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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-08-12 Meet and Confer Committee MeetingTHE CITY OF LA PORTE MEET & CONFER COMMITTEE MET THE 8th DAY OF AUGUST, 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 3:02 p.m. Attendees: Corby Alexander, Traci Leach, Kenith Adcox, Katherine Anderson, Matt Novosad, Marcus Upchurch and Chris Paige. David Huckabee joined at 4:17p.m. Dottie Kaminski also attended the meeting. Audience members included, Steve Deardorff, Roger Gonzalez, Brian Larkey, Tracey Phelan and Paul Whitchurch. 2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM August 1, 2012 MEETING. Minutes were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Mr. Alexander to approve 2"d by Chief Adcox, 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 new draft agreement was distributed. The only change from last meeting was the language on the Association Leave Pool (Item 20). All present reviewed. In regard to the Emergency Pay Policy, Matt Novosad asked if the provision regarding compensatory time could be put under compensatory time, rather than wages. The Chief advised that since the Emergency Pay Policy effects wages as a whole, not just compensatory time, the City legal advisor had indicated that it should to be covered in the general wage section of the contract. Matt Novosad began discussion regarding the perception of LPPOA members regarding an Assessment Center. He advised that during the last LPPOA they had approximately % the membership and an informal vote was taken. -Those present did not want to see an assessment center in the contract, nor did they want to see future discussions relating to the assessment center tied to pay. As such, he was pretty sure the contract would not pass at this time with an assessment center included. Matt Novosad also advised that the idea of an assessment center was so new and that it was more a, matter of trust and apprehension in the promotional system. He understood though that, without discussing an assessment center, a multi -year contract would not be able to happen this year. Matt Novosad continued discussion stating that the membership views a 3% increase as a normal adjustment and he does not know how to address that today. Mr. Alexander wanted to make sure that the LPPOA members understood the steps of the process. Chief reviewed the steps and advised he wants to make sure that the membership understands them and advised that they can be changed, with additions or deletions as needed. The Chief asked if the actual assessment center outline had been shared with the members or it had just been presented verbally by the bargaining team members. At 3:30 p.m. the LPPOA representatives called a caucus. They returned at 3:48 p.m. Matt Novosad advised that in all fairness he does not believe the membership saw the language regarding the Assessment Center and would like for them to see it and take a poll. However, if they agree to Assessment Center,'he would like to know If the City will offer anything other than a multi -year contract. Matt Novosad also asked that if there is an agreement made regarding the implementation of an Assessment Center if an association member can be part of the process and attend. Chief Adcox advised that he would be open to discussing any additional provisions that might make the membership more comfortable with the assessment center process; however, he had concerns with having third parties, with ties to the department and potentially individuals actually participating in the testing process, being allowed to be part of the process. He said these were the same concerns the membership had already expressed as to allow an association representative Into the room when individual candidate testing was taking place might allow the confidential questions to leak out, potentially ending up In the hands of a promotional candidate and giving him or her an unfair advantage. The Chief advised that this would have to be something that was explored further and potentially discussed with any involved consulting firm that would be called in. Chief Adcox advised he would like for the membership to see the whole contract and will distribute that. He also reminded the group that that the LPPOA members would be getting both a 3% salary adjustment as well as a merit increase, which averaged an additional 3%. This totals 6% for most officers, as compared to only 3% for civilian employees. The Chief advised that he felt that this was fair as it was the right thing for the City to do for its officers who work hard every day. By the same token, he advised that the Assessment Center is also the right thing for the officers to do for the department and the city. Chris Paige asked the Chief if he believed that we have poor supervisors now, as they were promoted under the current testing practice. Chief Adcox answered no, but that we are talking about our future leaders, not the past or current leaders within the department. Matt Novosad advised that the Chief is very knowledgeable about assessment centers, leaving members to question why it is being pushed and the overall idea is, that there has to be another reason. Mr. Alexander advised that it is right and the best thing for the City. Chief Adcox advised that he inquired about costs to explain the process and was advised by one of the area consulting firms, Bannon and Associates, that they would come in an provide a general orientation relating to assessment center processes to our officers for a relatively small fee of $250.00. The Chief asked the Association Bargaining team members if they thought this would be beneficial. There was a proposal that the City and the Association split the fee for this in order to make it clear that this was simply an educational process and that the consultant was not working for one party of the other. Matt Novosad indicated he would speak with Bannon and Associates. Matt Novosad wanted to clarify that the number one candidate would be promoted, and Chief verified yes, that the same legal "rule of 3, as per established Civil Service Law would still apply. In accordance with existing Civil Service Law, the Chief has to select the #1 person on the list unless he can articulate a reason to the Civil Service Commission as to why the person should be skipped. 4. SET TIME AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting was set for August 22, 2012 at 3:00 pm. 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS None. 6. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. APPROVED ON THIS THE It DAY OF $> , 2012. Ken Adcox, Chief of Police Matt Novosa , LPPOA President