09/02/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 9/2/2008 keep Council fully informed at all times as to the fmancial condition of the city. He doesn't think that has necessarily happened because Council is being asked to give a mid- year pay increase to a certain number of people. At the same time, the Mayor is advising directors to cut 10% from their budgets, which Council was advised of at the last Finance Committee meeting. If we go down the path of granting the raises while not keeping in consideration the potential impact of a 10% cut on services, it is a disservice to residents. We are not being straight forward with the residents. If we have a financial problem that we have to deal with, then we should address it now. We shouldn't do these things piecemeal. To handle these as we go is a piecemeal approach. It's not about unfair, it's not about unprecedented, it's not even about injustice. He thinks North Olmsted employees are treated quite well. He respects every director who has a secretary and the work they do. This is not a bad place to work. We have a great benefits package and it's a good atmosphere. He does not think it is an injustice because of not granting a mid- year pay increase. We can look at it next year when all the numbers are in. Mayor O'Grady said an injustice was not being done to the residents of the city but rather to the employees and to the Finance Director by stating that Council is not aware of the fiscal condition of the city. Council has been well informed. The use of the term mid-year pay increase is disingenuous because the city never does the non-bargaining employees pay adjustment until the pay adjustment is done for the bargaining units. Every prior City Council has moved to create parity with the non-bargaining clerical employees, which include secretaries to the dir~tors and the Police and Fire Chiefs. These actions have created discord unnecessarily, especially when it was made clear that the number we are talking about with this small number of people is approximately $15,000. Councilman Gareau said he did not say he wasn't being fully inf©rmed by Finance Director Copfer. He said it was the Mayor's job. He has not kept Council fully informed and has not told Council of his plan to address the $1 million to $1.5 million shortfall before the end of the year. The Mayor is not doing his job. A Finance Committee meeting was held last week, and the Mayor did not attend as he was on vacation and never asked that the meeting be changed. Mayor O'Grady commented that he and the Finance Director work very well together to present and protect the fiscal situation in the city. Councilman Gareau commented he could get legal opinion on the Mayor's responsibilities. Councilman Ryan said Council is very concerned because ultimately the responsibility is going to be with them to make such choices as whether not to give raises or to consider a tax increase All they are asking from the Mayor is to please inform them so they know what to address as soon as possible. Mayor O'Grady said that was a fair statement. It is the responsibility of the administration, not of the City Council, to administer the government. He promises this administration will make those changes necessary that will bring Council a balanced budget for next year without a tax increase. He will not increase taxes until he has done everything within his power to control costs. The administration has made changes which have reduced costs and brought greater efficiencies. The change to outsourcing the Engineering Dept. has saved over $200,000. Law Director Dubelko: 1) He sent a memo to City Council and the administration regarding the 1979 through 1980 RTA v. North Olmsted litigation. 3