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SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 17.2000 <br />Councilmember Varner noted that Mr. Stein made it clear to the Council that the pension base was <br />a priority issue and it is easier when people are straight forward and make those points obvious in <br />the initial stages. <br />Councilmember Kelly stated that he is pleased that the situation has been resolved . He noted that <br />the City team wanted to do the best job it could in increasing the pension base and providing a good <br />contract for the firefighers. He stated that the firefighers deserve to be treated as well as the City <br />possibly can. The City bargained hard but always bargained in good faith. He thanked Mr. Leon <br />Stein and Mr. Fred Jaronik and the entire negotiating team. <br />Council President Pfeifer thanked everyone who participated especially the Council team. She <br />thanked them for working hard and keeping good communication with the Council. <br />This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and <br />opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. <br />Mr. Mike Damian, 1648 North Wellington, South Bend, Indiana, a member of Firefighters Local <br />#362 informed the Council that he has a letter from Firefighter Mark Catanzarite who is on duty this <br />evening. Mr. Damian read the letter from Mr. Catanzarite. He noted that the firefighers have paid <br />their dues, they have gone too long without and they have made sacrifices in their personal lives. <br />They realize that the increase in the pension base is one of the most significant increases ever. <br />However, asking the rank and file to fund a portion of these raises with increases in insurance costs <br />and decreases in holiday pay seems unfair. He proposed that the Council pass an amendment to give <br />increases in the years 2002 and 2003 to the ranks of engineer and captain. <br />Mr. Fred Jaronik, Vice - President, Local #362 thanked the Council for remembering the firefighters <br />that preceded him and all the active members that are now retired. He hoped that they could revisit <br />some of the things in the language as it is right now because some things are not aligning properly. <br />There was no one else present wishing to speak to the Council in favor of this bill and there was no <br />one present wishing to speak to the Council in opposition to this bill. <br />Councilmember Ujdak thanked members of both teams. He stated that he has a great appreciation <br />for and what the firefighers do as great public servants. He further stated that the City stepped <br />forward and did the right thing and is on the right path. The two (2) issues that have been discussed <br />that were important are the pension base and everyone was united on that front. The other issue was <br />shift strength and the issue of public safety. ' The Health and Public Safety Committee is pledging <br />itself to monitor that on a monthly basis to make sure that they are staffing the department at the <br />appropriate levels. Councilmember Ujdak offered an open door at all times from the committee to <br />the members of the union and the department to keep discussions going. In conclusion, <br />Councilmember Ujdak thanked Council Attorney Cekanski- Farrand for her efforts as well as Mr. <br />Stein and Mr. Jaronik and the rest of the team. <br />Therefore, Councilmember Aranowski made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council <br />concerning this bill. Councilmember Kelly seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of <br />seven (7) ayes. <br />RISE AND REPORT <br />Councilmember Coleman made motion to rise and report to the full Council. Councilmember <br />Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. <br />ATTEST: <br />