2023 Department of Law Annual Report

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• Bianca Tirado City Clerk,South Bend, IN Passed Legislation ➢ Rental Safety Verification Program. Ordinance No. 10933-23,amended the existing RSVP ordinance to clarify the process and improve efficiency in the application of the program. ➢ Fire Salary Ordinance. Ordinance No. 10981-23, in addition to setting wages for the Fire Department in 2024,corrected the calculation of longevity pay to align with state law,current practice, and the intent of the City and the Fire Department during collective bargaining negotiations in 2021. ➢ Stormwater Ordinance Amendment. Ordinance No. 10990-23 implemented a simplified rate structure for non-residential stormwater utility customers. The simplified structure was necessary due to challenges in implementing an impervious-surface based rate into the current billing and account management software. ➢ Responsible Bidder Ordinance Amendment. Ordinance No. 10975-23 included updated apprenticeship requirements for certain bidders on public works projects and increased the minimum threshold for applicability of the ordinance from $150,000 to $250,000 in order to provide more opportunities for small or first-time bidders. Collective Bargaining Agreements The Legal Team negotiated several Memoranda of Understanding with Teamsters Local 364 in 2023,including: • MOU with the Venues Parks &Arts Work Group to incorporate employer-paid training together with a retention period for employees receiving employer-paid training. • MOU with the Equipment Services Work Group to correct a scrivener's error regarding the hourly rate of the Machinist IV and V employees. • MOU with the Neighborhood Services and Enforcement Work Group,Venues Parks& Arts Work Group,and Equipment Services Work Group to provide incentive pay to employees with a Commercial Driver's License. • MOU with Teamsters Local 364 to clarify the application of job readiness pay,including when it is payable and when employees become eligible for payment. Enduring Financial Strength The Department of Law supports responsible collections practices, a thorough property damage recovery practice, economic investment, and important partnerships to enhance the City's financial strength. In 2023,the Department of Law collected$207,707.63 for violations of the City's ordinances on behalf of the City's various Departments, Boards, and Commissions. Additionally, the Legal team collected$181,180.28 in its efforts to hold people accountable for damage to City property. 6 I P 2