HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24-2022 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting Minutes (Signed)OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
D AWN M.Jo Es, CITY C LE RK
PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE JANUARY 24, 2022, 3:30 P.M.
Committee Members Present:
Committee Members Absent :
Others Present:
Presenter:
Agenda:
Chair Sheila Niezgodski*, Vice-Chair Eli Wax*,
Rachel Tomas Morgan*, Troy Warner*
Dr. Oliver Davis
Dawn Jones , Karen White , Canneth Lee , Kacey
Gergely
Stan Parker
Bill No . 01-22 -American Rescue Plan -COVID
Premium Pay Ordinance
Members marked with an asterisk (*) are present digitally
Please note the attached link for the meeting recording:
https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/browse.aspx?dbid=0&mediaid=350197&cr=l
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski called to order the Personnel and Finance Committee at
3:30 p.m.
Bill No. 01-22: American Rescue Plan -COVID Premium Pay Ordinance Text
Committee Member Tomas Morgan motioned to accept the Substitute Bill No . 01-22 , seconded
by Committee Vice-Chair Wax, and carried by a vote of three (3) ayes.
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Committee Member Oliver Davis -Absent
Committee Vice-Chair Eli Wax -Aye Committee member Troy Warner -Absent
Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan -Aye
Stan Parker noted that premium pay will be allocated from the American Rescue Plan funds
received by the City of South Bend from the federal government in 2021. It will be distributed to
essential employees , who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic over a fifteen-month period
from March, 2020 to May, 2021. Three (3) essential steps determined employee eligibility ,
including: (i) ensuring the worker was necessary to maintain the continuity of essential critical
infrastructure operations ; (ii) verifying that eligible work was not performed while teleworking
and involved regular in-person interactions with patients , the public , or coworkers; and (iii)
EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION I INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT
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CITY O F SO UTH BE D OFFICE OF THE CLER K
confirming that premium pay is for workers performing essential tasks during the COVID-19
public health emergency.
Stan Parker emphasized an important change in the substitute version of the bill , which stipulates
that an eligible employee must have been employed by the City as of December 31, 2021, or have
retired or passed away between October 1, 2021 , and December 31, 2021 .
Stan Parker reported that over the stated period, one thousand six hundred and forty-two (1 ,642)
employees worked with the City , but only eight hundred and ninety-five (895) were found eligible
for premium pay based on federal government regulations. Payment is scheduled for the following
employee groups: elected officials -none ; non-bargaining -two hundred and eight (208), sworn
fire -two hundred and fifty-one (251); sworn police -two hundred and nineteen (219); and
teamsters -two hundred and seventeen (217). The total payment to be distributed to these
employees is one million nine hundred six thousand three hundred seventy-five and thirty-one
hundredths' dollars ($1,906,375.31).
The floor was opened for discussion . Vice-Chair Wax asked if the departments understand and
approve of the final determinations . Stan Parker explained that the list of eligible non-bargaining
employees was developed in consultation with department heads and the Mayor's office.
Committee Member Tomas Morgan inquired about the number of employees in the retired
category. Stan Parker clarified that there are only sixteen (16) employees who retired during that
period , and they are included in the total count of eight hundred and ninety-five (895) eligible
employees. Councilwoman Karen · White inquired about the process for identifying the two
hundred and eight (208) employees in the non-bargaining category. Stan Parker clarified that the
department head collaborated with the Mayor's office , adhering to specific criteria outlined by the
Treasury. The primary criterion was whether the employee was required to work in-person over
the period. Councilwoman Karen White further probed if there had been any resistance from
employees who were not selected in the non-bargaining category. Stan Parker emphasized that
while all employ ees are valued, the objective criterion of in-person work carried more weight in
determining eligibility for premium pay. Councilman Canneth Lee sought clarification on the
timeline for rolling out premium pay to employees. Stan Parker confirmed that if the bill passes
on January 24, 2022 , payments will be disbursed on January 28, 2022. Clerk Jones , County City
Building, fourth ( 4 th ) Floor, requested clarity on the initial (1 s t) list of individuals considered in the
elected officials ' category , which Stan Parker provided. Clerk Jones also inquired about the
eligibility ofemployees who worked in the clerk's office, as they alternated between in-person and
remote work during the period . Kacey Gergely , Mayor Miller's Chief of Staff, acknowledged the
oversight and pledged to address the concerns raised by the clerk's office promptly.
The floor was opened for public comment. There were no comments in favor or opposed to the
resolution.
Committee Chair N iezgodski now entertains a motion to send substitute Bill O 1-22 to the
Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation.
Committee Vice-Chair Wax motioned to send Substitute Bill 01-22 to the Committee of the Whole
with a favorable recommendation, seconded by Committee Member Warner, and carried by a vote
of four ( 4) ayes.
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.CIT Y OF SO UTH BEN D I OFFICE OF THE CLERK
Committee Vice-Chair Eli Wax -Aye Committee Member Troy Warner -Aye
Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski-Aye Committee Member Oliver Davis -Absent
Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan -
Aye
With no further business, Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski adjourned the Personnel and
Finance Committee meeting at 3 :57 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Niezgodski, Committee Chair
'.'IOTICE FO R HEARl'.\'G AN D SI G ITT I M PA IRE D PERSONS
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P1 euc g ive Reuona blc Adva nce Rcqu e5 1 wh en Pouible
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