04-23-09 Personnel and Finance & Health and Public Safety

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Councilmember LaFountain then with a handout to illustrate (attached} detailed costs incurred by several departments beyond the SBPD when special events or visiting dignitaries require special services. As an example he costed the visits of Senator Clinton and Obama during last year's Presidential primary. Karen White asked Police Chief Boykins to share his opinion on whole issue; Chief Boykins said his police dept. provided special services for about 90 events last year for everything from a funeral escort to a wide range of services for visiting dignitaries. These services cost his Police Department budget at least $50,000 a year. He said only two events requesting special services reimbursed the city namely the Sunburst and the Salmon Chase. He also stated the City should welcome visitors and community events like Cinco de Mayo and the above mentioned. He also indicated actual costs for services could be calculated. Because of the tax caps in HEA 1001-08 he endorsed the search for additional revenues. Tom LaFountain then introduced the Mayor to share his thoughts. Mayor Luecke began by referencing City Attorney Chuck Leone's memo (attached) which raises some legal concerns at 29-09 He then asked the Council to please include the administration when calculating and setting fees the City will have to defend and collect. He then introduced Phil Johnson and Jackie Rucker from Notre Dame with whom he had discussions about reimbursement for services N.D. may request. The Mayor said an agreement had been reached with ND and a dollar figure had already been determined. He said these reimbursement dollars would go to the general fund then could be appropriated to the Police Department budget. Councilmember Henry Davis asked what the dollar figure was and how it was determined. The Mayor responded the agreed figure was $37.00 per hour per officer. Councilmember Davis said he was concerned completely recouping the costs fairly and completely. He added as a representative of his district he has a responsibility to citizens to find revenues to support services they have come to expect. A rather contentious back and forth between Davis and the Mayor about which costs should be reimbursed, by whom, and at what level. Councilmember Varner weighed in asking the Mayor if he was comfortable with the fees in the ordinance. The Mayor said no. Councilmember Puzzello who had been a party to wage negotiations last summer said finding new revenues, and calculating costs fairly had been discussed then. Avoiding cuts in the public safety sector was paramount for the Council, she added. Councilmember LaFountain then asked for comment from the public. Mel Reed said the "race issue" is still the most important issue this country faces. He then issued a warning of sorts that if they Council passed this bill prior to President Obama's visit, the 35% or so of African-Americans in the City, might perceive this as racially motivated raising the possibility of a summer of unrest. Mr. Reed asked the Council to hold-off any action until after the Obama visit to Notre Dame. Otherwise he stated, unintended consequences prompted by these racial perceptions could lead to civil disturbances. Charlotte Pfeifer a former 2"d District Councilmember added that while she did not believe the Council had any hidden agenda racial or otherwise, the body should be aware that Obama's visit would be seen around the world. South Bend and its Council would be judged by their reception. Too many perceptions of Obama's visit be they racial, religious, abortion rights, or political were too complicated and volatile to act now. Prudent delay and reflection would better serve the people of South Bend. Sgt. Jim Walsh, South Bend Police Department said he had public safety concerns. While special services should be provided, not getting reimbursed fairly, compromises the Police Department's ability to respond to day to day safety concerns.