08-19-01 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 19, 2001 officer with single coverage the increased premiums over this same four (4) year period would amount to about $1,000.00. For family coverage it would amount to about a $2,000.00 increase over the four (4) years. Mayor Luecke noted that there has been an increase in health insurance costs. - Additionally, the City is trying to put the police officers into the same insurance preferred provider organization network as other City employees. Mayor Luecke commended the Council for successful negotiations and for working hard to provide substantial pay increases that significantly raise first class pay and the pension base and also help to provide a quality standard of life for the officers. The cost of the package in this salary ordinance for salary, pension and benefits and other compensation is about $8.1 million dollars over four (4) years. He noted that other City employees need to be provided for as well as continuing to invest in the facilities and equipment and provide other services to the community. The Mayor stated that he believes this is a fair package and he therefore asked for the Council's positive vote. Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand advised that several items have come to her attention in reviewing this substitute bill and she has asked the legal staff present to review their previous copy of the bill as the Council may have received a prior version. She directed everyone's attention to Page 4 Paragraph "L" line 4 where it refers to Fifteen Thousand Dollars and 00 /100 when it should be One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars and 00 /100 for the Operation Safe Neighborhood Reimbursement. In Paragraph "M" the word "to" should be inserted immediately prior to the word "provide" and on Page 5 Paragraph "R" the final version read "qualifying FTO officers" but that needs to be checked. She noted that these items are being brought to the Mayor for his attention as far as technical corrections. Mayor Luecke pointed out that in regards to the Operation Safe Neighborhood Reimbursement, the dollar amount is correct but the verbiage is incorrect. Councilmember Ujdak reminded everyone present that if anyone has questions that they wished to have answered regarding this bill, to make sure they'are asked at this time as they will not have the opportunity to do so under the "Privilege of the Floor" as this is the only bill for consideration and the Council will be following normal rules. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There was no one present wishing to speak in favor of this bill.. The following individuals spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. Tom Leszcz, President, Fraternal Order of Police South Bend Lodge #36, 701 West Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that the FOP will have a membership meeting on Wednesday, August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the lodge bingo hall. At 10:00 p.m. the secret balloting will begin at the police station until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 25``' at which time it will be closed. They are also allowing those officers who cannot make the meeting or the balloting to make out officers reports to put into a sealed envelope to be given to Lt. Rick Bishop. He stated that everyone thinks this is about money. In 1997 Mayor Luecke told him that he would not pay one (1) entity more than another. This is not about money, it is about paying one (1) department more than another. Mr. Leszcz stated that they will reward their friends and defeat their enemies. Mr. Tom Dixon, Attorney for FOP Lodge #36, no address given, stated that the Mayor advised that over four (4) years a first class patrolman is going to see $15,000.00 in new dollars under this bill. However, in his computing he does not see that number and therefore he takes issue with any characterization by a public official that says there is going to be this much more money for the first class patrolman. He noted that what the City is offering and what the Council is voting on is a pay increase of $7,500.00 with $1,200.00 transferred from the current pockets of the first class patrolman and the other officers on the department through their clothing, gun and radio allowances. This offer is $6,300.00 over four (4) years which is equivalent to a four per cent (4 %) pay increase.