HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-30-11 Meet and Confer Committee MeetingTHE CITY OF LA PORTE MEET & CONFER COMMITTEE MET THE 30th DAY OF
NOVEMBER, 2011, 4:00 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 4:00 p.m.
2. INTRODUCTION OF MEET AND CONFER MEMBERS FROM THE CITY OF LA PORTE
AND THE LA PORTE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (LPPOA)
Committee Members:
Steve Gillett, Interim City Manager
Traci Leach, Assistant City Manager
Ken Adcox, Chief of Police
Heather Weger, Human Resources Manager
Matt Novosad, Patrol Officer — LPPOA President
Marcus Upchurch, Support Services Sergeant — LPPOA Member
Chris Paige, Patrol Officer — LPPOA Member
Other Attendees:
Tom Barby, 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) Steve Gillett began discussions regarding the existing Meet and Confer agreement
and the problems it creates not coinciding with the City of La Porte's budget cycle.
For the current budget year it creates a significant impact, as the expiration of the
current contract ends on March 31, 2012 and the City did not adopt within its budget
for salary increases. Therefore, due to the contract an estimated one-half of the
LPPOA membership would obtain step salary increases and an estimated one-half of
the membership would not.
b) Mr. Gillett discussed a few solutions/outcomes for the current Meet and Confer
Agreement.
I. Option t - Do not address the Meet and Confer Agreement — Mr. Gillett stated
that he believes this is not a good option, as there are many issues that this
would create as essentially all civil service preemptions that are addressed
within the contract would defer back to the civil service rule regarding them.
2. Option 2 - New Agreement with the same cycle where both parties introduce
their recommendations for a new contract and new agreements would need to be
met.
3. Extend Current Contract for a Period of Six Months with no changes allowing
for the new City Manager to be involved with the discussion and have a feel of
the financial position of the City. Extending the current contract would extend
step salary raises and all Civil Service employees would be treated the same this
budget year. The agreement would remain the same with a new expiration date
of September 30, 2011 and returning to discussions no later than June 1, 2,012 or
as agreed.
c) LPPOA President, Officer Novosad stated he understands the City of La Porte's
situation. He does not have a problem with a six month extension. However, he does
not believe that the City and Association agree on the "median" scale, and going
beyond that is a give and take. He believes the City keeps deferring more to the
median.. He also stated he is open to a long term extension going into February 2013
and going back to the table in 2012 to see if budget will adjust to median, he would
prefer to see an eighteen month extension.
d) At 4:23pm the Association called a caucus. They returned at 4:28 p.m.
e) LPPOA President, Officer Novosad advised that they are in agreement to a six month
extension and coming back to the table in June, 2012. however, the Association does
have to obtain votes from their membership regarding the proposed extension.
f) The Association and the City would like for the extension to be presented to Council
in January, 2012.
g) City staff will get with legal to see if a one page document could be drafted stated that
the current agreement will be extended for a six month period, ending September 30,
2011 and returning for discussions no Iater than June 1, 2012 or as agreed.
4. SET TIME AND ATE OF NEXT MEETING
No fixture meeting was set, due to the pending extension of current agreement.
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
6. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
APPROVED ON THIS THE DAY OF . , 2012.
Ken Adcox, Chief of Police
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Matt Novosad, LPPOA President