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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-51 Council Meeting MinutesREGULAR MEET ING. JANUARY 8TH, 1951 i Be it remembered that the Common Council of the City of. South Bend, Indiana., met in regular session in the Council Chamber, Monday, January 8th, 1951, at 8105 P.M., with all members present. President Niezgodski presided. 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 report that they have inspected the minutes of the previous meetings of the Council and found them correct. They therefore recommend that the same be approved. (Signed) STANLEY C. KORPAL " CLEM NIEZGODSKI Meetings of: December 11th and December 28th, 1950. " W. C. ERLER Councilman Erler made a motion that the report be accepted. Councilman Bestle seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNICATION TO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECRETARIES AND CITY CLERKS: The following resolutions were adopted by the Kokomo City Council on Tuesday, December 26, 1950. They are self- explanatory and we wish to present them to you for similar action if your council should wish to do so. We feel it is an appropriate and far - sighted action and should help to arrive at a solution tb the time problem. December 26, 1950 Whereas:. The time problem is still in great confusion in Indiana and; Whereas: Two of the three time possibilities have not solved the problem and; Whereas: The third possibility - year round eastern standard time - has already satisfactorily solved the same problem in Michigan and Ohio which have practically the same sun time as Indiana and; Whereas: It is a waste of time to rehash all of the old arguments pro and con, and; Whereas: Eastern time according to traffic statisties,.could save up to 200 lives-per year, particularly during the fall and winter months when darkness comes early, and; Whereast We like eastern time in the summer and need it in the winter therefore be it now; RSsolved: That the City Council of Kokomo, acting in behalf of public safety and in desiring to find a solution to the time problem, shall hereby request the Indiana General Assembly to repeal the present unworkable central time law and adopt eastern standard time for the state of Indiana, to become effective not later than 12:01 A.M., Sunday, April 29, 1951; and be it further; `.Resolved: That other cities be encouraged to adopt similar resolutions. Councilman Erler made a motion to refer the resolution to the Grievance Committee for study. Councilman Glass seconded the motion. Motion carried. COMMUNICATION To the Honorable Common Council City of South Bend, Indiana Gentlemen: January 2, 1951 At the meeting of the Council on Monday, December 4, 1950, it was requested that this Company submit a report outlining our plans for improving the.public transportation system of South Bend. This communication is in compliance with that request. Firstly, we wish to go on record as being willing and anxious at all times to render service to the public that is, to the best of our knowledge and ability, not only adequate and efficient, but consistent wit}i sound transportation practices. Anything other than this is tantamount to our saying that we do not wish patronage. Secondly, it must be pointed out, in all fairness to the City Officials of South Bend, as well as this Company, that the criticism of our service was actually induced and accentuated by a comparative few of our own employees who, through a mistaken idea of strategy, used certain tactics in an attempt to destroy the relationships then existent between the public and the Company and to coerce us into re- negotiating the terms of a labor contract recently awarded under due process of law. These tactics also included an attempt, through so- called complaints induced by the actions of these comparatively few operators, to bring your honorable body into the picture as a weapon to force this Company into already settled wage issues. In two separate meetings, including the one mentioned above, it was actually stated by the Union President that, if we would re- negotiate the labor agreement, or agree to do so in the near future, "the cause of these complaints would disappear overnight." This statement, we respectfully contend, removes all doubt as to where to place the responsibility for the actions which brought about your censure and this report. This being the case, as was borne out by the unbiased report of Councilman Glass, Chairman of your Transportation Committee, plus other information now in the hands of interested parties, it is our feeling that this situation merely takes on the aspect of a labor controversy and, as such, should not subject this Company to public censure through the media of public regulatory bodies. In passing,,it must be stated that this so- called strategy on the part of the union is not confined to South Bend, but is a part of a nation wide move to re -open closed contracts. Therefore, it must follow that this Company does not in any way condone the activities, such as discourtesy to or deliberately passing up passengers and other slowing up actions, that actually caused the present report. All of which leaves us in the anomalous position of having to excuse that which we do not condone. As to other factors affecting our operation, it must be stated that no public transportation system in the world can successfully compete, with the adverse weather and roadway conditions prevalent here since November 22nd, or maintain completely efficient service. Certain charges have been made that our equipment is in a deplorable condition by reason of certain shop employees having been laid off. This reduction in force is not the cause of service delays as, of the 13 persons affected by the force reduction, only three were in the mechanical end of the shop, the remainder being washers and cleaners As is usual on all properties, when adverse weather conditions occur, we were prepared to work overtime in order to repair broken springs, burned -out clutches, etc, but, as a part of the aforementioned strategy, our union refuse to allow its members to work overtime in the emergency. Also, in discussions with the union committee they charged us with not having sufficient driving personnel. We stated, correctly, that we were endeavoring to employ additional bus operators, and actually took applications from upwards of 12 men. in the past two months whom. we were prepared to put- to work. The union's answer to that was to refuse to break in new men, for which the regular operators also receive extra pay. Add to these items the fact that weather and roadway conditions, plus the Xmas shopping rush, threw an unprecedentec ten to fifteen thousand additional passengers daily onto our system, and we unequivocably state that, all things considered, the number of bona fide complaints received by this Company was relatively few, and every possible step was taken to remove the cause of those, as is our usual procedure. As to what steps we are taking to improve the service, we wish to repeat that within the next two weeks we have been promised delivery of twenty new large - capacity General Motors Diesel coaches. This equipment will definitely preclude any possibilities of service delays other than those beyond our control by reason of the lesser maintenance and repair problems. Further than this, the new additions to our fleet will provide the latest improvements in public transportation vehicles to our patrons. Also, the increase in the number of buses owned will enable us to utilize the replaced vehicles in emergency movements, or sudden increases in passengers such as recently experienced. Other plans for improved service include programs of so- called refresher courses for all employees which, as has been proven in other cities, will result in marked improvements in operations and employee- public relations generally. Also, a revised system of service requirement traffic checks is being worked out and a resultant revision of our scheduling procedures will take place, which, again, will provide all- around operating improvements. Among other things, it wan suggested that a further fare increase be imposed on the people of South Bend and Mishawaka, in the mistaken belief that it would be productive of sufficient additional revenue to appease our union employees. Aside from the city -wide economic question thus ;,posed, it has been proven conclusively that, in cities where fares have been increased to a multiple coin rate, the drop; in passengers carried have been all the way from 1% to 21%. These drops fore - ordain a like reduction in service if the operating company hopes to stay solvent, and an insolvent public utility is of no use to anyone, including is employees. In closing, we respectfully submit that, coupled with the improvements planned by the Company, if our union would reverse its so- called strategy, and cooperate in every way instead of penalizing the public by its coercive tactics, we would then be in a position to make a substantial improvement in the service and at the present ten -cent rate of fare. if it`be the pleasure of your honorable body that we submit any further information, or appear in person at any time, we shall be most happy to comply with your wishes in the premises. Respectfully submitted, NORTHERN INDIANA TRANSIT, INC. (Signed) R. R. Smith, President " E. G. Crandon, Vice - President & General Manager Councilman Korpal made a motion that the Clerk send a copy of the report from the bus company to all members of the Council and delay action until the next Council meeting. Councilman Kemper seconded the motion. Motion carried. REPORT OF CITY PLAN COMMISSION To,the Common Council City of South Bend, Indiana Gentlemen: Petition of Josephine Korpal for change of zoning of Lot No. 111 in Linden Place Addition from C commercial district to A residence district was given public hearing December 7, 1950. This petition does not ask for change in height, and area district but should be made A height and area district to correspond to the A residence classification. With this modification, the change is recommended. This lot is at the southeast corner of Sibley Avenue and Brookfield Street, Respectfully, D. Moomaw, Secretary 'Councilman Tellson made a motion that the report be accepted. Councilman Korpal seconded the motion. Motion 'carried. 'ORDINANCE NO. 3792 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 37020 COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. . (Lot No. 111 in Linden Place Addition) The ordinance was given first reading by title and second reading in full. Councilman Erler made a motion for suspension of rules. Councilman Glass seconded the motion. Motion carried by a roll call vote of 8-ayes - 0 nays. The ordinance was given third reading and passed by a roll call vote of 8 ayes - 0 nays. 4� REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 8TH, 1951 ORDINANCE NO. 3793 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING CONTRACTS MADE AND ENTERED INTO ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, BY AND THROUGH THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY, AND S -L -A -B CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INCORPORATED, $3,190.00; AND SCHERMAN- SCHAUS- FREEMEN, $2,035.12. The ordinance was given first reading by title -and second reading in full. Councilman Muszynski made a motion for suspension.o£ rules. Councilman Korpal seconded the motion. Motion carried by a roll call vote of 8 ayes - 0 nays The ordinance was given third reading and passed by a roll call vote of 8 ayes - 0 nays.. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE REDUCING CERTAIN ITEMS IN THE 1951 SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, CIVIL CITY BUDGET; AND APPROPRIATING FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF SAID CITY THE SUM.OF TWENTY -ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY -THREE AND 90100 ($21,523.90) DOLLARS; AND ALSO APPROPRIATING FROM THE GENERAL STREET AND TRAFFIC FUND OF SAID CITY THE SUM OF ELEVEN THOUSAND ($11,000.00) DOLLARS, ALL TO CERTAIN OTHER BUDGETARY ITEMS OF THE 1951 BUDGET OF THE CIVIL CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AND DECLARING AN EXTRA - ORDINANCE EMERGENCY. The ordinance was given first reading by title and second reading in full. Councilman Korpal made a motion that the ordinance be referred to the Committee of the Whole for Public Hearing on January 22nd. Councilman Muszynski seconded the motion. Motion carried. President Niezgodski announced the following "Standing Committees for the year 1951 ": 1. WAYS AND MEANS Clem Niezgodski, Chairman Albert Tellson. Alvin P. Kemper 2, STREETS, ALLEYS & BRIDGES Albert Tellson, Chairman Clem Niezgodski Cloyd A. Bestle 3. SEWERS & DRAINS Alvin P. Kemper, Chairman Stanley -rKorpal Chester Muszynski 4. GRIEVANCES Walter C. Erler, Chairman Clem Niezgodski Walter G. Glass 5. ORDINANCES Stanley Korpal, Chairman Alvin P. Kemper Chester Muszynski 6. CLAIMS lklter G. Glass, Chairman Cloyd A. Bestle Clem Niezgodski 7. FEES & SALARIES Chester Muszynski, Chairman Cloyd A. Bestle Clem Niezgodski 8. ELECTIONS Cloyd A. Bestle, Chairman Chester Muszynski Clem Niezgodski 9. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Clem Niezgodski, Chairman Albert Tellson Stanley Korpal 10. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Stanley Korpal, Chairman Alvin P. Kemper Walter C. Erler 11. MINUTES Clem Niezgodski, Chairman Alvin P. Kemper Stanley Korpal Chester Muszynski 12. TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION Chester Muszynski, Chairman Stanley Korpal, Alvin P. Kemper Cloyd A. Bestle Clem Niezgodski President Niezgodski re- appointed Councilman Glass as the Council's representative on the City Plan Commission. There being no further business, Councilman Muszynski made a motion to adjourn, which motion was seconded by Councilman Tellson. Motion carried, and Council adjourned at 8:35 P.M. ATTEST: APPROVED'