12-10-12 Common Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 10, 2012 sixteen year old machine with a new CNC OKUMA LATHE. The new machine will cost $87,250. Total taxes abated for the five (5) year abatement period are estimated at $861. Taxes to be paid for the five (5) years would be $39,254. Per the petition, it is estimated that the project will retain two (2) permanent full-time positions with an annual payroll of $100,000. The project will not create any new positions. A Public Hearing was held on the Resolution at this time. There being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in opposition to this Resolution, Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to adopt this Resolution. Councilmember Tim Scott seconded the motion which carried and the Resolution was adopted by a roll call vote of seven (7) ayes. BILLS - FIRST READING BILL NO.70-12 FIRST READING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 2-10 (i)(2) OF THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE OFFICIALLY CHANGING THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT COMMITTEE This bill had first reading. Councilmember Oliver Davis made a motion to refer this bill to the Personnel & Finance Committee and set it for Public Hearing and Third Reading on January 14, 2013. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of seven (7) ayes. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Oliver Davis read into the record a news release dated December 10, 2012, 3:30 p.m. from Councilmember’s Oliver J. Davis, Karen L. White and Derek D. Dieter. “Selection of South Bend’s Next Chief of Police.” One of the most important duties of the Mayors of all Indiana second class cities is to select individuals who would serve in leadership positions who would lead each of the City’s executive departments. Pursuant to local ordinance the nine (9) executive departments are “established to perform administrative functions required to fulfill the needs of the City’s citizens”. Our local ordinance further provides that a department head is charged with: Establishing, abolishing or consolidating offices, divisions and bureaus with in a department to “permit the proper and efficient operation of that department.” Supervising and coordinating offices, divisions and bureaus. In light of these governing City Code provisions and the fact that so many citizens have asked us about the process, we are again asking Mayor Pete for more detailed information about the ongoing search for a Chief of Police. Since the august Health and Public Safety Committee when individuals from the Strategic Policy Partnership, LLC were introduced, several verbal and written inquiries were made to the Mayor, with some of th the more recent being a letter dated November 8 making the following inquiries: How many applications were received? How many applications were received from current SBPD sworn members? How many applications were from out of state? Mayor Pete responded on November th 13 noting in part that he “would feel uncomfortable giving you the details you are requesting.” th Another letter was sent on November 14 in response to a South Bend Tribune article entitled “Interim Chief Wears 3 Hats”, which triggered even more questions from the public. In another attempt to respond with facts, we ask Mayor Pete to share what he can on: Was there a “telephone interview committee” and if so, who served on it? Who served on the “oral interview committee”? Did any South Bend residents serve on either of these committees? Why were no Council Members asked to serve on either of these informal committees? We believe that such information is needed and would be consistent with carrying out the Council Mission Statement “to make certain that our City Government is always responsive to the needs of our residents & that the betterment of South Bend is always our highest priority.” 18