09-13-04 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 agreement/ratified with both the Police Department and Fire Department. Councilmember Puzzello stated that when Mrs. Cekanski-Farrand speaks for the City Team, the public safety team knows that she is sincere and that the team is determined to find out everything that they can and what would be the best thing for the public safety team. That kind of sincerity and effort to get information and put the money in the best place is what makes a very good negotiator and the City it very fortunate to have such a person like Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Derek D. Dieter, 1st District Councilmember offered his comments. He stated that he was on the negotiating team, however, his work schedule did not allow for him to attend all the meetings. He thanked all the Councilmembers as well as Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Chuck Leone, City Attorney and the City Administration, Mayor Luecke and City Controller, Rick 011ett for the compensation packages that they were able to provide and work out and present to the Council tonight. Councilmember Dieter stated that his job as a South Bend Police officer for the past 27 years, gives him the opportunity to work with the South Bend Firefighters on a daily basis, shoulder to shoulder, and he can tell you from that experience hands down in the State of Indiana, that they are best firefighters. The citizens of South Bend, Indiana, should feel privileged to have these people protecting them. The salary ordinance is justification for the job they do. He thanked everyone involved in this negotiating process. Roland Kelly, 3rd District Councilmember offered his comments. He stated that this is another example of what cooperation can do. The negotiating teams worked together to solve the problems and come up with packages that made some sense for the firefighters because after all they lay their lives on the line everyday. They deserve the compensation that we have provided for them. Councilmember Kelly commended the City Negotiating Team as well as Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand for a job well done. Councilmember Kelly made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember Pfeifer seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. BILL NO. 52-04 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL FIXING MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND NON-BARGAINING EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2005 Councilmember Dieter, Chairperson, Personnel and Finance Committee, reported that this committee met this afternoon and voted to send it to the full Council with a favorable recommendation. Mr. Rick 011ett, City Controller, 14th Floor, County-City Building, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mr. 011ett advised that this ordinance sets forth the maximum amount to be paid to non- bargaining personnel employed by the City of South Bend for the Calendar year 2005. This ordinance establishes such compensation for approximately 420 non-bargaining employees. The employees eligible will receive up to a 4% base increase in 2005. Mr. 011ett requested the Council favorable consideration of this bill. 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 being no one present wishing to speak to the Council either in favor of or in oppositions to this bill, Councilmember Varner made a motion for favorable recommendation to full Council concerning this bill. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) ayes. 8 •