HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-13 Meet and Confer Committee MeetingTHE CITY OF LA PORTE MEET & CONFER COMMITTEE MET THE 11th DAY OF APRIL, 2013 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 3:03 p.m.
Attendees: Corby Alexander, Kenith Adcox, Matt Novosad, Marcus Upchurch, David Huckabee
and Chris Paige. Other attendees included: Brian Larkey (audience).
2. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM September 5, 2012 MEETING.
Minutes were reviewed and a motion to approve was made by Ken Adcox to approve 2"d by
Matt Novosad, 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.
Alternative testing procedures were discussed and the proposal, which was based on the
recommendations from the committee made up of both Association and City representatives,
was distributed by Chief Adcox. The Committee recommendations included changing time in
grade requirements needed to take the sergeant's test from 2 to 4 years; changing the way
seniority points are awarded from time on department to time In grade; awarding an additional
2.5 points to those persons who pass the written exam (70 or above) and are actively
participating in the department's leadership mentor program; providing for a 6 month
probationary period for persons promoted to sergeant or lieutenant; and agreeing on an
assessment center process that would be used only If voted on ahead of time by the effected
officers as already provided for in existing Civil Service law. Additional discussion took place in
regard to what body would be approving the Assessment Center, and it was agreed that only
those that would be actually taking the promotional exam in question would be allowed to vote
on whether or not an assessment center would be used, not the entire LPPOA membership.
The process would be for the Chief to propose an assessment center each year sometime
before each test is scheduled. Those eligible and interested in taking the promotional test
would include their preference (for or against an assessment center) when they submit their
letter of intent to HR. If a majority of the effected officers voted in favor of an Assessment
Center, one would be arranged for following the specific procedure included in the contract.
Chief Adcox advised that it is his hope that by giving officers an opportunity to voluntarily select
and experience an assessment center, officers may, over time, become more comfortable with
the process. This may eventually lead to the standardized use of assessment centers as part of
the promotional process in the future.
LPPOA would like to see a change in the current policy regarding 60 hours of college for
promotional testing, to allow for four (4) years of active military duty in lieu of college for
Sergeant testing. Proof of duty would be made by the discharge papers. Officers would still
have to have the require 60 hours of college before they would be eligible to take the
lieutenants test.
LPPOA would like for City to review a proposed "Bill of Rights". Novosad indicated he didn't
expect a response now. He would like for City committee members to review the proposal.
According Novosad, the proposed Bill of Rights is utilized by the City of Houston and is in VTCA
for the population of Houston. Chief made a general statement that he would be happy to
review the proposal, but the Association should understand in advance that the City is going to
be against anything that might impede the ability of internal affairs to uncover the truth when
accusations of misconduct are made and/or ensure accountability when accusations are found
to be true following an investigation. Still, the Chief and the City will review the proposed bill of
rights and see if it raises any concerns of this nature.
The City presented a "raw data" salary study based on salaries that were up to date, March,
2013. Based on this raw data, the LPPOA submitted their proposals and advised that, In
addition to adjusting officer salaries to the new mean, they would like to propose the
compaction of the pay scales for Sergeant and Lieutenants. They would like Sergeants to go
from 10 to 6 pay grades, and Lieutenants from 10 to 3 pay grades. The Association is not
proposing that Patrol Officer pay steps be compacted, however, they would like the City to
consider implementing additional step Increases at 15 and 20 years for Patrol Officers.; as
currently, there is no increase after pay grade 10. LPPOA realizes that according to the scale, a
20 year Patrol is higher than a 1st step Sergeant, but would include language stating that if this
occurs, the employee would stay at their current pay rate until they are eligible for an increase
and then go to the next step. The Association pointed out that the overall budget impact
numbers included at the bottom of each proposal are wrong. As such, correct impact numbers
will have to be obtained before the options may be fully considered by the City.
4. SET TIME AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING
April 25, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., City Hall, Council Chambers.
S. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
APPROVED ON THIS THE 7- S DAY OF VI?"� , 2013.
(A-,,r a c"_
Ken Adc hie of Police
Matt Novosad, LPPOA President