07-28-75 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 28, 1975 OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) Many demands are being placed on these funds, the first of which is for salaries. Without the benefit of the proposed budget to study, we would make the following suggestion as a means of responding to the request for increased salaries. ** For'the year 1976 we recommend that salary improvements be limited to changes in fringe benefits. ** This would include consideration in the areas of the insurance program, holiday pay and holidays allowed, clothing allowances, and annual pay increments. We would remind you that this community at present has a rather high number of unemployed taxpayers. It seems unreasonable to expect unemployed taxpayers to pay for salary increases to government employees and carry the burden of increasing poor relief and welfare costs. Using these guidelines, we feel that the needs of other areas in the budget will be easier to meet and benefits can be provided for employees. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, s/ Gene Evans Executive Secretary Mr. Walter Willis III, representing an organization of citizens for good government, stated that he had not liked a statement made to him by a police officer: If we got a better salary, better services would be provided. He felt the facts were clear, and he hoped that the policemen would be given a decent salary. Councilman Horvath wondered how many years' service a police officer must have before retirement, and Officer Mahank indicated that 20 years' service was required. Councilman Horvath indicated that, in industry, a person must work until 65. He asked how much money an officer would draw afte 20 years of service, and Officer Mahank indicated that half the base pay of the Patrolman First Class would be drawn. Councilman Horvath indicated that this amounted to a great deal of money over a period of time. He stated that industry was making more as far as hourly rates, but the benefits being given to the officers were not given in industry. He indicated that the Council was trying to be reasonable with the limited amount of funds available. He felt all employees should be treated equally. Councilman Kopczynski wondered about some of the skills needed by the officers in order to make them proficient in comparison to the skills required in industry, etc. Police Chief John Walsh indicated that, when the officers were called upon to investigate any crime) or accident, they must know exactly what to do. He indicated that a three -month training for the rookies was required, and then the training was on- going. He stated that a person's life could be saved in seconds and this rested upon the officers on many occasions. Councilman Kopczynski talked about the skill of diplomacy. He indicated that his constituents felt the department was lacking in that area. He felt the officers should be rated on the basis of ability to perform their duties He wondered if the department was deviating from police work and becoming involved in areas it shou not be. Chief Walsh indicated that there were officers at times that were not diplomatic; however, he stated that he had also received many letters of commendation from citizens for the work perform by the officers. Councilman Kopczynski talked about the four -year apprenticeship required for the various trades. He asked for the qualifications of the officers and skills needed, in writing. Chief Walsh indicated that he would reply to Councilman Kopczynski's request. Council President Parent talked about the controversy over the past few years involving the police department; however, he wondered about its bearing on what was being considered at the present time. He wanted each officer to make a decent wage. He reminded the officers that the pension plan must be considered. He felt the amendment made did discriminate against certain officers in that 32 men would make less than the $416 approved for the other officers. For this reason, he made a motion to amend Section 3 as follows: Any individual officer receiving less than a $300 salary increase above his salary as of December 31, 1975, may be entitled to a salary schedule adjustment which shall be established $300 above his December 31, 1975 salary. This salary may be set by the Board of Safety prior to the first pay period of 1976 and shall include night incentive, educational incentive and hazard pay. This section shall not apply to those officers in the lowest three ranks as of December 31, 1975. This section is meant to insure a reward to individual officers for longevity and experience on the police force. : ouncilman Taylor seconded the motion. He requested a roll call vote. The motion carried by a Tote of five ayes (Councilmen Serge, Szymkowiak, Taylor, Newburn and Parent) and four nays (Councilmen Miller, Kopczynski, Horvath and Nemeth). Councilman Serge talked about the total amount of the city's income for the next year. He indicat that the pension plan cost the city a great deal of money each year. He felt the Council must budget with what the city had to work with. Councilman Taylor indicated that he was pleased with the amendments made; however, he was disappointed that not each officer would receive a $416 increase. Councilman Miller indicated that, last year, some of the policemen received greater increases over the base in order to get the salaries in line. He wondered if this should be con- sidered discrimination if it was felt the Council was being discriminatory at the present time in that not all officers would receive a $416 increase. He talked about the night incentive pay and educational incentive pay. He indicated that almost all patrolmen were receiving over $5.00 an hour with that considered. He stated that he was upset with the increase in the crime rate. He wondered when this would be taken care of and brought down. He stated` that he was aware of the problem with the courts and judges, but he felt the officers should make arrests more than once if that was what it would take "to get the criminals off the street ". Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that he had taken a $1,100 cut in pay this year and next year, he would be taking a $2,500 cut. An officer in the audience asked why, and Councilman Szymkowiak indicated that he was entitled to his share of social security like everyone else. He stated that he had not cut his services because he had taken a cut in pay. Councilman Kopczynski talked about the amount of time put into his job as a councilman. He indicated that it averaged out to about $1.50 an hour in salary. He felt the officers making statements about the increase in salary for the councilmen were totally ignorant of the duties of the councilmen (prompted by the outburst of one officer