07-22-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 221 1974 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) that an adjustment should be made. He also stated that several patrolmen have also requested an adjustment. Councilman Miller briefly explained the increment levels and longevity. He stated that the night incentive and hazard pay was proposed to be increased to $240 per year; it was also proposed that hospitalization be set at $3.50 per pay period; and that a patrolman advance to corporal upon three years of satisfactory performance. He stated that the proposals amounted to about a 92% increase for the members of the Police Department. Mr. Charles Mahank, President of the Fraternal Order of Police, stated that the proposed ordinance was not acceptable to the F.O.P. as the association had requested an across - the -board increase for all of its members. Mr. Glen Terry, a policeman, agreed with the principle upon which the ordinance was presented. He stated that he was aware that the Council and the administration wanted the best possible police service; however, he felt the ordinance was not in the best interests of the officers. He hoped the Council would work with the officers to help the community and give the officers a living wage. Mr. Maurice Cohen, 725 East Eckman Street, felt that a $240 increase per year for a policeman was not fair. He talked about the various salaries of the cabinet directors. He felt the dedicated police officers should be given more. He stated that the Police Department was involved in a political game and it was not fair. He briefly talked about a merit system for the department. He stated that the Mayor and Safety Director had not reduced the crime rate - -it was the "police officers walking the beat ". Mr. John Haney, Chairman of the F.O.P. Wage Committee, stated that the Police Chief had been commended for bringing down the crime rate. He stated that the police officers had done that and had not obtained the adequate salary they had hoped for in return. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, presented a statement to the Council members regarding the police and fire salaries. He stated that the concept of granting increases on the basis of years of service was abandoned in 1970 after being in effect several years. He wondered why it was being reinstated at this point. He felt there was much more to being a good policeman than merely spending time on the job. He felt that, if raises are achieved only on the basis of time, there is no real need for personal achievement. He indicated that the association feared the elimination of personal motivation. He urged the Council to think of the total costs and not just the cost of the salary increases. The association also supported the idea that there should be no disparity between police and fire department salary schedules. Mr. John Peck, on the staff of the Economics Department at Indiana University of South Bend, stated that he was a consultant for the F.O.P. He indicated that the police have been asked to be more productive and effective within the past 15 years. He felt the officers had been asked to accept minimal rewards for their efforts. He felt the salaries given the past four years were very inadequate. Mr. John Brassell, a Corporal in the Police Department, felt that the morale of the Police Department was being affected by the salary proposal. He felt the men would not enjoy their work and would not do a good job because of this. Mrs. Janet Allen, 125 West Marion Street, stated that the proposal for the policemen was not fair because it was to be given over a period of four years. She mentioned that several appointed employees in the regular city salary ordinance would be getting a greater increase after only one year of service. Mr. Frank Schaefer, 1241 Sunnymede Avenue, indicated that he was a teacher by profession, and he felt the teachers should back the policemen and firemen in their "quest for a living wage ". Mrs. Elsie Breit, 3017 West Ford, talked about the trashmen within the city receiving $12,000 a year, and the salary for the police officers. Mr. Thomas Dutrieux, a former member of the Police Department, stated that he had recently resigned from the force. He expressed his gratitude to the citizens of South Bend and stated that he regretted leaving but he was offered a higher salary elsewhere. Councilman Serge stated that the officers had been given only a $200 increase last year and had not complained. He felt that the officers should be given whatever was available and equal shares should be given. Councilman Taylor stated that the Council wanted to pay all that could be paid. He stated that the purpose of the ordinance was to set up a career pay program. He indicated that a couple years ago, one of the items mentioned was that "the beginning salary was not all complete lousy ", but he wondered what happened to the officer who was a veteran on the force. There was very little difference between the rookies and veterans. He talked about the career pay program in the teaching field, indicating that, at the time, he thought the program was unfair; however, h felt the program was a good one and it set up a professional program. He hoped the program could go into the Police and Fire Departments, and he felt the veterans should be given what they desery He realized that the younger officers would be disappointed with the proposal but it would benefit them in the future. He referred to the letter submitted by the Civic Planning Association, and he felt that the third paragraph relating to personal improvement and motivation meant nothing. Councilman Szymkowiak felt an across - the -board increase should be given as the only fair way of doing things. He also asked that there be no disparity between the firemen and policemen. Councilman Newburn did not want the remarks made that the Council was trying to deprive the police men and firemen. He felt the educational incentive program was a regressive move. He felt the officers should prove themselves; the officers should be trained; and the officers should be paid according to ability. He stated that an across - the -board increase should be a satisfactory way to handle the matter. Councilman Parent stated that the Council has had many problems in trying to reach an agreement. The pension, re- organization of the department, educational incentive program and the amount of money available have been great problems. He felt the present method of nego- tiating salaries was very inadequate. He felt the proposal of an officer with a college education coming in as a corporal would aggravate the situation. He felt the matter should be studied furth He suggested that the Council not consider the re- organization issue at the present time even though the plan had many merits. He made a motion to amend the ordinance as follows: Amend the salaries to include a $900 across - the -board increase for all officers. Amend the night incentive and hazard pay to $240. The motion was lost due to lack of a second. Councilman Taylor then made a motion that the ordinance be amended as proposed by Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Horvath. Chairman Newburn requested a roll call vote. The motion lost by a vote of five nays (Councilmen Serge, Szymkowiak, Parent, Kopczynski and Newburn) and four ayes (Councilmen Miller, Taylor, Horvath and Nemeth) . Councilman Horvath then made a motion that the ordinance go to the Council with no recommendation from the Committee of the Whole, seconded by.Councilman Miller. The motion carried. Councilman Horvath indicated that he had made such a motion because it appeared the Council could not reach a decision on the salary ordinance at the present time.