09/06/2005 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9/6/2005 association to find ways to practically help people and bring some to our area. He was very much aware that Mr. Prebis had personally volunteered to be on that team as well as the Assistant Chief. The administration very much respected his decision to go out personally and be involved, and the administration very much supported the concept of North Olmsted fire fighters going down to support the efforts in the gulf states. It bothers him that the union and administration cannot come to a reasonable agreement. In his 10 years on Council, he looked at the administration and said, fire fighter overtime is too high, you need to bring it under control. Now that he is Mayor, Council has come to him and said that fire fighter overtime is too high. He has gone to the Safety Director, to the Chief and Assistant Chief and said, fire fighter overtime is too high. We need to take those actions that are going to bring fire fighter overtime under control. He has said that directly to the union members. He has attended union meetings to say the city cannot afford it any more. The taxpayers can't afford it any more. Something has to change. This administration and this union are in court, and we're in court because of things like minimums. And we're in court because of things like callback. We shouldn't be in court. We should be talking to each other-but that's not where we are. This administration went to this union and we said they wanted to send the fire fighters. What was needed was the union to say they would not grieve it if the city went to a 9-person minimum, which is within the city's rights to do. That's what was asked for Fire fighter Prebis answered that he is on vacation. He is not a part of manning, and the city does not have to fill his spot. He is taking his own time to do this. The flyer from FEMA reads, "The initial request is for full-time career fire fighters that are employed by a municipal government and sponsored by that municipality because of the way the salary and expenses will be reimbursed." They are going to pay the city to send him. Mayor O'Grady said the city is not saying he cannot go, but is asking for the union to reach that simple agreement regarding the 9-person minimum. Fire Fighter Prebis continued to reiterate that he is not part of the manning as he is on vacation. The 9-person manning is a cut. Mayor O'Grady further explained that FEMA does not pay overtime. If our fire fighter stays beyond the 30 days, he is no longer on vacation. What happens if the fire fighter is injured and is lost for six months or longer? FEMA does not pick up those expenses. We have to be realistic. We have to be fiscally sound. 5) Veronica Prebis, wife of fire fighter Ron Prebis, said she was pleading with the Mayor. Her husband was not allowed to go after September 11, but he went on his own time to a much more dangerous situation. He has covered his time until October. She will miss him and knows he will not be here for family occasions, but she is willing to make that sacrifice. The fire fighters are willing to work for him without getting reimbursed because it is their way of showing support. Can he go? Mayor O'Grady said he cannot go unless the administration receives the support requested from the union. He commends her husband and her for the sacrifice they have chosen to make. We will see if we can come to an agreement where he can actually go. 18