09-22-08 Common Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 any names, but it was not Chuck Leone, or Kathy or Leo. He stated that they worked together well, quite frankly the most cordial and accomplished bargaining sessions in many years, twenty (20) that he could remember, through a proverbial tennis match of ideas and thoughts, they came to a tentative agreement, the one that is before the Council tonight. One that the FOP passed by a majority ballot. Mr. Ruszkowski stated that they are in very trying times to say the least and they as police officers feel as much of the pinch if not more than anyone else. The issue is that they have been feeling that pinch for many, many years and unfortunately this year and 2009 will be no different. He stated that he hoped that someday they will be placed on the scale where they should be if not for any other reason let it be because they have earned it. Despite the constant dangers at any minute that the officers remain diligent and professional and are recognized throughout the state as a top notch police department. He stated that they are ranked in the 60’s out of 143 municipalities. Mr. Ruszkowski advised that they are still nowhere near the fourth largest city in the state category that they have held for many years. Nearly eighteen years ago, then Mayor Kernan stated “Officer’s tighten your belts, step up to the plate” once COIT and CEDIT kick in you’ll be where you should be. Well they cannot tighten their belts any further and they are still at the plate waiting for a pitch. There never seems to be a good time to give the officer’s a raise that would place them in th the number 4 spot. Unfortunately, we all know that 2009 isn’t the best time either and have sadly accepted that fact. On a high note however, they will continue to do what ever they can with ideas and actions to help the department and the City of South Bend to move forward and pass this most recent setback that we all know as HB1001. He stated that the FOP appreciates all the time and effort that the Council, Mayor, Board of Safety has put forth and hope to continue the correspondence and talks through labor management sessions and would like to specifically invite Councilmember White because they do miss her input at those sessions. He stated that they look forward to sitting down again in 2009 to discussion a future contract, wage and benefits proposals and hope that the Council and Administration feel the same. Councilmember Varner asked Mr. Ruszkowski in his experience was he aware and supportive of the elimination of the Safe Neighborhood Program. Mr. Ruszkowski stated that it is a “Catch 22” situation. Without putting the cart before the horse, he has a family that he has to worry about. The priority at that time and this time is the family. Which he is not speaking for every officer in the FOP capacity, but personally, he lives outside of the city limits not very far, but is one of the reasons that he moved out of the city. There were a variety of reasons, one there was a very low number of officers receiving the safe neighborhood stipend, because the boundaries were so tight there were officers literally living across the street from each other and one was outside the boundaries and not able to receive the stipend. That was one of the contributing factors to the elimination of the program. He stated that some of the officers were upset about the elimination and rightfully so, however, the majority of the officers said, hey, we are willing to give that up, as long as everyone can get a “slice of the pie” so to speak. That is how it was determined to put that $200 toward the uniform allowance, per officer. Councilmember Varner asked Mr. Ruszkowski how does the idea strike him of an incentive to keep police officers or to encourage them to reside within the City? He stated that Mr. Ruszkowski could speak personally or as a representative of the FOP #36. Mr. Ruszkowski stated that he could probably speak for both. He advised that every police officer would not do this job if they did not have the heart to be here. He is just saying from the prospective, it does not matter if it is a police officer or himself personally, just like everyone else in this room they have a family to think about. They are doing everything that they can why there are there, and believe him, it’s not just 9-5 punch in and punch out. It is never, ever, for any officer from the Chief all the way to the newest hire. He stated that they give what they can when they can and how they can when they are doing the job. The problem is when do you draw the line? When do you say, I’m putting the gun and badge away, I am now a Dad, I am now a Mom, or whatever the case maybe. Mr. Ruszkowski stated that personally that it is the decision to move out. He advised that when this program was in effect he missed the residency cut-off by not more than half a block. He stated that wasn’t the point, it wasn’t a money luring thing, but he thinks that there are a variety of options on the table so to speak and could 7