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REGULAR MEETING JULY 23, 2001 <br />Council President Pfeifer stated that the Council was given a formal presentation a month ago but <br />this particular information is not at their finger tips at this time. Mr. Carey asked if anyone else on <br />the Council was kept abreast of general procedural construction or if that was just Councilmember <br />Coleman. Councilmember Ujdak advised that there are still planning meetings going on as to the <br />final look and construction of the park. When the presentation was made to the Council there were <br />many questions with regard to the budget and some of those issues still need to be addressed. Mr. <br />Carey asked if this was supposed to be a one (1) time cost or would there be additional funding <br />budgeted throughout the years as it was his understanding that this was going to be a one (1) time <br />cost of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00). Councilmember Ujdak noted that the <br />Council voted to fund the construction of the park. The actual operating budget of that park will be <br />included within the Park Department budget but Mr. St. Clair would be the best source for that <br />information at this time. Councilmember Varner advised that in regard to the operating expense <br />question, there are several individuals who encourage the Park Department strongly to make their <br />budget as accurate as they could and that includes the liability insurance so that a fee can be set to <br />cover the operating costs. <br />Mr. Rick Ruszkowski, 701 West Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana, asked, for the record, that each <br />of the Councilmembers express their personal opinion as far as the pay for the South Bend Police <br />Department. Council President Pfeifer stated that this was not the procedure being followed at this <br />time. She noted that the City has a negotiating team that was appointed. Mr. Ruszkowski asked if <br />there were any Councilmembers who would like to answer his question. Councilmember Varner <br />stated that this is something that they should address individually and this forum is set for the public <br />to give their input. He noted that he would be happy to discuss this after the meeting and it is <br />probably best handled one (1) on one (1). Mr. Ruszkowski stated that for the public record he <br />would like to know each Councilmembers opinion on this matter. He noted that he is a voter in this <br />community and would like to know for his own personal knowledge. Council President Pfeifer <br />explained that this portion of the meeting is to allow anyone in the audience to speak and give <br />information to the Council. President Pfeifer reminded Mr. Ruszkowski that the Council suspended <br />the rules to allow people to comment on an item that was one the agenda which they generally do <br />not do and the process is that the members of the public give information to the Council. <br />Ms. Kay Bryant, no address given, stated that her husband is a police officer. She further stated that <br />she is concerned about not being made aware, through the normal chain of public information, of <br />the matters that the Council addresses. She stated that she cannot believe that there is a potential <br />for one (1) business to have a $4.3 million dollars in tax abatements when that money could be spent <br />on the Police Department as well as other areas. Council President Pfeifer and Councilmembers <br />Aranowski and Kelly explained to Ms. Bryant how items are submitted to the Council. Ms. Bryant <br />stated that she was made aware that at the last meeting the Council they approved three hundred <br />thousand dollars ($300,000.00) to settle civil suits against the City. She stated that when police <br />officers have to work two (2) jobs just to support their family, they have no time to learn their craft <br />which is enforcing the laws of the City, the State and the Federal government. <br />Mr. Ken Ryan, 701 West Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana, inquired if Mr. Neighbours had a time <br />line with the City on when his contract will be terminated. Council President Pfeifer stated that there <br />is no date. He asked if it will be a flat rate even if negotiations last over two (2) years. Council <br />President Pfeifer informed Mr. Ryan that the Mayor, and not the Council, hired Mr. Neighbours and <br />it is her understanding that he is to be paid a flat amount. Mr. Ryan stated that the Mayor <br />commented that the City is not finished making any offer and he inquired when Mr. Neighbours <br />would be faxing over the City's offer. Councilmember Kelly stated that the bargaining team would <br />like to sit down with the FOP bargaining team any time they care to and present the offer they have <br />in mind. Mr. Ryan advised that it is his understanding that the police cannot accept an offer from <br />the Mayor or the City Council advisors but only from Mr. Neighbours. Councilmember Uj dak stated <br />that he believes there is some misconception because Mr. Neighbors is the spokesman for the <br />negotiating team which consists of members of the Council, the administration and Council Attorney <br />Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. Councilmember Ujdak clarified that when Mr. Neighbours makes <br />representations back and forth he is speaking for the team. He advised Mr. Ryan that the nature of <br />the questions he is asking would be answered at the negotiating table and not in the public forum. <br />Mr. Jim Wolff, 701 West Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana, inquired if the bill on the agenda <br />