HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-25-32 Council Meeting MinutesI I - April 25th, _193?• REGULAR MEETING. '■
MINUTES.
. Be it Remembered that the Common Council of the City of South Bend, State of Indiana,
met in the Regular Session in the Council Chambers in the City Hall,.Monday evenifrg, April
25th, 1932 at 7:50 o'clock P. M.'' All members present. President Nelson presided. The Minutes
of the previous meeting were read and on Motion of Councilman Hull were referred to the •
Committee on the Inspection and Supervision of Minutes. .Motion carried.
CARD OF THANKS.
Gratefully acknowledging and thanking you for your kind e4ression of sympathy. Mrs. Mary
Jaworsk and family. The-Card-was accepteda and ordered to be placed on file.` Motion carried.
REPORT OF THE CITY CONTROLLER -OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND FOR THE MONTH OF PWRUARY 1932:'
Balance on Hand First -of Month ..... ....... ............................... 291, 181.53
Balance Feb. 29, 1932 ..................... ............................... 204 2 0
95 9
Respectfully Submitted, Geo.'A.` Knoblock, City Controller: The report was accepted_ and ordered
to be placed on file. Motion carried.'
REPORT OF THE CITY CONTROLLER OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND "` FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH, 1932.
Balance an Hand First of Month .............. ....... <...... .......... HC�,25:'90
Balance Mar. 31, 1932....:. ...... ....... ............:...........- ...... 214,0 9:.00 •
Respectfully Submitted, Geo. A. Knoblock, City Controller.' The report was accepted and
ordered to be placed on file Motion carried.'
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MINUTES. -
To the .common Council of the City of South Bend:
Your Committee on the inspection and supervision of the minutes, would respectfully repor
that they have inspected the minutesmof the previous meeting of the Council and .found them cor ect
They therefore recommend that the same be approved:' I.' SN.' Cripe, Joseph 00" Jaworski, Julius
Altfeld, Committee.' South Bend, Ind. March 28th, 1932: The,report was accepted and ordered
to be placed on file.' Motion carried.
RESOLUTION. INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMAN-JULIUS ALTFELD
WHEREAS THE SUPREME RULES OF THE UNIVERSE did on the 19th day of April 1932 call to his
reward John Jaworski, dm who for forty years was a loyal and respected citizen of South Bend, •
Indiana,
WHEREAS, the decedent was the-father of Joseph S.` Jaworski, now a member of the Common
Council from the Second Ward of this City,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That we his fellow members in the Common Council extend to
Councilman Jaworski and the other members of the`decedent's family our- deepest sympathy,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution duly certified by the Clerk be
sent to Councilman Jaworski and other members.of the family of the deceased:
On Motion of Councilman Whiteman the Resolution was adopted by a standing vote.' -M JWX3M1 t1301.X
Motion carried:'
MAYOR ' S MESSAGE.'
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TO THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA*
Gentlemen:
This message I am about to deliver to you is in answer to the partial
report of a special committee on City Expenses, which report was submitted
to the Common Council by said committee last Monday evening April 18; 19.32,
and a copy of which was transmitted to me on the following day,.'
Last fall when tax delinquencies were found to be on the rise and it
became apparent that the taxpayers of south Bend could no longer meet the
expenses of a municipal government operating on a -1929 prosperity plane,.
I placed in motion a movement for the retrenchment of all city expenditures.
At that time I promised that the situation would be met by reductions in
operating costs and not through borrowing. All department heads of the
civil city were called upon to submit proposals for reductions in their
departments, the combined total of which was to equal at least $100,000.'This
goal was met and when the announcement was made that the department heads had
successfully met the immediate situation :` I informed them, and the general
public= that they would be called u on to make additional cuts to meet,n
estimated deficit of approximately 12OO'OOOe' for the balance of 1932. This
deficit of ,$200,000.' was estimated on the basis of tax delinquencies
It is to the credit of these men that we have met the situation without
embarrassment to the city or impairment of its credit.
I said at that time I would not demand a reduction of salaries or wages
except as a last resort. This statement of mine was based upon the trend
of public thought at the time.' Since theme however, the industrial and
financial life blood of our city has steadily grown more congested and it is
t #at industry and financial interests are using the reduction of salaries
and wages as a last report.
I have kept in close touch with the probable income of the city and
now believe if we intend to keep the cityts finances in a condition that
will prevent embarrassment and maintain it as an example of careful and
judicious administration, we, too, must follow the trend of the times and do
those things that will enable the city to continue free from embarrassment:
In advocating thAs policy to the Economy Committee, it was intended
that every expenditure be reduced to an absolute minimum and salary reductions
be made to stand the balance of the burden whatever it may be *''
The question involved, of which should be first — cuts in expenditures
or cuts in salaries, is solely a matter of sequence as the need of both is
becoming apparent.`
The merits of the plan to cul all expenditures first and tape up the
balance of needed reductions by making ousts in salaries and wages is a
matter which our administrative departments have given such consideration,
however, in view of the Councilts position as a representative body of the
people and the administrationts need_ of its cooperation in making
reductions of salaries, wages and expenditures, I will.defer to the Council
Judgment in this matter.' = --
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The great need of cooperation between the legislative and administrative
branches of South Bend municipal government in its drive for government
economy and lower taxes, is apparent when an analysis is made of the
division of responsibility for existing salary and wage schedules.`
May I assure the Members of the Common Council of my heartfelt thanks
for their.definite action of the last Monday which makes apparent their
desire to coy- operate with the administration in its program of tax relief fcr
the citizens and taxpayers of South Bend."
The administrations g program for reductions in the budget and tax
rate is, as follows:
(a) Salaries and wages will be reduced to meet present economic
conditions.'
(b) All expenditures of every kind will be reduced to an absolute
minimumx
(c) Municipal government services that can, without injury to the
citizens of the city, will be eliminated.'
(d) New methods of administrative, efficiency will be applied wherever
possible*`
Employees, resulting from elimination of services and new
eff icien.cy .plans, will be dropped from the payroll.'
Regarding definite salary reductions, it will be necessary to first
set out the three classifications of salaries and wages;
1 Sztatutory salaries:
Any.reduction of statutory salaries must be voluntary upon the
part of the office holder.' These salaries are established by the State
Legislature, but must be concurred in by the Common Council through an
adopted ordinance. This ordinance.f fixes the salary for the Mayor, City
Controller; Deputy City Controller; Treasurer; Deputy Treasurer; City
Judge; City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk; Board of Works, its Clerk; Board
of Safety, its Clerk; City Attorney; and the twelve members of the
Common Council.'
2 — Wages and salary schedule by ordinance, other than Statutory;
These wages and salaries are established by the Common Council
through the adoption of an ordinance fixing the wages or salaries to be
paid to the policemen, firemen and other employees.' Reductions for these
employees must be made by the Common Council.'.
3 � Administrative or Budget salaries:
This includes all city employees not covered under the two
foregoing classifications and reductions 0 are subject to administrative orders.
Recommendations for statutory salary reductions:
The law does nofi permit me to order a salary reduction in this
classification except my own personal salary, with this onea execution I
am limited to recommendations and precept'
I have ordered the City Controller, beginning next monthi, to deduct
and retain in the City General Fund 15% of all monthly salary checks due
me, the money derived from this deduction to be used by the City in its
operation and I release the City from all obligations to pay this 15fo
deduction from each salary check due me for the period of this emergency,
and I further recommend to the Common Council, the City Clerk and her
Deputy, the City Judge, the City Controller and his Deputy.* the City
Treasurer and his Deputy, the Board of-Works and its Clerk, the Board of
Safety and its Clerk, and all other employees of the City of South Bend
receiving statutory or fixed contract salaries also to make reductions`!
The direct saving to the taxpayers by a reduction of 150 would be
$10,950., or approximately one half cent in the tax rate.!
The statutory slaries paidto the following off6cers with -the saving
that .would be made by a reduction of 15% is, as follows:
Mayor 7,500.1 at 1Me 1'100.00. (1)
Controller 6,000. at 15% 9
Deputy Controller 2,500.' at 15% 320.`00 �1�
Clerk x-,800.' at 15% 375.'00 (1)
Deputy Clerk 2,500. at 15%
City Judge 6,000.' at 15% 900.'00 (1)
Common Council 1231000.1 at 15% 1,800.;00 (12)
City Attorney 5:
000. at 15% 750.100 (1) ,
.'00
Board of 'forks 10,, 1 3, (3)
800. at 15% 62 20 0.'00 (1)
Clerk n 22000.' at 15% 3
Board of Safety 3, 6o0. at 15% 540000 (3
l e r N 1 500.` at 1 0 27 ?fl (1)'
Clerk 5f
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City Treasurer 6,000.' at 15% 900.00 1
Deputy Treasurer 2,500. at 15� .00 1
73,000.` at 15% $100504
I hope that we have reached the bottom of the depression, but if
conditions continue to grow worse in the coming months, which I trust will
not be the case, it may become necessary ar-A advisable that that the twenty-
nine officers enumerated above join in voluntary reduction of salaries to
the mmnimum. In such event, I would suggest that such necessity, at the time
it develops, be set forth by resolution of the Council, as many of the
twenty -nine officers are elected and not appointed by me. At such time,
other employees than the twenty -nine enumerated could be reduced proportional
ly by ordinance.'
In compliance with the suggestion of your communication to met car
allowances will be eliminated.'
In the appointment of the Citizents Advisory Comm9ttee, called the
Economy Committee by the Common Council, it was intended that this group
of citizens would, after due discussion and investigation, decide which of
the municipal services, now rendered the people of our community they would
bEe willing to forego so as to meet the demand.for governmental retrenchment.'
On next Thursday at 7130 otclock P.' M.'t a regular meeting of this committee
will be held at which time I expect to hear a report containing proposals
of governmental services to be discontinued.! In addition I will expect
to hear from the committee their suggestions as to ways and,means of reducing
other governmental expenditures.'
In. regard to the operation of the Water Department, I expect the same
economy measures therein as in departments supported by taxation.
The Park Department is a separate administrative unit from which we may
I
expect every co- operation in this important task of reducing governmental
expenses and it is my sincere hope that on next Friday evening the Park
Board will hold a meeting and bring all of their expenditures in line with
these suggestions.'
The School Board is also a separate administrative unit froYk which
we already have evidence that we may expect the fullest coy- ►►operation in
carrying out measures of economy consistent with the education of our.
children, and I have condafidence that they will exhaust every means -in 4
helping to meet the situation and to lighten the burden upon the taxpayers
of this city.`
Ma I express to the Common Council and all of the employees of the m
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municipal city. the Park Board, the School Board and the dater Departmen t
my desire and hops they will meet the situation in°a manner befitting {
citizens of our city,
and may be hope that all city employees will meet due consderatio
salary reductions in the..right spirit, izens have been1
iti forced to takeesalaW
fact that thousands of their fellow ces
reductions ranging from the percentage set out herein to the loss of all
income entirely'
In this
hour of the cityts need it behooves all citizenns, whetherof ey.
be employees or not, toskcredityandcreputations shall f remain unimpaired.'
insuring that South Bend -
t is m hope South Bend will be known over the ethisedepressionsw�th
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of the few cities that meets the situation created by and that this
lowered budgetary expense and without resn to u st �
azetialindustries
reputation may be helpful to it inn attra g
seeking new locations. the situate
I close in a spirit of thankfulness peathOur roposals set out herein will
tion without borrowing and the sincere hop
assure a continuance of this program.`
W*' R.' Hinkle
MAYOR.
Dated this 25th day of April, 1932:'
On Motion of Councilman Goetz the Report was referred' to the
Committee on Fees an4 Salaries. Motion carried.
On Motion of Councilman Altf.eld the Council adjourned at 8::20 o' clock P. M.
Motion carried.' i -
STTEST APPR ED
CL _PRESIDENT.
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