Item 8B~'"
AGENDA ITEM #8B
SEPTEMBER 13, 2004
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Hurricane Shelter Pay
DATE, September 7, 2004
SUBMITTED BY: David E. ,I.hompso~ of of Police/DPS
BACKGROUND:
Several years ago, a City Hurricane Policy was adopted to address City operations before,
during, and after a hurricane threatening northeast Florida. As a part of that policy, an
issue arose relative to compensation for City employees who were required to evacuate
and stay at the shelter with the city workforce. At that time, the compensation for
spending time in the shelter was established at $5.15 per hour. This low pay rate was
intended to address the non-productive time when employees were staying at the shelter
and not performing their normal job functions.
Since that time, this issue has been re-evaluated with a different recommendation.
Considerations include:
1. City of Atlantic Beach employees are considered to be essential employees
before, during, and after a hurricane. They are required to evacuate and stay at
the shelter with other employees, and they do not have the options to stay home,
stay at an alternate Iocation, or evacuate with their families.
2. After checking with other municipal governments in northeast Florida, it became
clear that the other agencies compensated employees based on their hourly rates.
The Atlantic Beach shelter pay rate was the only flat rate, and it was the lowest
pay rate identified.
3. While in the shelter, city employees will be participating in a number of functions
that will be related to their positions as employees. Supervisory staff will be
meeting, organizing, and planning the responses far the hurricane. Some
employees will be working on the street to address emergency needs, or they will
be resting and recovering from performing these activities. Other staff members
will be assuring that recordkeeping is being kept up-to-date, and some staff
members will be providing support and care for the emergency workers.
4. Additionally, the City of Atlantic Beach has adopted the Red Cross Shelter at the
Kernan Trail Elementary School, and city employees will be running the shelter
for the public. While employees aze in the shelter, many employees will be
performing functions to serve a greater public good.
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AGENDA ITEM #8B
SEPTEMBER 13, 2004
Based on these considerations, staffrecommends raising the shelter pay for city
employees.
~'" Specific Proposed Pay:
If an hourly employee is required to be at the shelter, and that employee is not performing
"" any assigned work, then s/he will be compensated at their normal, hourly pay rate for the
time.
"~" If an hourly employee is required to be at the shelter, and that employee is performing
assigned duties at that location, then s/he will be compensated at an overtime rate of pay.
Exempt employees will be compensated at their normal, hourly-rate of pay regardless of
the duties performed at the shelter.
'~ BUDGET: Based on a worst case scenario (all city employees working overtime for the
entire 24 hour day), the pay would total approximately $80,000 per day. However, the
~ costs are expected to be less than this estimate, and it is also anticipated that the vast
majority of the costs will be reimbursed by FEMA.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
To approve the hurricane policy change in compensation for City of Atlantic Beach
employees who are identified as essential personnel, and who are required to evacuate
and stay at the designated shelter with the city workforce.
ATTACHMENTS:
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
AGE A ITEM NUMBER: