01-10-2022 Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 of 4 On June 28, 2021, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, passed Ordinance No. 10785-21, which created the American Rescue Plan Fund (#263) for the City of South Bend. Fund #263 is to be used “for the purpose of receiving federal assistance under the ARP Act and distributing those funds in accordance with the ARP Act and all other relevant federal and state guidelines.” (Section I of Ordinance No. 10785-21). In consideration of the requirements of the ARP Act and the Mayor’s designation of eligible employees, this ordinance appropriates Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000) from Fund #263 for the purpose of making one-time payments of premium pay to employees of the City of South Bend who performed essential work by providing critical services to protect the safety and welfare of South Bend’s citizens or who helped maintain continuity of operation of essential critical infrastructure during and after the shut-down of the City in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These employees faced heightened risk to their own health and safety in the performance of essential services and are qualified by federal guidelines to receive premium pay under the eligibility standards of the ARP Act. This ordinance is in the best interest of the citizens of South Bend and in grateful acknowledgement of essential work performed by the City’s public safety, solid waste, and other City employees during the COVID 19 health pandemic. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana as follows: SECTION I. The recitals set forth in the Statement of Purpose and Intent of this ordinance are true and accurate and are incorporated herein by reference. SECTION II. Consistent with the most recent authoritative guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury or other applicable federal agency, the Administration and Finance Department shall make payments in the following manner: 1. The City of South Bend shall issue one-time premium pay up to the Maximum Amount (as defined below) for each eligible employee, subject to the following conditions: a. To be eligible for premium pay, an employee must (i) have been employed by the City at some time during the 15-month period from March 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021 (the “Qualification Period”), and (ii) have been employed by the City as of the date that premium pay under this Ordinance is issued, unless he or she died, or retired as recognized by the Public Employees’ Retirement System, after October 1, 2021; and b. The amount of premium pay to each eligible employee will be determined by the ratio of the number of whole or partial