Laserfiche WebLink
Committeemember Jo M. Broden asked what the timetable is in terms of when this begins, as <br />well as the current assessment of affinities of what the administration is looking at or conflicts in <br />terms of what kind of leg work goes into it hours -wise and content -wise. <br />President Scott explained that it depends on where we are at with the budget. We'll talk to John <br />Murphy on the budget side, and see how it goes with police negotiations. So far it has gone <br />fairly well, members of the Common Council usually serve on that, if you'd like to we usually <br />meet in the afternoons for one (1) to three (3) hours. It has taken five (5) to six (6) meetings in <br />the past. It depends on the different parties and what they need to elaborate on. <br />Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand added that state law allows the agent to work with <br />the Common Council and the Administration in executive sessions for strategy purposes so that <br />you have a strategy before you go into negotiations. By appointing an agent, you have the <br />opportunity for all of the background work to be done prior to going to the table so that there is a <br />united effort going to the bargaining table. By state law, everything has to be wrapped up prior <br />to November 1St <br />Committee Chair Voorde asked what communication they've had with the F.O.P. so far. <br />President Scott stated that he received a generic letter addressed to himself stating that they are <br />ready to open up negotiations. We haven't done anything other than that so far. There are two <br />separate entities. The Council is in charge of the budget end of it, so we are responsible for the <br />fiscal end of the contract. Any language or policy and procedures is on the Administration and <br />the Police Chief. <br />The Committee discussed deadlines for meeting, and determined that they'll meet with the <br />Administration ahead of time so that goals and objectives are determined in advance before <br />going to the table. Council Attorney Cekanski- Farrand stated that it is not anticipated that they <br />will be prepared to go to the table before mid -June. <br />Committeemember Oliver Davis inquired about the Teamsters, and President Scott stated that <br />nothing has been received from the Teamsters, which is why they aren't discussing the <br />Teamsters' contract yet. Committee Chair Voorde clarified that under state law, they are only on <br />the forefront for Police and Fire negotiations. The City Administration leads the joint team for <br />the Teamsters' bargaining. Council Attorney Cekanski-Farrand mentioned that the Council does <br />not have the authority to be in the lead position on financial items for those negotiations. The <br />Council approves the salary and the budget. <br />Generally, during Police and Fire negotiations, two (2) to three (3) councilmembers serve on the <br />team. <br />Committeemember Regina Williams- Preston asked if we have a proposal from Kathy yet, or if <br />we are just appointing her without knowing how much she will be charging. Committee Chair <br />Voorde stated that we appoint Kathy, then she'll be paid above and beyond her normal pay. <br />Council Attorney Cekanski- Farrand stated that she normally charges one -half (1 /z) of her private <br />billable rate, on a per hour basis. <br />2 <br />