07-19-76 Council Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING JULY 19 1976 REGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED Council President Parent indicated these would be handled with the applicable ordinances when had first reading. ORDINANCES, SECOND READING ORDINANCE NO. 5989 -76 AN ORDINANCE FIXING MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, WITHIN THE DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE YEAR FROM JULY 1, 1976 TO JUNE 30, 1977. This ordinance had second reading. Council Member Taylor made a motion to amend the ordinance as amended in the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Council Member Kopczynski. Mayor Peter J. Nemeth indicated he would like to be heard. Council Member Kopczynski made a motion that we con- tinue discussion on the ordinance, seconded by Council Member Adams. The motion carried by a rol: call vote of five ayes (Council Members Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor, Kopczynski and Adams) and fou: nays (Council Members Serge, Dombrowski, Horvath and Parent). The Mayor indicated that earlier in the day he had received word from the-Council regarding raising the increases, and that he had indicated he would be inclined to do so if the Councilwould go along with what he had asked for. He said he acted in good faith and made the amendments and he hoped the Council would also do so. Council Member Taylor said he thought it should be kept in mind that this Council gave the larges- raises to cabinet level positions and sub - cabinet level positions than probably any Council in th4 history of the City. He said there were nine people on the Council that were obviously extremely unhappy with certain salary levels. He said he felt the Council had acted very fairly. He indica- that there were certain levels set that he did not agree with and that if he were to act personal: he would be willing to cut certain positions that he had passed tonight. He indicated the Mayor received most of what was asked for, at least to the degree where he can successfully operate the city. Council Member Kopczynski said in all fairness to the citizens of South Bend the Council should give the mayor a chance to reorganize the city, particularly in the attorney's office and the Building Department. He said he thought.it would be well if the Council would compromise with the Mayor. Council Member Taylor made .a motion that debate be cut, seconded by Council Memb( Horvath. Council Member Miller raised a point of order that a Council Member should be able to speak on an issue. Council President Parent said the Council has the right to cut off debate. H( said he would rule the point of order, out of order. Council Member Adams asked if they could hear from the Council attorney. Council President Parent said they could, and indicated they cou: override the decision on the roll call vote. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to cut off debate and it passed by a vote of five ayes (Council Members Taylor, Kopczynski, Dombrowski, Horvath and Parent) and four nays (Council Members Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller and Adams). A roll call vote was taken to pass the ordinance as amended, the ordinance passed on a vote of six ayes (Council Members Serge, Taylor, Adams, Dombrowski, Horvath and Parent) and three nays (Council Members Szymkowiak, Miller, And Kopczynski). (This ordinance was voted on without a motion or a second, for correction of procedural defect see July 26, 1976 meeting, under Unfinished Business. ORDINANCE NO. 5990 -76 AN ORDINANCE FIXING MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, FOR THE YEAR 1977. This ordinance had second reading. Council Member Taylor made a motion to amend the ordinance as amended in the Committee of the Whole, seconded by Council Member Horvath. The motion carried. Council Member Adams made a motion to reconsider the position of Building Commissioner, and that salary be changed to $18,500, seconded by Council Member Kopczynski. The motion lost on a roll call vote of four ayes (Council Members Szymkowiak, Miller, Kopczynski and Adams) and five nays (Council Members Serge, Taylor, Dombrowski, Horvath and Parent). Council Member Miller said that against all good advice and principles of Council integrity, and recognizing that he probably should not say anything, he indicated this was the biggest sham that has ever been foisted upon the public, as far as he was concerned. He said the salaries were mad in a secret meeting of five Councilmen and adjusted somewhat by the president. Council President Parent said that he was off the issue, and ruled him out of order. He indicated this could be taken up under the citizen's portion of the meeting. He indicated that Council Member Miller sho speak directly to the ordinance. Council Member Miller said that this ordinance was given to on Council Members at 3:30 p.m., at a meeting today, after an unprecedented presentation to the press. Council President Parent indicated he would have to rule Council Member Miller out of order. Council Member Miller indicated he was explaining his vote on this ordinance. Council President Parent indicated that the Council would have to let him continue, since he had ruled him out of order. Council Member Kopczynski made a motion to let the Councilman continue, seconded by Council Memb Szymkowiak. Council President Parent indicated that Council Member Miller should continue. Council Member Miller said he felt that decisions on this ordinance were not made by the full Council, as they have been done in the past. He indicated he did not have much disagreement with the actual dollars set, but he abhorred the process. He indicated that there were amendments mad tonight and in all cases the five votes held solid. He indicated that this was a prior decision and he did not feel this was the--way Council should operate. He said he was not given a chance to present his position on these salaries. He indicated this was grossly unfair to the Council. Council President Parent indicated he had an obligation to defend his integrity. He said the pro- posal that he presented before the Council, and first presented publically on Friday, was discussE with Council Members prior to its presentation. He indicated he even met with Councilman Miller on Sunday afternoon to go over the many aspects of the proposal. Council Member Miller indicated that no changes were made. Council President Parent indicated that Council Member Miller had madE to attempt to contact him about this issue, and had read a newspaper in caucus while the Council discussed the ordinance. He indicated that allegations were unethical in character, and that he was being accused of doing things in secret when he was trying to do a service for the Council anc the community in trying to come up with a compromise proposal. He indicated that there.have been all kinds of occasions in the past where proposals were not discussed with all nine Council Member; He indicated he thought Council Member Miller's accusations were totally reprehensible and he was going to ask a Council committee to look into this matter.