2012 Annual Report - Conucil Rules Committee

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4p4T yf�j 'e; 2012 Annual Report of the Council Rules Committee South Bend Common Council Date: November 28,2012 To: The South Bend Common Council The Office of the City Clerk From: Council President Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson Council Rules Committee I am pleased to file this 2012 Annual Report of the Council Rules Committee in order to comply with Section 2-10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal Code. That Code provision requires all Standing Committee Chairpersons to file an Annual Report with the Office of the City Clerk by the 2nd Monday of December. As noted at the November 26th Common Council meeting, the deadline for filing all of these reports is Monday, December 10, 2012. Duties: The Council Rules Committee is charged with the following duties of overseeing the rules governing the members of the South Bend Common Council. 2012 Committee Members: The members of the Committee this year included: Council Member Dr. Fred Ferlic Council Member Dr. David Varner, Vice-Chairperson Council Member Karen L. White Council President Derek D. Dieter, Chairperson Pursuant to the South Bend Municipal Code, this is the only Standing Committee where no citizen members are permitted to serve. Committee Meetings and Highlights of Topics: To date, the Council Rules Committee has met seven (7) times, with additional Council Rules Committee scheduled for today and also on December 10, 2012 to hold public hearings on Bill No. 63-12. That proposed ordinance, is perhaps one of the most important actions required of the Common Council. It would formally establish the boundaries of the six (6) Councilmanic Districts. Such legislative action is required to take place during the second year after the year in which a federal census was conducted. A 5- person Special Advisory Committee chaired by former 4th District Council Member Karl G. King, with Council Member at Large Karen L. White, Jesusa Rivera, Theresa Sedlak, and Jack L. Smith appointed as members, have been working diligently. Their work, as evidenced by meticulous data and maps which meet the Indiana state law criteria, were posted on the City's website and have been on file in the Office of the City Clerk since mid-November. The work of these volunteers is truly appreciated and will greatly assist the Council on this critical legislative task. The focus of the Council Rules Committee this year, has been to continue to make upgrades which would improve and enhance the efficiencies of the Council. Last year, we worked with the City Administration