![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/icons\/t2009_City_Council.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Notes from tonight’s City Council meeting.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Committee Session<\/strong><\/p>\n No one spoke at the public hearing for A-09-07-22.<\/p>\n North Anthony project<\/strong>: Hipskind was the lowest, $510,560.75 bid. \u00c2\u00a0Pam Holocher is talking about the project. \u00c2\u00a0“This is a community development project in that it reallly sustains neighborhoods, a project we really like to be involved with.” \u00c2\u00a0Taking out a lane, adding green space and bicycle lanes. \u00c2\u00a0Vision for the project came from property owners five years ago.<\/p>\n It \u00c2\u00a0has taken so long because of the community input with this project. \u00c2\u00a0Number of drive cuts \u00c2\u00a0was over 20 to start with, now reduced to 11. \u00c2\u00a0There will be two bus huts installed and colored crosswalks. \u00c2\u00a0On the north end will be some new modern traffic signals. \u00c2\u00a0The neighborhood group has collected funds to allow for other ornamentation to be installed. \u00c2\u00a0They want for the project to be done in this construction season. \u00c2\u00a0Several businesses have applied for facade grants.<\/p>\n Karen Goldner: The neighborhood has been supportive and raised funds and been engaged in the design phase of the project. \u00c2\u00a0It is really not possible to take any vehicle other than a car from the south end to the north end of the corrridor in a safe way. \u00c2\u00a0It is an improvement in many ways.<\/p>\n John Shoaff: Bouleavard was one of the original avenues identified by George Kessler. \u00c2\u00a0Is there a reason why we don’t see more trees? \u00c2\u00a0Pam – Signage of businesses. \u00c2\u00a0Every cut was a joint decision between owners and the City. \u00c2\u00a0Didn’t want to create a hardship for any of the businesses. “We would have loved to put in more trees.”<\/p>\n Liz Brown: Every landowner agreed to cuts? \u00c2\u00a0Yes. \u00c2\u00a0They will be signing off on easements to preserve this. \u00c2\u00a0Had to choose one side or the other. \u00c2\u00a0One – more curb cuts on west side and it was also a direct connnection to the Rivergreenway. \u00c2\u00a0No federal dollars in the project. \u00c2\u00a0Permission has been granted by owners for the bus hut locations. \u00c2\u00a0Citilink is \u00c2\u00a0paying for the construction of the huts.<\/p>\n Passed out of committee with “Do Pass”, 9-0.<\/p>\n A-09-07-02<\/strong><\/p>\n $1.2 million last year; \u00c2\u00a0$416k until June, in legal costs to defend city against claims against the police. \u00c2\u00a0Seems to run in ten year cycles. \u00c2\u00a0Passed out of Committee with “Do Pass”, 8-1.<\/p>\n G-09-07-23<\/strong><\/p>\n Liz Brown: Does not affect any current retired, but going forward, the State requries municipalities to provide insurance at retirement, until the age of 65. \u00c2\u00a0 Law requires us to provide it, does not say we have to pay for it. \u00c2\u00a0Going forward, employees would share more in the premiums.<\/p>\n Tom Didier: What concessions were made by the employees when the current agreement was made? \u00c2\u00a0It needs to go to the bargaining table before we can make a decision. \u00c2\u00a0May not be the right time for this.<\/p>\n Liz Brown: responding that those involved in those negotiations would not be affected as the negotiations were 10 years ago vs. \u00c2\u00a0City is loosing more money across the board on health insurance. \u00c2\u00a0This isn’t about the union – it’s about them paying a portion of their insurance. \u00c2\u00a0“It’s the tail wagging the dog,” in reference to the unions. \u00c2\u00a0Drew a rumble from the crowd. \u00c2\u00a0There was a lot of lobbying to not introduce the bill, none about having a conversation. \u00c2\u00a0I am open to dialogue.<\/p>\n Marty Bender: City had negotiated with all public safety unions, in lieu of concessions, city offered benefits we currently have. \u00c2\u00a0All concessions and health plan was negotiated in good faith. \u00c2\u00a0This ordinance violates the collective bargaining ordinance we have.<\/p>\n Glynn Hines: One of the things this Council does is tries not to get involved in the negotiations. \u00c2\u00a0It was a long drawn-out negotiation. \u00c2\u00a0In this case, you’re putting the cart before the horse. \u00c2\u00a0This dialogue should be had at the negotiation table, not the Council table.<\/p>\n Karen Goldner: Amendments. \u00c2\u00a0Part of it deals with the caps on the active rates. \u00c2\u00a0Police and Fire exception made for retirees only. \u00c2\u00a0It is reasonable that employees share in the costs. \u00c2\u00a0City Council does have the ability to set parameters for future contracts. \u00c2\u00a0We need to have competitive compensation package, not necessarily the best in town. \u00c2\u00a0Putting their lives on the line merits increased compensation.<\/p>\n Tom Smith: Let’s imagine this bill passes… would we be open to law suits? \u00c2\u00a0How expensive would the litigation become? \u00c2\u00a0We do have to consider that aspect. \u00c2\u00a0Is this something that if we made the change, would the City be open to law suits.<\/p>\n Tim Didier: Concept of something they’re getting for free vs. something they’ve earned. \u00c2\u00a0It’s very easy to sell the concept that it’s something they’re getting for free or better than other cities. \u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0It makes good policy sense, should be something down the road, perhaps a decade. \u00c2\u00a0I’m not certain it’s good policy. \u00c2\u00a0This is avery attractive benefit. \u00c2\u00a0Are we getting more talented employees? \u00c2\u00a0Better motivated? \u00c2\u00a0I would want to asses this before taking it away. \u00c2\u00a0Not going to support the project here, but I think further inquiries are warranted.<\/p>\n Mitch Harper: Is this a matter of saving the $300,000 or long term savings?<\/p>\n Liz – this would try to tamp down some of those costs. \u00c2\u00a0This is a unique benefit. \u00c2\u00a0In the State of Indiana, this is the best and is unique. \u00c2\u00a0This doesn’t cover those who’ve earned it or are retired. \u00c2\u00a06 of the 9 of us here participate in this plan. \u00c2\u00a0Those who have less than 10 years can look at another proposal. \u00c2\u00a0The threat of a law suit can be onerous. \u00c2\u00a0It is not illegal to make these decisions.<\/p>\n Mitch Harper: what’s the average of non-public safety retirees and average age of other city retired employees.<\/p>\n Liz Brown: 40 non-public safety covered. \u00c2\u00a0240 public safety covered. \u00c2\u00a0I don’t want anyone in this city to think that aging firefighter’s are not safe. \u00c2\u00a0They go through annual physical examinations.<\/p>\n Roll Call: No – Brown, Harper, Hines, Shoaff and Smith. \u00c2\u00a0Amendment fails.<\/p>\n Mitch Harper: Make City Council ineligible for retiree health insurance benefit.<\/p>\n Counselor: clarifying. \u00c2\u00a0My understand is that it would be germane to add in Harper’s amendment.<\/p>\n Mitch Harper: Philosophical discussions with his wife about part time City employees to have the benefit. \u00c2\u00a0This Council’s base salary is among highest in the State.<\/p>\n Tom Didier: I do not take health insurance. \u00c2\u00a0This is another full-time job for me, especially with all the emails about Calhoun Street.<\/p>\n Karen Goldner: About half the state offers health insurance to elected officials.<\/p>\n \n Glynn Hines: To Mitch Harper – you can elect out and not have skin in the game.<\/p>\n Liz Brown: Elected officials are treated differently. \u00c2\u00a0Have to be at 32 hours per week to be eligible for this benefit. \u00c2\u00a0You can say you can elect out, but you will budget $9,900 per council memeber. \u00c2\u00a0Does not matter. \u00c2\u00a0We will budget almost $99,000 for Council, even if we don’t take it.<\/p>\n Tim Pape: I don’t understand how it makes us a better City. \u00c2\u00a0Costs have been managed quite well. \u00c2\u00a0It is devoid of any consideration about what this benefit will \u00c2\u00a0mean as far as attracting good employees.<\/p>\n Roll Call on original ordinance: \u00c2\u00a0No – Bender, Didier, Goldner, Hines, Pape, Smith. \u00c2\u00a0City Council insurance remains.<\/p>\n Liz Brown: Cost benefits have gone up 45%. \u00c2\u00a0Is there an interest in holding this?<\/p>\n Karen Goldner: The Council does have the authority to establish parameters regarding negotiations. \u00c2\u00a0Changing horses in mid-stream leaves a bad taste in my mouth. \u00c2\u00a0The negotiations have been on-going for some time.<\/p>\n Back and forth discussion between Brown and Goldner about changing the rules.<\/p>\n Roll Call vote: No – Bender, Didier, Goldner, Harper, Hines, Pape, Shoaff and Smith. \u00c2\u00a08-1.<\/p>\n \n Regular Session<\/strong><\/p>\n I’ll update on the Regular Session in another post, along with some video. \u00c2\u00a0Calhoun Street did pass.<\/p>\n \n Notes from tonight’s City Council meeting. Related Images:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[236],"tags":[710,15,21751,18,129,20,21755,133,127,128,1722,1149,851],"class_list":{"0":"post-6278","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"hentry","6":"category-fort-wayne-city-council","7":"tag-city-of-fort-wayne-commercial-facade-grant-program","8":"tag-fort-wayne-city-council-2","9":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-glynn-hines","10":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-john-shoaff","11":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-marty-bender","12":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-tim-pape","13":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-tom-didier","14":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilman-tom-smith","15":"tag-fort-wayne-city-councilwoman-karen-goldner","17":"tag-george-kessler","18":"tag-pam-holocher","19":"tag-valerie-ahr"},"yoast_head":"\nRelated Images:<\/h3>
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