Amending Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-10 Addressing Standing Committees of the Common Council

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BILL NO. 81-91 ORDINANCE NO. g a 3 7-9 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2-10, ADDRESSING STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The nine (9) standing committees of the Common Council have proven to be clearinghouses of information on a multitude of proposed ordinances sent to such committees for review and recommendation. An area, however, which warrants improvement, is the role of the citizen members to such committees. This Bill would provide a viable mechanism for citizen input through the committee structure. It would provide a more viable reflection of public input on issues, by providing citizens with a vote. The Bill would also limit the Council President's vote to being cast at Committee meetings, only when needed to break a tie. All Council recommendations would be advisory to the full Council. It is believed that this Ordinance would be in the best interest of the City by improving the day to day operations of the Council Committees. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, as follows: Section I. Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 2-10, of the Municipal Code of the City of South Bend, Indiana is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 2-10. Standing Committees of Common Council; Titles and Responsibilities. (a) There shall be nine (9) standing committees organized within the City Council. Each committee, except the Council Rules Committee, shall consist of not less than three (3) council members each. The Council President shall serve on all standing committees, and shall not vote except in the event of a tie or when present to constitute a quorum of the committee. Council members shall be appointed as herein provided by the President of the Common Council. Each committee, except the Council Rules Committee, may also have not more than two(2) citizen members. (b) The citizen members of the standing committees shall have been residents of the City of South Bend for not less than one (1) year prior to appointment. Such citizen members shall continue such residency as qualification for membership on the committee, with such residency being verified through the voter registration records of the County. The citizen members of the standing committees shall serve without compensation for one- year terms, with each appointment expiring by the first meeting of the new calender year. (c) Citizen members shall be appointed by the Chair Person of the standing committee. In making such appointments, the Chair Person shall assure that the citizen members are broadly representative of the South Bend Community. (d) Any citizen member vacancy of the standing committees shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. A vacancy shall be deemed