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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-09-01city council minutesBook 22 Page 248 REGULAR MEETING September 1, 1981 7:30 p.m. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor McCluskey. The Mayor requested that everyone stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Williams, Mallea, Hopper, Carter, and Betts. Absent: Raymond. (APPROVAL OF MINUTES) It was MOVED by Williams, SECONDED by Carter to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of August 18, 1981, and the Regular City Council Meeting of August 25, 1981. MOTION CARRIED (AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION) The Mayor asked if there was anyone in the audience who cared to bring anything before the City Council that was not on the prepared Agenda. Since there was no one, the Mayor declared that the Meeting would continue as outlined. The Mayor welcomed all those in the audience and remarked that it was probably the biggest crowd he had ever seen in the Council Chambers for a City Council Meeting. NEW BUSINESS (PRESENTATION BY CITY EMPLOYEES) The Mayor stated that the first item under New Business was a presentation by the employees of the City of Caldwell. The Mayor further informed the Council that he had an extensive conversation with Mr. Enebo and Mr. Jordan that day and it was his feeling that everyone in the City of Caldwell was going to be much better off because of their presentation and the results that he felt would come from it. The Mayor stated he would ask Gene Enebo to give the presentation for the employees and he would then ask the City Council to reply to the employee's comments. Gene Enebo was then recognized and addressed the Honorable Mayor and City Council as follows: As of last Tuesday noon we were informed of the pay increases that were being given to the employees of the City of Caldwell. We also learned that these increases were not intended to become permanent, but only effective during the budget year 1981 -82 because the interest rates may change. The past four years have held no substantial salary increases for the employees that have continued to serve the City of Caldwell. There- fore, we have prepared a statement reflecting the wage increases from 1978 to the present: 1978 -79 Seven percent cost of living raise for all employees, but the step in grade program with anniversary incentive raise subject to review was dropped. 1979 -80 One hundred dollar bonus received for Christmas of 1979. A five hundred dollar bonus check received in March, 1980. All employees received bonus money, but not permanent raises. 1980 -81 A seventy -five dollars a month "Across the Board" increase for all employees. Some employees received a merit increase of up to twenty -five dollars per month. 1981 -82 A six and a half percent raise for employees, and a four percent raise for supervisors to be effective only Book 22 Page 249 for the budget year 1981 -82. With incentives like these and the lack of communication between the Council and the employees,-morale has suffered greatly. With these thoughts in mind, I would like to read the petition, we, the City Employees, have prepared in the hope that this will be the first step to a new working relationship between the Council and the employees; one that will be beneficial to both. The petition was as follows: We, the undersigned City of Caldwell employees feel that the 4/6 1/2 percent salary adjustment granted to us is unfair and inequitable for the following reasons: 1. In some cases, non - supervisory personnel will be making salaries comparable to their supervisors. 2. Employees in the same salary range are classified as supervisory in some instances and non - supervisory in others. 3. With the cost of living on a continuous rise, a minimum 4% increase will not reflect a net increase of more than a few dollars to some. The rest of the increase will be taken for taxes or "Fringe Benefits." 4. That there is no step in grade system to acknowledge seniority rights. We therefore request the following: 1. That a line of communications be opened with the employees and that our representatives be allowed to meet and confer with the Mayor and City Council. 2. That consideration be given to granting a percentage increase of 100. If this is not possible due to budget constraints, we request that the salary adjustment currently in effect be made permanent. On behalf of the employees of the City of Caldwell, thank you. The Mayor then called on Councilman Betts, the Chairman of the Finance Committee to respond to the presentation by the City employees. Councilman Betts was recognized and stated that the City Council appreciated the employee's letter and the way it was presented. It was the Council's feeling that consideration would be given to some of the items that were addressed in the employee's letter. Councilman Betts stated that he would like to first elaborate on why the Council handled the increases in the manner they did. The 1979 property taxes were frozen at the 1978 level so basically the income to the City of Caldwell stays the same every year after that. This last year the Legislature decided that they would give the cities five percent more. This amounted to about $75,000 that will. be coming into the City. Last year the Council gave each employee $75.00 and in order to do this it was necessary to reduce personnel which was not a popular decision.. The City Council felt this was what they had to do in order to give any raises at all. The Council, did not want to do that this year. With the help of the City employees not using all of the monies from last year's budget, they were anticipating some monies left over that can be used this next year. This was one of the things that was taken into consideration when the increases for this year were discussed. Another thing that played a very important roll in the decision made was the investments. It was done well and the City had done well with the investment of monies on hand. Also, in this coming budget year there was about $218,000 of Revenue Sharing put into the General Fund which allows more monies in General Fund that could be used for salaries. There was some money that comes into the City that cannot be spent on anything except Capital Improvements so all the money that the City had was not available and the City has no control over this. It could not be used to put into the salaries. As was said, the General Fund was increased which would help out with the raises. Councilman Betts further stated that he had talked to all of the Council and they had agreed to make some changes. One point he wanted to clear up was that the six and a half percent that was being given does not include fringe benefits. Another thing decided was that the six and a half percent will be a permanent raise. The reason that they initially determined that this would be Book 22 Page 250 for one year was because they did not know each year how much money they would be getting. If there was less money in the coming year, they would have to study the alternatives at that time. Mr. Enebo was again recognized and stated that the employees understood all of these problems, but would just ask that the employees be consulted with regard to these problems and could become a part of the discussion. He felt that the employees were relatively new at understanding all of these problems, but the morale was low and it was hoped that with this discussion the City could become a better place for everyone. Councilman Hopper was recognized and stated that he would also thank all of the employees for coming to the meeting and would ask them to give consideration to doing the same at the Legislative Sessions. Those people were the ones who build the laws and if the cities could get their attention just as the employees had done with the Council, it could be a healthy situation. Councilman Hopper also pointed out that the previous increases were given to the employees in spite of the fact that the funds were frozen. The only reason it occurred was because of astute management of City funds. The City has more than doubled the new taxes in personnel benefits this year. This had to come from surpluses and investments. The Mayor then stated that there was a good thing started in having the once a month meeting with the personnel, but due to forgetfulness some of the meetings were not held. The last meeting held there was only about twenty employees present and originally there had been about fifty. The Mayor further said that there would be a monthly meeting every month the last Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. and he would encourage all of the Superintendents to have as many of the employees as possible attend without disrupting the business of the City. The Mayor said that he would like to reprimand the employees for not letting him know of the feelings within the City as he was always available. As to what has happened since cutting some of the personnel; there was more work and more effort being put out by the employees of the City of Caldwell. He would commend all of the employees for this effort. Councilwoman Mallea was recognized and asked for a show of hands as to how many employees have tried to contact her. Since there was no one who raised their hand, she pointed out that communication works both ways as she has commented many times that she was available and would be happy to talk to any of them. Councilwoman Williams was recognized and stated that she had thought that this year the budget would be put together in time to have a meeting with the employees. The concept for preparation of the budget was changed this year and it was delayed right down to the deadline. She further commented that this was a feeble excuse, but it did happen. Councilman Carter was recognized and stated that he would like to commend the employees on their fine presentation. He further said that there had been no mention of the merit program which was $30,000 to be given by the .Mayor's recommendation. It was his proposal to the City Council before the budget was adopted that they grant the six and a half increase to the employees and also to the Supervisors and the money could come out of this merit fund. This would leave a substantial amount for the merit increases. Councilman Carter further stated that he would like for the City Council to give consideration to this proposal at this time. It was then MOVED by Betts, SECONDED by Hopper that the City Council recess into an Executive Session pursuant to the Idaho Code to discuss salary arrangements. It was the Mayor's suggestion that the City Council meet in the Mayor's Office so that the entire audience would not have to leave the Council Chpmbers. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Betts, Williams, Mallea, Hopper, and Carter. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Raymond. MOTION CARRIED Book 22 Page 251 The City Council members then recessed into an Executive Session at 7:45 p.m. for the purpose of discussing salaries. At 8:05 p.m., the Mayor reconvened the Regular City Council Meeting and called on Councilman Betts to announce the decision of the City Council that would be voted'on at this time. Councilman Betts was recognized and stated that the City Council decided that they will make the six and a half percent to all employees straight across the board. There will still be a merit fund as before and it will be distributed to a maximum of fifteen percent of the employees which will be given to those who have don- a little bit more than. what is asked of them. The difference. taken for the supervisors between,the four and the six and a half percent will be taken out of the merit fund monies. This way there will be no increase in the budget. The six and a half will be a permanent addition to the base pay and it does not include fringe benefits. Councilman Betts then MOVED and it was SECONDED by Councilman Carter that the six and a half percent increase be given to all City employees and that money will come out of.the fund established for merit, that the fund that is left in the merit fund will be given to up to fifteen percent of the employees, and that this six and a half increase will be.a permanent increase in the base pay. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Betts, Williams, Mallea, Hopper, and Carter. Those voting no: none. Absent and' voting: Raymond. MOTI CARRIED The City employees thanked the City Council for their consideration of their requests. (REQUEST FOR SECURITY TRAILER) The next item on the Agenda was a request for a security trailer at Cleveland and Ustick in the Impact Area. The Mayor called on Mrs. Robison to give a brief explanation of this request. Mrs. Robison informed the City Council that this request was a referral from Mr. Ottens at the County. The area was pointed out on a map for the City Council. Mr. Farwell requested permission to put a security trailer or mobile home to be lived in on the property at Cleveland.and Ustick. It would be for security purposes for Northwest Plywoods and for a salvage yard. There was a septic tank and a well that a. former trailer was hooked up to. The City Council can .grant permission to allow mobile homes in Industrial Zones for this purpose and it has to be done by permit 2nd a fee. The County will be issuing this license, but wanted a recommendation from the City of Caldwell before approval was given.. MOVED by Carter, that the City of Caldwell grant permission for the request for a security trailer.at Clveland and Ustick. Councilman Hopper called for a Point of'Order as only a recommendati.( from the City was being asked for as the County would grant the permit or license. CDuncilman Carter then. stated he would amend his motion to state that the City Council would recommend to the County that the request for a security trailer at Cleveland and Ustick be granted. The motion was SECONDED by Betts. (REQUEST FROM ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT) MOTION CARRIED The Mayor then read the following request submitted by Herb Shearmire, Administrative Assistant as follows: This is my formal request to attend the 1981 . ICCFOA Institute in McCall. I will be in attendance Monday, September 14 thru Wednesday, September 16. In addition to the attached program, Ken Hayward and I will be meeting with computer Book 22 Page 252 personnel from other cities throughout the State relative to exchanging programs. Expenses incurred will be itemized and submitted upon my return. MOVED by Hopper, SECONDED by Betts that permission be given for the Administrative Assistant to attend the Meeting as requested. MOTION CARRIED (DEEDS AND EASEMENTS) The Mayor called onthe City Engineer, Mr. Redmond, to present Deeds and Easements. Mr. Redmond informed the City Council that they had received all of the Deeds and Easements for North Indiana and the work was started. There was four right of way deeds to be accepted; Jay and Lavon Hatfield, Norma Jean and Michael F. Sprouffske, Vernon G. and Elva M. Ward, and Elizabeth Munn. There was also Agreements signed by these four people with regard to the $500.00 which was discussed at an earlier Council Meeting. There was one snag that they ran in to. One thing that was overlooked when the original design was done was that a water line needed to go in. The City could go ahead and put this line in as there was enough money in the miscellaneous construction in the Water Department Budget. It will take about another week and a half to get it in, but they would go ahead with it if the Council would approve. Mr. Redmond also pointed out that it should increase the water pressure on Canyon Hill. The dollar amount for this was estimated to be about $17,300.00 for the water line and they would try to put it in concurrently. Mr. Redmond also mentioned that this line was a priority line which needed to be put in and he would recommend that it be done at this time. Council agreed that it was logical to go ahead.aid put this water line in at the cost mentioned by the City Engineer. MOVED by Hopper, SECONDED by Mall-ea that the City Council accept the Engineer's recommendation to install the water line and take the funds from the miscellaneous construction in the Water Department and that the Deeds be accepted and the City Clerk instructed to have them recorded. MOTION :CARRIED (RESOLUTION NO. 54 -81) The Mayor then stated that he would read the following Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Access Agreements. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE AN ACCESS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CALDWELL, IDAHO, AND CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNERS ADJACENT TO NORTH INDIANA AVENUE. BE IT RESOLVED That the Mayor and Clerk of the City of Caldwell be, and the same hereby are, authorized to execute those certain access agreements attached hereto and made a part hereof as if set forth in full by and between the City of Caldwell and property owners adjacent to North Indiana Avenue between Marble Front Road and Lincoln Street. MOVED by Betts, SECONDED by Carter that Resolution No. 54 -81 be passed as presented by the Mayor. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Betts, Williams, Mallea, Hopper, and Carter. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Raymond. MOTION CARRIED (COMMITTEE REPORTS) Councilwoman Williams reported that there was a little problem with the Senior Citizen's van which was straightened out at the C.C.O.A. There was a list of plans for the van and when it was Book 22 Page 253 approved by the Mayor and.C.C.O.A., it.will be posted at the Senior Citizen's Center so everyone will know the rules and regulations Councilman Hopper reported that he attended an Airport Commission Meeting that was not a meeting of primary importance as it was more of a briefing session between the Airport Operators and the Commission members. T'here,was some incidents that were upsetting some people and they discussed those. Councilwoman Mallea reported that the Library Commission met and have reopened their job description for a Library Director. Those who had applied were not acceptable so they were readvertising. The Policy Manual and the Bylaws were adopted. The Library also had cookbooks prepared for sale to buy new equipment. (MAYOR'S COMMENTS) The Mayor announced, that there would audit meeting on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. He also said that he would like to hav e the Fire Department Committee meet with him and the 'fire Chief at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday. The Mayor also reported that the Engineering Department completed a survey and found that there was thirty -nine street lights out in the City of Caldwell which the City 'was paying for even though they were out. The Mayor asked that if anyone saw a light out to please report it. There being no further business;, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p•m• APPROVED AS written THIS 15th DAY OF September , 1081. Coin �) C oant i1mah Councilman ATTEST: City C1 r