07-31-00 Council Meeting minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING JULY 31.2000 Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, met in the Council p.m. Themeetingwas Chambers of the County -City Building on Mondaland the Invocation OOO, tion and Pledge to the Flag called to order by Council President Charlotte Pf eifer were given. ROLL CALL Present: James Aranowski Charlotte Pfeifer Roland Kelly Karl King David Varner Andrew Uj dak Sean Coleman Al `Buddy" Kirsits Karen L. White Absent: None SPECIAL BUSINESS: 1St District Vice - President 2nd District President 3rd District 4th District Sth District 6th District Chairperson, Committee of the Whole At -Large At -Large At -Large ANNOUNCEMENT OF SPECIAL MEETING - AUGUST 17 2000 Councilmember Varner made a motion that the Council conduct a special meeting to be held on Thursday, August 17, 2000, in order to have Second Reading, Public Hearing and Third Reading on the following bill: BILL NO. 59-00 A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FIXING THE ANNUAL PAY AND MONETARY FRINGE BENEFITS OF FIREFIGHTERS OF THE SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR CALENDAR YEARS 2001, 2002, 2003 AND 2004 Councilmember King seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. COMMENTS BY MAYOR STEPHEN LUECKE REGARDING BACKGROUND ON THE LIVING WAGE COMMITTEE AND PROCESS Mayor Luecke informed the Council that this process began long ago and has been the subject of much discussion in the community. He stated that he appreciates the opportunity to report to the Council the findings of the Living Wage Study Committee and has asked Dr. Marty Wilson to highlight the points in favor of the ordinance and Mr. Juan Manigault to highlight some of the committee responses of an opposing view point. He further stated that he will also ask Mr. Hollis Hughes and Mr. Ken Perron to make comments from their perspective as co- chairs of the committee and report the end result of the committee. The Mayor stated that he will then give his response to that report. SUMMARY REMARKS IN FAVOR OF THE LIVING WAGE PROPOSAL Dr. Marty Wolfson, a member of the Living Wage Study Committee, read his written comments. He indicated that the first reason to support the living wage has to do with fairness and justice. A person working hard every day should not have to live in poverty. Secondly, there has to be taxpayer accountability. A Living Wage ordinance does not apply to all businesses but only those doing business with the City. And finally, the Living Wage ordinance has to benefit the entire community. Two (2) objections that were raised against the ordinance most often concerned skill levels and attracting new firms to South Bend. In conclusion, Dr. Wolfson urged the Council to pass the ordinance as submitted.