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Home My WebLink About08-24-2026 Personnel & Finance Committee MinutesOFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK BIANCA L. 'TIRADO, CITY CLERK PERSONNEL & FINANCE Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Other Council Present: Others Present: Presenters: Agenda: AUGUST 24, 2026, 5:00 P.M. Rachel Tomas Morgan, Ophelia Gooden- Rodgers, Caz Margenau, Karen L. White, Sheila Niezgodski None Heidi Beidinger, Canneth Lee Bianca L. Tirado, Matthew Neal, Jasmine Jackson, Lari'onna Green, Veronica Pitt- Payne, Bob Palmer Jenna Throw, Alex Bazan, Canneth Lee Bill No. 51-26-Amending Chapter 20 of the South Bend Municipal Code to Establish Article 14 Containing Regulations Regarding Electric Vehicle Charging Bill No. 26-29 -Resolution Appointing an Agent/Negotiator and an Advisory Common Council Negotiating Team to Represent the Common Council in the Upcoming Fire Department Negotiations Members marked with an asterisk(*) are in virtual attendance. Please note the attached link for the meeting recording: https://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&repo=sbend&mediaid=412685 Committee Chair Sheila Niezgosdski called to order the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 5 :00 P.M. Bill No. 51-26 -Amending Chapter 20 of the South Bend Municipal Code to Establish Article 14 Containing Regulations Regarding Electric Vehicle Charging Jasmine Jackson CHIEF DErcn· CITY CLERi-:. / CHIEF OF SL\FF INTEGRITY I SERVICE I ACCESSIBILITY Matthew Neal DEPCTY CITY CLER~/ DIRECTOR OF POLICY Veronica Pitt-Payne DIRECTOR OF SPECl:\L PROJECTS EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov ~ CITY OF SOlITH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK Jenna Throw, City Attorney, with offices on the sixth (6th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601, presented the bill. She stated that it establishes a new article in the Municipal Code to govern electric vehicle (EV) charging. Currently, the City offers free charging at EV spaces with a two (2)-hour parking limit. She explained that the new framework would preserve the two (2) hours of free access while introducing a fee of three dollars ($3) per hour for any time beyond that initial period. She stated that this rate reflects the cost of electricity, operations, and maintenance, and all revenue would be deposited into Fund Two-Hundred-Eleven (211) to directly support the City's EV charging program. The ordinance also requires vehicles in EV spaces to be actively charging and prohibits any vehicle from occupying a space for more than twenty-four (24) continuous hours. She summarized other provisions in the bill, which would restrict privately-owned EV chargers from downtown and commercial right-of-way in order to protect the City's coordinated planning efforts. Committee Vice Chair Karen L. White asked what feedback the City has received regarding its existing charging stations. Alex Bazan, Director of Sustainability, with offices on the fourth ( 4th) floor of City Hall, South Bend, IN 46601, said they do not often receive feedback, but residents are pleased to have more charging stations available. He said residents occasionally reach out to three-one-one (3 11) to report an issue or need for repair. Committee Vice Chair White asked how many people use the charging stations and whether this is tracked. Alex Bazan replied that they are all smart stations, and thousands of unique sessions are logged at each of the City's thirty (30) charging stations over the course of a year. He noted that usage has increased by over one-thousand percent (1000%) since 2020. Committee Member Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers asked when the fee would take effect. Attorney Throw stated that it would go into effect upon the bilrs passage. Committee Member Rachel Tomas Morgan spoke about working with the Office of Sustainability to encourage the buildout of EV infrastructure. She asked what year the City started offering free charging, and how much longer they intend to continue the program. Alex Bazan replied that the first (l st) smart charging stations were built in 2020, with older models in use since 2018. He stated that the longevity of the program is a policy question that falls outside of the scope of his role. He said the program has effectively met its goal of supporting the transition to EV s. He highlighted the importance of maintaining the infrastructure to ensure that residents continue to have a positive experience. Committee Member Tomas Morgan asked if they are level two (2) chargers. Alex Bazan confirmed that is correct, noting that this is faster than level one ( l ), which is standard for most household chargers. Committee Member Gooden-Rodgers asked about typical EV charging speed. EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 I p. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.91731 wwvv.southbendin.gov ~ CITY OF SOUI'H BEND I OFFlCE OF THE CITY CLERK Alex Bazan explained that charging speed depends on a variety of factors that are specific to the vehicle's make, model, and battery capacity. Committee Chair Niezgodski opened the public hearing. Steve Francis, Juday Lake Drive, South Bend, IN 46635, spoke in favor of the bill. He expressed support for the charging program and stated that the proposed fee would encourage turnover while funding station repairs. He asked about enforcement logistics for vehicles that are parked but not actively charging. Committee Chair Niezgodski clarified that vehicles would not be towed unless they are parked for over twenty-four (24) hours. Attorney Throw stated that the three dollars ($3) per hour fee would continue to apply after charging is complete. She said any harsher penalties would only apply after a substantial amount of time. Committee Chair Niezgodski closed the public hearing. Committee Member Tomas Morgan moved to send Bill No. 51-26 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Vice Chair White and carried by a vote of five ( 5) ayes. Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Committee Vice Chair Karen L. White -Aye Committee Member Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Committee Member Rachel Tomas-Morgan -Aye Citizen Member Caz Margenau-Aye Bill No. 26-29 -Resolution Appointing an Agent/Negotiator and an Advisory Common Council Negotiating Team to Represent the Common Council in the Upcoming Fire Department Negotiations Council President Canneth Lee presented the bill. He explained that the City is preparing to begin negotiations with the South Bend Fire Department for the new contract term. The resolution names Council Attorney Bob Palmer as chief negotiator, with Council President Lee and Councilmember Gooden-Rodgers serving as the Council advisory team. Committee Chair Niezgodski noted that this is a standard part of the negotiation process. Committee Chair Niezgodski held the public hearing, and nobody spoke. Committee Vice Chair White moved to send Bill No. 26-29 to the Full Council with a favorable recommendation, which was seconded by Committee Member Tomas Morgan and carried by a vote of five ( 5) ayes. Committee Chair Sheila Niezgodski -Aye Committee Vice Chair Karen L. White -Aye Committee Member Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers -Aye Committee Member Rachel Tomas-Morgan -Aye Citizen Member Caz Margenau -Aye EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.91731 www.southbendin.gov @ CITY OF SOUTH BEND I OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK With no further business, Committee Chair Niezgodski adjourned the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting at 5:23 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, EXCELLENCE I ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION I EMPOWERMENT 300 City Hall I 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. I South Bend, Indiana 46601 Ip. 574.235.9221 If. 574.235.9173 1 www.southbendin.gov