2018-09-06 Special Meeting of the La Porte City Council (Amended)

Browse Search

Councilmember J. Martin asked are merit raises separate from cost of living raises. Mayor Rigby said yes. City Manager Alexander reiterated there is no cost of living adjustment included in the proposed budget. Mayor Rigby restated the motion, which is to keep merit increases for a total of $300,000. Councilmember Bentley stated he looked at the figures, and $486,000 is pretty reasonable and gets us in the right direction to get wages up where they can be more competitive. Councilmember J. Martin asked for the motion, again. Mayor Rigby restated the motion is to keep the merit increases in the budget for a total of$300,000. City Manager Alexander asked for clarification, and Councilmember Zemanek said, "You've only got a $300,000 fund for merit." City Manager Alexander restated he'd was just looking to clarify that Council is not mandating any changes in zero to five, but.... Councilmember Zemanek stated you've got to split $300. Councilmember Ojeda stated instead of $486. Mayor Rigby asked for the vote. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Councilmembers Ojeda, Kaminski, Zemanek, Engelken, and Earp Nays: Mayor Rigby, Bentley and J. Martin Absent: Councilmember K. Martin Councilmember Zemanek made a comment in response to Councilmember Engelken's earlier comment, stating he does not think it is fair to blame department heads for conditions of their buildings if we only give them X number of dollars for building maintenance; that they can't blame "someone" but blame the process. He said he doesn't know what the building maintenance budget is for the Rec Center but they're probably spending every dime they've got and it is still not enough. Councilmember Engelken stated that every employee in the City has an obligation to bring up to their supervisor, and their supervisor should bring it up to their manager when they see problems. The Rec Center is not the only building he has seen that is in disarray. The culture needs to change to become more proactive to the betterment of the City as a whole. Regarding pharmacy changes, City Manager Corby Alexander recommended going with a formulary change and cutting $250,000; and Council agreed to the cut. Regarding stop loss coverage, Council agreed to leave the $480,000 in the budget, wait for the bids for coverage of premiums, and also check to be sure it is legal to discontinue Stop Loss coverage. Council recessed for a break at 7:36 p.m. and returned at 7:47 p.m. Councilmember Kaminski returned to the table at 7:48 p.m. City Manager Corby Alexander recommended to remove the Drainage Interconnect project for $250,000 due to the developer taking on the expense of the project. Council agreed to remove the project. City Manager Corby Alexander recommended removing a portion of the funding of the Spencer Masonry Fence project for the south side in an amount of $380,400. Councilmember Ojeda informed she is not in favor of removing the project because the south side looks the worst. Page 5 of 9 September 6, 2018 Council Meeting Minutes