04-26-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING APRIL 26, 2010 Whereas, the Common Council acknowledges that the Board of Public Safety has certain responsibilities over the Police and Fire Departments under Indiana Code § 36-8- 3-2; and Whereas, the Common Council received a letter from the Vice-President of the South Bend Firefighter’s Association Local 362, and anticipate similar requests from representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police, South Bend Lodge No. 36, and Teamsters Local Union No. 364, with each union requesting to begin labor negotiations; and Whereas, this Resolution will formally appoint the South Bend Common Council’s Agent and Chief Negotiator on all matters of compensation and all other monetary items subject to the upcoming negotiations with the Negotiating Teams representing the sworn members of the South Bend Fire Department and the South Bend Police Department; and the Teamsters; and Whereas, the Common Council is mindful of past successes where a Chief Negotiator acts as the Council’s Agent in representing their interests, who would in turn appoint an City Advisory Negotiating Team and work with the Board of Public Safety’s Agent for police and fire negotiations; would work with the Board of Public Works’ Agent and City Negotiating Team for Teamster negotiations; and provide regular updates to the Common Council during executive sessions called for the exclusive purpose of discussing strategy with regard to collective bargaining pursuant to Indiana Code § 5-14- 1.5-6.1(b)(2)(A); and Whereas, the City Advisory Negotiating Teams shall not be considered a “governing body” or “public agency” under Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-2; and Whereas, the South Bend Common Council believes that the adoption of this Resolution and the upcoming process will promote positive and harmonious labor negotiations. Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, appoints Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, a local attorney, as its Agent and Chief Negotiator for the upcoming labor negotiations with Fire Negotiating Team, representing the South Bend Firefighters’ Association Local No. 362 of the International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO; with the Police Negotiating Team, representing the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 36; and for the upcoming labor negotiations with the Teamsters Negotiating Team representing the city employees who are members of Teamsters Local Union No. 364. Mrs. Cekanski-Farrand shall be the City’s Chief Spokesperson and negotiator concerning all matters related to annual compensation, specialty pays, monetary fringe benefits, working conditions and related items which have a fiscal and/or budgetary impact with regard to the police and fire negotiations; and shall act in an advisory capacity for the Teamsters negotiations to the City Negotiating Team. Section II. The Council’s Agent shall coordinate matters of strategies, research and background preparation, negotiation times, scheduling of executive sessions, contacting resource persons and other matters in consultation with the South Bend Common Council and City Administration. The Council’s Agent shall work closely with the persons appointed to the City Advisory Negotiating Team and shall coordinate and work closely with the Board of Public Safety’s Agent and Chief Negotiator throughout the upcoming negotiations. The Council’s Agent shall provide assistance to the City’s Chief Negotiator and City Team for Teamsters negotiations. Section III. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. 10