10-20-75 Council Meetin Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 20, 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) nine and fifteen, with the average age around twelve to thirteen. Councilman Serge indicated that his group was self- supporting, and he wanted to see this type of program on a city -wide basis. Mr. Gagnon agreed, indicating that he supported this concept; however, there were just not enough citizens interested who had the time to get involved in such a program. He talked about the employment program which involved youth sixteen years and older. Council President Parent made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $4,000.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS MERIT STUDY COMMISSION FUNCTIONS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Michael Carrington, Director of the Department of Public Safety and Chairman of the Merit Plan Study Commission, made the presentation for the ordinance. He stated that the commission had been established by Council ordinance. He talked about the testing and evaluation program which was mandated by that ordinance. He stated that the Merit Plan Study Commission was directed to devise the tests to be utilized and that a grant had been received in the amount of $16,000 for that purpose. By 1976, all procedures would be developed and the sum of $4,000 was needed to accomplish this. He talked about the study material which must be supplied to the officers and the cost involved in this. He indicated that the Merit Plan Study Commission was comprised of three members appointed by the Council, three by the Mayor and three by the Bureau of Police. Councilman Kopczynski wondered what provision was being made by the commission to put the police- men on an equitable basis for promotion. Mr. Carrington indicated that that was the intent of the ordinance. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that there have been officers, particularly in the last 12 years, who have never been given the opportunity to receive special training. He stated that these officers would automatically be at a disadvantage. Mr. Carrington indicated that 40% of the total score on the testing would come from performance evaluation; 20% from police knowledge; 20% for situational testing; and 20% for oral interviewing. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if the commission would stay with the spirit of the ordinance, and Mr. Carrington stated that he felt the commission was operating in a non - partisan and objective manner; however, he indicated that there were no guaranties. Councilman Taylor referred to Councilman Kopczynski's remark and concluded that he had been indicating the very thing that the commission was attempting to end - -the spoils system. Councilman Kopczynski felt some of the abuses during the last 12 years would be locked in. Councilman Nemeth made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Council President Parent. The motion carried, with Councilman Kopczynski opposing. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $115,000 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FUND TO ACCOUNT NO. 260.1, "ARCHITECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT FEES AND EXPENSES ", AN ACCOUNT WITHIN THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM F.A.75, "CIVIC CENTER CONSTRUCTION ", TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He stated that he felt this particular program had been well explained many times in the past. He referred to the letter of October 1, which indicated that the sum of $115,000 would be the last request for 1975 from revenue sharing funds and would be used for architect and construction management fees. He stated that the out- standing balance of $315,671 of the Council's original $2,000,000 commitment had been included in the 1976 budget. Mrs. Janet Allen, 125 West Marion, indicated that every item on the agenda for this particular meeting had been funded by revenue sharing. She wondered what would happen when the funds were no longer available. She wondered if this particular item could be postponed so that the revenue sharing funds could be used for something which was needed at this time. Chairman Newburn stated that the Council was well aware of the fact that revenue sharing funds would not be available in the future. Mr. Farrand indicated that the Civic Center project was not an on -going program. Councilman Nemeth wondered how much money would be left in 1975 revenue sharing after the passage of this particular ordinance. Mr. Michael Vance, Chief Deputy Controller, indicated that there would be a balance of $300,000. He stated that everything for 1976 had been committed. Councilmal Nemeth wondered when the last payment would be received, and Mr. Vance stated that October of 19761 would be the last payment received by the city under revenue sharing. Council President Parent made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Serge. The motion carried. There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, Councilman Kopczynski made a motion to rise and report to the Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. ATTEST: n ATT CITY CLERK CH9I1ZXW( -- " L '� — I