05-23-12 Meet and Confer Committee Meeting

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THE CITY OF LA PORTE MEET & CONFER COMMITTEE MET THE 23RD DAY OF MAY, 2012 AT 3:00 P.M. AT CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 604 WEST FAIRMONT PARKWAY, LA PORTE, TEXAS. 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. INTRODUCTION OF MEET AND CONFER MEMBERS FROM THE CITY OF LA PORTE AND THE LA PORTE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (LPPOA) Cornnaittee Members: Steve Gillett, Interim City Manager Traci Leach, Assistant City Manager Ken Adcox, Chief of Police Nicole Wells, Human Resources Matt Novosad, Patrol Officer — LPPOA President Marcus Upchurch, Support Services Sergeant — LPPOA Member Chris Paige, Patrol Officer — LPPOA Member David Huckabee, Detective — LPPOA Member Other Atten(lees: Tom Barbee, Representative from CLEAT 3. OPEN DISCUSSION RELATING TO ITEMS INTRODUCED BY THE POLICE ASSOCIATION AND/OR THE CITY OF LA PORTE, REGARDING COMPENSATION, LEAVE PROVISIONS, WORKING CONDITIONS, AND CIVIL SERVICE PREEMPTIONS. A) Minutes from November 301", 2011 meeting were reviewed. Steve Gillett asked for clarification regarding disagreement on "median" as indicated on item 3 ( C ) of the minutes and Matt Novosad clarified that they are not in disagreement, however, that the median should be thought of as a starting point with an understanding that, when possible, the City should strive to compensate La Porte Officer above the median level. Chief Adcox stated that he believes that our La Porte Police Officers are some of the finest in the nation and deserve, as reasonable and within the constraints of the City's budget, to be compensated as such. Chief Adcox then made a motion to approve the minutes and Matt Novosad seconded. Minutes were approved. B) Steve Gillett stated that Nicole Wells with Human Resources has been working on the salary survey and that they have a good starting point. Copies of the comparative wage scales were then distributed to all in attendance. Mr. Gillett stated the he is doing all he can to reinstate merit raises for all City employees this year and has restricted capital projects this year to try and accomplish that goal. Due to the contract Officers were the only group in the City to obtain pay raises this year, and noted that their current step system is just an alternative to other City employees merit raises. C) Matt Novosad indicated that there have been no issues raised by the LPPOA membership, that there have been no issues with the existing contract items, and that the only real issue the association would be bringing to the table for discussion would be salary. Chief Adcox stated this is the P contract negotiation he has participated in with the Association and that