HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-05 Personnel & Finance and Health & Public Safety r r
Joint Meeting of the Personnel&Finance Committee
and the Health&Public Safety Committee
2005 South Bend Common Council
The September 19, 2005 joint meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee and the Health
and Public Safety Committee was called to order by Health and Public Safety Committee
Chairperson, Council Member Karen L. White at 5:02 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting
Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Pfeifer, Puzzello, Dieter, Varner, Kuspa,
White, Kirsits, and Rouse; Mayor Stephen Luecke, City Controller M. Catherine Fanello, City
Attorney Charles Leone, Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Fire Chief Rick Switalski, Police
Chief Thomas Fautz,Division Chief Rick Kilgore,Fire Union Lodge # 36 President Ken Marks,
Ben Noell, Thomas "Chip" Lewis III, Fire Union Spokesperson; City Clerk John Voorde,
members of the news media and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
Council Member White noted that two (2) bills are pending before the Committees namely
Substitute Bill No. 50-05 which would establish annual pay and monetary fringe benefits for
members of the South Bend Fire Department and Substitute Bill No. 51-05 which would
establish annual pay and monetary fringe benefits for members of the South Bend Police
Department(copies attached).
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, the Council's Agent/Negotiator, reported that Substitute Bill No.
50-05 would implement the City's last, best and final offer of September 1, 2005 which was
tentatively agreed to by the Fire Union Negotiating Team on that date. That offer reflects a 2%
increase in 2006, a 2.5% increase in 2007 and a 3.5% increase in 2008, all of which would be
across the board for all ranks of sworn firefighters. She added that the City Advisory
Negotiating Team and the Fire Union Negotiating Team met on September 15, 2005 and
discussed an"If Ratified" offer which if approved would have placed an additional 1% increase
effective July 1,2006,which would then be compounded in the base increases in 2007 and 2008.
In light of the package not being ratified, the September 1st last, best and final offer is set forth
in the proposed ordinance. She further added that in 2007, a one-time amount of$13,500 would
be added to the station allowance which would be divided equally among the fire stations.
Fire Chief Luther Taylor thanked both Negotiating Teams for their "good efforts" and hard
work. Chief Taylor stated that we must move ahead positively and requested that the ordinance
be approved by the Council.
Mayor Stephen Luecke commended both Negotiating Teams. The Mayor noted that the City is
faced with many challenges in light of escalating gasoline costs and natural fuel increases; and
health insurance increases. He stated that he would support this financial package.
Fire Union Spokesperson Thomas "Chip" Lewis, III stated that both Negotiating Teams worked
very hard, however the end result does not reflect that hard work. He believes that both sides
"went that extra mile" and were creative. He stated that he supports the ordinance as a result of
the efforts made.
September 19,2005 Joint Committee Meeting of the Health&Public Safety Committee and the Personnel&Finance Committe-Page I-
Council Member Kuspa, a member of the City Advisory Negotiating Team made a motion,
seconded by Dr. Varner that Substitute Bill No. 50-05 be recommended favorably to Council.
The motion passed.
Council Member White then called for a presentation on Substitute Bill No. 51-05.
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, the Council's Agent/Negotiator, stated that Substitute Bill No.
51-05 sets forth the"If Ratified"Offer which was presented to the FOP Negotiating Team by the
City Advisory Negotiating Team in their meeting of September 15th. As a result of the
ratification vote the ordinance is drafted to reflect a 2% increase effective January 1, 2006 with
an additional 1% increase being prorated for the last six(6)months of that year; a 2.5% increase
in 2007; and a 3.5% increase in 2008. Additionally the proposed ordinance would make
increase recommended by the Police Administration which address increase shift incentives;
seniority shift incentives; would create new specialty pays for Uniform Crime Scene
Technicians, Uniform Sergeant Prop-pay, and the Rapid Response Team (CUT); as well as
increase pay for the field training officers. The Tuition Reimbursement Program would be
expanded to include reimbursement of 50% of tuition costs for a "C" up to $500. In light of
DROP, the ordinance would permit a new lateral entry bonus ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 for
qualified persons from other law enforcement departments who wish to join the South Bend
Police Depai tinent. She noted that professionalism of all members of the City Advisory
Negotiating Team; the Fire Chief and Police Chief and their staff; and the negotiating teams
representing the sworn members of the police and fire departments; and recommended that the
joint committees recommend the substitute bill favorably to Council.
City Attorney and Board of Public Safety Agent Charles Leone noted that the negotiations were
creative and that they will be ongoing with regard to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Mayor Luecke thanked the team members, noting that this is a difficult financial year for the
city. He stated that the team operated in good faith and that their was open discussion by all.
Police Chief Thomas Fautz stated that he was impressed by both sides, noting that the FOP is
dedicated to doing what must be done to make the department better.
Council Member White, a member of the City Advisory Negotiating Team thanked the members
of all of the negotiating teams for their efforts. She noted that it is a tough year with regard to
financial resources. She noted that their was openness and professionalism throughout. She
thanked everyone involved in the process,noting that it required a significant time commitment.
Council Member Rouse made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kuspa that Substitute Bill
No. 51-05 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Fire Union Lodge# 36 President Ken Marks noted that he was"personally vilified" as a result of
"derogatory marks"make about him. He stated that he did not intimidate anyone and that he has
always told the good and the bad. He stated that he will "not sugar coat" a situation and that the
bottom line always be the truth.
Dr. Varner noted that he had been in contact with a firefighter recently and that he remarked that
Mr. Marks was always"straight forward" in his remarks with regard to the proposed package.
September 19,2005 Joint Committee Meeting of the Health&Public Safety Committee and the Personnel&Finance Committe-Page 2-
There being no further business to come before the joint committee meeting, Council Member
White adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
C uncil Member Karen L. 'te, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
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Attachments
September 19,2005 Joint Committee Meeting of the Health&Public Safety Committee and the Personnel&Finance Committe-Page 3-