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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-12 Personal & FinancePERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE July 23, 2012 4:05 P.M. Committee Members Present: Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, Dr. David Varner, Henry Davis Citizen Members Present: Tammy McNally, Juliane James Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Dr. Fred Ferlic, Oliver Davis, Valerie Schey, Others Present: Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Kevin Allen, Aladean DeRose, Catherine Toppel, Mike Schmuhl, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Mark Neal, Gary Gilot, Mike Mecham Agenda: Bill No. 20 -12 — Whistleblower Protection Bill No. 26 -12 — Salaries & Wages Bill No. 30 -12 — Appropriation — Clean -Up Fund Committee Chairperson Karen White opened the hearing with three bills on the agenda. The first Bill No. 20 -12 would supplement the Code to afford assurance to all City Employees they would not be retaliated against for reporting any wrong doing of another city employee. This bill is commonly referred to as providing "whistle - blower" protection. As one of the primary sponsors along with Councilmember Tim Scott; Henry Davis made a brief presentation noting recent events on the police department where retaliation was reported by a police officer prompted the bill. The bill itself was first drafted by Council Attorney Cekanski- Farrand who said it was modeled after working with City Attorney Aladean DeRose and the city's Human Resources Department, the bill was amended to its present form. Henry Davis, Tim Scott, and Gavin Ferlic all thanked those involved with the revisions for their collaboration. Ultimately Councilmember Gavin Ferlic motioned for a favorable recommendation to full Council. Councilmember David Varner seconded and all voted to support, as amended. Bill No. 26 -12 presented by the Mayor was as he described a first step toward a comprehensive plan to address the problem of youth violence in the city. The Mayor billed it as a down payment on a comprehensive plan. The Mayor said we cannot arrest our way out of youth violence. He intends to start by creating a full -time position called the Director of Youth Engagement. It is actually the enhancement of the responsibilities and commensurate pay for a position currently working out of the Martin Luther King Center. Many Council questions and comments followed. Valerie Schey said she understood the problem of youth violence; but giving a position a 25% pay increase in light of police and fire pay increased being to restricted was a problem. The Mayor responded saying it was actually cost - saving in that it consolidates two positions into one. Henry Davis said recent violent incidents were not perpetrated by youth, but by adults. He felt the Mayor and Council needed to assess the whole youth situation and develop a comprehensive plan to engage the city's youth to develop positive paths to personal development. With encouragement and support so many young people need hopes and dreams can be realized and violence rejected. Derek Dieter, learning the newly created position would not be advertised and in fact was already filled by the current MLK director, expressed concern that this person would be overloaded. David Varner asked if the request was FTE neutral? Would other support positions be requested? Oliver Davis focused on the need for a police chief with experience addressing youth violence. Karen White expressed reservations about the consolidation of duties in the position. She too advised a comprehensive approach. She said you cannot build a program around a person as they come and go. The approach to the problem needs to be identified before moving ahead. The Mayor responded to the doubters of his approach saying he was not overburdening a person but empowering him. He conceded however that if the Council wanted to discuss the approach further he would welcome their input. With that, Karen White asked Councilmember's to put their suggestions on paper and submit them to her for Committee consideration within the upcoming week. Karen then asked if there was support for a continuance to the next meeting on August 13, 2012. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic so moved. Citizen Member Tammy McNally seconded and all supporte4d a continuance of Bill No. 26 -12 until August 13, 2012. The last item on the agenda was Bill No. 30 -12. This is an appropriation request for $100,000 to continue funding the clean -up of illegal dumping. This clean -up effort was first requested by Council last year as a part of their quality of life improvement efforts in city neighborhoods. Catherine Toppel, Director of Neighborhood Code Enforcement has directed the clean -up efforts. She presented this additional funding request to Council. Catherine said the additional dollars would fund the clean -up with four 32 hr. week employees through 2012. The 2013 budget process would determine the nature of future clean -up efforts. During the council portion several Councilmember's including Karen White, Tim Scott, and both Henry and Oliver Davis' effusively promised the clean -up. Henry and Oliver Davis both urged the clean -up positions be made full -time with benefits. Councilmember Gavin Ferlic motioned a favorable recommendation. Councilmember Varner followed with a seconded and all agreed. Under miscellaneous Karen White reminded everyone about the budget hearing scheduled for Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Karen White adjourned the meeting at 5:13 p.m. Respectful) Submitted, Karen White, Chairperson Personnel & Finance