Finance Committee

160 Duke Of Gloucester City of Annapolis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Standing Committee Minutes - Final Finance Committee Wednesday, May 7, 2014 1:00 PM Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The Chair called the Meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. Rollcall Also present Alderman Littmann. Alderman Budge arrived at 10:28 a.m. Alderman Kirby and Alderwoman Finlayson arrived at 10:34 a.m. Present: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone 3. Business before Committee Environmental Matters Committee report to the Finance Committee Alderman Littmann offered a report to the committee. Alderman Littmann discussed the importance of maintaining critical environmental positions proposed to be cut in the mayors budget. Alderman Littmann proposed offsetting those costs with increased fees and the decrease of a clerical position. Public Safety Report to the Finance Committee Alderwoman Finlayson offered a report from the Public Safety Committee (attached) 4. General Discussion The committee discussed the transportation budget. Meeting went into Recess at 11:31 a.m. Meeting Reconvened at 11:53 a.m. The committee discussed the transportation budget. Alderman Budge discussed his recommendations on accounting for the Transportation budget as well as proposed cuts (attached). Alderwoman Finlayson discussed her concerns about cutting City bus routes while maintaining county routes. Alderman Kirby offered comments on the proposed bus route changes. The Committee recessed for lunch at 12:54 p.m. City of Annapolis Page 1 Finance Committee Standing Committee Minutes - May 7, 2014 Final The committee reconviened at 2:10 p.m. Chief Pristoop discussed the affects of the proposed cuts to the Police department. Chief Stokes discussed the affects of the proposed cuts to the Fire department. ID-164-14 Budget Discussions The committee discussed recommendations to increase parking fines. Alderman Arnett moved to recommend favorably to increase the minimum parking fines from $25 - $35. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed staffing in the Mayor & City Manager offices. Alderman Arnett moved to recommended reducing the salary for the City Manager and Office Associate and eliminating the ombudsman and assistant City Manager position in the Mayors office Budget. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the Economic Development Coorporation line item. There was discusseion about moving AEDC in to City offices. Alderman Paone moved to reccomend reducing the AEDC line item to 250,000. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the Finance Department budget. Mr. Miller proposed an increase of 35,000 to change an accountant position to senior accountant. Alderman Paone moved to recommend an increase of 35,000 to change an accountant position to senior accountant. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the MIT budget. Mr. Miller spoke against the proposed cuts. Alderman Paone moved to returned without recommendation the proposed cuts in the MIT budget. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the Human Resources Budget. Alderman Paone moved to recommend reducing the HR professional services budget by 7,000. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the Planning and Zoning budget. Alderman Budge outlined his proposeal to restore 90,000 of the proposed to be but contract services budget. Alderman Paone moved to recommend favorably to decrease the Planning and City of Annapolis Page 2 Finance Committee Standing Committee Minutes - May 7, 2014 Final Zoning contract services budget by 35,000. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed a proposal to restore the Chief of Current Planning position and eliminate the Office Administrator position. Alderman Paone moved to recommend favorably to restore the Chief of Current Planning position and eliminate the Office Administrator position. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the DNEP budget. Alderman Pfeiffer moved to recommend favorably the restoration of the Chief of Environmental Programs, reducing the Environmental Programs Coordinator to 6 months and the elimination of the Administrative position. . Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed fleet replacement, supplies and contract services in the DNEP budget. Alderman Arnett moved to recommend reducing the DNEP supply budget by 5,000 and the contract services budget by 13,000. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the Public Works budget. Alderman Arnett moved to recommend a reduction in the Public Works Budget of 60,000 to be made at the discretion of the director. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the Art in Public Places budget. The Committee dicussed the Dock Fund Alderman Arnett moved to recommend a cut in the dock fund to eliminate th eDock Administrative assistant position. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the Community Grants budget. Alderman Budge suggested moving Bates Legacy center and Four Rivers in to line items in the budget for 25,000 to each. Alderwoman Finlayson discussed her concerns about the community grants suggested allocations. Alderman Pfeiffer moved to postpone the discussion on community Grants. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the Dock fund and fees. Alderman Arnett moved to recommend favorably to reduce the dock subsidy by City of Annapolis Page 3 Finance Committee Standing Committee Minutes - May 7, 2014 Final 50,000 by increasing fees. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone The committee discussed the take home vehicle policy. Mr. Miller discussed the policy and possible efficiencies. Alderman Arnett moved to recommend a 100,000 budget cut based on changes in the take home vehicle policy. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Aye: 3- Alderman Pfeiffer, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Paone 5. Adjournment Upon motion duly made, seconded and adopted, the meeting was adjourned at 5:23 PM. City of Annapolis Page 4