10-09-17 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING October 9, 2017 This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill,proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none from the public wishing to speak in favor of or opposition to this bill. Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to send Bill No. 61-17 to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Karen White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 62-17 PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE FIXING MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND NON- BARGAINING EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2018 Councilmember Karen White, Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee, reported that they met this afternoon and send this bill forward with no recommendation. Jeri Hockenhull, City Controller, with offices on the 12th Floor of the County-City Building, South Bend, IN, served as the presenter of this bill. Ms. Hockenhull stated, We have submitted our list of online bargaining and appointed salaries, with a majority of them at two percent(2%). Those that were over two percent (2%) and the new positions were listed separately on a list given to the Council on September 25th, 2017. I would also like to point out that within the wording in the salary ordinance, we also included information on parental leave. That's the only new thing for this. This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. There were none from the public who wished to speak in favor of this bill. Those from the public wishing to speak in opposition to this bill: Sue Kesim, 4022 Kennedy Drive, South Bend, IN, stated, I would ask that the Council give more time and leave public input open on the salary issues, since there are some things that the Citizens Budget Committee would like to present to the Council for review. So, I would appreciate leaving the public part of it open. Thank you. Councilmember John Voorde stated, For several years now, we've just given straight percentage increases to the entire workforce, which is fine. There are times in the past where we've given, at some threshold, a dollar amount to—I'm just going to make this up—say,people who make over $50,000 a year would get five-hundred dollars ($500), and people who make less than that would get a percentage, which would sort of even things out a little bit. We've done that in the past in South Bend a number of times, and I noticed in the newspaper that Mishawaka did that this year. So, I think that's something we should just consider next year. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic stated, Although the public portion will be closed for comments next meeting, the Council can still receive information that is submitted to the Council prior to the meetings. Also, I believe there's going to be a meeting next Monday to address a number of other budget items, so there will be an opportunity there to comment, but also if you'd like to submit information before that meeting. Councilmember Tim Scott stated, And it's still open for an amendment and substitutes. Councilmember Ferlic responded, It is still open for amendments and substitutes, but in terms of public comment, there will be none in two (2)Mondays. There will still be opportunities to submit information and public comment next Monday. Councilmember Oliver Davis asked, If we close the public hearing tonight, how does that affect Monday night's meeting? 15