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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 30,1969 CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK PLEDGE OF 1 ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING (BUDGET 1969-70) 1 18:7479 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 30, 1969 The City Council of the City of Arcadia, California, met in an adjourned regular meeting in the Council Chamber of the Arcadia City Hall on June 30, 1969, at 7:30 P.M. Mayor C. Robert Arth PRESENT: ABSENT: Councilmen Considine, Rage, Helms', Arth Councilman Butterworth (excused at the meeting of June 25). With an announcement by Mayor Arth that consideration of the unfinished portion of the proposed budget for 1969-70 is now in order, the following is a summary of such proceedings. With reference to his report dated June 24, the City Manager explained the approach used by staff in reaching its recommendations as contained therein; he stated in part that he had indicated to each employee organization that as a guide to the prevailing rate staff would use 16 cities and gave each a list of those cities. He expressed concern that it was stated he had not met and conferred in good faith and explored meetings and recalled that in toto the amount of time spent in discussion with one particular group would be about 12 hours - but that no record has been kept thereof. He continued that he had met with the employee groups in an effort to work out wage and benefit differences; that a joint memorandum of agreement had been reached withctwo groups, i. e., Local 606-C of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and with the Arcadia Firemen's Relief Association; that an understanding had not been reached with the Employee's Association or with the Police Relief Association. Percentage spreads were explored from a comparison with the 16 cities which was indicated on a chart on display in the Chamber. His recommendations for the police department were explained which he stated averaged about 9 percent and were the highest of any employee group and that the prevailing rate approach to negotiations had been used in determining the different increases in police ranks, which he stated in part would place the local police about midway up the 'list of the 16 cities surveyed. He noted there are several requests upon which it had been agreed to take up in later study sessions. Thomas Bednark, representing the Arcadia Police Relief Association, stated in part that discussions with management had reached an impasse and pointed out what was felt by the association to be the differences' in fringe benefits and insufficient salary spreads between police ranks in order to maintain incentive and retain trained personnel. In answer to a question he stated that in his opinion the local police have'comparable responsibilities and hazards faced by cities like Los Angeles. He asked that the legislative body act as a negotiating committee and meet with the Association in an executive session. Sam Hunegs, representative of the Local 606-C, stated in part that he did meet and confer in good faith with the City Manager and referred to the joint memoranda of agreement which he hoped would be approved and adopted by the City Council. 6-30-69 - I - 18:7480 Wilma Johnson, President of the Arcadia City Employee's Association, stated in part that she had not received all of the salary recommenda- tions, in particular those of the departmental administrators, although permission had been granted by Council for such information. She read in full a communication advising that the association had voted not to accept proposals concerning specific positions and noted the responsi- bilities and job requirements therefor. (Letter filed in the Office of the City Clerk). In answer to questions, Mrs. Johnson replied that with the aforesaid exception the Association was provided with surveys as requested at the June 25 meeting and as to whether or not it was felt management had negotiated in good faith, she stated in part that she was unfamiliar with this procedure but did feel some of the bargaining methods were not proper. James Corrigan, member of the Police Relief Association, stated in part that it was felt an across the board increase was necessary to maintain 1 the 15 percent differential which had been created about two years ago; that the uniform allowance and paid holidays are low and asked for an adjustment in those two categories. He stated in part that a poll of the membership had rejected the City Managers recommendations and asked for an executive session with the Council. He was advised that the City Attorney had ruled that the Council could not negotiate since it was not a bargaining unit; that it had delegated that responsibility to the City Manager. Mr. Corrigan continued that if the association were denied a careful evaluation of its requests it would not be bargaining in good faith. With reference to the 'comparisons with the 16 cities he stated in part that the association had been met halfway on the salary questions but there were other points to be worked out...fringe benefits, uniforms and the like. HEARING CLOSED No one else desiring to be heard, the hearing was CLOSED on MOTION by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried unanimously. In summarizing the proceedings Councilman Hage stated in part that he believes the City Manager had endeavored to bargain in good faith with the various groups; that the City Manager has stated he will study further requests during the corning year and referred to the new Personnel Director who will be devoting full time to personnel review. The City Council concurred with the views of Councilman Considine who stated in part that the legislative body is proud of the fine record of the police and fire department - all city employees - that it would like to accede to all requests especially as far as salaries are concerned - but there is a practical limit on what a taxpayer can afford to pay and propounded questions to the City Manager who answered in part that with the proposed additions to the budget the city tax rate would remain at $1.05 per $100 assessed valuation. Councilman Hage then MOVED to APPROVE the joint recommendation of the City Manager with the Local 606-C American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and the joint recommendation of the City Manager with the Arcadia Firemen's Relief Association. Motion seconded by Councilman Considine and carried unanimously. Councilman Hage further MOVED to APPROVE the salary recommendations 1 as contained in the City Manager's report dated June 24, 1969, plus those contained in the salary recommendations approved in the aforesaid motion. This motion was seconded by Councilman Helms who commented in part that he felt presentations by the employee groups had been made in all sincerity and honesty, but being rather new on Council he was concerned with balancing the interests of the employees and those of the taxpayers. He felt that there is indeed need of a cost of living increase; that the question apparently is whether or not the positions have been properly evaluated in prior years; that serious consideration should be given to a study of the salaries, classifications, incentive pay and other benefits - items that relate to the dollar on the tax roll that each citizen must pay - that with such understanding he confirmed his second to the motion. 6-30-69 - 2 - 1 RESOLUTION NO. 4080 ADO PTED RESOLUTION NO. 4079 1 18:7481 Prior to the vote Councilman Considine expressed appreciation to all employees who had taken the time to bring to the attention of Council the areas which they would like to have studied and felt they should be assured this would be done and that where gross injustices are discovered the City Manager would make recommendations thereon. He stated further in part that he still feels there is strong justification for consideration of some sort of merit raise which could be provided during any part of a year upon recommendation of the departmental administrator. Mayor Arth agreed with the expressions of appreciation to the city employees and stated in part that Council is concerned about remaining competitive and providing the employees with good wages and benefits; that it is aware it has above-the-average employees; that it is with reluctance it isn't possible to grant every request because he recognizes the exceptional effort of employees. The primary motion was then carried unanimously. Mayor Arth read the recommendations for the salaries of the adminis- trative series which were APPROVED on MOTION by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Ha&e and carried unanimously. Whereupon the City Attorney presented, explained the content and read the title of Resolution No. 4080, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, RE-AFFIRMING THE OFFICIAL SALARY STEP SCHEDULE FOR THE VARIOUS POSITIONS IN THE CITY EMPLOY, ASSIGNING SCHEDULE NUMBERS TO SUCH POSITIONS, AND ALTERING AND ADJUSTING THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM COMPENSATION FOR VARIOUS POSITIONS IN THE CITY EMPLOY,. AND AMENDING ALL PRIOR RESOLUTIONS TO CONFORM HEREWITH. " It was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried unanimously that said resolution be AMENDED to reflect all salary changes heretofore approved. It was then MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the full body of Resolution No. 4080 as amended be WAIVED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Considine, Hage, Helms, Arth None Councilman Butterworth It was then MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried on roll call vote as follows, that Resolution No. 4080 as amended be ADOPTED. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Considine, Rage, Helms, Arth None Councilman Butterworth The City Attorney presented, explained the content and read the title of Resolution No. 4079, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1969-70." Councilman Hage MOVED to AMEND the budget changes in salaries and fringe benefits. Considine and carried unanimously. for 1969-70 to reflect all Motion seconded by Councilman It was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the full body of Resolution No. 4079 as amended be WAIVED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Considine, Hage, Helms, Arth None Councilman Butterworth 6-30-69 - 3 - 18:7482 It was then MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried on roll call vote as follows, that Resolution No. 4079 as amended be ADOPTED. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Considine, Hage, Helms, Arth None Councilman Butterworth ADJOURNMENT It was then MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried unanimously that the City Manager and staff be and they are hereby.commended for their efforts in the preparation of the budget; that the City Manager review the arguments, questions and requests con- concerning fringe benefits which have been brought up during these deIiberl tions to determine the merit thereof. Letters will go forward to each of the employee groups thanking them for their cooperation during the bargaining period. At 9:30 P.M. Councilman Helms MOVED to ADJOURN the meeting sine die. Motion seconded by Councilman Hage and carried unanimously. t!,~~~ Mayor ATTEST: ~~~~U~ L~~ City Clerk 1 6-30-69 - 4 -