09-10-01 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 budget meetings are open to the public and the information can be gotten from the City Controller's office, but a summary would be helpful. Mr. Leon Stein, President, Firefighters Local #362, 1122 South Main Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that in 2000 the firefighters bargained in good faith and ratified a four (4)year contract. The 2002 budget is being considered with non - bargaining employees receiving a four per cent (4 %) salary increase and a four and one -half percent (4.5 %) increase for police officers who did not ratify a contract. Firefighters will receive 3.4 %. Mr. Stein asked the Council to make a recommendation to the Mayor to amend the salaries for next year for the Fire Department. In rebuttal and in response to Mr. Cierzniak, Mayor Luecke advised that they are working on developing an annual report to better explain in summary fashion how dollars are expended. In terms of salaries for employees, Mayor Luecke noted that the administration does appreciate the time spent with firefighters to ratify and vote on a salary. He noted that there have been disparities whereas some years the firefighters received more than others and sometimes less. He stated that he respects the contact that was ratified and expects that will continue. Councilmember Varner stated he recollected that in the past the Council received a summary showing the aggregate tax rate. Mayor Luecke advised that the City used the same format this year as last but the cumulative tax rate is $3.5834. In response to Mr. Cierzniak's concerns, he noted that a budget review is located at the beginning of the budget book that is given to the Council and he would provide that information to Mr. Cierzniak. Councilmember Coleman made a motion that Bill No. 76 -01 be continued, in the Council portion of the Public Hearing, until the meeting of September 24, 2001. Councilmember Varner seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of six (6) ayes. Additionally, Councilmember Coleman made a motion that Bill No. 77 -01 be continued, in the Council portion of the Public Hearing, until the meeting of September 24, 2001. Councilmember Kelly seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of six (6) ayes. Finally, Councilmember Coleman made a motion that Bill No. 78 -01 be continued, in the Council portion of the Public Hearing, until the meeting of September 24, 2001. Councilmember White seconded the motion which carried by a voice vote of six (6) ayes. BILL NO. 82 -01 PUBLIC HEARING ON A BILL OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM HALL OF FAME OPERATIONS FUND #677 AND FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME FUND #377 FOR PURPOSES OF SATISFYING THE CITY'S OBLIGATION TO THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION Councilmember Varner advised that the Personnel and Finance Committee conducted a Public Hearing this afternoon on this bill and sends it to the full Council with no recommendation due to the lack of a quorum. Mayor Stephen Luecke, 1400 County -City Building, South Bend, Indiana, made the presentation for this bill. Mayor Luecke stated that this bill appropriates additional dollars for the College Football Hall of Fame. He noted that he previously stated that the City had responsibility to pay for the financing of the building and it made logical sense for the National Football Foundation to be responsible for E