01-27-1988
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
MERIT BOARD
JANUARY 27, 1988 7:00 p.m.
CITY HALL
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Russell Gold,
at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall, Edgewater.
ROLL CALL
Members present were: Cecelia Stevens, Jack Corder, Ruth Garvey
and Russell Gold. Linda Kuhbander was excused. Also present was
Cornelia A. Martinez, City Clerk/Administrator.
OLD BUSINESS
EXTENSION OF MERIT SCALE AND AWARDING INCREASES TO THOSE OFF SCALE
IF EVALUATION WARRANTS SAME. Mr. Gold announced Council had
approved this plan with the five step, including "0", with an
effective date of October 1, 1987. Mrs. Martinez stated the plan
has been implemented, with enough merit evaluation warranting it;
if they did not receive an 85 evaluation, they would not get it.
LONGEVITY PLAN. Mr. Gold announced Council has asked ~he Boa~d to
recommend a longevity plan for Council's consideration. Mr. Gold
then asked Mr. Corder what we had discussed previously, and Mr.
Corder said when we decided to go with the steps, we tabled the
longevity altogether and Council has now asked us to come up with
some kind of longevity plan. Mrs. Martinez stated she thought the
Board had three or four different proposals and Mr. Corder added we
had basically tabled it as we believed we were going with the merit
increases, but once people get off the scale they are going to have
to have something. Mr. Corder also stated we have until next budget
meeting, at least, and Mrs. Martinez said labor negotiations should
start around May, June, July - along in there, if it is the Board's
recommendation to incorporate it in the labor contract. Mr. Gold
said we should have something by that time. Mr. Corder suggested
everyone do some research then come back with some ideas. Mr. Corder
continued it might be smart to work something up and present it to
the labor negotiations. Mrs. Martinez added the contract would come
back to Council for ratification of the entire contract, not just
longevity or just cost of living. Mr. Gold said we would have to
recommend it to Council; we cannot make the recommendations ourselves.
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Mr. Corder said we could make up a package deal to present to Council
for recommendation to the union negotiations when they come about.
Mr. Gold stated there is no deadline to submit this so we have
another month or two. Mrs. Stevens asked the name of the guest
present and Mrs. Martinez introduced Mr. Wargo, who had been labor
negotiator for two years while he was on City Council. Mr. Gold
asked the Board if there were any recommendations, perhaps table
this until more information is gathered. Mr. Corder recommended
everyone could do some research, gather some ideas, come back to
the next meeting or two. Mrs. Garvey moved we table this until
we get more information, seconded by Mrs. Stevens. \ Motion CARRIED
4-0.
NEW BUSINESS. REQUEST TO CLARIFY WORD "CURRENT" AS USED IN MERIT
PAY PLAN. Mr. Gold stated everyone has their own idea as to what
the word "current" means, and Mr. Gold's idea of "current" would
be the pay increase above the employee's permanent position, not
temporary. Mrs. Martinez explained the situation to the Board;
the gentleman was given a one-step increase for a temporary shift
supervisor position; he was at this position for a year and a half;
he went through the ranks of testing, oral board examinations, and
became the new Sergeant~ She continued, does he go to his new
Sergeant position from his old "permanent" rate of pay, or from the
one he had been collecting for a year and one-half.
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Quite a discussion continued, with Mrs. Martinez saying the
gentleman was getting $8.77 in his permanent position, and right
straight from there to $8.94, which means an 18~ cut in pay from
what he is making currently, and that is the question from the
police department. Mrs. Martinez continued the gentleman was in
a temporary supervisory position, and that is what created the problem;
he had just received Sergeant's stripes a month ago, and had he not
made Sergeant, he would have gone back to the $8.77. Mrs. Garvey
said when he was temporary Sergeant, he was taking full responsibility
so he should get a decent promotion. Mr. Wargo asked to speak and
said he believed the problem was created when a position for a year
and one-half was called temporary; that usually in labor agreements,
they are written when a man takes a higher position for sixty days
or even six months, he then becomes permanent in that position. Mrs.
Martinez said you can't become a permanent sergeant without the tests,
and that the better part of eight or nine ~onths has been spent v
getting the Sergeant's exams under way.
Mr. Corder read from the "Promotions" section of the Merit Plan;
"Upon promotion, an employee shall receive the minimum pay step of
the pay grade established for the job classification to which the
promotion is made, or that pay step that has the next higher rate
of pay than his/her current pay step, whichever is greater." Mr. Gold
said "current" is the main question, and Mr. Corder said he believes
it is the pay scale he is making now, and considering the time span,
he should be moved to the $9.30. Mrs. Martinez said that is what
Council did by motion but requested the Merit Board clarify that
for future cases. Mrs. Martinez added the police department and
that position is the only position in the City that can have a
temporary acting supervisor; that both labor agreements have pro-
visions that if you are over five days in that position, you receive
the rate of pay for that higher position. Mr. Corder said ye9' if
you are getting $9.30, that is your current pay. Mr. Gold said yes,
but he was referring back to the permanent position being promoted
from as being current pay. Mrs. Martinez stated the general
employees and supervisor situations will never' have this problem;
it is only when the word "temporary" comes into play. Mrs. Martinez
said this came to the Merit Board perhaps three or four years ago,
when we had a resignation and had need for a supervisor immediately
but they had to be tested and go through procedures, so it came to
the Merit Board as to what to do. The Merit Board assigned the title
"Temporary Shift Supervisor", not Sergeant, and for that, they will
get a one-step or four (4%) percent increase. Mrs. Martinez said it
has served its purpose, it has done its job. Mr. Corder said we will
not have this problem in the general working force; it is only in the
police department. A discussion followed as to how long a temporary
position should be held. Mrs. Garvey said the oldest man was always
in charge; bringin~ in the "temporary" position caused the trouble,
and asked why the Chief didn't see this drawback. Mrs. Martinez said
the Chief didn't see it as a drawback; he was prepared to give the
next highest step; it was only when the Mayor reviewed it and found
the word "current" could be a problem. After further discussion,
Mr. Corder moved we define the word "current" as what is being paid
now, seconded by Mrs. Stevens. Motion CARRIED 4-0.
MERIT INCREASES. Merit increases from September through December were
discussed by the Board and Mrs. Garvey asked if it would be improper
to have the peoples' names and Mrs. Stevens said yes it would; this
had been discussed before and decided we do not work on names. Mrs.
Martinez explained it is broken down into departments; the names are
not secret, you can get the names from anyone of three, Mary Ann
Vendrasco, Karen Rickelman or Mrs. Martinez, as it is of public record.
ACCIDENT REPORTS. The Board glanced through the accident reports
from September through December and Mr. Corder said he would like
to state Pat DiLeva is doing an excellent job with the Safety program.
Mrs. Martinez told the Board Mr. DiLeva has just been elected Merit
Board representative, so the Safety Officer will be the new Merit
Board member.
Merit Board Minutes of
January 27, 1988 Meeting.
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Mr. Gold read to the Board the availability ofa tape entitled
"Versatile Volusia County", if anyone would care to view it. He
also read the new procedure for Board appointments, including an
application which must be filled out. Mrs. Martinez explained
each Council member appointed one member to this new Board, which
is called the Screening Committee; they will take applications for
new appointments and reappointments. The Board discussed the future
viewing of the available tape when all members are present.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN. .Mr. Corder moved the Chairman
and Vice Chairman remain for the coming year, seconded by. Mrs. Garvey.
Motion CARRIED 4-0 and Mr. Gold announced he and Mrs. Stevens would
again be serving for the coming year.
Mrs. Garvey asked if she could submit a question which is not a
Merit Board question; As a general employee, do you now have to work
until the age 65? Mrs. Martinez stated the general employees' plan
was just amended three weeks ago, retroactive October 1, 1987,
requiring thirty years or 60 years of age; that the police have not
made a determination as yet.
There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Corder moved
the meeting adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Garvey. Meeting adjourned
at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully submi~ted by
Dorothy C. Garrity, Secretary
Merit Board Minutes of
January 27, 1988 Meeting.
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