10/07/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 10/7/2008 In the absence of Councilman Gareau, Councilman Barker read the Finance Committee report: 1) The Finance committee met on September 23, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. Present were committee chairman Gareau; committee members Kearney and Barker; Council members Jones, Orlowski, Ryan, Mahoney, Council President Kennedy; Mayor O'Grady and Human Resources Director Farver. There were two items on the agenda: • Ordinance 2008-120, an ordinance dispensing with an RFP process and authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Johnson, Miller & Schmitz LLP providing for the latter to continue to serve as the city's labor negotiator, and declaring an emergency. Director Farver indicated that this is to retain outside counsel for the next round of collective bazgaining, which begins now. By way of example, savings over the past rounds of negotiation include removal of the "past practice" language, health care adjustments resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in relief to the General Fund, prevention of the growth of longevity, and removal of paid lunches which saved $142,000. In committee, Councilman Gareau moved to recommend approval; the motion was seconded by Councilman Barker and passed 3-0. • Ordinance 2008-121, an ordinance to make and transfer appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures for the City of North Olmsted for the yeaz ending December 31, 2008. Mr. Ryan started the discussion by indicating that this was a question of morale and fairness for those employees not in the union. He indicated that out of fairness everyone should be treated the same. He emphasized that, if we cannot afford to pay the particular rate to all, then we should not give the unions that wage level. He also advocated a retroactive pay increase not only for 2008, but also for 2007. He wondered aloud if those who get the benefits of the union negotiations should pay for union membership. The Mayor indicated that this was a question of equity and fairness. He indicated that this $15,000 issue was not the issue to go toe to toe on. These employees play a vital role for small dollars. He is advocating that the city catch up the non- bargaining clerical with bargaining clerical. Director Farver indicated that this affects 11 employees, and the total compensation is $15,959.62. She indicated that bargaining over the past two years received 9% pay increases total. Non- bargaining was 3 % total. The employees in question in this legislation have already received a 2% pay increase this year. The Mayor indicated that he will make no promises that layoffs will not occur next year, but that none are envisioned. He pledged to right-size through attrition. Councilman Barker noted that all employees have received a raise in 2008 with the exception of two employees in the Safety division. What about the rest of the employees? The Mayor indicated that this legislation included only clerical because Council rejected his efforts to bring others up and indicated that Council rejected mid- level employees. Councilman Gareau corrected that no pay raise was brought forward for division heads, and the only rejection of a raise was for the 11 non- bargaining secretaries and the directors. The Mayor agreed. Councilman Ryan added that in terms of compensation, we must look beyond pay alone and look to PERS, health care and other benefits (including longevity) to determine 5