2008-06-23 Regular Council Minutes

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needs to be addressed. As the council sits over and over again voting for this illegal ordinance, we are not following the correct process and we are not following the City’s ordinances. She stated that she and Mr. Wagner are proposing the employees still get their cost of living raise of 2.4 percent but issued as a bonus until the City gets a handle on their compensation plan. She stated that the 2.4 percent in the compensation ordinance is a lot more than just 2.4 percent. Ms. Ricci felt this was irresponsible of the Council not to address it. She reiterated that the process is not being followed for the City’s ordinances: the Civil Service Board is not a valid commission and they have not weighed in on workers’ compensation as they are required to by the City Charter. Ms. Ricci stated that when she states my budget she means her citizens’ budget not even the administrations’ budget. It is said that the budget for 2009 is balanced but to what cost? Capital improvements have been cut back and employees have been laid off. Ms. Watson stated that the Human Resource Director evaluated the salaries in the local market and the City tries to have the City’s salaries in the top twenty-five percent of these comparable cities. She stated what the cost of living criteria was, “It is to maintain the standard of living and is tied to inflation rates. It is put in place so employees don’t loose purchasing power in the market.” She stated that it does help the City to remain competitive in the market when recruiting or in trying to keep employees. Ms. Watson said that it has been agreed that a comprehensive benefit survey of the local markets to include salaries, benefits, vacation time, insurance, etc. would take place and then a study session will be planned Ms. Watson thought there was some state statute that would not allow municipalities to give a bonus and would have to seek legal advice on it. Mr. Wagner was not focusing on this year’s balance budget but rather the five year forecast where the City’s expenses continue to exceed their revenues where in five years the City will be in a big hole. Mr. Wagner reminded Mayor Adams that according to Roberts Rules of Order that when there is an appeal on the floor it goes to the vote of the whole Council. Mr. Price found it disturbing that the budget has been dealt with in the last couple months so it has been in discussion for a while. He mentioned the talk of possible merger with surrounding communities with the fire department as a cost saving move. Another was the increased revenue that would be received with the recycling campaign. Lastly he suggested joining a pool for health insurance purchase. Mr. Price said this is a people driven organization so the majority of the cost will be people cost. Mr. Sharpe, Jr. stated that the Council has requested Ms. Watson to set up a study session to deal with employee compensations and benefits. He asked if the City Attorney Mr. Mulligan could speak on the legality of the compensation ordinance. Mr. Mulligan stated that in respect to recusal he felt that there was not an ethical violation to prevent him from pinning on this matter. He felt that the ordinance only addressed his part time position as prosecuting attorney where it listed the salary range for this position. His review of the Civil Service provisions in the City Charter certainly did not have any requirement for the compensation ordinance to go in front of the Civil Service Board for review prior to Council adopting it nor did he see anything in the ordinances. However if the legal arguments are presented he would be more than happy to take a look at it. Mr. Mulligan saw no legal reason why the Council may not proceed with this compensation ordinance. It is something that has been done for