09-28-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 year agreement, for calendar year 2010 only; freezes all salary amount at 2009 levels, except those involved in rank restructuring; freezes all other monetary fringe benefits at 2008 levels which were continued at such levels in 2009; eliminates the individual flexible spending account program whereby each firefighter had $500 contributed to an st account if the Firefighter had been employed by the department as of October 1 of the previous year; establishes new salary classifications: Third Class Firefighter (former Firefighter) and Second Class Firefighter thereby establishing the structure needed for a two-phase rank restructuring program to take place in 2010 and 2011; increases the First Class Firefighter maximum salary to $47,150 which reflects the first phase of the rank re- structuring with the rank of Engineer anticipated to be eliminated in 2011; and revamps the Station Allowance program from the current system whereby there is an allotment of $50.00 per sworn firefighter per station which is sued for needed fire station purchases to a more equitable system or realigning the budgeted amount to address the concerns of the smaller and older fire stations. She advised that both negotiating teams have agreed to th return to the bargaining table on October 8 to finalize the remaining language items. She stated that significant progress has been made on the remaining items under discussion and consideration, and are most hopeful that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement will be entered into and approved later by the Board of Public Safety. She stated that both negotiating teams were focused on their primary issues, and both teams were very cognizant of the significant fiscal restraints. She asked the Council for their favorable consideration. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., advised that he was a part of the City Advisory Negotiating Team and is a member of the Common Council’s Health and Public Safety Committee. He thanked the members of the City’s Advisory Negotiating Team and the Fire Negotiating Team for their commitment to working together and resulting in a one (1) year agreement. He noted that everyone involved were focused on the issues at hand and were very aware of the major financial constraints that are facing the city. Councilmember Puzzello, stated that she was a member of the City Advisory Negotiating Team and is a member of the Common Council’s Health and Public Safety Committee. She thanked the Fire Negotiating Team and the City’s Negotiating team for working together to reach this agreement. She reiterated that both sides were fully aware of the financial challenges before them and managed to reach the tentative agreement. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Todd Skwarcan, IAFF Local 362 Vice-President, IAFF, member of the South Bend Fire Department, spoke in favor of this bill. Mr. Skwarcan spoke regarding the rank restructuring and advised that there is currently no one in that rank at the present time. He stated that he is disappointed that a 2 year contract could not be reached, but is glad that this one year is in place and that it keeps staffing at current levels. There being no one else present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this bill, Councilmember Dieter made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 70-09 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA FIXING THE ANNUAL PAY AND MONETARY FRINGE BENEFITS OF POLICE OFFICERS OF THE SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2010 6