HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-03-20city council minutes261
Also discussed was whether there was a difference between a mobile home court and a trailer court. h
Bills for Hid -March
It was moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman Dakan, that the warrants for claims be
approved as per list and filed in the City Clerk's office. Such warrants being in the totals as follows:
Warrant Numbers 147 thru 184, General Fund: -------------------- -------------- $ 6,204.51
Warrant Numbers 106 thru 134, Water Fe Sewer Fluid: Water--- .- ------------ - - - - -- 621.24
Treatment Plant------ - - - - -- 2,190.23
General Office------ - - - - -- 56.30
Warrant Numbers 150 thru 208, Special 'rands: Fire----------------- - - - - -- 267.26
Cemetery - -- ---- 41.90
Street-- ---------- --- ------ h,949.59
Sanitation Contract - - -- -- 1,055.90
Armory- °-- --- ----- -- - --- --- 170.29
Irrigation------------ - - - - -- 220.69
LID N64- ---------- --- --- - -- 43.7h
LID #65- ----- ---- -- ----- - -- 46.54
$ 17,
A vote was taken and the motion carried.
It was moved by Councilman Banks, seconded by Councilman Martin, that the meeting recess until
8e00 P.M. on the 23rd of March. A vote was taken and the mction�e�d. The meeting rSje yed at 10:25 P
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MARCH 20, 1970
3.-00 P. M.
The ODancil met pursuant to acknowledgement of notice in the following form:
This special meeting of the Caldwell City Council March 20, 1970 at 3:00 P. M. in the City Council
Chambers at City Hall, was called at the request of four members of the City Council.
The purpose of this special Council meeting is to fully acquaint all members of the City Council
with developments relating to the salary schedule In the 1970 annual budget for the Caldwell Police Departmen
and to provide opportunity for the Council to officially resolve the matter in the public interest.
Mayor Charles W. Carpenter presiding.
Upon Roll Call, the following Councilmen answered present: Charles C. Banks, Alfred H. McCloskey,
James W. "Bill" Heys, V. Jay Martin, C. A. "Chet" Davenport, and James R. Dakan.
Statement presented by Councilman Martin
Mayor Carpenter presented the call for this Special Meeting of the Council and recognized President
of the Council, V. Jay Martin who made the following statement:
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETIUG - CITY HALL - 3:00 P. M.
March 20, 1970
To acquaint all members of the City Council with the problem that has developed relative
to the salaries item in the 1970 budget for the City Police Department, I would like to
make the following brief report:
There is a dollar difference in the Departmental salary figure as set forth in the
Department's prpposed budget, and the lesser amount included in final 1970 Budget as
proposed by the Mayor and City Council, and released for publication prior to public
hearing.
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hearing.
Members of the Patrol Division of our Police Department appeared last Tuesday before the
Mayor and the Council Salaries Committee, and recommended that the Council adopt the
higher salaries figure as set forth in the proposed Departmental Budget submitted by the
department Chief.
In subsequent discussions involving the Mayor, the Chief of Police, and other Councilmen,
I believe we have arrived at a possible solution which the full Council might consider
acceptable ..... that would satisfy the Police Department employees and still be within
budget limitations at this point, as prescribed by law.
To provide a basis for discussion and Council action, Mayor Carpenter will present the
figures with a supporting explanation.
Police budget reviewed by Mayor Carpenter
Mayor Carpenter then reviewed the Police Department budget as follows: "I think the best thing is
to review somewhat the budget as it appears in the Resolution passed and set for hearing. For the police
department, the salaries for this year was set at $136,039.50; the supplies at $29,736.801 the capital at
$17,011.70; making a total of $182,788.00. This has been, and will be again this week end, published in The
News- Tribune.
This morning, Chief Astleford and I spent some time going through the budget to see what we could
come up with for an understanding in regards to the budget proposal and, of course, mainly our interest was
in salaries. The budget of $136,039.50, which is the salaries published and proposed by the City, includes
retroactive pay to the first of January and this reflected, along with the addition of two men and a matron,
a 5.6 plus percent increase in salaires over last year. Now, the budget proposed by the Chief of Police,
which would Increase the actual percentage of the salaries for each member of his department, including two
new patrolmen and a matron and the salaries not being retroactive back to the first of the year; in fact,
there would be two months of the old salary and ten months of the new salary; would give us a total dollar
salary of $137,097.60 which is an increase of $1,058.10 over the amount budgeted. This also would take into
consideration that the three new people would be hired as of the first of March or on a nine month basis. I
is not likely that this would come to pass and it is most likely also, that during the year there would be
other changes within the salary structure which would somewhat change the total picture as to the actual
amount spent during the year. For an example, last year there was some $2,000.00 less in expenditures that
has been appropriated in the 1969 budget and this does happen in most all departments where there is some
change in employees and with the hiring of new people. The big difference lies in the money involved here i
the retirement system where a new employee, if he hasn't worked in any state, county or city employment prior
to his position with the City, and hasn't become eligible for membership in the retirement program, he has to
wait a year to become eligible for membership and this immediately brings about a savings in the overall
salary budget. For another instance, one of the men listed in this salary structure has all ready left the
force and will have to be replaced so we haven't had to allow this $460.00 monthly salary for the month of
March. It is most likely that, if we should decide to follow this salary structure, the department could
well live within the $136,039.50 which has been set in the proposed appropriation bill. There is also other
Items within the police budget that could be varied somewhat and which would also make it possible for the
department to operate under the total budget of $182,788.00, the total budget for the police department as
set forth in the 1970 proposed appropriation bill. If any of you have any question or wish for more clarif3
cation, this is one way we could solve this problem; or you could either direct the questions to myself, to
the Chief of Police, or perhaps to the City Clark."
Discussion of Police Department and Parking Meter budgets
Discussion then followed regarding the Police Department and Parking Hater budgets for 1970 when
Chief Astleford stated that in his proposal, which was the $137,097.60, it was his understanding that
Officer Davis would be transferred into the police department other than on the parking meters. He said the
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if this would be the case, then he would have to replace officer Rusco, salary arise, in order for this
budget to fulfill its obligations. Then, we would actually be obtaining two new patrolmen and a meter -maid,
and, without transferring officer Davis into the Police Department, the parking meter budget would have to bel
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increased salary wise. Also, that, if he transferred Officer Davis out of parking meters, he would have to
be classified salary wise to officer Rcsco who was drawing $480.00 the sane as Officer Davis now and, if the
Council decided that the meterman should be paid $530.00 a month, the same as the patrol officer, then there
would be a raise in this figure. Chief Astleford also said that he had been informed that, if officer Davis
was transferred from parking meters, the department would not have his services anymore in that he would gal
t�
In answer to the question, Chief Astleford stated that the reason was because Officer Davis doesn't
feel that he wants to go into a patrol car. The Chief added that he personally felt that this was a wise
decision on Officer Davin's part; that he was very good on the parking meters and, if they placed him in a
patrol car, he would run into quite a few problems. He said that Officer Davis had been hurt on the night
beat and when the vacancy came for the parking meter position, he had asked for it and he had been assigned
to the meters and it was felt that a very good man had been retained in so doing.
In further explanation, Chief Astleford explained that the parking meter budget reflected the
salary for a meter -mAid which he believed came to a total of $22,000.00 for the total budget and, if officer
Davis was retained on the parking meters without a meter -maid, the grand total requested for parking meters J
would have to be $25,883.96;. that salaries would have to be raised to $16,433.96 instead cf $11,222.00 in
that the officer would be going to $530.00 a month and retirement costs to the City would make up a good par
of the increase. He said that, as the budget was now set, the parking meter appropriations provided for a
meter -maid beginning April first with a salary starting at $350.00 a month and aalary fbr Officer Davis was
included in the Police Department budget.
In answer to the question as to when this problem had come up, Chief Astleford said that he thought
it was last Mnday when he had been asked to prepare a budget showing a 5% increase for all personnel;
moving Officer Davis from the parking motor department into the police department and replacing him with a
meter -maid with the suggested salary of $350.00 a month.
In other discussion, Chief Astleford told the Council that, in addition to his work with the park-
ing meters, Officer Davis tras given additional assignments such as helping at the Simplot Stadium and Field
House, at carnivals and in setting road blocks; that a meter - maid's primary function would be walking up and
down the streets or riding the Honda in issuing overtime parking citations and she wouldn't be available for
other assignments as Officer Davis has been. He also referred to the advantage of Officer Davis being armed
and the related and resultant additional security for those business men in the down town area due to his
presence.
The Council discussed whether or not there were any additional benefits that would result in chang-
ing to a meter -maid in view of the multiple duties nett performed by Officer Davis and, although meter -maids
were being used and were participating in lam enforcement of some kind or other in some of the other
communities, whether Caldwell was adapted for this yet.
Me budgets for the Police Department and the Parking Nesters were then reviewed on the basis of
leaving Officer Davie assigned to parking meters and not providing for a meter -maid and the additional amoun
required over the proposed budget for parking meters was stated as being $3,764.00. Changes in personnel
during the year and a corresponding saving in salaries paid was again discussed, as well as the probability
that the added personnel in the police department would not be available and on the payroll beginning on
April first. In considering these factors, it was stated that it might be possible to stay within the
budgets and particularly so, if the additional officers and matron were not hired in total until later in
the year, and, consideration given to paying a portion of officer Deviate salary from the Police Department
budget with the justification for doing so lying in the previous explanation of his duties and his frequent
assignment to police department duties. It was pointed out that the present parking meter budget included
the salaries for two (2) matrons and ore (1) officer and adjustments could be made in the number of personnel
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with relation to those in the police department and also delays made in hiring the additional personnel in
r- �Ithe police department.
In answer to the question by the Statesman reporter, Mayor Carpenter said that the hiring of a
ter -maid had been discussed in sessions with the salary committee and the finance committee. The hiring of
new personnel in accordance with the new peace officers standards were discussed and that these would not be
in effect prior to July 1, 1970.
Chief Astleford told the Council that he thought the main thing was to have a determination on the
salary schedule proposed which he presented as follows; starting salary for patrolman, $480.00 monthly and
after one year of service, $504.00 monthly, and, after two years of service, $530.00 monthly. A Seargant
would be paid $550.00 monthly; a Lieutenant, $590.00 monthly; a Captain, $610.00 monthly; and the Chief of
Police, $720.00 monthly. Chief Astleford told the Council that they have a problem manpower wise; that he
could cover every shift if he had a full staff but when anyone was off to training school, was on vacation or
sick, he had to short a shift and this was also true when one of the officers left employment with the depart
meat; however, if Officer Davis was left in the parking meter department and providing salaries could be paid
and personnel hired on the basis of the previous discussion, he could manage within the amount of the propos
budgets.
after some further discussion, Mayor Carpenter said that it was the intent to present the Resolutio:
salaries for all City employees at the meeting on March 23rd and it was suggested that the proposed salary
edule for police employees as set forth by Chief Astleford could be presented for the consideration of the
ncil along with and as a part of that Resolution. There were no objections from the Council and it was
eed that the salary schedule for policemen should be presented in this manner.
The reporter for the Statesman than referred to what she said was a previous statement of the Mayor
t he was going to announce a change in the Police Department and inquired about this in relation to
ablishing salaries now.
Mayor Carpenter said there was still some determination to be made; that he and the Chief of Police
in the process of studyicg it out but the organisation wouldn't effect the salary structure and he had
ag further to report at this time.
It was then moved by Councilman Martin, seconded by Councilman McCloskey, that this special meeting
adjourn. A vote was taken and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 4:10 P. M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MARCH 23, 1970
6:00 P. M.
The Council met pursuant to recess and acknowledgement of notice in the following form:
We, the undersigned Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Caldwell, Idaho, do hereby
acknowledge notice of a recessed meeting of the said City Council to be held in the Council Chambers in the
ity Hall in the City of Caldwell, Idaho, at the hour of 8:00 P. M., on the 23rd day of March, 1470, for the
Transaction of all business in connection with the following objects: Hearing and consideration of Annual
appropriation Bill, Resolution adjusting salary schedule for City employees, and Resolution declaring the in-
ention of the City of Caldwell to create and establish Local 1Mprovement District No. 66.
Witness our signatures this 23rd day of March, 1970.
Mayor
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