01-27-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 27 1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) For the year 1975 the city administration and the Common Council agreed to a 10% raise for city employees earning less than $8,000 and $800 for those employees above $8,000. It is our recommendation that these same guidelines be applied, over the four -year terms, for elected city officials. The salaries established under these guidelines would be as follows: Office 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Mayor $25,000 $25,800 $26,600 $27,400 $28,200 City Clerk 9,500 10,300 11,100 11,900 12,700 Councilman 3,600 3,960 4,360 4,800 5,280 As we recall the rationale for granting the raise to city employees was primarily based on the need created by the increased cost of living, and funds for merit increases were generally not available. We believe it only fair that the same level of cost of living increases be extended to employees and officials alike. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully submitted, SOUTH BEND CIVIC PLANNING ASSOCIATION s/ Gene Evans, Executive Secretary He indicated that there was an educational requirement needed for a position in the educational field, in reference to Mr. Roemer's remark about an increase for the Mayor. He felt the Civic Planning Association knew very well the responsibilities of the public offices. Chairman Newburn indicated that a vast amount of work was being done by the elected officials; however, he could not vote in favor of the increase in salaries because of the economic condition of the country and the unemployment rate. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about the criteria used by the Civic Planning Association in arriving at the salaries it proposed. Mr. Evans indicated that the present salary was taken and applied to that was a yearly increment based upon the increase given to the city employees. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that a few positions within the general city employees' ordinance were re- evaluated and adjusted upwards. He indicated that an adjustment was also needed in the officials' salaries. He stated that he did not agree with the figures proposed by the Civic Planning Association because he felt the association had not evaluated the whole picture. Councilman Nemeth felt that many, if not all, councilmen were deserving of an increase in salary. He urged that the councilmen, however, take into consideration the serious economic problems which faced the community. He recommended that the Council reduce the salaries. He made a motion to reduce the salary of the Mayor to $25,000 in 1976, $26,500 in 1977, $28,000 in 1978, and $29,500 in 1979. Councilman Szymkowiak seconded the motion. Council President Parent indicated that none of the councilmen were in office because of the salary. He felt that each man had his own ideas of the kind of community he wanted the citizens to live in. He felt an individue was restricted from running for councilmanic office because of the low salary. Chairman Newburn asked for a roll call vote on Councilman Nemeth's motion. The motion was defeated by a roll call vote of seven nays (Councilmen Serge, Miller, Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath, Newburn and Parent) and two ayes (Councilmen Szymkowiak and Nemeth). Councilman Kopczynski then made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Horvath. Chairman Newburn asked for a roll call vote on the motion. The motion was defeated by a roll call vote of five nays (Councilmen Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor, Nemeth and Newburn) and four ayes (Councilmen Serge, Kopczynski, Horvath and Parent). Councilman Taylor then made a motion to amend the ordinance as follows: Amend salary of Mayor to $29,000 in 1976 with $1,500 increments per year. Amend salary of City Clerk to $11,500 in 1976 with $500 increments per year. Amend salary for members of the Council to $5,500 in 1976 with $500 increments per year. Council President Parent seconded the motion. He indicated that he felt the proposal was very reasonable. Chairman Newburn again requested a roll call vote on the motion. The motion carried by a roll call vote of six ayes (Councilmen Serge, Miller, Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath and Parent) and three nays (Councilmen Szymkowiak, Nemeth and Newburn). Councilman Miller.-then made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably, as amended, to the Common Council, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried. Councilman Miller made a motion to recess, seconded by Councilman Taylor. The motion carried, and the Committee of the Whole recessed at 9:50 p.m. Reconvened at 10:05 p.m. There being no,;further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, Councilman Kopczynski made a motion to rise and report to the Council, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried. ATTEST:` CITY CLERK REGULAR MEETING — RECONVENED ATTE ;y"411iui�� Be it remembered that the regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana reconvened in the Council Chambers at 10:06 p.m., Council President Parent presiding and nine mem- bers present. REPORT FROM THE SUB - COMMITTEE ON MINUTES To the Common Council of the City of South Bend: Your sub - committee on the inspection and supervision of the minutes would respectfully report that it has inspected the minutes of the January 13, 1975,