12/17/2002 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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` . ~ • ' Council Minutes of 12/17/2002 Ordinance No. 2002-207 was introduced and placed on first reading by Mayor Musial. An ordinance authorizing the Mayor of the City of North Olmsted to enter into a contract renewing the agreement between the city and Karrie Skall Tipton for the provision of gymnastics instruction at the North Olmsted Recreation Center and declaring an emergency. Ordinance No. 2002-208 was introduced and placed on first reading by Council members Gareau, Kasler, Miller, McKay, Nashar and Dailey. An ordinance to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the City of North Olmsted for the year ending December 31, 2003. Councilman Gareau moved for suspension of the rules requiring three readings and formal committee review and noted that it has been discussed in large measure in committee. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nashar. Roll call: Gareau, yes; Nashar, yes; Miller, yes, McKay, yes; Limpert, yes, with comment that we definitely need to pass this legislation. He understands the changes are in the salary ranges, and he has requested of the Personnel Director as to what salaries are paid in other communities. She has provided him with that information and it is available for review. Roll call continued: Kasler, no; Dailey, yes. The motion passed with six yeas and one nay. Councilman Gareau moved for adoption. The motion was seconded by Councilman Nashar. Roll call: Gareau, yes; Nashar, yes; Dailey, yes; Kasler, no, commenting that she agreed to sponsor the ordinance with regard to substantive changes that were made with which she is in complete agreement. Those changes were presented earlier by Mr. Gareau. More recently it came to her attention that the position of Assistant Fire Chief is not funded in the ordinance. It was discussed in committee, and it wasn't her belief that was going to happen. Her concern is that the Fire Chief explained to her that he could do without the position temporarily, a year or less. After discussion with the Law Director, she understands in an emergency or change in financial status that position can be re-addressed. Her feeling is that once something is given up it is very difficult to get it back. She is concerned that Council has been asked to eliminate a position-effectively by not funding it but no information has been given as to who will assume the duties. The Fire Chief has said the department is at bare bones. Without a guarantee of no further layoffs and without a complete plan fora 2003 balanced budget, she cannot in good conscience vote for an ordinance that eliminates a position without a plan that fully addresses the deficit of the city. Roll call continued: Limpert, yes, commenting that we must have a temporary appropriation. Roll call continued: McKay, yes; Miller, no, remarking that, if Council had a line item veto, he would veto the portion wherein the Assistant Chiefs position is not funded. Not funding it in his mind is too close to abolishing the position. The motion passed with five yeas and two nays. Ordinance No. 2002-208 adopted. Finance Director Copfer commented that the Assistant Fire Chief would be in the fire fighters line item and has never had its own line item. The 2003 temporary appropriations was calculated based on the 2002 actual which had an Assistant Fire Chief. There was not a subtracted item of Assistant Fire Chief in this appropriations process. That was not the intent of the numbers that were calculated. Mrs. Kasler asked if it was the intention of the administration not to fund the position of Assistant Fire Chief. Law Director Dubelko said that is what has been represented. After hearing what the Finance Director has said, he believes that in the permanent appropriations ordinance there will specifically be a line item which shows no funding. 23 i