01-13-03 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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tommtttee ttport r onn.A1 ands finanot 4ommttt e The January 13, 2003 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member James Aranowski at 4:37 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Kirsits, Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, Kelly, Coleman, Kuspa and White; Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, Terry Bland of the aoud) vIviintrit,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. li Council Member Aranowski noted that the committee members for this year include Council Members King,Kelly, Varner and himself. Council Member Aranowski then called for a presentation on Bill No. 95-02 which would amend Chapter 2,Article 8, Section 2-117 of the South Bend Municipal Code by the addition of a section addressing"Leave of Absence for Military Tour of Duty". Council Member Al `Buddy" Kirsits, the sponsor of the bill, made the presentation. Council Member Kirsits thanked the Council Attorney, Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, for her work on developing the proposed bill. Council Member Kirsits stated that since 9/11 many military reservists have been activated. In his discussions with various city employees he noted that there were no real policies in place. He further noted that the South Bend Fire Department has three (3) firefighters which have been called to duty. Council Member Kirsits then summarized six (6) major features of the proposed ordinance,namely: 1. That it would guarantee thirty (30) days of paid leave commencing with the day following an employee's last day of active employment with the city; 2. That it would guarantee that the employee be paid by a regular bi-weekly paycheck from the city an amount equal to the difference between the employee's gross city wages and his or her gross military wage for active duty; 3. That it would guarantee that any increase in city wages for the position held by the employee activated to military duty be paid as though he or she had not been called to active duty; 4. That it would guarantee a choice of continuing the city's group insurance or elect to be covered by the US government for health insurance coverage; 5. That it would guarantee continued coverage for life insurance and pension benefits, as well as seniority;and 6. That it would provide the restoration to the city position or a position of like seniority, status and pay upon returning from active duty and qualifying for the position. Council Member Kirsits then noted that he had had discussions with Council Member King and the Council Attorney with regard to"friendly amendments"which would further improve the Bill. Council Member King thanked Council Member Kirsits for proposing the proposed regulations, noting that when he was in the service that the federal guarantees helped him substantially.