07-28-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING .TUTU R_1975 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Kopczynski indicated that he had checked into the Communications Bureau and he felt highly skilled personnel were not paid accordingly; however, there were some areas where persons were being paid for not having the necessary skills. Council President Parent made a motion to amend the ordinance to reduce all the salaried positions which had been increased $500 or more by $84, and further to reduce hourly rates by 4C, seconded t Councilman Horvath. The motion carried. Councilman Nemeth then made a motion to eliminate the position of Director of Public Safety, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. Councilman Taylor felt the Council should not act hastily on this matter. He wanted the citizens to become more familiar with the issue even though both mayoral candidates have talked about the elimination of that position. He indicated that the department never came under attack as much as the first director of the department. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that the Council had, by vote, approved the cabinet ordinance creating the position. He felt it should also take the obligation to delete the position when necessary. He indicated that he supported Councilman Nemeth's proposal. Councilman Szymkowiak felt the position was experimental when the cabinet ordinance was initiated. He felt that, with the elimination of the position, a better system could be worked out with the other departments. He felt the elimina tion of the position would help to improve the problems in the Police and Fire Departments. Councilman Taylor asked Mr. Carrington, present director, to rise. He indicated that not one councilman had seen fit to criticize his work. He felt it was "cheap politics" to try to eliminat the position at this time. He felt the issue should be made a campaign issue for the mayoral candidates and the Council should not involve itself at this time in the matter. Council Presiden Parent stated that he was generally in favor of having any mayor re -work the administration. He wanted to give the next mayor the opportunity to have the position if desired. He felt that most councilmen have utilized the services of that department concerning demolition of buildings, substandard buildings, abandoned vehicles, problems with dogs and other nuisances. He felt it was unrealistic to not have a department of safety. He felt there was much needed improvement in the enforcement of many of the laws dealing with nuisances and this could be accomplished with a department dealing in those areas. Councilman Nemeth stated that he felt the people have spoken concerning the position. Councilman Nemeth stated that, for that reason, he had made the motion to delete the position. Councilman Kopczynski felt Mr. Carrington had done a tremendous job as the director; however, with the position being above the chiefs in the police and fire departments there were problems. He felt there would be another way to handle the issue. Councilman Taylor could not understand how Mr. Carrington could be complimented by the councilmen and then have his position deleted. He wanted the people to have a voice in the matter. He felt the real problem was Pat Gallagher, not the Department of Public Safety. He felt some restructuring was needed, but he did not think the position of the director should be eliminated. Councilman Horvath indicated that, in the present cabinet ordinance, the position was included. He felt the position should stay in the budget at the present time so that the new administration could deal with the issue. Councilman Szymkowiak felt that the city needed a good city judge more than a safety director to enforce the many violations taking place. He indicated that the substandard buildings should be under the jurisdiction of the Building Department; law and order should be under the jurisdiction of the Police Department, etc. He stated that he was disappointed in the response given him concerning the many violations he had called to the administration's attention. Chairman Newburn asked for a point of order. Councilman Serge indicated that the misfortune of the present administration was hiring Patrick Gallagher, who was not knowledgeable about government. He indicated that today, a well - educated man held the position and Councilman Serge felt Mr. Carrington was very well qualified for the job. Councilman Miller felt the Council shouR not be discussing Mr. Gallagher, and he did not feel it was a viable point. He indicated that the issue of Public Safety Director dealt with the issue of crime, which was unacceptable and needed much improvement. He stated that he would support anything. that would bring about a reduction in the crime rate. He stated that he was aware that the work of the director would have to be done by someone else. He felt the failure of that office was mismanagement. He felt that, with the proper direction of the mayor, there could be some advantages for coordination among.programs and the different bodies in the criminal justice system. He felt that the Director of Public Safety was a tool of the mayor and, if not used properly, it was the failure of the mayor. He wanted the decision to be left to the next administration on how best to handle the position. He felt the position could be viable with a strong mayor. Chairman Newburn wondered if public discussion should be held on the issue, and he asked the Council if they wished to re -open public discussion. Council President Parent felt the chair should rule on that point. There were no responses or comments from the audience. Councilman Serge wondered how many departments Mr. Carrington handled and Mr. Carrington indicated that he had jurisdiction over 7 to 9 departments, depending onhow they were handled. Councilman Serge wondered about the amount of federal funds handled, and Mr. Carrington indicated that his department administers several thousand dollars in federal funds. There was a call for the question. Councilman Taylor requested a roll call vote on the motion. The motion lost by a vote of six nays (Councilmen Serge, Miller, Taylor, Horvath, Newburn and Parent) and three ayes (Councilmen Szymkowiak, ak, Kopczynski and Nemeth). Mr. William Hojnacki, Director of the Department of Human Resources and Economic Development, requested that the Council amend the ordinance on page 2 to delete the Deputy Director of Planning at $14,500 and delete the words "for Field Operations" from the Deputy Director remaining Councilman Nemeth made a motion to so amend the ordinance, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. The motion carried. Mr. Evans wondered why the Deputy Director position could not be listed at the lower figure of $14,500 rather than $16,500. Mr. Hojnacki indicated that, at present, there was an individual in that position at $16,500. Councilman Kopczynski made a motion that the ordinance be recommended favorably to the Common Council, as amended, seconded by Councilman Horvath. The motion carried. ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $5,825.00 FROM THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANT, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS GENERAL REVENUE SHARING, FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND THROUGH ITS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. This being the time heretofore set for public hearing on the above ordinance, proponents and opponents were given an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Rollin Farrand, Director of the Department of Public Works, made the presentation for the ordinance. He explained that the ordinance had