HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-03 Personnel & Finance tommtttee ttport
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The January 13, 2003 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its
Chairperson, Council Member James Aranowski at 4:37 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting
Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Kirsits, Aranowski, Pfeifer, King,
Kelly, Coleman, Kuspa and White; Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt,
Terry Bland of the aoud) vIviintrit,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney.
li Council Member Aranowski noted that the committee members for this year include Council
Members King,Kelly, Varner and himself.
Council Member Aranowski then called for a presentation on Bill No. 95-02 which would amend
Chapter 2,Article 8, Section 2-117 of the South Bend Municipal Code by the addition of a section
addressing"Leave of Absence for Military Tour of Duty".
Council Member Al `Buddy" Kirsits, the sponsor of the bill, made the presentation. Council
Member Kirsits thanked the Council Attorney, Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, for her work on
developing the proposed bill. Council Member Kirsits stated that since 9/11 many military
reservists have been activated. In his discussions with various city employees he noted that there
were no real policies in place. He further noted that the South Bend Fire Department has three (3)
firefighters which have been called to duty. Council Member Kirsits then summarized six (6)
major features of the proposed ordinance,namely:
1. That it would guarantee thirty (30) days of paid leave commencing with the day
following an employee's last day of active employment with the city;
2. That it would guarantee that the employee be paid by a regular bi-weekly paycheck from
the city an amount equal to the difference between the employee's gross city wages and his
or her gross military wage for active duty;
3. That it would guarantee that any increase in city wages for the position held by the
employee activated to military duty be paid as though he or she had not been called to active
duty;
4. That it would guarantee a choice of continuing the city's group insurance or elect to be
covered by the US government for health insurance coverage;
5. That it would guarantee continued coverage for life insurance and pension benefits, as
well as seniority;and
6. That it would provide the restoration to the city position or a position of like seniority,
status and pay upon returning from active duty and qualifying for the position.
Council Member Kirsits then noted that he had had discussions with Council Member King and the
Council Attorney with regard to"friendly amendments"which would further improve the Bill.
Council Member King thanked Council Member Kirsits for proposing the proposed regulations,
noting that when he was in the service that the federal guarantees helped him substantially.
Personnel and Finance Committee
January 13, 2003
Page 2
Council Member King then proposed changes to§ 2-117,q (a) 2 and 3, suggesting that the words
"honorably discharged from such service" be deleted since there are other situations where a
person would leave the service in good standing. He suggested that language such as "released
from active duty in good standing" should be considered instead. He also suggested that the City
should also address the situation that some employees may be killed in the line of duty and that
language should address those instances. He suggested that the Council Attorney prepare
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appropriate language for both paragraphs, which she agreed to do.
The Council Attorney noted that her recent conversations with Council Member Kirsits also
suggested that the Bill be made retroactive to address those employees who were called to military
service in calendar year 2002. She indicated that she would have the appropriate language for
Section III of the ordinance. The Council Attorney also suggested that if the ordinance is passed
that a copy of it be sent to each city employee who was called to active duty.
Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kelly
that Bill No. 95-02 as to be amended be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Aranowski
adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
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