08-31-59 Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

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Proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard on this Ordinance. II Miss Virginia Guthrie, Executive Secretary of the South Bend Civic Planning Association,asked for permission to read a letter relating to several budgetary items. Permission was granted. The following letter was read: Members of the Common Council City of South Bend, Indiana Gentlemen: August 31, 1959 The change in the law setting salaries of city employees before August 1st is a little in line with the setting many school employees' salaries before the budget is finalized. We do want to comment, however, that the city officials were much more considerate of the taxpayers' ability to pay than the School Board. There are, however, a few places where the salary and duties of the particular position were not clarified at the hearing in July, and it was understood that these would be explained at this meeting. We refer particularly to the Administrative Assistant to the Mayor, the Health Educator in the Board of Health office and the revision of salaries in Urban Redevelopment. Other than these the great majority of the salary increases have been held to the announced $240. so that it is not necessary to discuss these at this hearing. We note that the law is specific in that the salaries so fixed may not be increased or reduced during such fiscal year for which they are set, and the only way to avoid paying a salary is to abolish the position. In addition to specific budget items in several of the offices which we wish to question we ask agains that the Public Health Clinie, as such, be eliminated, that an investigator work out of the Board of Health office and the work handled at the Clinic be taken care of privately by physicians. This recommendation was made several years ago after talking with qualified doctors, and the Secretary of the Health Board said it would be studied. In view of the continuing advances made in the medical field, we believe the doctors should be not only proud but anxious to show faith in the work of their fellow doctors. This also suggests that the work done at the Chest Clinic be handled in the same manner. Great.strides have been made in the reduction and cure of T B and it would seem that a nurse could work out of the Board of Health office without the necessity of maintaining a full -time staff for this one disease. It's entirely possible that such a rearrangement would eliminate the need for an additional full -time nurse on the Board staff, particularly since a Health Educator has been employed. Serious consideration should be given to a sizeable reduction, if not elimination, of the Civil Defense budget, particularly since the Governor has seen fit to place the State National Guard in charge. If the military is to be responsible, then let us return the two officers assigned to this program back to regular police duty and thus increase the effectiveness of this department. Respectfully, SOUTH BEND CIVIC PLANNING ASSN. INC. /s/ M. V. Guthrie Executive Secretary The Budget was read in full and each departmental appropriation was considered individually. OFFICE OF MAYOR Councilman Erler made a motion to amend A -11, Salary of Secretary (Adm. Asst.) by deleting the item. Councilman Muszynski seconded the motion. Motion carried. Councilman Erler then made a motion that the Budget for the Office of Mayor go to the Council favorable as amended. Councilman Glass seconded the motion. Motion carried. OFFICE OF CONTROLLER Councilman Hahn made a motion that the Budget for the Office of the Controller be approved and go to the Council as favorable. Councilman Korpal seconded the motion. Motion carried. OFFICE OF CITY CLERK Councilman Korpal made a motion that the Budget for the Office of City Clerk be approved and go to the Council as favorable. Councilman Christman seconded the motion. Motion carried. OFFICE OF CITY TREASURER Councilman Erhardt made a motion that the Budget for the Office of City Treasurer be approved and go to the Council as favorable. Councilman. Korpal seconded the motion. Motion carried. OFFICE OF CITY JUDGE Councilman Hahn made a motion that the Budget for the Office of City Judge be approved and go to the Council as favorable. Councilman Muszynski seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMON COUNCIL Councilman Muszynski made a motion that the Budget for the Common Council be approved and go to the Council as favorable. Councilman Hahn. seconded the motion. Motion carried. OFFICE OF CITY ATTORNEY Councilman Muszynski made a motion that the Budget for the Office of City Attorney be approved and go to the Council as favorable. Councilman Korpal seconded the motion. Motion carried. OFFICE OF THE BOARD Councilman Korpal made a motion that the Budget for the Office of the Board be approved and go to the Council as favorable. 'Councilman Hahn seconded the motion. Motion carried. SEWER DEPARTMENT Councilman Muszynski made a motion that the Budget for the Sewer Department be approved and go to the Council as favorable. Councilman Korpal seconded the motion. Motion carried. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Councilman Muszynski made a motion that the Budget for the Engineering Department be approved and go to the Council as favorable. Councilman Erhardt seconded the motion. Motion carried.