1996-01-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I Council Meeting Minutes January 23, 1996 Page 10 Council Business. continued Williams does not want his comments misinterpreted as critical, however, many efforts seem to come and go and mean absolutely nothing. He feels the City can't afford to spend time if we are not absolutely serious in its implementation. Benke agrees that many visioning processes start out with much energy and then end up on the shelf, but this must not happen with this vision. Williams asked if there is a timeline for developing the workplan. Fulton said Kelley is now developing the workplan. Motion by Larson, seconded by Williams, to APPROVE THE VISION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY IN NEW BRIGHTON, DIRECT STAFF TO FRAME FUTURE WORKPLANS THAT WORK TOWARDS ACHIEVING EXPECTED RESULTS, AND ASSIGN ONGOING MONITORING OF EFFORTS AND RESULTS OF THE VISION TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION. 4 Ayes - 0 Nayes, Motion Carried. Fulton presented the 1995/96 agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS). The City received the arbitrator's award which resolves disputed bargaining terms for 1995 and 1996. The award includes: wage increases of2.5% for 1995 and 3% for 1996; $330 monthly employer contribution toward health and life insurance in 1995 and an increase of $20 to $350 per month in 1996; $30 increase per year for clothing allowance; employer contribution towards long term disability insurance premiums of 60 % for a 180 or 90-day period beginning March I, 1996; and an additional holiday at premium pay in 1996. The Sergeants' agreement which was previously signed requires their wages, insurance, and clothing allowance be increased to match the LELS contract. The 1995 wage award is similar to other employees, however, the 1996 award is .5% higher. Also, other employees will not receive the additional holiday or the contribution towards long term disability which then causes a higher 1996 cost due to these benefits. The Chief will monitor spending considerations in the department to ensure adequate resources. The cost of the 1995 award is $26,813 or an increase of 3.2 %; and the 1996 cost is $57,955 or an increase of6.7%. About $10,400 of the 1995 and $23,100 of the 1996 increase is due to new officers progressing through the wage scale. Williams will not support the arbitration award because he does not feel the officers should receive the additional holiday or pay, and dislikes that the City must bend to an outside arbitrator's recommendations. Larson asked what recourse would the have City if the award was not approved by Council. LeFevere confirmed that this a binding arbitration; but if the City declines to comply then the City would need to defend its actions in court. Williams reiterated his responsibility to the New Brighton taxpayers, and noted that Council has always provided the Public Safety Department with the kind of equipment and support they needed to do their programs. He feels responsible to the employees not affected by this contract, but not personally against the police department. He believes the City needs to maintain equity within the payroll. arbitrator's award which introduced the 60 % contribution to disability insurance which was not originally on the table. He intents to take a stand against this decision. Council Business Public Safety VisionyStatement Report 96-028 LELS 1995/96 Agreement Report 96-029 Resolution 96-007