxes and fees as low as possible. · We maintain good-sized reserves so taxpayers don't get stuck with surprises down the road. If you're like me, you once thought that this kind of responsible budgeting was the norm. It's what's expected of public officials. And it's what our constituents deserve. But the last few years have taught us that not everybody shares this opinion. We've seen accounting tricks and insider dealing from companies like Enron and WorldCom and learned that those problems don't stop with the private sector. We've seen a lot of government budgets that are like used cars - they look OK on the lot. Just don't look under the hood -- you'll find an engine held together with duct tape. And don't drive it off the lot or the wheels will fall off. Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum touted themselves as conservative Republicans committed to creating a pro-business tax climate. Instead, they jacked up state spending and piled on new state employees, creating a train wreck that left the state with a $3 billion dollar deficit. Instead of rolling up his sleeves and cutting state government like it needed to be cut, McCallum balanced his first budget by raiding all of the state's tobacco money. Then for an encore, he proposed eliminating all aid payments to cities. In other words, he left a mess. Tom Ament was seen as steady hand who'd keep county government on an even keel. Editorials praised him for "honestly trying to meet the county's diverse …needs while also keeping taxes in check." But he passed huge pension and sick leave payouts for himself and insiders in his administration that sent the county into major budgetary distress. Scott Walker has the challenge of fixing this mess and he has the right instincts in wanting to protect taxpayers from the effects of the pension scandal. But to meet a no-tax-increase campaign pledge, last year he cut some budgeting corners - underfunding the pension, overestimating revenues and draining reserves down to nothing. The results included unexpected parks layoffs this summer and other budget problems that could erupt later. Given how reckless the Thompson-McCallum and Ament administrations were in squandering tax dollars, who can blame taxpayers for being fed up? Who can blame them for calling for relief at every level of government? In his short time in office, Governor Doyle has demonstrated his character as a budgeter. He recognized that budgeting tricks appear to give taxpayers what they want in the short run, but backfire and hurt taxpayers in the long run. So Governor Doyle cut 2900 positions from the state's bloated bureaucracy. This was his first step towards his goal of cutting 12,000 positions and getting state government back to the size it was before Tommy Thompson took office. He also had the good sense to reject the Republican's local tax freeze proposal as the political stunt it was. Doyle knew that legislators who proposed the freeze for local government would never do that with state tax collections. The governor did ask local officials to share in the pain and help the state out of its mess. He proposed big but acceptable cuts in shared revenue - a $9.7 million cut for the City of Milwaukee, far short of the $24 million that Republicans would have bled from the city so they could transfer it to the wealthy communities they represent. After he signed his budget, the governor asked me to freeze our levy if we could. I considered his request carefully and decided that I would only propose a levy freeze if we could do it responsibly. We'd create a budget with integrity - avoiding short cuts or tricks. If we could freeze the levy, we'd do it. I reported last week that it could be done. Today, I'm proposing a budget that results in a tax levy of $197 million. That's no increase over last year's levy. With this freeze, we maintain our long-term record of keeping levy increases under the rate of inflation. In inflation-adjusted dollars, our property tax levy is $20.1 million smaller now than it was in 1988. You should be proud of your role in establishing this record of protecting and respecting the taxpayers of this city. It's unmatched by county, state or federal government. In 1988, the County tax levy was $112.8 million compared to the City's tax levy of $144.5 million for the same year. The County levy has since grown to $219.0 million in 2003 compared to $197.0 million for the City. This growth in the County levy occurred despite the addition of a countywide one-half percent sales tax. Since 1988, we've held our operating spending under the rate of inflation, while the state's has up at TWICE the rate of inflation. This budget also lowers the tax rate to $9.62 per $1000 of assessed value - 53 cents less than last year's rate and $3.47 less than the rate in 1988 when I took office. In fact, it was 1945 when the City of Milwaukee last had a lower tax rate. No doubt, some of you will remember that in 1945, John Bohn was mayor. And there are no increases in the major fees we charge - and no increases in parking meter rates. We found we could freeze the levy responsibly. Here's how we did it. And here's how we didn't do it: We didn't short-change the pension system, as the county chose to do in 2003. That just puts off a tax obligation and leaves a big bill for future taxpayers. Even though our pension systems is considered fully funded, we'll put $3 million into pension reserves again. This is a tough budget year, but we'll make the same responsible contribution as last year. We're not draining our reserves. We're standing by our practice of maintaining our stabilization fund at 5% of general operating expenditures. This budget uses the fund as it was intended - to stabilize taxes at a time when the state is in fiscal crisis and we're having to absorb a major loss of shared revenue. A responsible withdrawal will leave the fund with an ending balance of about $30 million. That's about $30 million larger than the reserves of the state or county combined. We're protecting our debt reserves. With the enthusiastic approval of City Comptroller Wally Morics, we're withdrawing a million less from them than last year. We're maintaining our infrastructure with a capital budget slightly higher than last year, including money that will help us plan for a new North Side regional library and build a new fire repair shop. We're maintaining our traditional $12 million contribution to M.P.S. for school buildings. We're not overestimating revenues. They're estimated very conservatively in consultation with the comptroller. You won't see the city experience the county's mid-summer parks budget collapse. We're not spinning off any departments or proposing new taxing jurisdictions. No gimmicks: we're freezing the levy with responsible cost reductions. As we prepared to absorb the $9.7 million loss of shared revenue, we had one major factor in our favor: Our health care costs came in more than $9 million under projections. If our increase had been more in line with other major employers, freezing the levy responsibly would have been impossible. Through several rounds of negotiations with unions and several budgets, we've created incentives for them to get out of the expensive fee-for-service plan, where provider choice is unlimited and costs are high. Employees have responded by choosing lower cost plans. It wasn't easy to get unions to accept these incentives, but this work is now paying off for taxpayers. The school board's health plan is out of control. The county's is unaffordable. Ours is helping us save money and provide good health insurance for employees at the same time. Our health care cost increase this year came in at 2% -- compared to a 25% increase at the county. To freeze the levy, we needed more than just health care savings. We needed more cost cuts in city government. And we've made them. As a result, operating spending in this budget increases less than 1% -- well under the rate of inflation. The proposed tax levy in 2004 is actually $20 million smaller than the levy in 1988 in inflation adjusted dollars. In doing the right thing for taxpayers, we're not shortchanging employees, however. We're not reopening labor contracts. We're not asking employees to work a shorter week. Our city employees enjoy fair pay and good benefits. They deserve to earn a decent living. But we need to face the fact that our citizens can only afford so much. That's why that number has had to go down. And why city government must continue to shrink. We've been cutting government for years. Between 1988 and 2003, we cut 750 positions from city government. This budget cuts 643 more positions. By the time these cuts are implemented, our workforce will be 14% smaller. We've worked to minimize layoffs. About 75 of the eliminated positions are currently filled. Some of the affected employees will retire or bump into other positions, but some will actually be laid off. Fortunately, because of our renewed commitment to a hiring freeze, many of the eliminated positions are already unfilled and layoffs are much smaller than they would have been otherwise. Yes, when you eliminate nearly 650 positions and freeze taxes, there's no way to make these cuts invisible. Citizens will notice some changes in how city services are delivered. But I believe they will find these changes acceptable. Under this budget, Milwaukee taxpayers will still be well served by the city. They'll just be receiving the government that they can afford. In the winter months, garbage will be picked up every 8 days instead of every 7. We will prune all street trees every five years - instead of every three years for small trees and every six years for large trees. In the summer months, we will mow boulevards less frequently. Currently, we fertilize our boulevards. We water them. We create this crop that we need to pay people to harvest and haul away to a landfill. Can't we find other ways to keep our boulevards beautiful? Can't we use groundcover and other native plants that don't need mowing - plants with deeper roots that help them survive dry periods? Let me ask you this: Do you want to tell the legislature and the governor that we need shared revenue to keep our boulevards bright green in August? I don't think we'll get a very sympathetic audience. We're not cutting the hours at all of our city libraries, but we are proposing the closing of Villard Library. It's the least used of our branch libraries and would require major substantial renovations. To make city government more affordable, we made changes in every city department, including fire and police. Although we'll eliminate 113 vacant police positions, there will be no layoffs of sworn personnel. And instead of three, there will be two police classes. In the fire department, we eliminate 54 vacant firefighter positions, primarily by standardizing the staffing of engine companies at 4 firefighters per truck. When the City of Chicago surveyed 23 big cities, only Milwaukee, New York and Chicago staffed some of their engine companies with 5 people. Everyone else was at 4, except for Indianapolis, which was at 3. We already staff some of our engine companies at 4 now and this budget brings the rest of them to this big-city standard. Fire Chief Wentlandt proposed the change and vows it will not reduce his ability to fight fires and provide EMS services. In the coming weeks, we'll be happy to review each of the departments in detail and explain how changes were designed to deliver vital services at a cost taxpayers can afford. Earlier, I said I was proposing a tax-levy-freeze budget because Governor Doyle asked me to do it. I decided it was the right thing to do if we could it responsibly. But I've got to admit. I wasn't the only one who had the idea. Council President Marvin Pratt says he agrees with the freeze. Alderman Tom Nardelli wants a freeze, as does fellow mayoral candidate Vince Bobot. County Executive Scott Walker is for the freeze. And the leaders of the police and fire unions - Brad DeBraska and Greg Gracz - have supported both a city levy freeze and the Republican plan to reduce our shared revenue payment by an extra $14 million. State senators Tim Carpenter and Jeff Plale have asked for a freeze. Holding taxes as low as possible makes sense for other reasons. First, it sends the right message to the Governor and the legislature at a time when the state is finally reviewing its own budgets. By keeping our spending low while maintaining acceptable service levels, we show the state that we're responsible stewards of the state revenue they share with us every year. Second, freezing the levy reduces the long-term costs of municipal government for Milwaukee taxpayers. In the short term, having 643 fewer employees on the books saves the city about $30 million per year. In future years, it helps hold down the increases in our employee health care costs. And having 600 fewer people enrolled in our pension system significantly improves its financial stability. Finally, holding down taxes helps the city thrive. It helps us keep our cost of living competitive, which invites people to live and invest in the city and appreciate the great advantages of urban life. Our downtown housing market is booming, with 2040 units added since 1998. The downtown population has increased 77% since 1990. The hot residential market and re-energized office market are fueling a building boom. We added $301 million in new construction in 2002, according to the state Department of Revenue. This unprecedented level of investment creates jobs. We've done a lot to encourage this renaissance by creating a pro-growth tax climate. When I took office, Milwaukee had the second highest tax rate in the county. That ranking confirmed our reputation for high taxes and acted as a drag on development. Our tax rate is currently the eighth highest in the county - closely bunched with others near the middle of the pack. At a time when other municipalities have announced their intention to freeze their levies, this budget will again help us stay competitive. Milwaukee is a great city, a beautiful city. But for a long time, people had negative feelings about cities in general - and Milwaukee was no exception. But that's changed. There's a significant part of the real estate market that wants to live, work and play in the city. If companies want highly educated creative and tech workers, they need to be in an urban setting. As local real estate broker Robert Flood told the Journal this Sunday in explaining why a tech company choose a downtown site: ""If I'm a 20-something IT engineer, I want to look at the services and amenities of downtown instead of going out to a cornfield." Milwaukee has a rich culture, a tradition of excellence in the workplace and beautiful neighborhoods and a downtown that are gaining confidence every day. People in Milwaukee are starting to realize that our city is someplace very special. You saw this with Harley Fest and on Martin Luther King Drive and on Lincoln Avenue, Mitchell Street, West Vliet Street and Chavez Drive. Now we have more work to do. This budget comes at an important time the city's history when we need to demonstrate fiscal responsibility to our bond rating agencies, to state legislators and the governor, and most of all to our own taxpayers. ALDERMAN GORDON moved that the Committee do now rise. The motion prevailed. For comparison of the 2004 Proposed Expenditures and Funding Source with prior years, by Mayor budget sections and subsections. See appendix "A", at the end of the Journal of Proceedings for this data. ALDERMAN GORDON moved that the foregoing proposed budget for 2004 be referred to the Finance and Personnel Committee for its review, consideration and report, to be submitted at a special meeting of the Common Council to be held on Friday, November 14, 2003 at 9:00 A.M. The motion prevailed. ALDERMAN GORDON also moved, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 18.04-6 of the Milwaukee City Charter, that a public hearing on the proposed City budget for 2004 be held jointly by the Common Council and the Mayor on Monday, October 13, 2003 at 6:30 P.M. in the Common Council Chambers, third floor, City Hall, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and that the City Clerk be directed to publish the time and place of said hearing in accordance with the above mentioned Charter provisions. The motion Prevailed.

Number

030734

Version

Original

Reference

Sponsor

The Chair

Title

Communication from the Mayor transmitting the 2004 City Budget.

Drafter

Mayor

JON

9/19/03