Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967 12-16 CC MIN157 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA December 16, 1967 The Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of National City was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Mayor Morgan. Council members present: Colburn, Harris, Reid, Morgan. Council members absent: Hogue. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS PRESENT: Deputy City Clerk Fasig, Linn, Osburn. The meeting was opened with salute to the Flag led by City Manager Osburn, followed with invocation by Vice Mayor Colburn. MAYOR MORGAN announced Councilman Bill Hogue was the winner of the perpetual trophy presented by the League of California Cities to the winner of its annual golf tournament. CITY MANAGER OSBURN said at the time of the adjourned meeting held on December 14, the Council and the staff had had the salary survey only a few hours and was therefore unable to make a decision at that time; today's meeting was called for the purpose of discussing the salary survey and classification analysis. Moved by Colburn, seconded by Harris, the classification and salary review that the Council authorized to be made be accepted in its entirety as it stands and the date of the increases suggested in the salary survey become retroactive and effective as of December 1. 1967. Councilman Harris said now that they had the major proposal on the floor, he would like to see them vote on some amendments separately. Moved by Harris, seconded by Reid, the motion be amended to include a 2-I/2% raise for the custodians. Vice Mayor Colburn said the report recommended the custodians' pay remain the same as they were the highest in the County er equal to the highest; without a change in their job specifications er requirements of them, he would be against the motion. Councilman Reid stated h.e had an amend- ment to propose: National City has a few part time employees; when these raises came up previously, they did not receive a raise; a lot of them have been here many years. MAYOR MORGAN announced they had just received the sad news that City Attorney McLean's mother had just passed away; he expressed sympathy for the McLean family Don Spickard, Custodian for the City of National City, was present and asked to speak on behalf of the City Custodians: the Custodians are responsible to the Director of Public Works for the cleanliness and upkeep of the City Buildings; there are few cities where the Custodians are in such close contact with the public than the custodians of National City; in many other cities the Custodians work eight hours and go home, but in National City at times many of them work split shifts; they must be familiar with each City building as they moved from build- ing to building, usually providing their own transportation. Merrill Stamper, President, National City Employees' Association, was present and said he was in favor of the motion to give the custodians a 2-I/2% salary increase. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Harris, Reid, Morgan. Nays: Colburn. Absent: Hogue. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Reid, an amendment to the motion be made that the salary survey not include the head engineer as recommended. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Harris, Reid, Morgan. Nays: Colburn. Absent: Hogue. Councilman Harris said in comparing the 12/16/67 158 work week of National City firemen with the work week of firemen of other cities, in some instances their work week was 9 hours more. Moved by Harris, the motion be amended to the effect the firemen's salary would be raised equal to the policeman's salary due to the differential in work week. Motion died for lack of second. Bella Bussey, Assistant Purchasing Agent, was present and requested a review of her salary as she did not believe a comparative study was made. Mayor Morgan asked the City Manager to give a report on this request. Fire Chief Bailey was present and asked if the Council was in a position to adopt the original motion without further discussion, accepting the classification plan and wage schedule as presented by the State Personnel Board. Mayor Morgan said there were no amendments on the floor at this time; the original motion was on the floor. Chief Bailey said he wished to discuss the disparity in salary between the Assistant Fire Chief and the Assistant Police Chief; the survey recommended a 2-I/2% disparity which he did not feel should exist; his Assistant Chief had large responsibilities; if the responsibilities and duties of the two positions were compared, you would find them very similar other than their being in separate departments. Chief Bailey said up to this time, personnel in Fire Prevention received a 5% pay increase for the fact that they were in the Fire Prevention Bureau; this was set up at a time when it was considered similar to the Police Department personnel in plain clothes were assigned to the Detective Bureau; the demands in those departments are a little greater; the personnel in Fire Prevention are on call throughout the night; he believed the 5% over base salary should be returned; the 2-I/2%o disparity between the Fire Department and Police Department did not need to exist at all; his men were as good as any others and were entitled to the salaries they should be getting. Chief Bailey said there was a discrepancy in the survey; the City of Oceanside does not work 72 hours; there was only one other city that worked the 72 hour week. The Chief said under the job class- ification as listed by Cooperative Personnel Services, it was possible for a fireman with two years experience to take the examination for Fireman Engineer; in his opinion, it took three years to develop a fireman and he did not think he should be allowed to compete for the next highest rank before he had attained first-class fireman ability; under present Civil Service Ordinance, one of the requirements is three years experience in the Fire Department as Fireman before being eligible to take the examination for Fire Engineer. City Manager Osburn said if they adopt this classification plan, this would be the plan; however, it could be amended at a later date to change anything that the Council desired. Mayor Morgan asked the City Manager to give the Council a recommendation on this part of the Civil Service rules. Councilman Harris said the jobs held by the Assistant Fire Chief and the Assistant Police were very similar. Moved by Harris, the disparity between the two positions be removed and the Assistant Fire Chief get the same pay as the Assistant Police Chief. Motion died for lack of second. Victor Hernandez, Acting Street Foreman, was present and said Dick Randall from his department had been changed from Operator 11 to Maintenance Man which did not include a raise for him; in the last survey he was put in the Y bracket which did not give him a raise and that has happened again; he asked that Mr. Randall be included with the custodians in the 2-I/2% increase. Mayor Morgan asked the City Manager to give a report to the Council on this; he had studied the report and felt that it was a very good report; however, there may be some flaws which would require the Council to reconsider. Ben Bowman, Poundmaster, was present and said the survey was incorrect on some of the duties performed; he keeps all of the records of the Pound and he believed he should at least be classified as a Senior Animal Regul- ation Officer0 their duties include quarantining animals which he also does; when he receives complaints of someone having too many pidgeons, etc., or has a horse out of zone, he makes the investigation and report; if there is an arrest to be made, he makes it and appears in Court; every Animal Regulation Officer in the County does not do 12/16/67 159 this; a lot of his work was done at home on his own time. Mayor Morgan said the Survey showed the Animal Regulation Officer for San Diego County with a top of $601.00; at the present time National City paid $604.00 which was the highest in the County; it was recommended National City have a top of $561.00 which would be in the middle of the salary ranges listed. Mr. Bowman said his duties were somewhat greater. Vice Mayor Colburn said the present salary range for that position was $497--$604.00 and inquired if under the present Y rating the salary range would remain the same. City Manager Osburn said that was correct; as far as the Y rates go, it was an indicator by the survey people that this salary, in their opinion, was above what should be given; they had the same thing in the survey four years ago that pertained to seven people, and to his knowledge there was no one who did not get an increase at a later date along with the rest of the people. Mr. Bowman requested his part of the survey be reviewed. Mayor Morgan asked the City Manager to give the Council a report on this. Merrill Stamper, President, National City Employees Association, said the Employees' Association believes Mr. Bowman was hired as a Poundmaster and should be paid accordingly and compared to poundmaster positions; he suggested when Mr. Bowman leaves the position, the title be changed to Animal Regulations Officer; Mr. Bowman was hired as a Poundmaster. Vice Mayor Colburn said they had spent meney on a survey and inquired if they could continue, adopt or refuse the whole survey and then direct the City Manager to set up reviews by appointment (wherever there were complaints made); they could submit their suggestions in writing and the Council would be prepared to look into it. William Wright, Fire Department, was present and said he had figures from the California State Fireman's Association with a list of 141 cities in the State; out of this number only 48 cities have disparity in salary between the policemen and firemen in favor of the Police Department; Modesto and La Mesa have disparity in favor of the Fire Department; just a little over one-third of the cities have disparity in the State of California; there are only 3 or 4 cities having a fully paid Fire Department that are still working a 72-hour work week. Councilman Reid said he was against this for several reasons but it turned out to be a pretty good survey; he had not gone through the book as he would like; he did see a few things he didn't like; he inquired if anyone would be getting a cut. City Manager Osburn said there would be no pay cuts whatsoever. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Colburn, Harris, Reid, Morgan. Nays: None. Absent: Hogue. Councilman Reid said he had not realized Mr. Randall had been transferred out and was getting nothing out of this and asked if they could have a report. City Manager Osburn said his classification was changed to Maintenance Man from Equipment Operator 11; he would not be getting a raise but neither would he be getting a cut. The City Manager said he would give a report on this. Councilman Reid said there were several employees who had spent over five years with the City of National City who work the year around, more or less; they don't work full time but they work all of the months of the year; he would like to see a 5% raise for them and the ones who had 2-1/2 years service get a 2-1/2% raise. Mayor Morgan inquired how many employees they were talking about. City Manager Osburn said less than ten have five years experience with the City as a full-time, part- time employee. Mayor Morgan said Councilman Reid spoke of 2-1/2 years and inquired how many of those there were. City Manager Osburn said he could not answer that. Councilman Harris said the City Manager had not been mentioned for a raise. Moved by Harris, the City Manager be given an increase in salary of $100.00 a month. Vice Mayor Colburn asked if they would consider authorizing the City Manager to notify all departments that any complaints (based on the survey and the salary increase just adopted), including anyone who didn't get an increase,be brought to his attention so that he could set up a schedule to look them over. Vice Mayor Colburn said a survey of the City Manager's office and his salary should be discussed. Merrill Stamper stated all personnel who didn't get a raise in pay should be checked into. Moved f:2j6/67' 160 by Colburn, seconded by Reid, the City Manager be authorized to set up a system for studying complaints and a possible meeting with these individuals, or collectively. be approved. Mayor Morgan suggested he call an Executive Session regarding the City Manager's salary. Council- man Harris said they should not have the City Manager make a report so far as his salary was concerned; he would be against the motion as it was made. Vice Mayor Colburn said his motion did not include him unless he wanted to submit his own request. Mayor Morgan said the motion would not include the City Manager. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Colburn, Harris, Reid, Morgan. Nays: None. Absent: Hogue. An Executive Session was called by the Mayor (2:55 p.m.) The meeting reconvened at 2:58 p.m. Council members present: Colburn, Harris, Reid, Morgan. Absent: Hogue. Moved by Harris, seconded by Colburn, the City Manager be allowed $100.00 a month raise. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Colburn, Harris, Reid, Morgan. Nays: None. Absent: Hogue. Merrill Stamper thanked the members of the Council for the survey and said it was a good one. CiTY MANAGER OSBURN said he had been directed by the Council to give a report regarding the Merit Pay: "Due to a large number of complaints relating to the merit system as it exists today, the following recom- mendations are hereby made: (I) That Merit Step 2 be abolished as of the effective date of this Salary Survey; (2) That Merit Step 1 be continued to all personnel now receiving Merit Step 1 or 2; (3) That Merit Step 1 privileges now be extended to all personnel working full time for National City. The Merit Pay Program will now be called the Educational Incentive Pay Plan and will follow the criteria as set forth below: (1) The completion of one year of continuous employment with National City since the employee's attainment of Step E salary rate adjustment; (2) The successful completion of an Advanced First Aid Course since becoming an employee of National City, and which Advanced First Aid Course is accredited by the National Red Cross; (3) The accredited Advanced First Aid Certificate must be maintained in a valid and unexpired status; (4) The completion of 18 accredited college or university units or credit hours since becoming an employee of National City; (5) Each college or university credit course 'must be approved by the City Manager and Department Head before credit may be earned or attained toward the fulfillment of completing the 18 required units or credit course; (6) Each college or university credit course must have been passed with a grade of "C" or better; (7) Each employee must maintain a satisfactory service record while receiving the educational incentive compensation; (8) Each employee having the necessary criteria shall become eligible for educational incentive compensation commencing with the payroll period following the submis- sion of two copies of all necessary documents to the Office of the City Manager and upon the City Manager's approval." Mayor Morgan inquired if this included all the employees. City Manager Osburn said it was extended to everyone; some of the departments had never been under the Merit System. Vice Mayor Colburn said the top of one of the classific- ations, as listed in the survey, was $849.00 and inquired with long- evity and education would it be possible for the person in that class- ification to receive more than $849.00 a month. City Manager Osburn said longevity pay would be received plus the 5%. Moved by Harris, seconded by Colburn, the City Manager's recommendation be approved. Police Officer Bill Curtis requested more time to gather material before this item was voted on; they did not know it was to be brought up at that time. Mayor Morgan said they asked for it some time ago; they were trying to get wages adjusted to where they could live with them. 12/16/67 161 Officer Curtis said the City Council had made this offer to the employees: if they would gather college credits they would be given 5% for the Police Certificate (33 units) and 10% for sergeants on up (60 units or a degree in college); most of the men were still going to college in hopes of obtaining the 10`/o promised by the Council; he had gone three years on every one of his days off; he did not feel it was fair for this item to be brought up just like this which would cut them 5`/0 of the IO% promised by the prior City Council; if it could be done now the following Council or City Manager could cut it again. Vice Mayor Colburn said the City Manager had indicated only one problem; if this was laid over and adopted later it could bring a cut -back; but if adopted now, it would bring no cut -backs at all as the increase being offered would cover all of that; he believed it did deserve a little more study but they could make it known the possibility was there that it would be adopted. Mayor Morgan said Officer Curtis mentioned there would be a cut -back in salary; he thought everyone who was drawing 10% would be getting a raise. City Manager Osburn said there was no one who would receive a pay cut by losing 5% at this time. Police Officer Ralph Heflin said there was a lot of talk about the "brain drain;" many people leaving National City had done so to obtain jobs paying better elsewhere; he could not see the economics in penalizing the people who have educated themselves to perform a better job. Mayor Morgan said this would put all employees under the same categories and they could obtain better employees in every department. Moved by Reid, this item be brought back the first Tuesday meeting after the holidays in 196$. Vice Mayor Colburn said there was a motion on the floor but he would remove his second. Councilman Harris said he would remove the motion. Motion seconded by Harris. Mayor Morgan said the pay scales would be set up and then some employees would have to take a pay cut if they went along with the City Manager's recommendation after the 1st; they would have to pay the 10% and after the first of the year they would be knocked off, so there was a problem there. Councilman Reid said he did not like such things put in front of him when a meeting starts. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Colburn, Harris, Reid, Morgan. Nays: None. Absent: Hogue. Moved by Harris, seconded by Colburn, the meeting be closed. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Colburn; Harris, Reid, Morgan. Nays: None. Absent: Hogue. The meeting closed at 3:10 p.m. ATTEST: Qyo / (1.4..e e/ CITY CLERK J MAYOR, CI Y AT I ONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 12/16/67