SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

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.
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