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