09-30-10 Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 situation. He stated that when discussions began on the 2011 Budget back on September th 27 at the Council Committee Meeting that the employees of the City are an asset to the City. The City believes that they need to invest, protect and retain those assets including the employees through the agreements that have been recently ratified through the Police and Fire Departments. In early 2010 as the City began contemplating what can they do what they can afford? They looked at wage increases for the non-bargaining employees, why simply one word “fairness” For a group that back in 2009 had received no increase despite the fact that Police, Fire and Teamsters did. In 2010 the Teamster received and increase, the Police and Fire did not receive a wage increase had received an economic increase with phase one of rank restructuring. The City believed that a 2% increase in the proposed budget was initially discussed with the Council early on in the 2011 Budget determination. Because the city viewed this as an important measure to do, out of fairness, that they made it a priority to do, to find the money within the context of the budget. The budget that they presented to the Council is a balanced budget and they believe therefore has provided the funding within it to demonstrate that this is a reasonable and necessary expense. Councilmember Henry Davis doesn’t exactly remember it happening like that. He did remember something from the Administration coming to the Council to pass it, vote it down or make concessions. He stated that he cannot continue to be in favor of a budget or a process that has not produced the outcomes that the citizens of South Bend need. He stated that he truly believes that the city employees are hard workers; however, we do not or have not produced reasonable measureable outcomes for the city. So we should not do business as usual. Councilmember Davis stated that he is not in favor of this bill. Councilmember Varner stated that there are monies available to give these raises in the budget. Department Heads could give raises if they want. He questioned why it was reported this way. Councilmember White stated that she believes the non-bargaining employees provide much needed services to the citizens of South Bend. She stated that the Council is appreciative of those employees. She noted that the salary amounts are budgeted at the maximum amounts; some however are receiving below those budgeted amounts. She asked Mr. Zientara for data showing how many employees are making below their maximum budgeted salary amount. She stated that the Council took the heat and stood up for the tax increases so that the residents of South Bend would not receive a reduction in their core services. However, she stated that without the data that she is looking for on how many employees are not making their full budgeted amount, she cannot make an accurate decision on this bill tonight. Councilmember Oliver Davis questioned whether the Council has to take any action tonight. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney stated that the Council would be setting a precedent. Councilmember Rouse stated that if this bill is voted down there is still money administratively to give non-bargaining employees a raise. Mr. Zientara advised as he stated in the Committee Meeting earlier today. There are two elements. The larger element is that a non-bargaining employee today on September 30, 2010 is paid less than the 2010 salary ordinance there is more predominance that person is paid less not because the department head brought them in at a lower level but because their salary was frozen in 2009, and in 2010 and did not receive an increase until mid- year. So the predominance of the reason is not because the department head chose to pay beneath but because at least one year of their salary was frozen. 8