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04-29-91 v CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991, 7:15 P.M. AGENDA 1. Discussion and related action regarding an impasse relative to the FOP contract for 1990/91. 2. Approval of Resolution #91-15 authorizing the City Attorney to initiate eminent doman proceeds relative to the Sea Gardens Lift Station Any other business Adjournment MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION HELD IN CITY HALL, ATLANTIC BEACH AT 7:15 PM ON MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM by Mayor Gulliford. Present, in addition to the Mayor were Commissioners Cook, Edwards, Tucker, and Weldon. Also present were City Manager Leinbach, Labor Attorney Dickinson, City Attorney Jensen and City Clerk King. Also present, representing the FOP was Charlie Salerno. 1. Discussion and related action regarding an impasse relative to the FOP contract for 1990/91 Mayor Gulliford outlined the procedure to be followed. John Dickinson would first explain the city's position, Charlie Salerno would explain the position of the FOP, the audience would be given an opportunity to make comments, and finally, the City Commission would make its decision on the matter. Mr. Dickinson said the city had offered a 2.5% pay increase and had rejected the Special Master's recommendation for an increase of 3.5%. The issues to be resolved were the percentage pay increase to be granted and the effective date of such increase. He provided each Commissioner with documentation concerning the present pay plan, the city's proposal representing a 2.5% increase, the Special Master's recommendation reflecting a 3.5% increase, data comparing Atlantic Beach's pay scale with that of surrounding cities as well as comparisons with similar sized communities throughout the state, the recent pay and classification study conducted by MSN, data relating to the cost of implementing raises, and a history of police pay raises over the past five years. This material was reviewed in detail, after which Mr. Dickinson recommended the City Commission approve the 2.5% increase, to become effective when the matter is resolved. He said the collective bargaining agreement had been completely rewritten and included other concessions such as subsidizing health insurance costs, approval of a position of Patrolman in Charge, increased tuition aid, addition of a holiday which had been enjoyed but which had not been included in the agreement, instituted Cafeteria Plan, and allowed employees to have more control over when overtime pay could be selected in lieu of compensatory time. Overall, he felt the city's offer was generous. Mr. Solarno said the initial request which had been initiated by the members of the bargaining unit, had been for a 10% pay increase. This figure had been based on the understanding that the City had instituted the concept of keeping Atlantic Beach salaries at 90% parity with the Jacksonville Police Department. Since then Jacksonville police had received a pay raise and the 10% requested was intended to bring Atlantic Beach back to the 90% level. The 2.5% being offered by the City Manager's office would place Atlantic Beach below Neptune Beach in starting and maximum pay levels and the 3.5% recommended by the Special Master would place Atlantic Beach between the salaries offered by Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach. Mr. Solarno pointed out the cost difference between the 2.5% and 3.5%, including overtime, would be about $7,000. He felt the 3.5% was a compromise between 5% that the FOP had Page Two Minutes of Special Commission Meeting April 29, 1991 requested before the Special Master was brought in and the 2.5% that the city had offered and he requested the City Commission accept this recommendation and make the increase retroactive to October 1, 1990. At this point, Mayor Gulliford opened the floor for a public hearing and invited comments from the audience. Jimmy Hill, 659 Beach Avenue, said he was impressed by the quality of the Atlantic Beach police officers and had seen some fine officers leave the city over the years. He urged the City Commission to accept the recommendation of the Special Master and grant the 3.5% retroactive to October 1, 1990. David Catir, President of the FOP, also commented on the number of officers who had left the city and said the Police Department has had to work short-handed when officers leave or when new officers are in training. He felt this situation did not allow the officers on duty to provide the type of service to the community that they would like. He said Atlantic Beach had some fine, dedicated, officers who would continue to perform their best regardless of the action of the City Commission. He invited the Commissioners to ride with him on duty to, perhaps, get a better understanding of a police officer's job. The police officers, in turn, would try to attend the Commission meetings to get a better understanding of the job Commissioners do. Mayor Gulliford said he had ridden with the police and was impressed with their professionalism and had publicly praised them and their performance many times. P.J. Wetherhold, 316 Oceanwalk, inquired into the cost of training a police officer to replace one who had left the city. Chief Thompson said the city did not pay for the academy training, but each officer was required to go through twelve weeks of training in Atlantic Beach. However, the cost of training would be difficult to estimate. Bill McMillan, 363 Fourth Street, said he had recently noticed advertisements for Atlantic Beach lifeguards. He said these advertise- ments sought the best qualified lifeguards and indicated the city would pay the highest salary in northeast Florida, which, he felt, was how it should be. He noted that in February the city had approved a 3% pay increase for other city employees at a cost of about $8,500. He urged the City Commission to accept the recommendation of the Special Master and approve a 3.5% increase retroactive to October 1 , 1990 to try to keep the best possible officers in Atlantic Beach. Officer Williams of Atlantic Beach Police Department, added that criminals can be apprehended quickly in Atlantic Beach because in many instances the criminals are known to the police officers. He commented on the caliber of the city's police officers and said Atlantic Beach should not be a training ground for Jacksonville. Page Three Minutes of Special Commission Meeting April 29, 1991 Phil Petley, 388 19th Street, retired police officer, said he did not feel police officers could be paid enough to do the job they do and said he supported the 3.5% raise. Since no one else spoke for or against the matter the Mayor closed the public hearing and offered Chief Thompson an opportunity to speak to the issue. Chief Thompson said he was able to see both sides of the subject. He felt the Atlantic Beach officers were professional and hard working. However, he understood the City Commission had to be as fiscally responsible as possible and he appreciated the on-going support of the City Commission for the police department. Mayor Gulliford reminded those present the City Commission had approved a 60% tax increase last election year, 90% of which was used for expansion of personnel and equipment for both the police and fire departments. He invited comments or questions from the Commissioners. Commissioner Cook felt it was a difficult problem because he would like to pay the police officers as much as possible; however, he felt he had an obligation to keep taxes as low as possible. Commissioner Weldon inquired whether Jacksonville had also hired Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach officers and Chief Thompson responded in the affirmative. Discussion then ensued regarding the salaries paid by Neptune Beach and Green Cove Springs and Mr. Dickinson said Green Cove Springs had authorized a pay study similar to the one recently completed in Atlantic Beach. Commissioner Edwards said he supported the police department but felt that neither a 2.5% nor a 3.5% would guarantee that Atlantic Beach would not continue to lose officers. Commissioner Tucker agreed with Commissioners Cook and Edwards but said while she supported the police she did not know if the city could afford 3.5% increase. Mayor Gulliford pointed out that while the city would like to set salaries for Atlantic Beach police officers at 90% parity with Jacksonville, no such commitment had been made by the City Commission. He said he would like to retain the trained officers but did not feel Atlantic Beach could be competitive with Jacksonville. With reference to comparisons between Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach or other communities, Mayor Gulliford said he would like to see comparative figures regarding the number of calls per police officer and the ratio of calls per citizen. Mayor Gulliford also asked for clarification regarding the agreement that the city subsidize the health insurance premiums, and Mr. Dickinson explained that a cap of $137.00 per month had been agreed to, and if premiums exceeded that amount the city would not be required to go over that amount for this fiscal year. Page Four Minutes of Special Commission Meeting April 29, 1991 The Mayor then gave the City Manager an opportunity to address the issue. Mr. Leinbach said he would like to be able to give the largest raise possible, but he felt it was his obligation to recommend a course of action that was fiscally responsible. At this point the Mayor called for a motion and Commissioner Tucker moved to authorize a 3% increase effective May 1, 1991. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Weldon and discussion continued regarding the effective date. Commissioner Cook offered as a substitute motion that a 3.5% increase be authorized, effective May 1, 1991. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Edwards. With no further discussion, the Mayor called for a roll-call vote on the substitute motion which passed on a 3 - 1 vote with Commissioner Weldon casting the dissenting vote. At this time Mayor Gulliford called a brief recess. The meeting reconvened at 9:00 PM. 2. Resolution No. 91-15 Mayor Gulliford presented in full, in writing, Resolution No. 91-15 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH AUTHORIZING ALAN C. JENSEN, CITY ATTORNEY, TO INITIATE EMINENT DOMAIN PROCEEDINGS IN ORDER TO ACQUIRE IN THE NAME OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH CERTAIN PROPERTY NEEDED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Commissioner Weldon moved for passage of Resolution No. 91-15. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cook and was unanimously approved. City Attorney Jensen said he would continue to work with Denis Dawes, President of the Sea Gardens Association in an attempt to reach agreement regarding the necessary easement for the lift station. Paula Wagner, Sea Gardens resident, inquired into the time schedule and said she did not think the Sea Gardens residents were aware of the urgency. Bob Kosoy explained bids would be opened for the project on May 14, and if design changes were needed, this information would have to be communicated to the prospective bidders as soon as possible to avoid expensive change orders. Denis Dawes said he had had several meetings with Alan Jensen, Bob Kosoy and Edward Ash, owner of Tiffany by the Sea, and felt a compromise could be reached regarding the location of the lift station and compensation for loss of land which would be acceptable to everyone. He was concerned about the loss of parking spaces at Sea Gardens due to the construction of the lift station. He indicated further meetings of the Association had been scheduled for this week and he would be in touch with Mr. Jensen later this week. (Commissioner Tucker left the meeting at 9:15 PM to keep a previous appointment) . Page Five Minutes of Special Commission Meeting April 29, 1991 Bob Kosoy said he had hoped the Sea Gardens Homeowners Association would have presented a proposal to the City Commission at the meeting on Monday, April 22, regarding relocation of the lift station but this proposal had not been forthcoming. He said he had had no communication with the Association since that time. After further discussion, Bob Kosoy and Alan Jensen were instructed to proceed with negotiations and if necessary, initiate eminent domain proceedings to acquire the property. * * * * * * * * * * * The City Manager reported amendments were being proposed in the Legislature which the Florida League of Cities felt were undermining Amendment #3 regarding unfunded mandates which had recently been passed by the people. Legislation was also proposed which would give the Department of Insurance control of local pension plans. The Florida League of Cities was opposed to both these proposals and requested that elected officials convey their opposition to these proposals to their legislative representatives. The City Manager was directed to draft letters for the Commissioners' signatures, to be faxed to the legislators. There being no further business to come be .re t - City Commission, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourne. at 9: 5 PM. 1116411111 Wi liam I. Gullifor , Mayor/Presiding Of A T T E S T: Mau�King, City;Clerk'