HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-01-12 Meet and Confer Committee MeetingTHE CITY OF LA PORTE MEET & CONFER COMMITTEE MET THE 1st DAY OF AUGUST, 2012 AT 3:00 P.M.
AT CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 604 WEST FAiRMONT PARKWAY, LA PORTE, TEXAS.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 3:13 p.m.
Attendees: Corby Alexander, Traci Leach, Kenith Adcox, Katherine Anderson, Marcus Upchurch
and Chris Paige. David Huckabee joined at 4:17p.m. Dottie Kaminski also attended the
meeting. Tracey Phelan arrived at 3:35 p.m. and attended in the audience.
2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 18, 2012 MEETING.
Minutes were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Chris Paige to approve, 2nd by
Marcus Upchurch, all attendees were in favor.
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 draft Meet and Confer Agreement that was prepared based on previous meetings discussions
regarding wages, promotional testing changes, emergency pay policy and an Association Leave
Pool, was presented by Chief Adcox. The draft contract was based on wording from the existing
contract with changes made based on items previously discussed during previous meet and
confer sessions. Changes were highlighted in yellow and were read aloud and discussed as
needed.
The Chief advised that he was waiting on language from Tom Barbee in regard to the
Association Leave Pool. The Chief also advised that the language comprising the changes had
yet to be reviewed by the City's legal department and was simply being presented for
_ discussion purposes. The legal advisor would likely change the wording slightly should the
changes be agreed on.
Article III, Wages, number 2 was read and it was agreed by all that the concept of the language
was okay. This section applies to time the market survey will be completed and a capped
percentage of 3% overall increases that the City will implement each year that will go into effect
the beginning of each budget year covered under the contract.
Article iII, Wages, number 7 was read and the policy in regard to Emergency Pay that this item
refers to was distributed to LPPOA representatives. This allows for the LPPOA to utilize the
policy rather than the agreement or Civil Service/Fair Labor Standards Act law during those
periods were applicable. The purpose of this provision would be to allow officers to receive the
additional pay covered in the Emergency Pay Policy that is available to city employees during
declared emergencies.
Article VI, Promotion to the Ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant was read.
Chief Adcox discussed that per the last meeting he had spoke to several officers and advised
that according to the various personnel he spoke with that the LPPOA membership would be
more comfortable with specific language regarding the testing in the contract than waiting and
relying on a committee to resolve the issue by the next salary survey (next year). Based on the
comments he received he researched various policies from progressive departments with
strong associations and/or unions and utilized Austin Police Department's policy as a guideline
for creating this section. He also advised that Lt. Daeumer did additional research and had
advised the Chief that he did not find anything department with better language than Austin,
though San Antonio PD did have one provision in their contract regarding having the selected
consultant come in a few weeks before each assessment center in order to offer an ordination
to interested officers. This provision was added and is included in the proposed draft contract.
Article IX, Association Leave is the last change that will need to be implemented into the policy.
There is draft language in the draft contract, however, the Association will need to submit the
language for this policy.
Article XI, Duration, the only changes in regard to this section are the expiration date of the
contract and the negations start date.
Marcus Upchurch said he did not have any questions on any of the wording submitted. He did
have a question on the date change to get salary information and Traci Leach advised that April
works best for the City for budgeting purposes.
The next subject discussed was compensation; Chief advised that the City promised to prepare
a compensation study based on 3% between steps and present that information. The Chief
clarified that the City is not proposing the implementation of the study in question, it was
simply done as requested in order to see how the salaries would come out at various levels, if it
would in fact work to collapse steps within various ranks, and, if so, what the cost would be to
the City. While the study did not seem to affect officer steps very much, it did have a significant
impact on the steps of supervisors, reducing Sergeant steps to six steps and Lieutenant steps to
three. After viewing the study, it was determined that other methods may need to be looked at
as the study in question benefited only a relatively small number of officers.
The City advised they set aside 3% of salaries for officer's compensation study increase which
equates to about $170,000.00. The numbers provided already slightly exceed that amount,
making additional financial concessions difficult. Sgt. Upchurch inquired as to why the
Association should concede to any additional items in the agreement if the City cannot give
provide officers with more than the amount budgeted.
The Association indicated they felt they are not getting anything for giving up something. Chief
reminded everyone that by taking Civil Service employees to the median they are in essence
receiving a cost of living increase and a pay for performance, or merit increase, and that non-
civil service employee are not being provided a cost of living increase, officers are in essence
going to receive a pay increase that is twice that of other employees.
The Chief also advised that if the Association and the City cannot agree on some sort of an
alternative promotional testing procedure, he could not support a multi -year agreement
because ensuring that the department has the most qualified leaders is too important to the
officers, the department, and the city.
A caucus was called at 4:15 p.m. by the La Porte Police Officer's Association. The meeting re -
adjourned at 4:28 p.m. with David Huckabee now being in attendance.
The LPPOA members advised they would like to discuss with the membership, but do not feel
that the 70 points and assessment center will pass.
4. SET TIME AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting was set for August 8, 2012 at 3:00 pm.
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
APPROVED ON THIS THE % DAY OF <--'*"v 9 ' 2012.
Ken Adcox, Chief of Police
Matt Novosaj, LPPOA President