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The April 23, 2001 joint meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee and the Personnel and
Finance Committee was called to order by Health and Public Safety Committee Chairperson,
Council Member Andrew Ujdak at 5:10 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Aranowski, Pfeifer, King, White, Coleman,
Kelly, Varner, Ujdak, and Kirsits; Citizen Member Isabele Gonzalez; Mayor Stephen J.
Luecke,Fire Chief Luther Taylor; Deputy City Attorney Thomas Bodnar, Battalion Chief Jim
Lopez, Jon Hunt, Terry Bland of the ,OUt 7 Iffitra ' ribUUt, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,
Council Attorney.
Council Member Ujdak noted that the first item on the agenda was to discuss Bill No. 38-01 which
is a request to appropriate$ 14,685 from Fund#289 addressing the Hazmat Fund.
Battalion Chief Jim Lopez made the presentation. He noted that the appropriation is necessary to
purchase hazmat equipment which is detailed on the attachment to the ordinance.
Citizen Member Isabele Gonzalez inquired about the training for the hazmat team and the proposed
lap top computer. Battalion Chief Lopez noted that those dollars are in the Fire Department's
operational budget. The computer in the hazmat truck would also remain in use,however the need
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for a lap top is also necessary.
Council Member Kirsits noted that he is a member of the South Bend Fire Department, however
based on an opinion from the Council Attorney he does not have a substantial conflict of interest on
this Bill and would participate in the discussions and voting on it.
Following discussion, Council Member Kelly made a motion, seconded by Citizen Member
Gonzalez that Bill No. 38-01 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 39-01 which would appropriate $ 16,265 from Fund #
291,the Indiana River Rescue Fund.
Battalion Chief Lopez made the presentation. He noted that the appropriation is necessary in order
to purchase the items listed on the attachment to the proposed ordinance. He noted that the monies
are from the tuition fees to run the school.
In response to questions from Citizens Member Gonzalez, Chief Lopez noted that 1 boat was
purchased in 2000, 4 boats were purchased in 1998 and 3 "John Boats" were purchased in 1997.
In response to a question from Council Member Ujdak, Chief Lopez noted that all obsolete
equipment is sold at auction by the City.
Council Member Kirsits noted that there was a great deal of interest shown during the bidding on
the obsolete equipment and boats.
Citizen Member Gonzalez inquired as to when the River Rescue Schools would be offered this
year by the South Bend Fire Department. •
Health and Public Safety Committee
April 23, 2001
Page 2
Chief Lopez also responded that the River Rescue Schools will be held on:
June 4th---8th,2001
September 10th --14th,2001
as well as the last week in September. Participants come from Canada, Costa Rica, South
American and throughout the United States. 200 were turned away last year; and over 100 have
been turned away so far this year.
Council Member Kelly noted that such schools provide a positive image of the great programs
which our Fire Department has. The Fire Department's website has also gotten excellent reviews.
Citizen Member Gonzalez inquired about providing extra classes in light of the demand.
Chief Lopez stated that the week-long classes go from 6 am to 10:30 pm each day, and that to
increase from three (3) schools per year to 4 to 5 schools per year would be extremely taxing on
the instructors.
Following discussion, Citizen Member Gonzalez made a motion, seconded by Council Member
White that Bill No. 39-01 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed.
Council Member Ujdak then called for presentation on Bill No. 01-41 which would appoint
an
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advisory city negotiating team to represent the city administration and the Common Council for the
Police Department negotiations.
Thomas Bodnar, Deputy City Attorney made the presentation. He stated that he had telephone
Council Member Ujdak earlier and advised him that he would be bringing a substitute bill for the
Council's consideration (copy attached). Mr. Bodnar noted that the title of the Resolution would
be amended by including the appointment of a negotiator, that John T. Neighbours as the
negotiator would be added to Section I, that Section II is entirely new and that former Sections II
and III would be renumbered. Mr. Bodnar stated that because the negotiating team does not
operate in a democratic way since the Spokesperson does the majority of the talking, that he
believes the amendments are necessary.
Council President Pfeifer stated that regular meetings and updates must take place between the
Council, the Board of Public Safety, the Police Administration and the City Administration in order
for the negotiations to be successful. She inquired whether the resolution must be acted upon this
evening.
Mr. Bodnar stated that the City is already on a tight schedule and would need to compliment Mr.
Neighbours schedule.
Council Member Kirsits voiced concern about the proposed substitute resolution, noting that he
has never met Mr. Neighbours and that the resolution appears to give far more authority to him
than what may be necessary. He also noted that he hoped that the City Administration was not
attempting to repeat the process which was in place in 1986 when an outside negotiator was hired
and tension mounted resulting in very difficult labor negotiations.
Joint Meeting of the Health and Public Safety Committee and the Personnel and Finance Committee
April 23, 2001
Page 3
Citizen Member Gonzalez inquired as to whom Mr. Neighbours was. Mr. Bodnar stated that he is
an attorney with Baker&Daniels who has offices in Indianapolis.
Council Member Aranowski stated that he had been in contact with a couple of clients who had
used Mr. Neighbors as a negotiator and that they were satisfied with his work.
The Council Attorney noted that the Mayor had inquired of her as to possible amendments which
she would propose to address the concerns raised by the Committee Members. Mrs. Cekanski-
Fan-and stated that in the past, an agency relationship was created under applicable state law
enabling the lead negotiator who worked closely with the City Negotiating Team; who then
worked within the goals established by the Common Council,the Board of Safety,Department and
City Administrations. She further noted that language requiring regular and consistent meetings
with all of those entities could also be incorporated into the Resolution to ensure proper
communications.
Council Member Kirsits again voiced concern about the substitute resolution.
Following discussion, Council Member White made a motion, seconded by Dr. Varner that Bill
No. 01-41 be amended to incorporate an agency relationship and the requirement of regular
meetings and communications in person by Mr. Neighbours and the City Negotiating Team with
the Council, Police Administraiton and designated City Adminstration. The motion passed with
Council Member Kirsits voting in opposition.
Council Member King then made a motion, seconded by Citizen Member Gonzalez that Bill No.
01-41 as to be amended be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed with Council
Member Kirists voting in opposition.
Mr. Bodnar stated that he would attempt to have the resolution with the new language ready for
this evening's Council meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Council Member Ujdak adjourned
the join committee meeting at 5:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Andrew Ujdak, Chairperson
Health and Public Safety Committee
Council Member James Aranowski, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
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