HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25-2022 Personnel and FinanceOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
DAwS M. om,s, CITY CLERK
Personnel and Finance Committee April 25, 2022, 3:30 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Sheila Niezgodski, Eli Wax, Rachel Tomas
Morgan, Henry Davis Jr., Troy Warner
Committee Members Absent: Aaron Steiner (Excused)
Other Council Present: Karen White, Sharon McBride, Canneth Lee
Other Council Absent: None
Others Present: Dawn Jones,
Presenters: Kacey Gergely
Agenda: Bill No. 18-22 Ordinance to Declare Juneteenth a City Holiday
and to Amend South Bend Municipal Code.
Full audio dialogue of the meeting is available upon request from the City Clerk's Office.
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski called to order the Personnel and Finance Committee
Meeting. Aaron Steiner is absent. Quorum is present and one excused absence.
Bill No. 18-22
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski states the presenter is present, Kacey Gergely.
Kacey Gergely, Chief of Staff for the mayor, offices on the 14`h floor, presenting council Bill
No. 18-22 to amend the South Bend Municipal Code to officially recognize Juneteenth as an
official city holiday. Last year Biden had declared this a federal holiday. The ordinance will
increase the number of city holidays from nine (9) to ten (10). After that the resolution will
go through the Board of Public Works to officially set the date for Juneteenth. We will be
following up with the Council with a resolution acknowledging that the date has been set and
the process is completed. The hope is to finalize this process this year and to be able to
acknowledge Juneteenth this calendar year as an official holiday.
Committee Chair Niezgodski requests questions from the council.
Committee Member Eli Wax asks what the budgetary impact will be.
Kacey Gergely states, the office will find out.
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Council Member Lori Hamann asks what the celebrations for the holiday look will like.
Kacey Gergely, states, Mayor Mueller wrote that as apart of the cover letter of this ordinance.
He acknowledges that it is a day of reflection and action. There are already community events
planned. We are not sure of they are officially city sponsored. We will look into it.
Council Member Karen White states, the resolution before us is in support of the most recent
action by our current president. The number of organizations in this community are already
planning for celebrations (i.e. Black Expo.). We have come together in the past at the Charles
Black Center. I hope that there is away that the city can join in those efforts.
Committee Chair Niezgodski, states that the President does observe this holiday. It is
important to take those same steps to recognize the importance of Juneteenth in our
community.
Committee Chair Niezgodski requests any one in favor from the public wishing to speak in
favor of Bill No. 18-22 and anyone wishing one to speak from the public in opposition. Chair
requests any statements from the Council.
President Sharon McBride states, I am excited to know that we are following the President's
initiatives. We have been celebrating Juneteenth for several years in the city of South Bend.
To see this as a minority that this day will be recognized, we are making strides. For the
administration, to come and ask us to recognize such an important day in the emancipation of
slaves is paramount to our community. I am in support of the resolution.
Council Member Wax states, I would support making Juneteenth a holiday by the city but not
without knowing the what the budgetary impact would be. It is our responsibility to know the
facts of the bills that we passed. I won't be supporting it as of now but looking forward to
getting that information and supporting it at that time.
Committee Chair Niezgodski, states, I would now entertain a motion regarding Bill No. 18-
22.
Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan moves that we send Bill No. 18-22 to the
Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation.
Committee Member Troy Warner, Seconded.
Committee Chair Niezgodski states, the motion has been moved and seconded. Clerk Jones,
roll call committee.
Clerk Dawn Jones responds, with three (3) ayes and (2) nays.
Committee Chair Niezgodski states, Bill No. 18-22 will be sent to the Committee of the Whole
with a favorable recommendation.
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Adjourned,
Resp ctfullyASS bmitted,
Sheila Niezgodski, Committee Chair
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