04-24-1985
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
MERIT BOARD MEETING
APRIL 24, 1985
Minutes
Chairman Fana1e called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 P.M., in
the Council Chambers at City Hall.
ROLL CALL
Betty Billups
Walter Gross
Cecelia Stevens
Anthony Fanale
Frank Carignan
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Also present were Connie Martinez, City Clerk/Administrator and Council-
man Neil Asting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Concerning the minutes of the March 27, 1985, meeting, Mrs. Stevens
said the minutes reflect a letter to Mrs. Martinez, the City Clerk/
Administrator stating that she is the Vice-Chairman, which is incorrect.
She said the letter to Mrs. Martinez is incorrect, not the minutes. The
letter should be corrected to read that Betty Billups is Vice-Chairman.
Mrs. Martinez stated that the letter would be Go~rected accordingly.
Mrs. Billups made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 27, 1985,
meeting, seconded by Mr. Gross. Motion CARRIED 5-0.
Chairman Fanale asked if it were true that a City employee could not
be appointed ~Chairman of this committee. Mr. Carignan said there is
nothing stated anywhere, in the by-laws, ordinances, etc., that this is
true. Mrs. Martinez read the section in the Merit Board By-Laws con-
cerning the election of a Chairman, which states that anyone on the
Board may be elected as Chairman. Mr. Gross said he would have to retract
the statement he made previously because it was his understanding that
a representative of~the employees was a tie-breaking vote or something
to this effect. Mrs. Martinez said that Mr. Carignan is only a member
of the Board who represents the employees of the City, their wishes,
feelings, recommendations, etc. He may serve as Chairman or Vice-Chairman
with their being no conflicts of interest or any document stating he cannot
serve in such capacity. He merely serves as a voice for the employees.
OLD BUSINESS
Chairman Fanale asked what has transpired concerning the recommendation
regarding the probationary period for promoted employees. Mr. Carignan
advised that it has been sent to Council and to the Union. He said this
has to wait until negotiations or be amended and ratified by both parties.
Mr. Gross asked if this subject wasn't brought up at the last Council
meeting. Mrs. Martinez said it was read under her reports to Council and
they approved of same by a 5-0 vote to adopt same, however, it cannot be
put into effect until contract renegotiations. She said it is in the
negotiations folder for the upcoming negotiations in all three contracts
to express the wishes of the Merit Board. Chairman Fanale said that this
will be held in abeyance until negotiations resume and nothing else needs
to be done by this Board concerning this matter.
Mrs. Martinez said she has a couple of clarifications to make. She said
that the City Clerk's position insofar as the Merit Board was reviewed,
and in Ordinance 81-0-16, which establishes the Merit System it spells
out clearly the duties and the functions of the Personnel Officer, at
which time she read this section from the Ordinance, which lists the
Personnel Officer's duties. She further noted that Council appointed her
Personnel Officer on June 28, 1984.
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Mrs. Martinez advised the Board members that concerning the letter that
was sent to Council requesting a secretary to attend the Board meetings,
she is offering her services to attend the meetings and run the tape
recorder. She said if she could not attend a meeting, she will see to
it that a secretary is present. It is difficult to find a girl to
volunteer to come to Board meetings when some of them have meetings at
night once a week and even twice a week. She promised the Board members
that she would be sure someone attends every meeting, whether it be she
that attends or one of the secretaries. The Board members agreed with
her recommendation concerning having a secretary present at all of the
meetings.
NEW BUSINESS
Review March, 1985, Merit Increases.
Chairman Fanale said the Police Department had one increase from 7B to 7C,
and the Water Department from 12E to 12F and the Refuse Department from
9D to 9E, the total being three evaluations and three increases. After
a discussion concerning the current Merit Plan that includes the updated
job descriptions, it was determined that not all of the members have the
updated Plan and Mrs. Martinez then furnished a copy of same to Mrs.
Billups, Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Gross and Mr. Fanale.
Mr. Gross asked if a merit increase goes into effect at the time the
increase is given, without any probationary period. Mr. Carignan said
that was correct. Mrs. Martinez said it goes into effect the Friday
following the anniversary date.
Review Accident Report for 1983-1984 from Tom Sheridan, Safety Director.
Chairman Fanale said that the report shows there to be little increase
in accidents from the previous years, and a small increase in employees.
Mrs. Stevens asked what is meant by the categories listed as "struck by",
"struck against", "contacted by", "contacted with"? Mr. Fanale said
if there is a moving object and you get struck by it, if you fall and
are struck against something, "contacted by" would be two people coming
together or someone fainting into a wall or door, coming in contact with.
Mrs. Stevens said she now understands the terminology.
Mr. Gross asked what the purpose of the Safety Committee is now that there
is a Safety Director. Mrs. Martinez said it was the same as before. The
Board will offer suggestions to the Director concerning what can be done
to eliminate accidents, evaluate the accidents that do occur and try to
find ways to eliminate the accident occurring again, etc. Mrs. Martinez
said the Director is the on-hands person to daily go over them and the
committee is to sit down and find ways to resolve them. The committees
job is the same as it was before. A discussion then ensued concerning
how the safety program is being conducted and implemented by each of the
departments in the City by the employees. Mrs. Stevens noted that the
employees are informed of the safety program concerning their job and
they are required to sign a paper, stating they have been informed of
the correct safety procedures that their job entails. If they are injured
on the job and have signed the documents saying they are aware of the
correct procedures, that is all that is necessary insofar as making them
aware of any and all possible hazzards connected with their job.
There being no further business to come before the Board, upon motion
made by Mrs. Stevens to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Billups, the meeting
was adjourned at 7:24 P.M.
Minutes submitted by:
Susan Mista
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Merit Board Meeting
April 24, 1985