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HomeMy Public PortalAboutM 1971-06-21 - CC~~9 ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 21, 1971 The City Council of the City of Lynwood met in an adjourned regular session in the City Hall, 11330 Bullis Road, on above date at 4:30 p.m. Mayor Liewer in the chair. Councilmen Byork, Liewer, Siokos and Stevens answered j the roll call. Councilman Green was absent. The City Manager informed the Council that Councilman Green was delayed because of a Library Advisory meeting, but would arrive later. The Mayor declared the meeting recessed. Councilman Green arrived and the meeting was called to order. The City Manager reviewed events that have taken place relative to negotiations with the majority representative and attorney for the Firefighters Association, including a meeting attended by the Attorney, Majority Representative and City Manager with a committee composed of City Council members Liewer and Siokos. He said he anticipated that the Council would conduct a public hearing on the matters in dispute; however, prior to such a hearing, Mr. Webster, Attorney representing the Firefighters Association has requested a brief meeting with the City Manager and the Council committee. At the request of Councilman Siokos, the Mayor declared ~"'"' the meeting adjourned to executive session. Following the executive session, the Mayor declared a brief recess in order to have a discussion with the Council Committee. Following the recess, the meeting was reconvened and adjourned to executive session. Upon completion of the executive session, the Meeting was called to order and the Mayor announced that a public hearing would follow. The Manager stated that as a method of resolving the impasse with the Firefighters Association, the matter comes to the Council for public hearing. After the hearing, wherein the Firefighters Association should be given an opportunity to be heard fully, the Council may render a decision or continue the hearing to a later date. The Mayor declared the hearing open for the purpose of hearing the Firefighters Association or anyone interested in addressing the Council. Mr. James Webster, Attorney representing the Lynwood Firefighters Association, 3540 Wilshire Boulevard, r~- Los Angeles, addressed the Council to review the wage and fringe benefit demands of the Firefighters Association throughout the course of negotiations that have taken place with the City Manager. He provided comparisons of the wage, hours, and retirement structures of the City of Lynwood with those of the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Fire Protection District, emphasizing the Salary negotiations Firefighters Association 1~~0 Salary disparity which exists. He stated that at the last meeting negotiation with the Council Committee they proposed a 58.8 hour week, Firefightersa 5% salary increase, and adoption of the retirement plan Assn. for widows and orphans. He stated that before the full Council the offer was repeated with the request and recommendation that the determination be that the hours of the firemen be reduced to 58.8 per week, or a schedule which would average 58.8 as against the 56 hours which they consider to be prevailing, a straight salary increase of 5% and the adoption of the widows and orphans clause. Comparison of salarys for the three classifications under discussion (firemen, engineers, captains) were provided and merging with the County Fire Protection District was discussed. Mr. Webster said the Fire- fighters Association members are not eager to become County employees, but because of the great disparity, they requested previously that the city request a survey from the District which would indicate the fire protection it would provide, what the cost comparison would be, disposition of city equipment and other matters all of which are subject to negotiation. Because of a prior appointment, Councilman Stevens requested that he be excused from the remainder of the meeting. Councilman Siokos asked for a brief executive session prior to his departure but was advised it was not possible unless the hearing were closed. The City Manager urged that the hearing not be closed until Mr. Webster and the Firefighters Association Majority Representative had concluded their presentation. Councilman Stevens was excused. Mr. Webster was questioned further about various aspects of County service and he replied that the county is flexible in negotiation as to buying equipment, disposing of unused land, and the only way it can be analyzed properly is to have the County say what they can provide. The Mayor asked Mr. Webster and Mr. Schultz if they had anything further to say. As there was no response, the Mayor declared the hearing closed. Councilman Green complimented Mr. Webster on his presentation on behalf of the group he represented, and expressed the hope that upon conclusion of negotiations informal discussion could be held which would give the Council a better appreciation of the firefighters problems. It was moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Byork, that the Council grant a 4% salary increase across the board. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos. Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Stevens. The matter of reduction of hours worked per week was discussed and at the request of the Council, the City Manager explained the hour structure of the Fire Department, including pay-back shifts and vacation splits. It was moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by Councilman Green, that the Council approve a reduction in pay-back days from 14 to 11 per year. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Stevens. It was moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Liewer, that the Council grant a $50 per year uniform allowance. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos. Stevens. The City Manager reviewed the items approved thus far, as follows: (1) 4q increase across the board for Firemen, Engineers and Captains; (2) Reduction of three payback days per year from 14 to 11 days; (3) Uniform allowance of $50 per year for those the Firefighters Association represents. The City Manager was questioned about vacation splitting and in explaining the present policy, he said that one vacation split-would not create any operational or administrative problem within the Fire Department. He also said if the council was to consider permitting a split, that he would recommend that not more than one split be considered and that the split must be determined by the City Manager. After a brief discussion among members of the Council, Mr. Webster and Mr. Schultz, in which Mr. Webster stated they would have no objection to leaving the Salary negotiations Firefighters Assn. mechanics of the vacation split to the City Manager, it was moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by Councilman Byork, that the current vacation policy be amended to permit one vacation split per year, to be handled by the City Manager and Fire Chief. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens. Noes: None. Absent: None. It was moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Council- man Byork, that the preceding four points constitute the determination by the City Council and the matter of the Firefighters Association terminate at this point. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos. Noes: None. Absent: Councilman Stevens. It was moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by Council- Adjourn to man Green, and carried, that the meeting be adjourned 6/23/71 to Wednesday, June 23, 1971, at 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. ~,"~' ,. '!_ City Clerk, City of Lynwood APPROVED JULY 6, 1971 jj,Jl/J , ~" _ l May r of t ity of Lynwood (1~