04/21/2009 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 4/21/2009 Gallagher, 1406 Plymouth, Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the laid off fire fighters/paramedics. He asked if this was in addition to the $125,000 that Gary Johnson is going to make? Mrs. Copfer said she did not recall what the budget amounts in all the areas were. She can get that specific information for him. But, yes, this is for a specific arbitration. Law Director Dubelko said that he would highly recommend, regardless of how this legislation came before City Council, that Council adopt it in order to protect the interests of the city as employer in pending azbitration. There was a miscommunication between the administration and Law Dept. as to whether or not outside counsel, or actually our labor negotiator who is an attorney, could handle this arbitration. When it came to his attention, he spoke to the administration and advised them that they should bring it to City Council. In order to protect the city's interest in this matter as the employer, he highly recommends that Council give the administration the authority to amend the contract to complete this arbitration. While the legislation is worded broadly, which was his choice, the Mayor has represented that this authority will only be used for this arbitration and for no other. He will make sure and watch out and that, if any other arbitrations are in the pipeline that the administration wants to use Mr. Johnson instead of the in-house department, then he will have some say about that. We won't have any other arbitrations handled by outside counsel unless the Mayor and he agree that it is the best thing to do, and it will be brought to Council for authority. Mayor O'Grady said he would echo those words. Councilman Gareau moved for adoption, and the motion was seconded by Councilman Barker. Roll call: Gareau, yes; Barker, yes; Kearney, no; Jones, yes; Mahoney, yes, with comment that though he may not like how we got here- and he's not throwing stones at any persons or the administration-he thinks there is wisdom to sticking with the lawyer that you started with. You don't change horses in the middle of a race. He is aware that this is an additional cost to the city for Mr. Johnson, but he has a tremendous amount of respect for our Law Director and finds his advice to carry the day. Roll call continued: Orlowski, no; Brossard, yes. The motion passed with five yes votes and two no votes. Resolution No. 2009-55 adopted. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Councilman Kearney scheduled a Public Safety, Health & Welfare Committee meeting for 6:55 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, to discuss Resolution 2009-54. The Safety Director is asked to attend. Council Member Dailey Jones scheduled a Streets & Transportation Committee meeting for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, to discuss Resolutions 2009-51 and 2009-52. The Service Director and City Engineer are asked to attend. With the agenda being completed and there being no further business to come before Council, President Kennedy adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. .z cam- ~~.e~- G ~-x. ~.,./ ~azbara L. Seman, Cler of Council Ke m M. Keened , resident o ouncil r