|
RAISES IN PROPERTY TAXES, INCREASE IN FEES, TAX ABATEMENTS, CITY WAGES, TRANSPO CHANGES
Councilpersons Present: Regina Williams-Preston, Randy Kelly, Dave Varner, Jo Broden, Tim Scott, Oliver Davis, John Voorde, Karen White Bill # 56-17 PART TIME POLICE OFFICER PROGRAM - Passed This creates a PTO Part-Time Officer Program which is allowed by Indiana Code 36-1-3-3 These officers would: NOT become full time officers NOT be part of Collective Bargaining NOT entitled to Benefits NOT guaranteed any certain hours NOT be subject to promotion NOT be able to work more than 1,000 hours per year (according to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act) NOT be used at permanent officers Would bring back experienced retired SB Officers and would be subject to discipline by the South Bend Chief of Police. While employed they would have the same authority as full-time officers as provided by Indiana Law. Rate of pay would be 80% of the currently hourly rate of A PFC (Patrolman First Class) They will be hired by the Chief and be appointed by the Board of Public Safety. Currently there is a shortage of officers at the SBPD. There are over 300 events needing officers a year and the Department is unable to accomodate them, especially when there are multiple events on one day. The officers hired would be retired officers who have already worked with the SBPD. They may also be able to assist with detective case loads. Bill #57-17 HUMAN RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY - Passed This will allow ALL St. Joseph County residents to have their cases heard here in South Bend, not just City residents The County will not be charged for these services until April of 2018. At that time the case load will be reviewed and it will be decided if the County will need to contribute some funding. This commission gets money from both HUD and EEOC for the cases they investigate. Bill #48-17 (Substitute) TAX ABATEMENT AMENDMENT (Continued) SECTION I, Chapter 2, Article 6, Section 2-76.3 adding: A base abatement ('base abatement") is an abatement for (3) years in the case of real property other than single-family residential, five (5) years in the case of real property. The council may grant a base abatement to an applicant who fulfills the following requirements: (6) The applicant must pay all company employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary) a minimum wage at least as high as the minimum wage paid to all employees of the City of South Bend. Bill #50-17 (Substitute) LEVYING TAXES AND FIXING THE PROPERTY TAXATION RATE FOR 2018 The State limits this to 4% and will most likely lower the requested amount according to the City Controller. Will be 1st reading with a VOTE on October 9th Corporation General Fund $3.6684 on each $100 of Taxable Property Park and Recreation Fund $0.8631 on each $100 of Taxable Property Cumulative Capital Development Fund $0.0405 on each $100 of Taxable Property Total Civil City Rate $4.572 REDEVELOPMENT BOND $0.0863 on each $100 of Taxable Property NOTE: All these years, this has gone to pay off the College Football Hall of Fame. This will be ending in Feb 2018 and will continue on as a Park Fund. Bill #51-17 DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND CIVIL CITY (Continued) Bill #52-17 DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF ENTERPRISE FUNDS (Continued) Bill #54-17 LEVYING TAXES AND FIXING TRANSPO TAX RATE 2018 Budget will be $13,505,827.00 of that $4,481,065.00 will be from property taxes on the citizens at the tax rate of 0.1422 (Previously they said the budget would be $10,662,269) It costs $250K to add a new route ND Game Day Service is underwritten by sponsors, so it does not add additonal expenses They are looking at raising the $1 fare There are currently 22 Compress Gas Buses Diesel gas costs $1 more a gallon than Compressed Gas They got a $1M grant for bus shelters in 23 locations and they will be put in over the next 2-3 years Wages are 53% of their Budget and they are going to be renegotiating them in October They have added a route to the new VA Hospital in Mishawaka They will be adding routes when the new 4 Winds Casino opens There are approximately 320 Transpo Access Paratransit rides per day Each ride, one way costs them $36. They charge $2. 2 Million rides are given in a year for about 60K people The need for Paratransit has increased, putting a strain on funding since they lose $34 per ride NOTE: Transpo continues to lose money and sold property to cover more recent expenses and took out a loan from 1st Source to cover a matching grant. The other monies are covered by State and Federal dollars. Usually Federal provides 80% and the rest has to be matched. These funds are in question. Bill # 33-17 Rezoning for 1709 W. Lincolnway West Bill # 43-17 Rezoning for 1237 and 1303 Ironwood NOTE: This has been HOTLY CONTESTED by the neighbors around it. The Mayor/City want "High Density Housing" and this is in an area of "Single Family" homes. The Developer did a "Clear Cut" to the property removing stately trees that the neighbors wanted kept in place for their value and buffer between the properties. They finally agreed to 26 units, which is still very condensed.Current zoning would be 18 units, but the Developer got 8 more squeezed on it. The Developer wants to sell $350K units to Notre Dame students and the surrounding neighbors say this will cause noise, traffic and disruption to their neighborhood. For more details, see our earlier article on "Keyhole Neighborhood" with the Red Border. There was a signed agreement for there to be trees and commercial level landscaping provided. He expects the project to take around 3 years to complete. Neigbors are not pleased with having to endure construction for so long. ABZA & Zoning Adminstration from Building Department to the Area Plan Commission NOTE: This is yet another concentration of power. The Building Department is being absorbed into the Area Plan Commission so there will be one less check and balance to the process. They are calling it a "One Stop Shop". FIRST READINGS: Bill #59-17 Salary of the City Clerk will increase 2% Bill #60-17 Salary of the City Council will increase 2% from $19,030 to $19,411 Bill #61-17 Salary of the Mayor will be $108,710 Bill #62-17 Non-Bargaining Employees of the City will be available in the City Clerks Office NOTE: Amounts are provided in the "Packet" which may be downloaded from the City website under Council Meetings & Agendas The Mayor may give up tp $500 CAR ALLOWANCE per month and up to $100 CELL PHONE Allowance as he sees fit. Monetary Fringe Benefits "may be amended from time to time" Hiring Bonuses may range from $100 to $4,000 Council President Tim Scott asked for a list of any employees receiving more than a 2% increase. During presentations we noticed there were multiple times where they created new positions at a higher pay and moved current department employees into those positions, which may skirt the 2% cap on compensation. Bill #63-17 Wages of Teamster Employees Bill #64-17 Wages for the Police Dept Bill #65-17 Wages for the Fire Dept NOTE: Amounts are provided in the "Packet" which may be downloaded from the City website under Council Meetings & Agendas Bill #66-17 Procedures for Downspout Connections Bill #17-57 Zoning Appeal for 211 W. Monroe Street New Business: Oliver Davis Jr. reminded people there will be a new Dog Park opening. If you want to know amounts or specifics or have comments, contact your Council Representative. For more articles and meetings: #MichianaObserver
0 Comments
SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL:
Monday 3:30 pm, County-City Building, Conference Rm, 4th floor 7:00 pm, County-City Building, Council Chambers, 4th floor District 1: Tim Scott ~ [email protected] District 2: Regina Williams-Preston ~ [email protected] District 3: Randy Kelly ~ [email protected] District 4: Jo Broden ~ [email protected] District 5: David A. Varner ~ [email protected] District 6: Oliver J. Davis ~ [email protected] At-Large: Gavin Ferlic ~ [email protected] At-Large: John Voorde ~ [email protected] At-Large: Karen L. White ~ [email protected] Common Council ~ [email protected] 574.235.9321 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING Monday, 4:15 pm, 304 S. Main Street VENUE, PARKS & ARTS MEETING Monday, 4:30 pm, O'Brien Center Board Room, 321 E. Walter Street Eva Ennis, Board Secretary, 574.245.6050 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS: Tuesday, 9:30 am, County-City Building, 13th floor Linda Martin, Board Secretary, 574.235.9251 COUNTY COUNCIL: Tuesday, 6:00 pm, County-City Building, Council Chambers, 4th floor 574.235.9658 REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (Call first to confirm meeting) Thursday, 9:30 am, County-City Building, 13th floor Mary Brazinsky, Board Secretary, 574.235.9337 ------------------------------------------------------- FOOD FOR THOUGHT Thursday, 8:00 am, IUSB Student Activity Center, Rm 225 Community Discussion - The Environment: Education, Policy, and Practice Community Engagement Breakfast is encouraging organizations and academics to come and make new connections on a wide range of issues, such as; Urban Farming; Climate Change and Resilience; Water Quality; Waste Reduction; Mindfulness and Consumption; K-12 Education; Federal/State Policy and Local Control; and Ethics. Attendees can also create their own topics for discussion. Note: Call for schedule changes For more meetings and info #MichianaObserver Complete Report of Proposed Changes http://www.sjcpl.org/node/11034 Current Library on the First FloorSeptember 19, 2017, St. Joseph County Public Library, Colfax Auditorium DISCUSSED: * Toddler Literacy focus * Tweens & Teens - Both Quiet and Noisy Areas * Small Study and Meeting Rooms * Event Space that can be rented out as a source of revenue * Culture Center - Gallery Space * Pop-up Space for Non-profit Temporary Projects * Stages for performances * 3rd Party Coffee Shop * Civic Commons - Outdoor Plaza Space - Semi-enclosed because of our weather * Rooftop Garden * User friendly furnishings * Easily changed technology * Flexible spaces that can be reconfigured * Move Studio 304 Maker Space to be more visible * Free Standing Shelves that are on castors (Not over 66" high) * Convenient * Move meeting areas out of the basement * Put young kids spaces on the first floor AUDIENCE CONCERNS: * Wide open spaces that are hard to heat * ADA Concerns for entrances * Not seeing many paper books - Boomers are the ones reading more electronic books * Audio Books / DVD's declining in use, so this space would be freed up * There will still be stacks * Concern about having children on the first floor with people who are a security concern * Need to look at things we do well and keep those things, not just change things to be changing them There is a complete report you can download at this link that gives greater detail: http://www.libraryforlife.org/renovation If you want an Overview of the South Bend Budget, you can look at it here or download it from the Official City Website.
 Board of Public Safety - Promotions, Retirements, PD Vehicle Pursuits, Part-Time Police Program, Crime Stats, Commendations
September 20, 2017, 9:15 am - 9:42 am County-City Building 13th Floor Board Members: John Collins, Eddie L. Miller, Luther Taylor, Daniel Jones, Brian Pawlowski, Linda M. Martin - Clerk August Minutes were approved. SBFD PROMOTION: Chief Cox of the Fire Department presented Captain Mike Lagodney who became a Battalion Chief on Septmeber 8, 2017. This is a Mayoral Appointment. (See picture with his wife) Congratulations on your promotion! ------------------------------------------------- SBPD PROMOTION: PFC Kyle Dombrowski, PN#2155 will now become a Sergeant as of September 24, 2017. Before this he was in the Strategic Focus Unit. Congratulations on your promotion! SBPD PROMOTION: PFC Meredith Hanley, PN #2053 will now become a Sergeant as of September 24, 2017. Before this he was in the Investigative Bureau on Special Assignment. Congratulations on your promotion! SBPD PROMOTION: PFC Jamil Elwaer, PN#2161 will now become a Sergeant as of September 24, 2017. Before this he was in the Investigative Bureau on Special Assignment. Congratulations on your promotion! SBPD PROMOTION: PFC Chad Goben, PN# 2162 will now become a Sergeant as of September 24, 2017. Before this he was in the Support Division. Congratulations on your promotion! SBPD PROMOTION: PFC Jason Biggs, PN# 2121 will now become a Sergeant as of September 24, 2017. Before this he was in the Investigative Bureau. Congratulations on your promotion! All of the above Police Officers have received STO (Supervisor Training for Officers). --------------------------------------------------- SBPD RETIREMENT: Captain Scott Hanley, PN#465 will retire effectively on October 1, 2017 after 24 years of service. Thank you for your service! SBPD RETIREMENT: Sargeant James Wolff was effective on September 10, 2017 after 25 years of service. Thank you for your service! -------------------------------------------------- RESOLUTION #40-2017 PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER PROGRAM Adopted on September 20, 2017 This creates a PTO Part-Time Officer Program which is allowed by Indiana Code 36-1-3-3 These officers would: NOT become full time officers NOT be part of Collective Bargaining NOT intitled to Benefits NOT guaranteed any certain hours NOT be subject to promotion NOT be able to work more than 1,000 hours per year (according to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act) NOT be used at permanent officers and would be subject to discipline by the South Bend Chief of Police. While employed they would have the same authority as full-time officers as provided by Indiana Law. Rate of pay would be 80% of the currently hourly rate of A PFC (Patrolman First Class) They will be hired by the Chief and be appointed by the Board of Public Safety. Currently there is a shortage of officers at the SBPD. There are over 300 events needing officers a year and the Department is unable to accomodate them, especially when there are multiple events on one day. The officers hired would be retired officers who have already worked with the SBPD. They may also be able to assist with detective case loads. in 2017 there have been 325 applicants to the SBPD. 8 have advanced to the Police Academy. The Police/Fire Job Fair was so successful Mishawaka is now planning to have one soon. -------------------------------------------------- VEHICLE PURSUITS: This was originally issued 9/14/2005 and this will be a Revision. Sections Include: Definitions, Initiation of Pursuit, Pursuit Operations, Command Supervisor Responsibilities, Pursuit Tactics, Forcible Stopping Technique Guidelines, Termination of Pursuit, Inter and Intra-Jurisdictional Pursuits, After-Action Reporting, Training There is a three car limit and no pursuit is allowed if civilians are in the car. The 4 page handout does not highlight what changes were made. NOTE: Pursuits put civilans at high risk of being injured or killed. Some cities ban them altogether because of this risk. Some limit the length of time, are based on the population density of the area and the rate of speed that cannot be exceeded. This policy does not address any of these issues. If you want to see the full 4 pages you can put in an APRA request on the City website. -------------------------------------------------- POLICE STATISTICS: The SBPD will be moving to the National Incident Reporting System which is Federally mandated by 2020. SB will go live with it starting 1/1/2018. It gives more detail and shows by location. Year-To-Date Figures for Part 1 Offenses are: 13 Homicides - up 5 from 2016 63 Rapes - up 10 from 2016 222 Robberies - up 7 from 2016 389 Aggrevated Assualts - same as 2016 599 Residential Burglaries - up 23 from 2016 269 Non-Residential Burglaries - up 104 from 2016 2287 Larceny - up 157 from 2016 322 Vehicle Thefts - up 39 from 2016 28 Arsons - up 3 from 2016 4,192 Total - up 348 from 2016 which is a 9% increase If you want to help, the Neighborhood Watch Meetings are the First Thursday of the month, 6:45 pm at the Police Station on Sample. Also, they are looking for qualified applicants. If you know about a crime, please contact Crime Stoppers. -------------------------------------------------- COMMENDATIONS: Although we often hear of bad things in the media, it's important to recognize the good and heroic actions our first responders make as a matter of course. * Officers Mike Tutino and Chris Kronewitter were able to keep an armed suspect from entering Stanley Clark School * Officers Joe Mitchell, Kyle Drury and Steve Burger (SFU) were on the scene of a firey crash on the Northwest side. Assisted by neighbors they were able to get out the windshield with their bare hands and removed the woman driver, the grandmother and two small children. Unfortunately the 6 year old didn't make it. * Officers Phillip Simms and Chris Krueger responded to an opioid overdose. Simms had not recieved his NARCAN training, but from instructions given enroute was able to administer it and save the victim. * Officer Greg Early was off-duty but responded to a call about an armed robbery. He waited for on-duty officers. The 16 year old had a loaded .45 caliber handgun. He was apprehended and no shots were fired. Thanks for your courage to help our community! For more meetings and articles: #MichianaObserver  IUSB Activities Center Rm 225
Education institutions receiving Federal funds are required to inform students about the Constitution. IUSB celebrated by handing out copies of the Constitution, having a "Preamble Puzzle", and challenging students to answer questions about the Constitution. Leading the discussions were Professor of Political Science and American Democracy Project, Dr. Elizabeth Bennion Turba, Dr. Darryll Heller, Director of the Civil Rights Heritage Center and Chancellor Dr. Terry L. Allison. It is also the kickoff for the the Fall American Democracy Political Series. This Fall it will be focused around Asset-Based Community Development with Neighborhood Resources Connection. Dates include November 1st, 8th and 15th. The "Pizza and Politics" Series is September 28th, October 26th and November 30th, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm in the Student Activity Center, Room 225. Info: 574-520-4128 A REMINDER: Tuesday, September 26th is National Voter Registration Day. Be sure to make you are still registered and that your address is updated. Many have been removed from the rolls. For more meetings and articles: #MichianaObserver Council Members Present: Regina Willams-Preston, Jo Broden, Dr. Dave Varner, John Voorde, Oliver Davis, Tim Scott, Karen L. White - Chairperson
NOTE: NEXT PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING is on OCTOBER 4th at 5 pm, County-City Building 4th Floor Budgets reviewed will be the Council's Budget, City Clerk, IT and 311 DIDN'T ATTEND BUT STILL HAVE A QUESTION? You can submit them to any Council Member or the City Clerk. Answers will be posted. Not sure what is in the Budget? There is a link to all the Budget documents on the City of South Bend Home Page. These are YOUR TAX $. Give your input on where you want them spent or not spent. Note: These Questions/Answers are paraphrased / condensed and NOT exact quotes. These are notes, not quotes. QUESTION: Why is there an auto allowance AND milage paid to Park Dept employees? ANSWER: Aaron Perri says he will have to look at the numbers for the 7 employees in question. QUESTION: Why is there an auto allowance and milage paid to Mayor's Office employees? Why isn't the milage kept track of? ANSWER: Controller says she will have to look at the numbers. QUESTION: How are the street lights financed and replaced? ANSWER: From Eric Horvath - The light funding comes out of various projects. They work on two Districts a year with a 3 year rotation and replace 30-40 in each District per year. This is funded out of the 404 COIT Fund. The City has 10 kinds of fixtures and some of them are becoming hard to find for the historic districts. 80% of the lights are owned and operated by AEP and 20% are City. To save money and energy, the City lights are changed over to LED. There is a 211 Driver who is available on call all night to put up signs around accidents and outages. If Citizens see an outage, please call 311. If you have the number from the pole number tag, that is helpful. For Citizens yards, there is a "Light Up South Bend" program that charges them $250 for the pole and the installation. It costs the City $800 for the labor and materials and this is funded with $200K annually. NOTE: TIF can be used for lights and is often part of Development projects. QUESTION: Why are there now "Smooth Streets"? What is the City doing to address the many crumbling streets? NOTE: There are 2,200 "Lane Miles" in the City and the City only paves about 20 of them a year, which means it will take 72 years to get around to paving them all. Hopefully the release of tax dollars from the gas tax will mean more will be paved. ANSWER: From Eric Horvath - There is an app that updates the City paving schedule and the information is online. They use $550K of material "milling off the top 2" and putting it down. They are crack sealing and paving just portions of streets since they can't afford to pave the whole street. They are using a Community Crossings Grant to pave part of Ironwood. NOTE: TIF $ could be spent on roads, curbs and sidewalks but the City is spending TIF on developer projects. You are welcome to comment to your Council Members on what you want TIF $ spent on. Unfortunately, although you can attend Redevelopment Meetings, no public comments are allowed. QUESTION: Why is the Park Department spending $600K on a Recreational Vehicle and how will it be financed? ANSWER: From Aaron Perri - It will be used to go to various neighborhoods to educate people on health issues like eating healthy. The health part of it would be done by the County Health Department. It will be a 5 year Lease/Purchase so the City will own it at the end of 5 years. QUESTION: How many Animal Control Officers are out in the neighborhoods every day? ANSWER: From Jenn Gobel, SBACC Director, There are 4 Animal Control Officers. Mon-Fri there are 2 Officers on Duty every day. 1 is on call in the off hours. On Tues-Wed-Thurs there are 2 additional officers on from 8:30 - 5:30 pm. For more meetings and articles: #MichianaObserver SPECIAL NOTE - BUDGET MEETINGS & PROTEST of SOUTH SHORE / ARDMORE NEIGHBORHOOD
Business After Hours Expo BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS: 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 9:30 am, County-City Building, 13th floor Linda Martin, Board Secretary, 574.235.9251 SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL: Monday 3:30 pm, County-City Building, Conference Rm, 4th floor 7:00 pm, County-City Building, Council Chambers, 4th floor Kareemah Fowler, City Clerk, 574.235.9221 District 1: Tim Scott ~ [email protected] District 2: Regina Williams-Preston ~ [email protected] District 3: Randy Kelly ~ [email protected] District 4: Jo Broden ~ [email protected] District 5: David A. Varner ~ [email protected] District 6: Oliver J. Davis ~ [email protected] At-Large: Gavin Ferlic ~ [email protected] At-Large: John Voorde ~ [email protected] At-Large: Karen L. White ~ [email protected] Common Council ~ [email protected] 574.235.9321 SPECIAL NOTE: At 5:30 Ardmore Neighborhood will be wearing orange and protesting the South Shore going through their homes. They will be protesting in front of the County-City Building BUDGET HEARINGS: Wednesday, 5 pm, County-City Building 4th Floor Departments: Clerk's Office, Common Council, Building Department, Admin. & Finance MACOG - Michiana Area Council of Governments 574.287.1829 / 574-674-8894 MACOG Policy Board Meeting - Wednesday, 10 am, 11th Floor County City Building REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: Thursday, 9:30 am, County-City Building, 13th floor Mary Brazinsky, Board Secretary, 574.235.9337 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- COUNTY COUNCIL: Tuesday, 6:00 pm, County-City Building, Council Chambers, 4th floor 574.235.9658 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BUSINESS EXPO: (Non-Govt, but of interest) Thursday, 4-7 pm, Century Center, Chamber After Hours Expo Over 100 Local Businesses Cara Grabowski at 574.400.4032 Note: Call for schedule changes  Dr. Kenneth Spells Dr. Kenneth Spells, Superintendent of South Bend Community School Corporation
September 8, 2017, Noon, League of Women Voters at the South Bend Chocolate Company He has just completed his first year and his "Listening Tour". He is now embarking on his "Let's Talk Tour" meeting multiple times throughout the community. He wanted to listen first before starting to make changes. He said the community had a lot to say. He visited 34 buildings in 34 days. He came with Dr. Todd Cummins, his Human Resources person who is from Ft. Wayne, and Ms. Susan Coney, the Director of Communications and Chief of Staff who has been with the schools for 20 years. He has formed #TeamSouthBend to boost the school corporation and its reputation. He wants every teacher, employee and student to be an Ambassador for SBCSC by "Telling Good Things". The school system currently has around 18,000 students and 70% are eligible for free or reduced cost lunches. He wants all of them to have computer devices and access. HIGHLIGHTS: * Parent University - Helping Parents with Resources * Visual and Performing Arts Magnate at Clay HS * Dual Language program at McKinley * Medical Magnate at Washington HS * Planning to do more National Advocacy * Hiring a Development Director to bring in more grants and donations REQUESTS: * Mentors * Volunteers * Substitute Teachers * Bus Drivers - 22 Drivers out this afternoon + the 13 Drivers who quit so far this year = negative 38 Drivers UPCOMING COMMUNITY DATES FOR "LET'S TALK": 9/21/17 at Jefferson 5:30 - 7:00 pm 9/28/17 at Darden 3:30 - 5:00 pm 10/4/17 at Administration Building 10:00 - 11:30 am PHILOSOPHY: * "You can't teach me until you love me." * Teach "how" and "why" to keep students interested * "Grace" and "Mercy" are the twins who follow him everywhere. AUDIENCE SUGGESTIONS: * Schools have Day Care for Teen Mothers and Employees * Goals program to help with focus * Work on the problem of sex offenders close to the schools * Laundry since some students won't come to school because of dirty clothing - successful in other areas * Have drug and alcohol services in the schools, not outsourced For more articles and meetings: #MichianaObserver September 6, 2017, 5pm, County-City Building 4th Floor
Councilpersons Present: Karen White, John Voorde, Jo Broden NOTE: If you have questions about the City Budget overall, there will be a SPECIAL MEETING ON 9/18/17 at 5pm. The whole meeting will be dedicated to public input. They would appreciate getting your questions in advance so they can research the answer. Total proposed budget for 2018 = $33,124,566 General Fund $21,268,390 LOIT $ 3,354,279 EMS Capital $ 2,136,058 EMS 288 $ 6,365,058 LOIT = Local Option Income Tax EMS Capital pays for Ambulances which cost $250K and leases on vehicles Ladder Trucks cost $1.2M Fund 288 Long Term Capital Funding was from EMS income and will now be switched to the Enterprise Fund SAFER GRANT - will pay $350,000 over 3 years to help staff the department. FEMA GRANT - $22,000 for smoke alarms and ones for those who are hearing impaired. They work with Red Cross on installation. HAZ MAT - SB has a contract with the Toll Road to provide Haz Mat services. There is now a new Haz Mat vehicle. We have "Mutual Aid Agreements" with area Fire Departments, which was utilized when there was a gas leak in downtown South Bend. SBFD has been trained for Infant Safe Sleep and receives "Sleep Sacks" from the State Medicaid is slow to pay SB Department - just now paying for services in 2014. Medicaid reimbursement may be going away. Water Safety Instruction Classes - $45,500+ pulls in Firefighters from all over the US to train on the East Race for 3-5 classes per year. They are one of the few that teach water rescue from a car. $600 per student and it beings in tourism $. They were mentioned in "Firehouse Magazine". Instructors come from SB, Elkhart, Mishawaka and the DNR. NOTE: It benefits our area because there about 30 water rescues per year in our area. They will be enhancing the training with two new FEMA boats, Type 1 & 2. Station #4 will be paid for with TIF funds Station #9 will be paid for with bonds These will be Silver LEED Certified which means they will be environmentally friendly to both the area and those living and working inside of it. They will include Co-Ed quarters and exercise rooms. NOTE: Tax increment financing (TIF) is a public financing method that is used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, and other community-improvement projects in many countries, including the United States. Similar or related value capture strategies are used around the world. EMPLOYMENT: Up to 22 will be retiring in 2018 They are training both Juniors and Seniors in High School. 4 graduated from this program last year. 13 are in the Junior Class and 15 are in the Senior Class. New training classes starting on 9/18 will include 3 Women, 2 Hispanics, 3 Veterans and 1 African American. JOB FAIR - 9/14/17 from 4 - 7 pm with other area Fire Departments HEALTH: New Fire Stations will have workout rooms Annual evaluation on fitness with Work Performance Evaluations for Wellness Cancer Prevention Initiative Questions: * Do tall buildings over 5 stories pay an extra annual fee since they require more equipment, training and additional risks to firefighters? * Does each unit have the special glasses that see people through the smoke? * Does each unit have pet resuscitation equipment? * Sell/give away "___ Pets in this home" stickers? * Is there an "ICE Tube Program" where people put their medical information in a tube in their freezer and on their phone? These tubes are free from Logan and are assembled by them since 2012 1-800-914-9488 www. theICEapp. com * Is there a program where people can bring their fire extinquishers in for testing and learn about how to use them in their home/business? * Could there be a public post about the # and % of each type of EMS Call other than "Advanced/Basic/No Transport"? See the number of Drug OD, Alcohol, shooting, heart attack, water rescue, etc would help us as a community to know where issues are that need to be addressed and have prevention efforts Supplies have increased from $483,308 in 2015 to an expected $830,490 in 2018. That is almost DOUBLE in 3 years. What is the reason for this increase? * Is there a program to teach people how to use AED (Automatic Electronic Defribrulators)? * Is there an inspection program for rentals? Code Enforcement is looking at adding 2 people, but would it be better to have this done through the Fire Dept? For more articles and meetings: #MichianaObserver |
AuthorCitizens attending community events to inform other Citizens. Archives
October 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed