12-14-09 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 14, 2009 BILL NO. 101-09 FIRST READING ON A BILL TO VACATE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY: THE FIRST EAST/WEST ALLEY SOUTH OF WASHINGTON STREET FROM TAYLOR STREET TO THE FIRST NORTH/SOUTH ALLEY FOR A DISTANCE OF 115.5 FEET, MORE OR LESS AND A WIDTH OF 14 FEET BEING PART OF VAIL’S SUBDIVISION, PORTAGE TOWNSHIP, CITY OF SOUTH BEND, ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, INDIANA This bill had first reading. Councilmember Varner made a motion to refer this bill to the Public Works and Property Vacation Committee and set it for Public Hearing and Third Reading on January 11, 2010. Councilmember LaFountain seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of eight (8) ayes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Henry Davis wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. He stated that he looks forward to working together for a fruitful 2010. He stated that he has hopes for new business to locate in South Bend and thinks that the green technology field is the way to go. NEW BUSINESS Councilmember Rouse stated that he attended the Solid Waste Management District Meeting under the direction of the New Director Randy Przybysz. Councilmember Rouse stated that he and Councilmember Karen White are planning to revisit the Tax Abatement Ordinance in 2010. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR COMMENTS FROM MR. JEFFREY GREEN ON WRONGFULLY BEING FIRED FROM THE SOUTH BEND STREET DEPARTMENT Jeffrey Green, 814 E. Jefferson Boulevard, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he has been working for the Street Department for 8 ½ years with no disciplinary write ups until he was wrongfully terminated. He stated that he was under the head of Sam Hensley and witnessed countless abuse of authority and nepotism. He stated that he was under retaliation and the EEOC said it was against the law. He stated that instead of waiting for things to happen to him, because he did not cause the problem but would like to initiate solutions. He stated that he is being forced to go on nights this winter and he said that he has seniority over twenty employees. He stated that he is forced to work for a manager who at the time was the supervisor who fired him. He believes that this is a conflict of interest. He stated that he is asking the Council for protection and help with this situation so he can continue to provide a job for himself and his family just like any other man of integrity would. He stated that GOD is the head of his life and will continue to keep his faith in him and be the man that he has called him to be. He stated that the EEOC gave examples of retaliation as any aspects of employment being hiring, firing, paid job assignments, promotions, lay-offs, training, fringe benefits, any other terms or conditions of employment. There was a particular sewer insurance adjuster job that was previously held by an employee who passed away. He stated that position was not posted for anyone to apply for it was just given to someone. He stated that was a slap in his face and feels that could be a form a retaliation, because he feels that he is just as qualified as anybody else and never got to go through the interview process. He feels like they have sewer department guys who are on Street Department stand-by that have less seniority than him. The whole thing is that you put your time in and want to have seniority and use it to your advantage and the advantage of seniority is so that you don’t have to go on 19