HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 01/19/2000January 19, 2000 Vol. 34, Page'201
1
2 City of. Petaluma, California
3 Minutes: of aSpecial -
4 City Council Meeting ~ - ..
5 ,~
6 Wednesday, January 19,:.2000
7 CouncF Chambers
8 ~...
9
10 The City Councilmet on this day at 6:35 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. -
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12 ROLL CALL _
13. -
14 Present: Cader-Thompson,. Healy, Keller, Maguire, Torliatt
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16 Absent: Hamilton, Thompson
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18 PUBLIC COMMENT '
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20 None
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22 CLOSED SESSLON
23 -
24 Vice Mayor Torliatt announced the following item to be addressed in Closed Session at4 ~ '
25 6:40 p.m. in the City Manager's Conference Room.
26
27 Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, Unit
28 7, Fire. Agency Negotiator: Acorne/Beatty/Krout
29
30 A®JOURN
31
32 7:05 P.M.
33
35 RECONVENE.
36
37 The Council reconvened on this day at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
38
39 Vice .Mayor Torliatt announced that there was. no- reportable action taken on items under
40 Closed Session.
41
42 ROLL CALL
43
44 Present: Cader-Thompson, Hamilton, Healy, Keller; Maguire, Thompson, Torliatt
45
46 Absent: None
VoL 34, Page.202 January 19,'2Q00
PLEDGE.OF ALLEGIANCE
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3 At the request of Vice Mayor Tocliatt, Kevin Marks led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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5' MOMENT OF':SILENCE
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7 fAt~th'e request. of V.iee Mayor Torliatt, a Moment of Silence was observed.
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9 ~ PUBLIC COMMENTS
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11 None
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13 COUNCIL COMMENTS
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15 None
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`1T COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGEMENT'REPORTS
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19 None
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2.1 AGENDA'CHANGES„ADDITIO.NS, AND DELETIONS
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23: None
24
25 STUDY SESSION
1.. Fresertation by City Management Regarding Status-of Collective Bargaining
Between City of Pefalurna and Petaluma FireFighters.
29
30 Vice Mayor Tor.liatt read the following introduction regarding the discussion of the.
31 agenda item:
33 We want to welcome. you to our'study session regarding the status of 'the negotiations
34 and impasse between: the City of Petalu_rna and International Association of Fire
35 Fighters GAFF)..... Thais is a unique event. because under state law, negotatons.between
36 cities and their employee organizations are. handled behind closed doors; so the public
37 often does: not learn about the issues until after an agreement has been reached.
38
,3,9. The Council suggested'that; an open, session occur fo,r two reasons: first,,. because tax
4:0 dollars are at stake, =we want~to be sure the public is aware of the issues-and possible
41 costs; second, so that,the Fire.. Fighters Union would be able to cornmunicafe their
42 perspective on the dispute directly to the Council and to the public.
43
44 I know I speak fore all Council Members when L say that; we deeply' appreciate'the work
45 and dedication of Petaluma Fire; Fighters,. who perform an essential service for the City
46 and publc.and'who do their jobswith a level of dedication and professionalism of which
January 19, 2000 Vol. 34, Page 203
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1 we are all proud. 1N.e want the public and the union to know that, despite the fact that
2 the union and the City are at impasse, the Council, City Manager, Fire Chief and staff
3 are committed 'to coming out of these negotiations with a good contract settlement and
4 an even stronger relationship than occurred before negotiations began.
5
6 To ensure that the union and City have a fair and equal opportunity to .present their
7 information, there will be no public comment period. None was scheduled since this is a
8 workshop between staff and the union.
9
10 We are allocating 30 minutes for each party to present their case. This will be applied
11 equally between City and union to make their presentations.
To allow equal time for presentations, Council Members have.. been asked to refrain
from asking questions during the presentations. Also, we do not contemplate spending
much time asking, questions at the end of the presentations, because we are. sure that
each presentation~will adequately set forth the party's perspective on the dispute and
because we want;to finish at a reasonable hour. With that, we will proceed with the
presentations. Mr. Beatty, please proceed.
Assistant City Manager Gene Beatty, with the assistance of Director of Human
Resources Michael Acorne, made the presentation as follows in outline format defining
the City's position regarding the Collective Bargaining discussions with the IAFF, .Local
1415:
® Status of Negotiations
® City's Goals
® Issues in Dispute
28.
~` 29 Status of .Negotiations
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31 IAFF declared impasse in negotiations with the City
32 o Parties are going to mediation next week a_nd hope to reach a compromise
. 33 Step after that is "binding arbitration;" in'which arbitrator makes a final decision
34 with no judicial review
35
36 City-Seeks Fair Resolution
37
38 The City is seeking a resolution to the dispute that is:
39 Fair to he International Association of Fire Fighters
40 Fair to other city employees
41 Fair to Petaluma taxpayers
42
43 Issue Areas
44
45 Issues discussed in negotiations cluster in three areas:
46 Financial issues
Vol. 34, Page 204
January 1;9; 2000
1 • Operational. issues
2 • Process issues
3 -
4 IAFF's Contracf Proposal
5
6 • IAFF's proposal .includes: .
7 - Continuation of a pay formula. that. automatically increases ;pay no matter
8 what
9 • Cost: 8:8 percent increase. in base pay $257;986
10 - Increases in premium pay,,, overtime, health ,benefits and medical. benefits
11 fibr retirees costirg at least $183,,749 annually
12 - An extremely costly pension improvement - estimate.d'$391,OOO annually
13 that will increase-the city's PERS cost by ataeast 10%
14 - Estimated $325,000 annual funding (pre-funded basis) of improved post
1.5 retirement medical
16 TO.T_ AL:
17 - 26:6% increase
18 - Annual cost $1:,097,,879 ~~ _r
19 - This does not include: $59.;856 in increased overtime costs.
20
21 City's Proposal
22
23 Eliminate the automatic formula.
24 • A two percenf increase for each year of the contract ~~
25 - This is not the G;ity's finale. offer
26 Maintain he~very substantial, benefits and retirement package they receive
. 27 - Thee PERS health program
28 - 2% at 50 retirement program
29 - Gity subsidizes $'100 pear month of retirees' medical payment ~.
30 -
31 The Average Fire. Fighter - "before" and "after" ~ " r
32 Other Relevant Facts
33 Nori-safety employees are paid below market, alfliough the City has
34 implemenfed a~plan to gel them to market over three years
35 • These under-market employees received a 3.5 % cost of living adjustment this
36 year
37 They also received equity adjustments getting them 1/3rd of the-way~to their
3$ markef `position
39 • Fire fighters have been above .market since 1992
40 Petaluma .Fire Fighters Compared: fo Other .Fire Fighters in Comparable Cities
41 • A pay increase of 1.,.22 percent would: bring Petaluma Fire Fighters in line with
42 the ,average of total compensation fortheir peer Fire Fighters in`11 comparable
43 cities (not.. including overtime;)
44 The .City~already is offering.a 2% pay increase annually and this is nof.the City's
45 final offe;_r Growth in Compensation of Petaluma Fire Fighters vs. Other City
46 Employees
January 19, 2000 Vol. 34, Page 205
1 ~ Since 1990.;: the average :City firefighter's salary grew 42 percent, while the
2 average; city .employee's salary grew 31 percent
3 .' .
4 Impactof`IAF1= Proposal on Petaluma Taxpayers..
5 ~ :The IAFF proposal costs $1,008,287 per year more than the City's proposal
6 ~ Potentiallmpacfs:
7 - Elimination. of :the Gity's recently-established reserve fund
8 - Deferral of facilities maintenance
9 - ~~ Deferral of technology investments
10 - Deferral of equipment purchases.
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12 Fiscal Priorities
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14 0 Propertytaxes:are insufficient to fund fire services at present funding levels
15 The City's Proposals Promote Safety, Accountability, Efficiency and Quality
16 - Requires drug and .alcohol testing after any injury accident
17 - Allows department to set goals and deploy personnel to accomplish
18 them
19 - Allows department to recruit/promote the most qualified candidates
20
21 Process Issues
22
23 The City has proposed to reform the process for conducting fire department
24 salary surveys so that:
25 - The survey will cover employees doing jobs in .similar departments and
26 cities
27 - The survey will, accurately measure employee's. compensation
28 - The salary surveys are used only as a guide, as they are for other
29 bargaining units .
30 - The City is not automatically locked into large contract awards regardless
31 of its fiscal health and ability to sustain large increases over long periods
32 ~ ~ of.'tirne
33 The survey process should cover employees doing jobs in similar departments
34 ~ . and cities...;.., -
35 - The City proposes:to'survey cities and departments of a similar s~ize:and scope
36 within 50-mile radius.
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Existing Cities
EI Cerrito
Livermore
Mountain View,
Napa,
San Bruno
San Rafaef
Vacaville
VoL 34, Page 206 January 1`9, '2000
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2 7he~automatic formula does 'not accurately gauge fotal cornpensati;en: ~ _
3 • .Existing, formula, does not count,.as ``compensation" such elements; as:
4 - Thee existing. 3' % administrative pay
5 - The. City's "normal cost" contribution to retirement - - •
6 - Holiday pay
7 - Long-term disability ,benefits
8 ,
9 Existing system mandates pay increase without taking into consideration the city's
10 ability to pay 199.9-2000 Cost.. Comparisons:
11
12 Automatie.mandated formula increase: 8.8 percent
t3 • Accurate total .compensation comparison (using the cities in the existing survey).
14 3.73. percent
15 • 1Nages received by other city employees. (not including. equity adjustments for
1.6 under-market pay) 3.5 percent .
17 • Accurate total compensation eomparison.with cities similarly sized to Petaluma
18 within 50 mile radius 1.22 percent
19
20 ION TOTAL:
21 • 26.6% increase
22 Annual cost`$1;097879
23
24 City hopes that Mediation will resolve the tlispute.
25
26 Recess
27 7:25 P.M.
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29 Reconvene ~ ~•
30 7:35 P:M.
31
32 2. Presentation by Representatives of IAFF, Local 1.415', Regarding Status ofi
33 Collective Bargain."ing Between Cify of.P'etaluma and Petaluma Fire Figh"tern.
34
35_ Fire Captain Judd G_uenin Lncoming President of IAFF, Local_1_415 intraduced,members
36 of the Negotiating Team as follows:
37 ~~
38 Fire Fighter Kevin .Marks,. Past President of IAFF; Local. 1415`; ,
39 Firefighter Rick King, Past Treasurer of IAF1=', Local 1415; ~~
40 Fire Captain Mike.Ahlin; and.
41 Firefighter/Paramedic Steve .Bishop:, Treasurer of IAFF,_;Local 1.4,15.
42 -
43 Mr. C.uenin then proceeded with a presentation that outlined.the status of~contract
44 negotiations between, the City of Petaluma and Petaluma Fire Fighters Local 141',5 as
45 follows:
.5
46
January 19, 2000
Vol. 34, Page 207
1 Negotiation History
2
3 -Both Parties agreed to have negotiations completed prior to July 1, 1999.
4
5' Fire Fighters Issues.
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7 List of issues~~for negotiations given to the City's negotiation team on March 25th.
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9 City's list of issues was not received by the Fire Fighters until after June 24th.
10.
11 On June 24th, -the City surprises Fire Fighters with new list of comparative cities
12 changing. the: salary survey.
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14 City adds. additional issues on July 8th.
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16' No wage proposal from the City until the middle of August.
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18 Firefighter's• Hours Worked Facts
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20 Fire .Fighter salary $57,904 for working 2,920 hours. This represents a 56-hour
21 workweek.
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23 84D hours per year more than an employee working a 40-hour workweek..
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25 Firefighter Benefit Facts
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27 City has: provided Council information on benefiits staffing that a firefighter's
28 current benefits = $26,057.
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30 Research by the Fire :Fighters has found a discrepancy of $12,170.
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32 P.E.R~.S (9.014%) $5,219
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34 Health Ins. $5,576
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36 L.T.D. $ 144
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38 Dental $ 948
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41 Vision $ 180
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43 Life Ins. $ 83
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45 Admin. Pay $1.,7371
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Vol. 34, Page 208 January 19, 2000
1 Unknown Benefits $12,170
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3 Additional. Employee Expenses
4~
5 • Holiday pay-12 hours eompensatibn.fordsys worked
6 Uniforrn allowance- Uniforms are required
7 Education. Pay=State: Fire Officers, $600
8 • FLSA-Federal Law
9 • Workers Compensation Insurance
10 Payroll Taxes
11 Medicare T,ax
12 Liability Insurance
13 Bilingual Pay
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15 .Firefighter Overtime Issues.
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17' • Overtime is driven by inadequate staffing'.
18 • City states that a Firefighter. receives $14,962 in o~erfime per year,:.,~~
19 • Majority of Fire Fighters never'receive this. amount;of income.
20 • This figure represents an additional 504 work hours per year. ~ ~_ .
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22 Salary Summary
~23 ', ..
24 • For a firefighter to earn what: the City claims, he`would have to work'.3,424 ,hours
25 annually including all holidays; have complefed all education; payback.the 45
26 days required, to fake the classes; antl, speak,Spanish. The carne firefighter
27 would stll.'fall short of the stated $98,923 by $10.;,000..
28 .
29 Salary Points Of Interest
30
31 • Over the past nine years a firefighter's. wage has grown on average 4:42%, not
32 6.7% as was stated_by City staff in information that. was provided to Council: and
33 published in fhe Argun:
34 • In 1990 our wage was $13:12 an hour and 1999 our currenf wage is $19,:83 an
35 hour..
36
37 The Figures
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39 ~ ® $:19:83-$13':1,2=$6:71 .less PERS conversion ($1.49)=.$5..22
40 $13.12 X4.42% = $.58 per year average increase X 9 years =$5:22
41
42 Survey Cities
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44 ~ The. City recently proposed a new list of eleven comparable cities with salary &
45 benefit figures.
4.6 Of the eleven cities on the new list, seven :are paid more than Petaluma.
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January 19, 2000
Vol. 34, Page 209
1 • Only four are true comparisons of population with Petaluma. All four are paid
2 more.
3
4 City Manager's Notes Quotes
5
6 • "For the fiscal yearentering the next.century, the City Council undertook new
7 initiatives with the 1999-2000 budget and addressed many long-standing
8 complex proklems including the implementation of a three-year program to bring
9 all City employees salaries comparable to similar cities, an effort begun ten years:
10 ago."
11 .
12 Firefighter's Expectations of Contract Negotiations
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14 • Develop mutual respect. - .
15 • Clear and concise communications.
16 Accurate distribution of information to ;Council.
17 • Accurate comparisons. .-
18 • Create an atmosphere for bargaining, in good faifh.
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20 Fire Fighters Closing Message
21 - ..
22 • Fair and' equitable resolution to contract issues continues to be our priority.
23 We need a signed contract that reflecfs`the worth of, our Fire Fighters and will
24 attract. and. retain the best quality employees for th°ose that we serve, the citizens
25 of Petaluma. ~ .
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27 Council Member Keller asked for clarification of Mr. Cueniri's statement regarding the
28 benefits. -
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30 Firefighter Rick King replied that they had not received., at any time, ~a Mist of the benefits
31 or where the other'$'1"2K was. ~ ~~
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33 Council Member Maguire asked for clarification of the formula used to determine. the
34 figures.
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36 Firefighter Rick King responded that the annual percentage current'wage $19.83 per
37 hours = 9 years they were at $13.12 = 6.71 (less PERS conversion (1.49)=-$5.22
38 increase. 4.42% _ $.58 per year increase of 9 years..
39
40 ADJOURN STUDY SESSION
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42 7:50 P.M.
43
44 Vice Mayor Torliatt announced that Council would adjourn to Closed Session in the City
45 Manager's Conference Room to continue discussion of the following .item:
46
Vol, 34, Page 210 .January 19, 2000
1 CLOSED SESSION.
2
3 Conference. with Labor Negotiator Pursuant. to Government Code Section 5'4957.6, Unit
4 7, Fire. Agency .Negotiator: Acorne/Beatty/Kcout
5
6 ADJOURN
7
8 The meeting :adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
9
10 ~
11 ( '
12 _ Pamela Torliatt, Vice Mayor
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14
15 ATTEST:
16' ,
17 '.
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19 Beverly J. Kline, City° -~ '
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23 ~ "***.***~**,
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