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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 13,2004 <br /> shall be submitted to the Common Council for ratification purposes with an appropriate <br /> form of a resolution, following its approval by the Board of Public Safety. She thanked <br /> and commended Fire Chief Robert Quinn, the entire negotiating team and the South Bend <br /> Firefighters Association, Local#362 on their hard work and dedication and <br /> professionalism. This speaks very highly for the City of South Bend. <br /> This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents <br /> and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. <br /> Charles Leone, City Attorney, 14th Floor County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson <br /> Boulevard, South Bend Indiana, stated that he is very pleased to reach this point in the <br /> fire negotiations and to come to a result that he believes is beneficial not only to the City <br /> of South Bend but also to its professional firefighters. Although there have been <br /> differences with respect to the way in which we proceeded, I think that the end result is <br /> really a credit to the methods that we have adopted and serves as an effective model for <br /> future years. There is probably some fine tuning in what we can in terms of how we take <br /> the process forward, but we are quite pleased. Mr. Leone stated that he is proud to serve <br /> with the City Bargaining Team in this process. <br /> Mr. Chip Lewis, Attorney at Law, Jones, Obenchain Law Firm, 220 S. Michigan Street, <br /> South Bend, Indiana, advised that he had the honor as serving as attorney for the South <br /> Bend Firefighters Association Local#362 during these negotiations. Mr. Lewis stated <br /> that he was very pleased with the pace and the course of these negotiations. Mr. Lewis <br /> also commended the way that that everyone involved practiced the interest based <br /> negotiating. Mr. Lewis stated that it does reflect on the community is a positive way. <br /> Mr. Lewis stated that he speaks on behalf of the South Bend Firefighters Association <br /> Local#362 that they are very pleased with this proposed wage ordinance. The South <br /> Bend Firefighters Association Local#362 voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying the <br /> contract. <br /> Mr. Kenneth Marks, President South Bend Firefighters Association Local#362, 1122 S. <br /> Main Street, South Bend, Indiana, advised that members of South Bend Firefighters <br /> Association are tools of the City and like with any tool the best tool that you have is <br /> always worth what you spend. Mr. Marks stated that they are not just a fire department <br /> but also a multi-task fire department. From tactical rescue to hazardous material and <br /> especially our ambulance service,it one to be very proud of. Mr. Marks thanked the <br /> Council on the wage package and asked the Council for its favorable consideration. <br /> Mr. Mike Damiano, Vice-President South Bend Firefighters Association Local#362, (no <br /> address given) advised that as you have heard from past speakers, he too would like to <br /> speak on behalf of the Local#362, that they are very pleased with the outcome of the <br /> interest-based negotiations. He thanked the Council and asked for their unanimous <br /> • support for this salary ordinance. He indicated that they look forward to dealing with the <br /> Council in the future. <br /> Chief Robert Quinn, Fire Chief, South Bend Fire Department, 1122 S. Michigan Street, <br /> South Bend, Indiana, publicly commended the City Administration and the South Bend <br /> Common Council for all the time and effort that has been put in for the successful <br /> completion of these negotiations. These negotiation and pay package is fully supported <br /> by the Fire Department Administration and asked the Council for their favorable support. <br /> There was no one else present wishing to speak in favor of this bill. <br /> There was no one presented wishing to speak in opposition to this bill. <br /> Ann Puzzello, 4th District Councilmember offered her comments. She was very proud of <br /> the City negotiating team as well as the Firefighters negotiating team. She indicated that <br /> like always during negotiations you learn so much from both sides. She especially <br /> learned from the firefighters that she really could not do their job. She also commended <br /> Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Negotiator/Agent for salaries. She stated that when <br /> Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand has acted as chief negotiated for the City Team, which she <br /> has done for several years now, she has never lost. That is, she always has reached an <br /> 7 <br />