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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-87 Informal Meeting tJmnmtttrr Road INFORMAL MEETING - SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL iDn tie emu= a[oundi of tip ding of Smdli Stub: The August 3, 1987 informal meeting of the South Bend Common Council was called to order at 4: 10 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Puzzello, Serge, Zak,rzewski, Barcome , and Beck; Irene Gammon, Johnnie F. Gunn, Willie Mae Brown , Betty J. Ferraro , Dorothy Metzger , Sharon Zanha , Helen 011aminck, Sandy Dreibeldeis , Lenora Anderson, Miriam Dreibeldeis , Virginia Wolford, Joseph Simeri, Dick Maginot , Margaret Fosmoe , and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand . Councilman Serge noted that the purpose of the meeting was for updating on the crossing guard matter . Mr. Joseph Simeri, the attorney for the crossing guards , then gave a history of recent dealings with the City. He noted that an agreement was negotiated in 1981 between the City and the crossing guards. Since State law would allow guards who did not work during the summer to apply for unemployment compensation, it was agreed that they would forego such filings if they were covered by the City under PERF and offered health insurance coverage. Additionally, increases in salary would be the same as proposed for other City employees. Due to the persuasive powers of the Common Council , they believe the agreement was reached in 1981. In 1981 , sixty-one (61) guards were subject to that agreement . Problems arose in 1983 when the City did not wish to. give the same salary increases to the crossing guards. The Common Council again intervened and Mr. Simeri believes that , due to - their actions, the same increases were received by the crossing guards . He noted that only twenty-eight (28) of the sixty-one (61) crossing guards subject to that agreement in 1981 are still currently employed. Additionally, only a total of forty-six (46) guards are now employed by the City. The new guards do not receive any PERF benefits or health insurance coverage. Mr. Simeri also noted that there was another issue involving the use of substitute guards. Rather than contacting the guard closest to the corner to be covered, a substitute guard is called instead. He did note , however , that the City is not directly involved with the guards as there is a captain of those guards who directly oversees the program. Technically, however , this does come within the jurisdiction of the Police Department. He F.,. •.... MOM. Fuel.t•Nino CO Minutes/Informal Council meeting August 3 , 1987 Page 2 noted that neither the Police Department or the school corporation want the responsibility for the cross guards ; however, everyone wants the crossing guards on the corners. He noted that he has met with all forty-six (46) guards and that all of them want the same benefits, whether they were with the City in 1981 or have been hired since that time. Mr. Simeri noted that he met with Michael Vance and Carolyn Pfotenhauer on July 9 , 1987 and requested that they contact him in response. As of this date, he has not received any such response from the City Administration. He stressed that he desires to amicably resolve the situation before the school year begins. The basic issues are health insurance benefits for ten ( 10) months and PERF coverage. He also noted that there is no termination date in the agreement . It was noted that traffic counts and children counts determine whether a designated corner will , in fact, be guarded. Overall , he believes this to be a matter of fairness and that guards not subject to the 1981 agreement could , in his opinion, file for unemployment compensation . It was further noted that the health insurance coverage would run between $32-$34 per guard per month. Thus, considering eighteen guards for a ten (10) month period, the total cost for insurance would be approximately $5,940.00. Councilman John Voorde noted that he has always been sympathetic to the position of the crossing guards. He believes that the Council should do everything possible to see that the insurance benefits and PERF benefits are made available to the new crossing guards. Councilman Zakrzewski also voiced support for the position of the crossing guards. He noted that they are doing the same job and that , in fairness, there should be equity for all of these individuals. Councilman Barcome also voiced support for the position of the crossing guards. He noted that there is not a lot of money involved and that a letter should be sent to the Mayor expressing the Council ' s position. Minutes/Informal Council meeting August 3 , 1987 Page 3 Mr. Simeri noted that there are presently three (3) classi- fications of crossing guards established by the City, namely: Crossing guard 1 - five (5) to nine (9) hours per week Crossing guard 2 - ten (10) to seventeen (17) hours per week Crossing guard 3 - over seventeen and one-half (17 . 5) hours per week He also noted that there are only a total of five (5) employees in the crossing guard 3 classification. Council President Serge noted that it appears that all of the Council members present are unanimously supportive of the position of the crossing guards . It was suggested that Mr. Simeri provide the Council Attorney with a breakdown of the projected costs involved for both PERF and health insurance coverages as well as a copy of the 1981 agreement so that she and Council President Serge can draft an appropriate letter to the Mayor expressing support for the position of the crossing guards . There being no further business to come before the Council , the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted , Council President , Joseph T. Serge KCF/jy cc : Joseph V. Simeri