02-09-98 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 9. 1998 John Broden, Fourth District John Hosinski, At Large Rod Sniadecki, At Large ATTEST: Loretta Duda, City Clerk Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor Kathleen Cekanski - Farrand, Council Attorney A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Council Member Pfeifer read the resolution. She informed the Council that Indiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Communities is providing a grass roots support effort during the 1998 legislative session. She reported that two of their primary goals include protecting against the tobacco industry's attempt to strip local communities of their right to protect children and adults from second hand smoke; and to restore local communities right to regulate the sale, display and distribution of tobacco products by supporting the repeal of preemption language currently contained in SEA 106. She advised the Council that this resolution sets forth health information resulting from the use of tobacco. Council Member Hosinski made a motion to adopt the resolution, seconded by Council Member Aranowski. The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of eight ayes. RESOLUTION NO. 2553 -98 A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, URGING THE INDIANA STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS SENATE BILL NO. 120 ADDRESSING PENSIONS FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS Whereas, the South Bend Common Council has been apprised that Senate Bill No. 120 which would amend Title 36 of the Indiana Code addressing police and firefighters' retirements has been introduced for consideration by the 110th General Assembly of the State of Indiana; and Whereas, the Senate Bill provides in part that a member of the 1977 Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension and Disability Fund would be eligible to retire at the age of 52; and further provides that a police officer or firefighter of said fund would be able to receive reduced benefits if he or she retires at the age of 50; and Whereas, this Senate Bill would also provide that a member of the 1925, 1937 or 1953 fund who converted to the 1977 fund who retires or becomes disabled on or before June 30, 1998 would be treated as a member of the 1977 fund; and Whereas, that since the benefits for converted police officers and firefighters are funded on a pay -as- you -go basis, significant savings to the City of South Bend would result over the next five (5) years if Senate Bill No. 120 is passed. Now, therefore, be it ordained by the Common council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana urges the Indiana General Assembly to enact Senate Bill No. 120 addressing police and firefighters' retirement. Section II. Senate Bill No. 120 contains two (2) major and significant parts, namely: 1. It would change the requirement for retirement from age 55 to age 52 so long as the police officer or firefighter has at east twenty (20 years of credited service and permitting an early retirement at age 50 with at least twenty (20) years of credited service with reduced benefits; and 2. It would transfer the liabilities for former converted plan members of the 1977 Plan who become benefit