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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_10/26/2006MINUTES VILLAGE OFTEQUESTA • VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING THURSDAY, OCTOBER26, 2006 7:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL -The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta held a Village Council Special Meeting at the Tequesta Recreation Center 399 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, Florida, on Thursday, October 26, 2006. Mayor Humpage called the meeting to order at 8:53 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Gwen Carlisle. Council Members present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Tom Patemo, Council Member Geraldine A. Genco, and Council Member Pat Watkins. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Clerk Gwen C arlisl a and Department Heads . II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Council Member Watkins moved to approve the agenda, as submitted,• seconded by Vice Mayor Patemo; motion passed 4-0. 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING CWA CONTRACT Vice Mayor Patemo stated he would like to make a motion to instruct the Village Manager to immediately go into negotiations with the Communication Workers of • America (CWA). Mayor Humpage stated they had a closed door session, they looked at the articles and they came up with what they think is a good deal so they needed a second for Vice Mayor Paterno's motion. He asked if there was any discussion on the motion. There was none. MOTION: Vice Mayor Patemo moved to instruct the Village Manager to immediately go int ations with the Communication Workers of America. Council Member Watkins seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0. Mayor Humpage asked if there was any public comment on the Agenda Item 2. He stated he had 1 comment card on Agenda Item 2, and another regarding 2 and 3 but none on Item 1. Mr. Couzzo suggested Council look at item 3 before Item 2. He asked Council if that was alright. They stated it was alright. Village Clerk Carlisle stated Council hadto make amotionto reorder. MOTION: Council member Watkins moved to reorder the Agenda to discuss Agenda Item 3 on th~ e g da before Agenda Item 2; seconded by Vice Mayor Patemo; motion passed 4-0. 3. GeneralEmployees • Village Council Special Meeting October 26, 2006 Page 2 Village Manager Couzzo suggested a motion be considered for the General • Employees of an increase in the upcoming years COLA of 4.4% and a merit not to exceed 3.1 % for a combined total of 7.5%. (PublicComment) Dottie Campbell, Eastwinds Circle stated she would like to make comments regarding Items 2 and 3. She stated she was a businessperson who owned and operated a management consultant company that had an excess of 850 employees. She stated one of the continuing problems presented by her clients was the retention of good employees. She stated she was sure the Village spent a lot of time looking at charts, graphs, and comparisons; She pointed out nothing showed the problems of continuing recruitment, retaining employees, and stated the cost of turnover really could not be calculated. She expressed she was also distressed when she read the Palm Beach Post, where it went into detail comparing the municipalities in Palm Beach County and where they stand in compensating their employees. She expressed she was disturbed the Village of Tequesta was usually in the bottom five or six of the 30 or more municipalities. She commented she hoped Council would take action and would compensate employees at least 50% of that list and she would love to see the Village of Tequesta in the top five or the top ten. She commented she was not proud of what the Village was paying employees, which included General Employees, Fire Rescue, and EMTs. She pleaded Council take a good look at what they were doing. Ms. Campbell noticed the Village was hiring some good young employees who • acquired 2 to 3 years experience with the Village and then they would go to another place and be compensated for what the Village should be payingthem. She commented it was not an emotional thing it was dollars and cents. She stated what the Village would be saving by properly compensating their employees would be a given. She asked that Council take that into consideration when they madetheirdecision. Mayor Humpage asked Village Manager Couzzo if his suggestion was they go to 7.5%. Village Manager Couzzo stated itwould be made retroactive October l9t MOTION: Council Member Watkins moved to increase, in the upcoming years, a COLA of 4.4 a merit nat to exceed 3.1 % for a combined total of 7. S% which would become retroactive October 1; seconded by Vice Mayor Paterno; motion passed 4-0. 2. FireDepartmentMatrix Village Manager Couzzo stated in the past year the Administration, the Fire Department and Human Resources have looked at a number of agencies and compensation studies. He stated an Advisory Committee was formed existing of employees, residents, and people in this field. He informed Council that a recommendation was made. He stated Fire Chief Weinand also had a • VillageCouncil SpecialMeeting October 26, 2006 Page 3 recommendation and it was based on a Fire Department matrix which was an • outgrowth of a traditional step program. He stated Chief Weinand was much more capableofdiscussingthespecificsofthematrixwithCouncilandhowit worked. Chief Weinand stated the matrix came from a lot of work from a lot of people and many meetings to this point. He pointed out they reviewed comparisons from the Evertson study, the PEPIE study, and the internal study of Fire Departments throughout the area, and they tried to make a blend of it for the Village to be at a 50 percentile level and that was what the ranges were. He explained there was a 50 percentile level for the surrounding Departments based on the PEPIE study. He thought it was an accurate representation of the area and stated it was common in the Fire Department to have a pay step matrix plan. He stated they had done an analysis of that and a survey of various departments and most have a matrix plan ranging from 6 steps to 12 steps. Chief Weinand stated there were two departments that did not have a matrix plan but most of them had it. He explained it was a career path in which the employee was rewarded for education and longevity. Chief Weinand explained longevity was critical to the department because firefighters knew the fire hydrants, the addresses, locations, and it was critical to keep the employees because it helped with response times. He stated this was why the matrix was put together because it moved employees along based on objectives and the educational aspects of the matrix. He specified the proposed matrix was an alternate with a phased in approach and they should implement the • matrix and move forward. Council Member Watkins asked Chief Weinand if the matrix presented in the book was the new version. Village Manager Couzzo asked Finance Director Jo- Ann Forsythe if she had the new version. Finance Director Forsythe stated she had another version. Chief Weinand explained Finance looked at the benefits associated with the plan while he looked at raw data salaries. Council member Genco asked if it was just being provided for information only because they have not received any back up. Chief Weinand explained this was the same thing that was discussed at the Budget Workshop. Council Member Genco asked if it was the actual numbers being presented. Chief Weinand stated yes. He stated at that time he thought it would require an additional $54,000 to implement it but it was down to $42,000 after all the employees were actually plugged into the matrix. He stated Mr. Couzzo had an alternate that would be implemented over 3 years. He stated that was where they differed on the matrix. Council Member Genco asked Mr. Couzzo where they were on it. She expressed she was at a total loss at that time because she thought they were not discussing it and that was only presented forinfom~aliononly. Mr. Couzzo explained they wanted to bring Council up to speed on a variety of matrices out there. Chief Weinand had the first matrix a while back. He • Village Council Special Meeting October 26, 2006 Page 4 commented the insecurity of what the future brings in the Real Estate market also • significantly affected what the revenue of the Village would generate in the coming yeass. He stated there was a tremendous softening n the real estate market and the Village made 60% of its revenue by way of property tax. He stated if there was a large shift in the market there would be a potentially significant shift in the amount of revenue the Village generated not only in the first year but the following yeass. He explained it made a difference in the over all budget of the monies coming in versus what could be expended. He stated Council had the same concerns about this as he did and stated there was a limited amount to spend. Village Manager Couzzo stated he met with Chief Weinand and based on those discussions, they came up with an alternate matrix. He explained instead of implementing the matrix in one year it would take 4 years to completely implement the matrix. Council Member Genco asked if it was the first chart. Village Manager Couzzo explained Ms. Forsythe gave a sheet that shows the differences between the two matrices. He explained the impact financially on the Village was more if the matrix was implemented in the 1st yeaz versus three years and the burden would become less as it was spread out over the yeass. Council Member Genco asked if the implementation of doing it in the lst yeaz was shown versus the 3 years. Village Manager Couzzo explained the bottom line showed the differential between a 1 year implementation and a 3 year implementation in the 13` year. He referred to the second yeaz and indicated it was about half of that and showed the differential there. He pointed out in the 3rd year, it would be • completely implemented. Council Member Genco asked where the Village stood in the fiscal year 2006/2007 budget. Chief Weinand explained the original entire matrix was plugged into the budget. He stated the $54,000 plus the COLA was in the budget today. Council Member Genco asked if they were looking at the one yeaz implementation. Chief Weinand stated Council could choose to do the 1 yeaz implementation plan or the 3 yearimplementation. Council Member Genco stated that was what she was asking because she specifically asked why they were given this information and she was told it was just for Council's information. She stated she was not expecting all of these wonderful people to attend because if she had, her perspective would have been much easier and she would have done more reseazch. Village Manager Couzzo asked Ms. Forsythe how the 1178.489 number correlated with what was budgeted. Ms. Forsythe answered it was the number that was in the budget right now. Mayor Humpage asked Mr. Couzzo if the Village spread the matrix out over the 3 years if there would be a $36,000 net relief in the lg` year and would it go to $18,000. Council Member Genco stated the Village would save $55,000 over the 3-year term. She stated Council already budgeted it and it was already approved; and asked if the presentation was just for Council's information. Village Manager Couzzo stated Council could choose to act on it or • VillageCouncil SpecialMeeting October 26, 2006 Page 5 they could decide to think about it a little more because Council just got the • analysis on the revenue forecast. He mentioned Council could look at the comparison with the General Employees. He did not think it would take a long time to look at. Vice Mayor Patemo stated it would be in the best interest of everyone, to do the same merit and the same CPI as General Employees back as far as October 1 forward and then review it. Council Member Genco asked if it would affect the Career Development Matrix. Village Manager Couzzo stated it would affect where those people were in those positions. He stated it may adjust but as it did when they go from one career matrix to the three-yearmatrix, certain individuals were at a different step. Council Member Genco asked if they were mixing apples and oranges because one was an overall basis and the career matrix was regarding what was being done for development to put people in a better position, where the Village could cover their overtime and personnel. She expressed she was confused. Village Manager Couzzo stated if she was to look at it and adjust the matrix to go with what Vice Mayor Paterno suggested about the 7.5%, it would adjust the matrix slightly based upon the 3-yearimplementation. Council Member Genco stated the career development included encouraging people to get licenses and certifications and stated that was an operational expense. She askediftheVillagepaidpeopleforlicensing. Chief Weinand stated yes there were additional incentives when they got licenses. Village Manager Couzzo stated that was the incentives side of it and this was career development. Chief Weinand stated the career matrix had educational steps. He stated he did have it broken down but he did not have it with him at the time. He explained Fire Fighters could move from firefighter 1 to 2 and fire . fighter 2 to 3, and the same with the officers who have ranges they can move through and the lateral movement in that matrix was based on longevity and meeting their career objectives for the year. He explained if they meet their objectives far the year they would move to the next step. He stated their step was their merit. He explained when Council looked at a percentage basis of the matrix, he thought it was in line with the merit system the Village had now. Council member Genco asked if the bottom line on salary and operations was what they were seeing there or was it a different number. Chief Weinand stated it was salaries. Chief Weinand stated whether Council implemented it in one year or 3 years, the information Ms. Forsythe gave to Council included all the benefits and everything in that number. Mayor Humpage asked if it was an all in number with FICA and with Pensions. Council Member Genco asked if the career development Matrix had a different number and asked if it was in addition. Chief Weinand stated what Council saw was the second year and the third year of the matrix. Council Member Genco stated it stated first year. Chief Weinand specified the next page would be the second year of it. He explained it was to show Council how it moved. Council Member Genco asked if it would be in addition to salary. Chief Weinand stated it would become their salary. He explained that was Council's • VillageCouncil SpecialMeeting October 26, 2006 Page 6 guide for their salary. Council Member Genco asked if it was all-inclusive. Chief . Weinand statedyes. Council Member Watkins apologized for holding up those in attendance and stated the reality of the situation was best described as uncertainty right now. She stated she was in the Real Estate business and they had no idea what was coming as far as the Village's ad valorem, but they could be certain something was coming. She stated that night Council had to look at all of the salaries and expressed they valued all the employees of the Village of Tequesta. She stated Council was trying to get employees to the best place they could but the Village had its financial projection which caused Council to take pause. She suggested she would like to wait until they got the new numbers from Ms. Forsythe with the percentages they were looking at now, and see how that affected the Village. She stated this could possibly bring Council back one more time when they had a clearer picture financially of what the Village was doing. She commented she knew the matrix was important to Chief Weinand and stated they would like to keep that and figure out what numbers they could work with budget wise. She expressed they were in an uncertain year as far as what the income in the Village was going to be. Mayor Humpage explained Council had Ms. Forsythe do a projection with 2- 8 of the Village Revenue, which they needed to pay the bills. He explained they tried to put numbers into the unknowns, assuming they were not going to have another banner year. He commented Council was receptive to the matrix and they • might not be able to implement the matrix in one year because it might not be economically feasible. He explained they took a look at it being implemented over 3 years to see if the Village could get to the same result but it would just take longer. He commented the last thing the Village would want to hear is "let's raise taxes so that we can do this." He explained they had concerns about income and bringing employees up to the standards, so the Village could be competitive and retain its employees. Mayor Humpage stated it did not appear this could be done in oneyear. Mayor Humpage stated he did want to give those numbers but they had to make sure they were sound and the Village could go forward with it. He stated typically they can not see if they could give something upfront and de-escalate it. He stated it would save the Village about $55,000 over 3 years and still get the employees to the point they would like but Council needed to look at more information and ensure the commitment they make can occur with out damaging any one else so that the Village would not have to raise taxes and take money fromthe reserve. Council Member Genco referred to the charts and the steps of the career development and asked if that was assuming they would get additional certification, which they may not already have. Chief Weinand stated yes when they moved from fire fighter 1 to fire fighter 2, but when they move laterally from • Village Council Special Meeting October 26, 2006 Page 7 step 1, 2, and 3 then no. He stated that was based on longevity and performance. . He explained if they were to move up in the ranks then they would have to have more certifications. Council Member Genco stated it did not show in the chart. Chief Weinand stated he had the educational requirements if they wanted to see them. Council Member Genco commented unfortunately she had no idea what information Council was given and why. Chief Weinand explained firefighter 1 at step 1 would be the entry level for any firefighter EMT. He stated the firefighter had to stay in that grade for at least a year before he could move anywhere else. He explained in order for the firefighter to move to step 2 from firefighter 1, he would have to have a satisfactory evaluation, meet all performance objectives that his captains have laid out, and have that year in grade, then he could move to step two. He stated before they could move to a firefighter 2 they have to have additional certifications. He summarized the first would be a state certified pump operator and college courses in state certifications. He explained they still teach them but they were not state certified and there was no requirement to be State certified, but it protected the Village from being liable. He stated if they decided not to get that certification, they wouldnevermoveto thefirefighter21eve1. Council Member Genco stated from what she understood Chief Weinand tried to mix the employees up that were covering the shifts so that they were covered efficiently. Chief Weinand stated yes, so that they had a certain amount of drivers and paramedics. Council Member Genco stated she understood that part. She stated when she looked at the chart, she saw people moving horizontally and • asked when someone moved one or two steps to the right was that something instantaneous or was it something the Village was working on. Chief Weinand referred to the second page where people were moving indicated by the arrows, the hatched box was where they should have been placed. He explained if they had implemented the matrix 100%, the hatched box was where they would have been placed. He explained the next two years, the Village would have to catch up to get them to that box. He explained the hatched box keeps it moving by a year. He stated the second year, someone might jump by two ranges because they were trying to catch up for the implementation stage. Chief Weinand stated if Council liked the Matrix and the Career Development, it would just be a matter of whether Council wanted to do it in 1 year or 3 years. Council Member Genco stated from what she understood it was not only up to the Village but it was also up to firefighters to get their certifications. Chief Weinand stated that was correct. They had to get the certifications or they would not move up the career path. Council Member Genco asked if they met the requirements and got the certifications, would Chief Weinand's projection fora 12-year period be where the Village would end up. Chief Weinand referred to the last Budget Workshop and stated they thought it was all approved and they were told to go ahead and figure out where the employees fit into this. He explained they met with employees, reviewed their portfolios, and their education He stated he .] VillageCouncil SpecialMeeting October 26, 2006 Page 8 thought worst case scenario, if it was just based on longevity it would be that • $54,000 dollars he informed Council of, but now it turned out to be approximately $40,000. He stated some employees did not meet all the objectives, so they held some of them back. He explained the chart Council was looking at was where they would be placed. Council Member Genco asked if the salary ranges were based on existing proposed studies. Chief Weinand stated they were the studies that came from the Evertson Study, the PEPIE study and the Compensation and Classification Study. Council Member Genco asked if Council was to review the infom~ation. Mayor Humpage commented he did not think anyone had any problems with the matrix and there were two plans, the 1 year implementation plan and the 3 yeaz implementation plan. He thought it worked good and commented staff needed to make sure the numbers were there. Chief Weinand stated employees would not be getting a raise until the matter was resolved. Vice Mayor Patemo thought Public Safety employees should get the same as the general employees, so they were paid at least 7.5% forward until Council made a decision. Chief Weinand stated that would throw the whole matrix out. Mayor Humpage stated that would cause someone on the top to get 7.5% while someone on the bottom end needs nine. Chief Weinandstateditmessedupthewholesystem. ViceMayorPaternoagreed. Council Member Genco stated she was very disappointed Council received the information with no notice and no information. She expressed it was embarrassing. Mr. Couzzo stated that a meeting was the only place they could do this. Council Member Genco stated Village Manager Couzzo should prepare Council for things like this. Council Member Genco commented Mr. Couzzo could have called them and explained to Council what he was doing instead of telling her they were going to have material put into Council packets for their information. Mayor Humpage stated he understood what the discussion and material was about. Council Member Genco expressed she was insulted. She expressed she was leaving. Mayor Humpage stated Council had been discussing it since September 8, 2006. Council Member Genco stated she understood that. She stated she deliberately called Village Manager Couzzo today, to ask him why Council had that material. She stated she was told, it was for Council's information, there was no action andMr. Couzzo wanted Council to know. Vice Mayor Patemo recommended Council table it. Mayor Humpage stated Council needed to move forward with it because the last thing they wanted was to have employees waiting even though it was retroactive. Council Member Genco left at 9:25 p. m. Vice Mayor Patemo stated that was why he thought they should do the 7.5%. Mayor Humpage stated they could not do that without throwing the Matrix out of scheme. Vice Mayor Patemo stated he understood. Chief Weinand stated they • Village Council Special Meeting October 26, 2006 Page 9 used an analogy to try to come up with the 3 year phase and to pick a point, and • was asked the question if they got the employees to that point how would they fit into the matrix. Chief Weinand stated they looked at a 9% figure. Mayor Humpage stated it looked like if it was implemented in 3 years, the Village would go out 8, 8.3, 7, 6.4%. He stated something along that line on the phasing issue. He commented the Village would relatively be in line of where they wanted to be. He commented with all honestly, the matrix was not going to be implemented in one year. Mayor Humpage stated the high end would be the first yeaz when the Village went with the 8%. Mayor Humpage thought the Council's direction was to give the money but they wanted to do it over the 3 years. He explained with everything Council was looking at impact wise and ad valorem wise, they could not do it in a year because of the money that was available. If they did it in one year, they would have to take money from the savings. Mayor Humpage referred to his conversations with Mr. Peter Allen and stated he knew he would comment. He stated they talked about not being able to implement it in one year depending on the numbers. Mayor Humpage stated Council needed to get it done as soon as possible. He suggested next week they could resolve it, get it in place, and make it retroactive to October 18`. Mr. Couzzo stated he needed to know where they were going with this. He stated if it were the consensus of Council to do one year, they would do one yeaz and figure out all the calculations. He stated if Council wanted to do it over the 3 years, they would do that. Village Manager Couzzo explained that was the format in which to implement it. Mayor Humpage commented he was the greatest • advocate of Public Safety and he did not think it could be done in one year. Council Member Watkins stated she also did not think so. Mayor Humpage stated it was too big a hit for the Village. He commented with the market being volatile, what would happen if the Village revenues came in too low. He stated they would be in trouble. He commented the Village wanted to get employees to a certain point but it would take longer to do that. Council Member Watkins stated she agreed with Mayor Humpage and expressed she wished they could do it in one year but they were trying to be cautious. Vice Mayor Patemo agreed. He expressed he wished Council could take action and move on but he did not think they could. Village Manager Couzzo suggested they finalize the matrix over the 3 years and bring it back to Council next week for their final vote. Mayor Humpage stated he agreed, so they did not have to address the same thing again. Vice Mayor Patemo asked if they would have another Special Meeting. Mayor Humpage stated yes, in fairness to the employees. Chief Weinand expressed he was confused because he thought Council had the 3 yeaz comparison and the 1 year comparison. He commented, unless Council wanted a 4 yeaz or a 2 year comparison. Mr. Couzzo asked Ms. Forsythe if she was comfortable with the numbers she gave Council. Ms. Forsythestatedyes. VillageCouncil SpecialMeeting October 26, 2006 Page 10 Vice Mayor Paterno stated the let year it would work out for everyone, the • problem with the matrix was the second year and the 3rd year because the Village might not have enough. Mayor Humpage stated they knew that was the number that would cost the Village every year. He stated they also have projected revenues for the three yeazs and those revenues were projected at 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8 %. Mayor Humpage explained if it came in at 2%, the Village would have a short fall. So they would have to take the money from the reserve or they would have to cut something or someone to make the balanced budget. Mayor Humpage stated the only thing they didn't know was the last 2 yeazs of the 3-year deal. Chief Weinand commented whether Council did the 1 year implementation or the 3-year implementation was entirely up to Council. He commented this was not a Collective Bargaining Agreement and stated this was a road map of a plan that could change if the Village did not have the money to do it. Mr. Couzzo stated if they did that and next year they found they did not have the money, they would have to make cuts to the matrix, which was not something he would suggest they do. Chief Weinand stated if it were a bad year for the Village, they would have to do what they had to do. Village Manager Couzzo suggested they could do the 3- year matrix and if next year the prospect looked rosier they could make it a two- year matrix. Chief Weinand stated Council could take the money and save it this year, put it in the bank and pay for itnextyeaz. Vice Mayor Patemo asked if they implemented the first step this yeaz and Council decided they could not afford the next step, what would happen next. He asked if employees would be moved through a number of steps to catch up. Chief Weinand stated yes. Vice Mayor Patemo asked if they could not afford that in the 2nd and the 3rd year of the implementation, if they would not move to other steps. Chief Weinand specified they would move one step instead of the two steps or no steps if the Village could not afford it. Vice Mayor Patemo stated that was a possibility. He stated there was another alternative and explained they could let them know if it works out that they could move forward but they may get stuck there or instead of moving a number of steps they would just move one or two. MayorHumpage commented they couldhave goodnews if6%camein. Chief Weinand emphasized it was not a Collective Baggaining Agreement and they could work on it next year if the budget was tight. Mayor Humpage commented he was all right with the 3 yeaz matrix. MayorHumpagecommented he hated having people sitting around waiting. Council Member Watkins stated she would like to back up and consider the previous discussions about the rate at which they were doing it, and do it differently. Council Member Watkins asked if Mayor Humpage thought it was an issue. Mayor Humpage stated he did not think it was an issue. Village Manager Couzzo did not think it was financially egregious. Mayor Humpage agreed and stated it was half of a percent. Vice Mayor Patemo stated in the 2nd and 3rd year, when they started to move over the • VillageCoLmcil Special Meeting October 26, 2006 Page 11 steps, there would be a multiplication. Mayor Humpage called Mr. Allen to the • podium. (Public Comment) Mr. Peter Allen, a firefighter paramedic for the Village of Tequesta, thanked Council and Village Manager Couzzo for the opportunity to speak. He referred to 14 yeazs ago when the department was founded. He stated he was there when they discussed the idea behind the department and that they would be at the SOt percentile. He stated because recruitment and retention was such an issue for a small department, they dropped behind. He explained they dropped to the 40"`, the 35th, the 30"` and now they were at the 22nd. He commented now that they were past October 1, he would take a guess and say they were at the 18th. He commented to Council's credit, they recognized that and commissioned a study, got their own consultant, and he returned with his own recommendations. He pointed out at the same time the Fire Department did their own study and almost everyone got a copy of the PEPIE study and to no one's surprise, of all the departments, the fire department was the lowest paid in relation to the rest of the departments. He pointed out of the five lowest positions in the Village, four of those were fire department positions. He informed Council, two of the positions in the range of low and high were below the low. He stated to Council's credit, they recognized that and when their Consultant was giving his recommendation, Council gave Mr. Couzzo recommendation to raise the salaries of two firefighters who were below the bottom, to the bottom. He stated Council then gave Mr. Couzzo direction to return with some r~ommendations. • Mr. Allen stated Mr. Couzzo had puttogether a committee and on that committee was Finance Director Forsythe, the Human Resources Manager, the Fire Chief, the Village Clerk, the Police Chief, and even afire fighter. He stated Council also metwith theFireDepartmentindividually andthatcreated alot ofgood will, and they really appreciated that. He stated then Council had a Budget W orkshop wherethey discussed the matrix in detail and Council gave Mr. Couzzo direction to put that money into the budget. At the first reading of the budget, Council approved it. He stated at the secondreading ofthe budgetandthefinal reading, Council approvedit and the money forthe matrix was already inthebudget. He stated atthattime the Fire Department was toldthis was adone deal, the money was in the budget, C ouncil approved it, and the Village was goingforwazd with it in oneyeaz. He stated everyone was told to get all their certification together, and meetindividually whhChief Weinandtoletthemknowwheretheywere individually inthematrix. Mr. Allenstatedthatinformationwa s passed on to the Human Resources Manager and they were waiting for apersonal action formthat stated this was the new pay rate and it would start as of this next check. He stated two weeks ago, they were told Council did not approve it, they were not getting a raise, and they were going to review the whole thing. He stated they were told Council mightnot do anything, they may approve it or Mr. Couzzo may introduce aphased in approach. He commented all the goodwill was gone. Mr. Allen stated • Village Council Special Meeting October 26, 2006 Page 12 inthephased in approachthenumber were notreal because inthreeyears when the Villagereached that point, they still wouldnotbe atthe 50th percentile. He pointed outthe Village would notbe atthe 50th percentile atthe end ofthis yeaz, nornextyeaz,and iftheyusedthenumberstheywerelookingatnowtheywould not be at the 50th percentile when they gotto the 3`dyeaz. He stated they would never be at the 50th percentile, andthe Village would always bebehindtheblock. He mentioned recruitment and stated the Village could nothire qualified experienced personnel andthat was where the retention came in. He commented ifthe Village wentwiththe phased in approach, they wouldnotbe ableto retain employees. HeexpresseditwastheCouncil'sdecision buttheramificationsof that decision was somethingthey would allhaveto live with. Mayor Humpage commented when they approved the budget that Chief Weinand gave to Council, and put the numbers in the budget, the Village did not have the matrix in its entirety with all the numbers which stated what the total amount would be. He pointed out they had roughly $50,000 or $48,000 and they had to add the perks and it was $76,000 as an all in number but it was more than that when the matrix was complete. Mr. Allen stated it was $42,000 now. Mayor Humpage specified that was salaries only. Mr. Allen stated that was right. Mayor Humpage stated no one was adding in the numbers for pension contributions, the medical, the dental, and the social security. Mayor Humpage pointed out none of those numbers were in the $42,000. Mayor Rampage asked Chief Weinand if he was right. Chief Weinand stated none of the numbers he gave to Council included those numbers. Mayor Humpage stated when they got the all in number and • expanded onit, thenumbers increased considerably. Mayor Humpage commented if he could give the Fire Fighters $100 dollars an hour he would and he would love for them to be at 50%, but one can not get blood from a stone, and if the Village only had $12 million they would give them what ever the Village could afford. He explained the Village had only the money they have and they do not have any other monies. He expressed if he had to go with the 1 year Matrix, he would vote no, even though he was one of their greatest proponents. He stated if it was the 3 year matrix he would vote yes, and Council could take another look at it next year. He stated Council had to consider the best case of forecasting. He stated what would they do if they blew it by $1,000,000 dollazs and the Village could not make payroll. He pointed out there were cities thathave done that. Mr. Allen commented he has been with the Village 12 years and when the times were tough there was not enough money to pay the Fire Department and when the cups were overflowing there was not enough money to pay the Fire Department. Mayor Humpage stated the cups were not overflowing. Mr. Allen pointed out this was the biggest budget the Village had ever had and there was not enough money to pay the Fire Department. He stated Mayor Humpage said they were a "pay as • VillageCouncil SpecialMeeting October 26, 2006 Page 13 you go" Council but they were not, they were a "pay as you go" for the Capital • Improvements butnotfortheemployees. Vice Mayor Patemo commented they were down to $218,000 dollars in Capital Improvements this year out of the $10 million or $9.5 million budgeted, that was all that was going to Capital Improvements. He stated it was the smallest it has ever been. He stated 2 years ago the Village's budget for payroll increased by 25.24% either by adding employees or by increased costs so there has been a lot of money put into employees either by numbers because staff requested new staff of which Mr. Allen was getting two new employees. He stated they were putting money in and it was real dollars. He expressed it was not like they have not done anything. He expressed he took offense to that. He thought they had done a lot to make it better. Mr. Allen commented at the 22nd percentile, they were worse now. MayorHumpage commentedthey could beatthe issue to death but he did not want to do that. Chief Weinand stated there had been a lot of studies and work put into this matrix and if they did anything like what Vice Mayor Patemo suggested it would throw the matrix and move them back 6 months. He stated he could supportthe3yearphaseinifCouncilwouldliketodothat. MayorHumpage stated he was all rightwiththatbutthere were only 3 Council members present. Vice MayorPaternostatedhedidnothaveaproblemwiththe3yearphasein, as long as they knewrealistically thatnextyearthey mighthavehad to do whatthey had to do. He stated the only thing he would like to suggest is that Council • Member Genco be there to vote. He stated he would prefer to do it that way. CouncilMemberWatkinsaskediftheycouldcallher. Mr. CouzzostatedCouncil could call her. MayorHumpage suggestedthey move on andtakethe vote. MOTION: Mayor Humpage moved to approved the matrix which will be implemented with in a 3 year time frame and would be made retroactive to October 1, 2006 Seconded by Council Member Watkins; motion passed 3-0. IV. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Council Member Watkins moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by YiceMayor Pate otion passed 3-0. Thereforethemeetingwasadjoumedat 9:SSp.m. GwenCarlisle Village Clerk •