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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-28-2024 Personnel & Finance Committee Meeting Minutes (Signed) •� TH w a . rcAcr. x x 1865 OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK BIANCA L. TIRADO, CITY CLERK PERSONNEL& FINANCE October 28, 2024, 4:00 P.M. Committee Members Present: Sheila Niezgodski, Troy Warner, Canneth Lee, Rachel Tomas Morgan, Karen White, Angela Smith Committee Members Absent: Ross Deal Others Present: Bianca L. Tirado, Elivet Quijada-Navarro, Matthew Neal, Talia Thornton, James Luk, Bob Palmer Presenter(s): Kyle Willis Agenda: Bill No. 61-24—Firefighter Salary Ordinance (Substitute) Members marked with an asterisk (*) are in virtual attendance. Please note the attached link for the meeting recording: httns://docs.southbendin.2ov/WebLink/browse.asnx?dbid=0&mediaid=387104 Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski called to order the Personnel & Finance Committee meeting at 4:03 p.m. Substitute Bill No. 61-24—Firefighter Salary Ordinance Committee Member Karen White motioned to accept Substitute Bill No.61-24, which was seconded by Committee Vice-Chair Troy Warner and carried by a vote of six(6) ayes, with one (1) committee member absent. Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Committee Vice Chair Troy Warner—Aye Committee Member Canneth Lee -Aye Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan—Aye Committee Member Karen L. White -Aye Citizen Member Ross Deal -Absent Citizen Member Angela Smith-Aye Kyle Willis, City Controller, with offices on the 12th floor of the County-City building, stated that this bill addresses the salary structure for sworn members of the South Bend Fire Department. It authorizes a ten percent (10%) salary increase for firefighters, along with a two thousand five- INTEGRITY I SERVICE I ACCESSIBILITY Elivet Quijada-Navarro Matdiew Neal Talia J.Thoniton Q-IIEF OF STAFF/QUEF DEPUTY QTY CLERK DEPUTY QTY CLERK/DIRECTOR OF POLICY DIRECTOR OF SPEQAL PROJECTS EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 1227 W.Jefferson Blvd.I South Bend,Indiana 46601 1 p.574.235.92211 f.574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK hundred-dollar ($2,500) residency bonus. The bill also eliminates the third-class firefighter position and raises the starting pay for recruits from forty-eight thousand dollars($48,000)to fifty- six thousand dollars($56,000). This adjustment comes because of successful negotiations, leading to a one-year contract between the union and the fire department. Eric Griffin, President of Local 362 Portage Fire Fighters Union, expressed gratitude to the Council during salary negotiations. Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan inquired about longevity pay for firefighters with over twenty-five (25)years of service, specifically, whether it is awarded at the twenty-five (25)- year mark or upon retirement. Eric Griffin clarified that it will be granted after completing twenty-five (25)years and will be provided as an annual stipend, as this milestone is tied to the pension base. Committee Member Tomas Morgan also asked about longevity pay for those with less than twenty-five (25)years of service. Griffin explained that different tiers exist for varying years of service, noting that the twenty-five (25)-year increase was the only adjustment made during these negotiations. Committee Member Canneth Lee expressed appreciation for the long hours dedicated to facilitating these meetings and expressed hope for even greater collaboration next year. He noted that prior to these negotiations, their union was ranked forty second (42"d) in the state for salary but has now moved up to sixteenth(16th). This improvement is expected to lead to an increase in recruitment efforts. Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke. Committee Member Lee motioned to send Substitute Bill No. 61-24 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Member Karen White and carried by a vote of six (6) ayes, with one (1) committee member absent. Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Committee Vice Chair Troy Warner—Aye Committee Member Canneth Lee -Aye Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan—Aye Committee Member Karen L. White -Aye Citizen Member Ross Deal -Absent Citizen Member Angela Smith-Aye With no further business, Committee Chair Niezgodski adjourned the Personnel & Finance Committee meeting at 4:12 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, j4u- ,t/ ' Sheila Niezgodski, Committee Chair NOTICE FOR HEARING AND SIGHT IMPAIRED PERSONS Auxiliary Aid or Other Services may be Available upon Request at No Charge. Please give Reasonable Advance Request when Possible EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 455 County-City Building 227 W.Jefferson Blvd. South Bend,Indiana 46601 p.574.235.9221 f.574.235.9173 www.southbendin.gov