06-27-77 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 27, 1977 Council Member Adams indicated that the Council does not know exactly how much is available. She asked the controller to explain this situation. Mr. Peter Mullen, City Controller, in- dicated they would not know until at least the end of this month exactly how much funding the City would have in 1978. He said they would not know the exact amount until they receive certif cation from the State. Council President Parent asked police officer Wells how this year's negotiations differed from the last year. Officer Wells indicated there was very little differei He said that year after year they are promised that if they do a good job they will be rewarded.; He indicated they could not negotiate any part of their package until they know a firm figure. Council President Parent indicated he was particularly concerned about the word being spread than the Council was not negotiating in good faith, or not negotiating at all. He said in the past we have always been able to compromise and this year's process should not be any different. He said that $800 is around six percent of $13,000 and equivalent to what the Administration is proposing. He said the $400 was discussed for the higher ranks because they received large in- creases last year. He said the lower end of the scale would receive less primarily because of the pension. He asked the Mayor how much money would be available if the Council were to apply his recommendation across the board. Mayor Peter J. Nemeth said the Administration obviously would not propose something if they could not fund it. He said the six percent across the board is what the Administration feels could be funded. He said it was up to the Council to carry out the negotiations. Council Member Adams indicated that taxes might have to be increased to meet the six percent salary increases which would cost $850,000, including fringe. Mayor Nemeth in- dicated he did not know what the budget was going to be, but there was a possibility that taxes would have to be increased. Council Member Adams asked if when they were negotiating with the Teamsters, money was set aside for police and fire. Mayor Nemeth indicated that since this was up to the Council, he felt it best to leave it to the Council. Council Member Serge discussed all fringe benefits the Police Department receives from the tax role. Council Member Kopczynski discussed the crime reduction and asked how much "Sting" contributed to the reduction. Chief Borkowski indicated that was very difficult to determine. Mr. Edward Jerzak, Jr., 1914 Kemble, indicated to the Council that he was beaten by the police and showed his wounds to the Council. Council President Parent asked Chief Borkowski to send him a report on this incident. Mrs. Jane Swan, 2022 Swygart, indicated the citizens were apprehensive about reporting harrassment, becaus they were afraid of retaliation from the police. She indicated that the people are outraged by the petty action of the police. She said this was a blatant attempt to make this look like it was the fault of the Council. She said she had never heard any Council Member promise rewards for a lower crime rate. SheZaid the decline in crime is a nationwide trend and South Bend-.is not unique. She said the Council will not be stampeded into action that will -harm the City. She said if the Mayor does not take action, then the people of the City will have to let the Mayor know they will not be harassed by the FOP. She said that many members of the police force do no live in South Bend and do not pay taxes. Mr. Paul Bognar, 807 W. Washington, indicated that police and fire negotiations caused the problem that New York City and San Francisco is now facing. Mr. Franklin Morse, President of the Board of Public Safety, indicated that he, and the two other members of the Board of Public Safety, were out -of -town last week. He said when he returned he read in the paper that he would be asked to explain the silence of the Board of Publ Safety. He said he did not consider the Board of Safety answerable to the Council. He said they should work hand -in -hand on any mutual problem that confronts us. He said he has asked Chief Borkowski to make a full report of any unethical problems with any police officer in the past three days. He said the Board of Public Safety was going to pass a resolution that if any member of the public feels there is misconduct by any officer during this period we want to know about it and we will deal with it fairly and severely. He said the police cannot strike and the only recourse was "slow down ", "blue flu" or "speed up ", and he felt that the speed up was the best course to take. He said he thought everyone concerned should get back to the negotiating table. Mr. Harry Dieter, 1030 Birchwood, indicated he has had a problem with the Police Depart- ment for several months. He wanted to know who a person could turn to, to get answers from the Police Department. Mrs. Betty Andrzejewski, 2922 Bonds, indicated there has to be a middle somewhere, if the police speed up there are complaints and if they slow down there are complaint Mr. John Radzikowski, 625 N. Brookfield,.spoke in favor of the Police Department's request for a raise. Council President Parent indicated that most.of the Council felt the Police Department was comprised of good employees. He said he was proud of the Police Department. He said he would support higher salaries for.any City employee. He said he would work very hard to support the police and he hoped the Council can give them as much as possible. Council Member Taylor made a motion to recess, seconded by Council Member Serge. The motion carried and the meeting recessed at 7:30 p.m., and reconvened at 8:00 p.m. Council Member Adams made a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Counc: Member Dombrowski. The motion carried. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Be it remembered Whole on Monday, Adams presiding. BILL NO. 24 -77 that the Common Council of the City of South Bend met in the Committee of the June 27, 1977, at 8:04 p.m., with eight members present. Chairman pro tem A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING THE LEASING OF WATERWORKS FACILITIES OF CLAY UTILITIES, INC. Council Member Kopczynski made a motion to send this bill to the Utilities Committee, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motion carried, with Council Members Szymkowiak and Miller opposing. BILL NO. 25 -77 A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, APPROVING THE LEASING OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES OF CLAY UTILITIES, INC. Council Member Kopczynski made a motion to send this bill to the Utilities Committee, seconded by Council Member Dombrowski. The motion carried, with Council Members Szymkowiak and Miller opposing. BILL NO. 26 -77 A BILL APPROPRIATING $92,985.00 FROM FUND 30, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE DEPRECIATION FUND OF THE BUREAU OF WATER, TO LINE 30.0710, COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS BUILDING STRUCTURES AND IMPROVEMENTS, ALL FUNDS BEING WITHIN THE BUREAU OF WATER OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND.