Laserfiche WebLink
REGULAR MEETING JULY 9, 2001 <br />This bill had first reading. Councilmember Varner made a motion to refer this bill to the Area Plan <br />Commission. Councilmember Kelly seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine (9) <br />ayes. <br />BILL NO. 60-01 FIRST READING ON A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING <br />ORDINANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3915 <br />PORTAGE ROAD IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, <br />INDIANA <br />This bill had first reading. Councilmember Kelly made a motion to refer this bill to the Area Plan <br />Commission. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of nine <br />(9) ayes. <br />UNFINISHED BUSINESS <br />There was no unfinished business to come before the Council at this time. <br />NEW BUSINESS <br />There was no new business to come before the Council at this time. <br />PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR <br />Mr. Richard Bishop, 17413 Skyline Drive, South Bend, Indiana, asked the Council to set aside the <br />rules of procedures to allow some speakers a few minutes each to address the Council. Council <br />President Pfeifer advised Mr. Bishop that there is no limit on the number of individuals that can <br />speak. Mr. Bishop asked for patience if individuals go over their three (3) minute limit. <br />Ms. Annette Deguch, 701 West Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana, informed the Council that she <br />supports the South Bend Police Department. She noted that her husband Paul was killed in the line <br />of duty four (4) years ago. She stated that citizens take police officers for granted. Ms. Deguch <br />informed the Council that the pay of the South Bend police is the worst in the state and all the <br />officers she is acquainted with work at least one (1) part-time job to make ends meet. She challenged <br />the Council to show support and to give the police a fair wage, a wage that they can live on and not <br />have to work a part-time job. <br />Mr. John Maciejczyk, 13396 Golden Harvest Lane, Granger, Indiana, advised that he is the Chief <br />Deputy Prosecutor with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's office and is present tonight on his own <br />behalf and on behalf of St. Joseph County Prosecutor Chris Toth to express support of the South <br />Bend Police Department and their efforts to obtain a fair wage. He noted that the South Bend police <br />officers are paid significantly less than the officers in surrounding cities. He further noted that they <br />should not have to work many part-time jobs to make ends meet. He asked the Council to give the <br />officers a fair and decent raise. <br />Mr. David Newton, 726 South 31" Street, South Bend, Indiana, Corporal, South Bend Police <br />- Department, member of Fraternal Order of Police #36 and Black Police Officers Association of St. <br />Joseph County, advised that the City cannot attract quality minority officers without fair and <br />competitive wages. He further advised that they are having a hard time retaining officers who are <br />here who are trained and well qualified because of the wage and the package that they receive. The <br />Council is being asked to give them fair, competitive compensation for their services. Mr. Newton <br />stated that they will commit that if they are given a first class pay they will continue to be first class <br />police officers in a first class department. <br />Mr. Don Niezgodski, 113 North Elliott Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, retired police officer, indicated <br />that during the time he served on the department he used to have to work a second job in order to <br />make ends meet for his family. He noted that the police officers deserve a better paying job. He <br />