03-22-99 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING MARCH 22, 1999 who receive financial assistance from the City of South Bend should be enacted by the South Bend Common Council; and Whereas, the City of South Bend has a history of responsibly and accountably considering issues of great importance with thoughtful consideration, thorough investigation, and public participation in the hope of acting in the best interests of South Bend and its citizens. Now, therefore, be it Ordained by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The Common Council hereby resolves to support the formation of a "Living Wage Study Committee: to be appointed by Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. Section II. The Committee shall include but not be limited to citizens from the community representing the St. Joseph Valley Project, organized labor, the Chamber of Commerce, human resource professionals, financial assistance recipients, small business, higher education, social services, and the Common Council. Section III. The Committee's mission will be to make recommendations to the Mayor and the Common Council regarding proposed standards for a "Living Wage Ordinance." Should the Committee deem that a living wage ordinance should be enacted. Section IV. The proposed time frame for making recommendations will be six (6) months from the adoption of this resolution. Section V. The living Wage Study Committee shall report monthly on its activities to the Common Council, through the Council's Community and Economic Development Committee. Section VI. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor. ATTEST: s/Loretta J. Duda, City Clerk /s/ Sean Coleman Member of the Common Council s /Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Council President Coleman made the presentation for the resolution. He advised that the model for the proposed committee was the Casino Gambling Committee. Council Member Varner made a motion to amend Section 3 by adding "Should the Committee deem that a living wage ordinance be enacted." in the third Whereas remove the word "responsibility ", and correct its' to its wherever it appears in the resolution, seconded by Council Member Kelly. The motion carried. Dan Lane, co -chair of the St. Joseph Valley Project, indicated he supported this resolution. Gladys Muhammad, 510 Kaley, indicated was speaking for the Urban League, and they supported a living wage. Marty Wilson, 809 Park Avenue, an economic facility member at Notre Dame, commended the Council for this constructive step. He indicated that a living wage is desperately needed in the City. He advised that the real value of the minimum wage has fallen 38 %, and the productively has increased 52 %, and if the minimum wage had increase to meet the productively the wage would be $11.20. Rebecca Johnson, 1454 Sorin, president of the NAACP, advised that they supported the living wage ordinance. She indicated South Bend has been a society of the working poor. Charlotte Huddleston, 211 S. Michigan, indicated she was a product of the working poor and she supported this proposal. Dave Menzer, co -chair St. Joseph Valley Greens, indicated they endorsed the living wage, since it was essential to the community. Patrick Bannon, 506 N. Lafayette, reported that he had to leave the area to get a poverty level job in Elkhart. He indicates he did not think it should take six months to study the living wage. Mike Mather, pastor of Broadway Christian 3