08-03-87 Informal Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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tJmnmtttrr Road INFORMAL MEETING - SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL iDn tie emu= a[oundi of tip ding of Smdli Stub: The August 3, 1987 informal meeting of the South Bend Common Council was called to order at 4: 10 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Puzzello, Serge, Zak,rzewski, Barcome , and Beck; Irene Gammon, Johnnie F. Gunn, Willie Mae Brown , Betty J. Ferraro , Dorothy Metzger , Sharon Zanha , Helen 011aminck, Sandy Dreibeldeis , Lenora Anderson, Miriam Dreibeldeis , Virginia Wolford, Joseph Simeri, Dick Maginot , Margaret Fosmoe , and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand . Councilman Serge noted that the purpose of the meeting was for updating on the crossing guard matter . Mr. Joseph Simeri, the attorney for the crossing guards , then gave a history of recent dealings with the City. He noted that an agreement was negotiated in 1981 between the City and the crossing guards. Since State law would allow guards who did not work during the summer to apply for unemployment compensation, it was agreed that they would forego such filings if they were covered by the City under PERF and offered health insurance coverage. Additionally, increases in salary would be the same as proposed for other City employees. Due to the persuasive powers of the Common Council , they believe the agreement was reached in 1981. In 1981 , sixty-one (61) guards were subject to that agreement . Problems arose in 1983 when the City did not wish to. give the same salary increases to the crossing guards. The Common Council again intervened and Mr. Simeri believes that , due to - their actions, the same increases were received by the crossing guards . He noted that only twenty-eight (28) of the sixty-one (61) crossing guards subject to that agreement in 1981 are still currently employed. Additionally, only a total of forty-six (46) guards are now employed by the City. The new guards do not receive any PERF benefits or health insurance coverage. Mr. Simeri also noted that there was another issue involving the use of substitute guards. Rather than contacting the guard closest to the corner to be covered, a substitute guard is called instead. He did note , however , that the City is not directly involved with the guards as there is a captain of those guards who directly oversees the program. Technically, however , this does come within the jurisdiction of the Police Department. He F.,. •.... MOM. Fuel.t•Nino CO