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05-23-1984 - Special/Workshop ,. Q o . ~ ~ '. CITY COUNCIL OF EDGEWATER SPECIAL MEETING AND WORKSHOP MA Y 23, 1 984 MINUTES Mayor David Ledbetter called the Special Meeting and Workshop to order at 1 :02 PM in the Shuffleboard Clubhouse. ROLL CALL Mayor David Ledbetter Councilman Melbourne Wargo Councilwoman Gigi Bennington Councilman Neil Asting Present Present Present Excused Councilman Jack Spencer City Attorney Josel Alvarez City Clerk Connie Kinsey Police Chief Ed Overman Present Excused Present Excused Mayor Ledbetter stated the purpose of the meeting was to consider and take action on the six applications for Police Chief that were selected on May 22, 1984, and any others Council wishes to consider. Councilman Spencer said he requested Ed Overman be considered as a candidate and he moved Ed Overman be considered as a candidate for the position. Councilman Wargo seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 3-1. Mayor Ledbetter voted NO. Mayor Ledbetter stated that this is the first time he's seen an application withdrawn and then put back on the table. Councilman Spencer said held like to introduce another candidate who has excellent qualifications and he moved that Mr. John E. Van Tronk be considered as a potential candidate for the position of Police Chief. Councilwoman Bennington seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 3-1. Mayor Ledbetter voted NO. There was a brief recess while copies were made of the resume of Mr. Van Tronk. Mayor Ledbetter called the meeting back in session. Councilman Spencer said he looked at 126 applications, plus a committee screened the top applicants chosen by Council which were interviewed and rejected as not suitable for the position. He said he believed it's in the best interest of the City to hire Ed Overman, subject to negotiations with him relative to salary and whatever else is needed and he didn't feel it's necessary to have a formal board review of Ed Overman. Mayor Ledbetter suggested to Councilman Spencer that he make his motion to save their time. Councilman Spencer stated that he has the floor and Mayor Ledbetter called him out of order. Councilman Spencer said he's not out of order and he feels it's appropriate to consider the appointment and he moved that Council hire Ed Overman subject to discussions with him, his acceptance, and satis- factory agreement between Ed Overman and the Council. Councilwoman Bennington seconded the motion. Councilman Spencer noted that the candidate will have to be fully aware of the audit and will accept the responsibility for making corrections noted in the audit. Motion CARRIED 3-1. Mayor Ledbetter voted NO. Councilman Spencer said held like to recess and ask Ed Overman to present himself before Council to see if he's agreeable, and if not, they'll go further. Councilman Wargo said they'll have to go to second and third choice if he doesn't agree. Mayor Ledbetter stated that he had to leave the meeting at that time to be in Daytona Beach. Councilman Spencer moved to recess long enough to get in touch with Chief Overman. Councilwoman Bennington seconded the motion to recess. Meeting was recessed at 1 :18 P.M. Mayor Ledbetter left the meeting at this time. Vice Mayor Bennington called the meeting back to order, and stated for the record that Mayor Ledbetter will be excused from this point on. Chief Overman was present at the meeting. Chief Overman said he put in his application because he enjoyed the City, the department, and the staff and Council have aided him, and he'd like to continue the relationship. He said he's interested in the responsibility and feels he can perform that function. He stated his present salary at Altamonte Springs is $26,800. and he has a car and clothing allowance of $375. and other fringe benefits. He said he knew the City didn't budget that amount of money but he doesn't want to lose a large amount considering the amount of responsibility he'll be taking and the history of the department. He added that in October he'll be getting a 2t% longevity increase, plus an anticipated 5% cost of living increase in January. He said he knew the present clothing allowance is $350. and he's agreeable to that. -. ~ ,. (.) o ,l- " Chief Overman said he'd like a starting salary of $26,000. and Council could budget in October to bring him up to his base, which is another $800. He added that the Chief should have a clothing allowance and a car since he's on duty at all times. He said he'd also like a contract with the City for a period of two years which stated that he won't be fired unless he's charged with a crime or a misdemeanor that would decertify him from Police work. Councilman Spencer said held like the City Attorney involved regarding the contract and said some things may be covered in City ordinances. Chief Overman agreed the City Attorney needs to be involved, but suggested to save time that his personal attorney draw it up and the City Attorney review it. Councilman Spencer asked if he'd read the Tucker report and Chief Overman said yes. Councilman Spencer said there were a lot of recommendations and he'd want to be sure there are goals set to implement the recommendations. Chief Overman said he saw no problem with the report and there are six areas listed and the first has been accomplished. He added the lack of discipline has been accomplished in house because the contract gave him the leeway. He said he doesn't feel they violate item 3, ongoing practice of violating standards of good organizational principles, and item 4, absence of internal control and inspections activity, has been started as he's cleaned out an entire room of property and evidence,and some has been destroyed by court order. He said that lack of written directives has been put into being by rules and regu- lations and one policy and procedure on pursuit driving. He added that he puts out a lot of memos also. He stated that he's done very little regarding the inadequate inservice training programs due to the manpower shortage and the time to send someone to a school or get them all together is difficult. He added that training is with sergeants and on a one-on-one basis. He said the morale problem has been resolved to an extent and procedures for firearms training have been implemented as he had them qualified. He said the policy on pursuit has been done and others have been discussed and the employees know they1re coming. He said he wants to do policies and pass them to the sergeants who will discuss them with their men and then come back with comments and then he'll rewrite them if necessary. He noted that his Chief was surprised that he could accomplish this much in the 90 days. Councilman Spencer noted that's why they've asked him to be Chief, and added that there was an oral board using the existing staff and he thought that was a good idea. Chief Overman said they need input with the people they'll be working with and all his people are capable, some more than others. Councilman Spencer said he's satisfied relative to carrying out recommended improvements in the Police Department. Chief Overman said held have to give his Chief a notice in order to recover his benefits and it would take time to draw up the contract. He said he would like to give two weeks notice but he feels he could spend part of that time here in Edgewater. Councilman Wargo said that with a salary of $26,800., it would be about $34,136. with fringe benefits plus uniforms and car and he didn't know if they could go that high. He suggested a salary of $24,500. or $25,000. There was a discussion regarding the totals based on the various starting salaries. Councilman Wargo said they've never had such a high salary and there are a lot of people on fixed incomes plus he felt there may be a long line of me-toos which would undermine morale in the departments. Vice Mayor Bennington said that the Police Department has been seriously neglected in the past, and Councilman Wargo agreed that's true in the entire City and they have terrible roads and other neglected things. Vice ~1ayor Bennington pointed out that they put a lot into Public Works this year because of past neglect. Vice Mayor Bennington said with a salary of $25,000. it would go to $31,250. with benefits and Councilman Wargo said he'd agree with that, and he had no problems with the uniforms and car. Vice Mayor Bennington suggested $25,000. now and based on performance, at budget time they could re-evaluate it. Councilman Wargo agreed they could consider it then. Councilman Spencer pointed out that the Merit Plan does not have a provision that after six months they could review it but Council should have the option to review performance after six months to see if he's eligible for an increase. Vice Mayor Bennington agreed. Councilman Wargo asked if there's money available and Chief Overman said the Police Department has a slot for Deputy Chief and he'd advised them he doesn't want a Deputy for a town this size but would use a sergeant, so that money is available. Councilman Wargo noted that they didn't have the department up to full force and had eliminated one Lieutenant. -2- Council Special Meeting & Workshop Minutes May 23, 1 984 , f ^ Q o ,)-. Mr. Tom Sheridan, from the audience, asked if the increased tax base would take care of this. Councilman Wargo said it would but they have a certain amount budgeted for that department and they have to be sure to use that money. Vice Mayor Bennington pointed out that what is coming in is unappropriated and they can1t use it. Mr. Sheridan asked if it could be appropriated later on to take care of the needs of the Chief. Councilman Spencer pointed out that the Police budget is 7 months into the year and is $35,000. underexpended so there's enough for the balance of this year. Vice Mayor Bennington asked how much the overtime and sick leave had dropped and Chief Overman said it was much lower and is for vacation and personal days which had to be denied at first due to manpower. He added that $12,760. has come out of his budget due to employees who left. Vice Mayor Bennington stated that Chief Overman has been here 90 days and the normal probation period is 90 days and sheld like to do away with the probationary period if they come to terms with him since he's already proven himself. She said she didn't want to say they'd give him $800. in October as they may decide to give him more or less, and she asked Chief Overman what held accept as a starting salary. She said she'd agree to $25,500. with a clothing allowance. Chief Overman said he'll agree with $25,500. with a request that Council consider him for a raise in October, separate from any other City benefits that may occur at the time. Councilman Spencer said held agree with the $25,500. but won't guarantee any change in October but will evaluate the performance and based on that, they will or won't make the merit increase. He added that they could start the time from when he began and do it after three more months, which would be six months which is in compliance with the Merit Pay Plan, but there's no guarantee of an increase. He noted that the City Clerk could make the evaluation and Council could review it. Councilman Wargo pointed out that there might be an argument about that because the Mayor is who is answerable on this. Vice Mayor Bennington pointed out that it's the entire Council. Councilman Spencer said the evaluations have been done by the Personnel Officer and then come to Council. Vice Mayor Bennington noted that the Police Depart- ment is spelled out and it says answerable to Council and she said she'd need legal interpretation of whether the Councilor the City Clerk would do the evaluation. Councilmen Spencer and Wargo agreed to whatever is determined. Mrs. Opal, from the audience, asked what the Mayor does and Councilman Wargo noted that the Police Depart- ment is answerable to the Council through the Mayor and said perhaps the five members of Council should evaluate him. Vice Mayor Bennington asked Councilman Wargo if he's agreeable to the money and terms subject to interpretation of the Charter and Council- man Wargo said that's the only thing he'd have a problem with. Vice Mayor Bennington pointed out that the raise would have to be voted on regardless of who does the evaluation. There was a discussion about the way previous evaluations have been handled. Vice Mayor Bennington asked Chief Overman if he's agreeable to the terms and he said yes, and drawing up of the contract. Vice Mayor Bennington asked when this could officially be done and Chief Overman said his Chief will be flexible and held need a week or two to get the contract done. Councilman Spencer moved that Council hire Ed Overman to be the Police Chief of the City of Edgewater at a starting salary of $25,500. with a provision that in 3 more months an evaluation will be performed and based on the merit, possibly an increase will or will not be made, and that Ed Overman has agreed to implement the provisions of the audt and additionally that this agreement is subject to development of a con- tract by his attorney and the City Attorney and subject to approval of the City Council. Councilman Wargo seconded the motion. Motion CARRIED 3-0.. Councilman Wargo moved to have applicable benefits. Councilman Spencer seconded the motion. Vice Mayor Bennington noted that would be the car and uniform allowance of $350. Motion CARRIED 3-0. Councilman Wargo stated he thought very carefully about this decision and his main concern was the high wages, but he feels this is best for the community. Vice Mayor Bennington said she feels the same as Councilman Wargo and she feels they're making the best choice. Councilman Spencer moved to adjourn. Councilman Wargo seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 2:09 P.M. Lura Sue Koser Minutes submitted by: ATTEST: ~/~ CITY CLERK '7 Approved this4~ay Of~, 1984 ~