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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 24, 2016 to reward those who are doing a wonderful job training the new officers. Other incentives include the military incentive pay. This agreement will meet our three (3) goals. Ken Glowacki, South Bend Police 701 West Sample, stated he would speak about the reasons behind the different incentives. Right now the number of sworn officers is at two hundred and forty -one (241) officers, we had budgeted two hundred and fifty (250). Going forward we know we are going to lose eight (8) officers next year who are in the drop plan, this makes it imperative to try to retain the officers we have. Eighty (80) officers have more than twenty (20) years of experience who could retire at virtually any time. We need to put incentives behind our experienced officers to get them to stay on the force while at the same time we need incentives to make sure we are recruiting new officers. The way seniority works, usually the new officers end up on second and third shifts. To make sure they feel rewarded for the time they had to spend on those shifts, we added incentives. Scott Ruszkowski, South Bend Chief of Police with offices at 701 West Sample South Bend IN, stated he has been working on negotiations for twenty (20) plus years on all sides of the table. It is a whole different perspective coming into the negotiations as a Chief. It is unprecedented to have a four (4) year contract but it was a painstaking process. There was a lot of behind the doors arguments over the structure of what we were trying to do because this is something we have never done in our Department. We were really trying to look towards the future and think about what 2050 look like. We need to prepare now to benefit the citizens and police in and beyond 2050. Chief Ruszkowski thanked Mr. Glowacki for all the hard work he put in on this agreement making the numbers work. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked if the presenters fully believe this is the best way for our Department to attract and retain police officers. Chief Ruszkowski responded it is the best we can do with what we have. We had to lower our personnel to even get to this point. Compared to any place around here, this deal is well above and beyond. We did a lot of research to make sure we are equal or above the other departments in the area. It is not just about money but the want for officers to be there. The money is a large portion of that but it's not the entire picture. We haven't significantly done the reward in the past and that is what we looked for in this package. Those from the public wishing to speak in favor of the bill: Ted, last name inaudible, FOP #36 with offices at State Road 23 25327, stated he is the treasurer and wage team member. This is a pretty comprehensive package, it was pretty painstaking for us to get here. However since it has been presented to our members, there has been lots of great feedback and some are saying it is the best package they have seen. We are losing officers on a daily basis that go to these other agencies and since this agreement has been out he stated he has had members of other departments start looking into coming to our department. It has been a great incentive to accomplish the three (3) goals that the Chief mentioned. It is a great way to hold the longevity in our force. Those from the public wishing to speak in opposition: Sharon Banicki, 3822 Ford Street, stated she is speaking against this because she is opposed to the small amount of the raise in this agreement in light of the fact that the Council is looking at much larger increases for other special groups of people. To give the officers so little is abhorrent. They are more important than these special people that are looking for double digit raises. She asked who do people call when a house is on fire, or you are being robbed and someone is chasing you down the street. Two percent (2 %) is not enough. Councilmember Karen White made a motion to send Substitute Bill 59 -16 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Oliver Davis seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 61 -16 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL. OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, 9