07-28-97 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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aCommftUt Z sport: Personnel and Finance Committee "e0 the Common tountfl of the City tg of south 1stut': The July 28, 1997, meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Aranowski, Pfeifer, Broden, Varner, Ujdak, Coleman, Hosinski; Terry Bland, Ann-Carol Simmons, Cathy Dempsey, Thomas Bodner, Cathy Roemer, Cynthia Robinson, Amy Olson citizen member, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 64-97 which would establish Police salaries and monetary fringe benefits for the South Bend Police Department for calendar years 1998 through the year 2001. Council Member Coleman called upon the City Council Attorney who was the Chief City Y Negotiator on behalf of the City Negotiating Team to make the presentation. Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand then reviewed Bill No. 64-97 (copy attached). She noted that this is the first four year contract in the history of the South Bend Police Department. It was ratified by the vote of the F.O.P. 166 to 83. She then highlighted the new concepts which are a part of the overall package which include a new fifth shift,a new seniority-shift incentive premium, new critical duty pay stipends, a new wellness and fitness program, a new zero tolerance drug policy, and a new body armour quarter master system. She then briefly reviewed the salary increases proposed for each of the ranks. Cynthia Robinson a Watch Captain spoke in favor of the proposed bill. Council President Kelly stated that this was a most difficult negotiation. He noted that public safety service is essential to the community and he complimented both the F.O.P. negotiating team headed by Leo Blackwell as well as the city negotiating team headed by the Council Attorney for their professionalism throughout the negotiation process. Council Member Pfeifer stated that the proposed packaged further promotes safer neighborhoods in light of the quality public safety services being provided. She complimented the F.O.P. for moving forward with a zero tolerance with regard to drug deterrence. Council Member Hosinski stated that in his opinion he believed there was a communication breakdown with regard to information being provided to the City Council Members. He further stated that he was pleased to hear that there was a tentative agreement but he would have preferred to have heard it directly rather than through the newspapers. The Council Attorney noted that in light of the sensitivity to all issues and the misinformation that had been provided when the first tentative agreement was reached,that limited information and no handouts were provided to any individuals to allow the F.O.P. to have their informational meetings.