Finance Committee

160 Duke Of Gloucester City of Annapolis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Standing Committee Minutes - Final Finance Committee Tuesday, April 8, 2014 5:00 PM Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The Chair called the Meeting to order at 5:11 p.m. Present: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone 2. General Discussion Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs Director of DNEP Broadbent and Chief of Environmental Programs Biba spoke on their departmental budget. Ms. Broadbent stated that The DNEP budget is proposed to be decreased in FY2015 by $120,743. This decrease eliminates funding for two positions, the Chief of Environmental Programs and the Environmental Program Coordinator. In addition, funding has been reduced in salaries due to the retirement of the plans reviewer, with a new employee starting a lower salary and reductions in the maintenance accounts for street trees and the unsafe structures. Ms. Broadbent stated that the impacts of the staff reductions would include the reduction of environmental programs, the increase in lead time in permitting of projects and possible compliance issues with federal and state programs. Mr. Biba and Ms. Broadbent Discussed the wastewater pretreatment program and the discharge reporting system. Ms. Broadbent discussed some proposed fee increases and contract reductions that could serve as alternatives. Mr. Miller discussed building fee estimates in the FY15 budget.The committee requested an accounting of the fees collected by the department. Mr. Miller stated that he will work with DNEP for an accurate review of all fees collected by the department. Alderman Littmann inquired about how much building fees would be reduced by a slowdown in the permitting process caused by staff reductions. Human Resources Director Rensted discussed the Human Resources budget. Mr. Rensted stated that the reductions proposed in the budget include the elimination of one contractual Office Associate position as well as reductions in employee physicals, Labor Counsel, contractual services, professional services and supplies.and discussed his recommended changes to the proposed budget. Public Works Director Jarrell discussed the Public Works budget. Mr. Jarrell discussed the proposed City of Annapolis Page 1 Finance Committee Standing Committee Minutes - April 8, 2014 Final changes in his budget and the impacts of those changes. (attached) Mr. Jarrell discussed proposed alternatives to the proposed budget cuts. The committee asks that all the directors rethink question three and review their budget for possible revenue enhancements and submit the suggestions to the finance committee. as soon as possible. Mr. Miller stated that the directors have already submitted revenue enhancement ideas and that the Finance Department staff will create a schedule to organize the materials. The committee discussed the condition of Main Street. Mr. Miller discussed the materials that are presented to the Finance Committee. Materials coming to the committee will be routed through the Finance Department and City Manager before the materials are distributed to the Finance Committee. Alderwoman Finlayson discussed the idea of moving to a 4 day work week as a cost saving technique. 3. Adjournment Upon motion duly made, seconded and adopted, the meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m. City of Annapolis Page 2