HomeMy Public PortalAboutM 1971-07-02 - CC,rya ~~
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JULY 2, 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.
Councilmen Byork, Green, Siokos and Stevens answered
the roll call. Councilman Liewer was absent.
In the absence of Mayor Liewer, Mayor pro tempore Byork
took the chair.
The Mayor opened discussion of the annual budget, and
the Manager read his message contained in the proposed
1971-72 budget. He elaborated on items such as gas
tax funds and their use, a proposed change in allocation
of cigarette tax revenue to limit the transfer to
Capital to a maximum of approximately $25,000, with
the remainder to be placed in the General Fund.
Concerning assessed valuations, he estimated that
approximately $460,000 has been lost due to units lost
along the freeway route, based on meter removals and
water turn offs. Final assessed valuation figures will
not be available until sometime in August; however,
the figures contained in the budget are based on the
current tax rate. When questioned about the year-end
deficit, the Manager explained that emergencies would
be met with current operating funds, and in the event
of a major disaster, with Federal assistance. He
explained further that the last large sums of money
are normally received in June, with no more to be
received until October or November, and operating
accounts maintain the city during those months.
Licensing of public carriers was questioned by Council-
man Green, and the Manager explained that these companies
now pay the fees to the State and the city's proportionate
share is received from the State by subvention.
Mayor Byork questioned the possibility of a public
scale along the freeway, and the Manager said this
has been discussed with the Division of Highways and
other appropriate State agencies. He has been informed
that because of the lack of an adequate straight
stretch of highway through Lynwood, such a weigh
station could not be located within the city.
The meeting was recessed briefly to permit the City
Clerk to confer with the City Manager concerning a
message received relative to weekly indemnity insurance
for police reserve officers.
Following the recess, the City Manager informed the
Council that pursuant to Council direction at its
meeting of June 29 the City Clerk has made an effort
to locate a company that would provide adequate
coverage for the reserves. Based on their large
volume of business, Cal-Surance was contacted as
being most likely to move quickly. A telephone call
has just been received and if the Council wishes to
act to obtain a binder prior to the weekend, the
company must be contacted before 5:30 p.m. They
offer coverage for $10,000 accidental death and
dismemberment, $80.00 weekly from the date of accident,
payable for one year. Coverage is for 24 hours a day, at
a premium of $53.25 per year per man, for a yearly
total of $1,065 based on twenty men. The reserves
1971-72
budget
discussed
Recess
Insurance for
Police
Reserve
Discussed
1
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were looking for approximately $150 per week; this would
total $167.50 a week, including the weekly indemnity
paid by State Compensation. Anticipating that the Council
would wish to make some provisions for the reserves along
this line, an adequate sum has been included in the
budget.
The proposal was discussed briefly by the Council, and
Mr. Bob Newton, a member of the Police Reserve
Association, said it appears to be a good insurance
plan and a binder situation would be approp~os;
however, the men would have to be called together
to vote and make a decision.
Insurance It was moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by
policy for Councilman Stevens, that the proposal offered by
Police Cal-Surance Associates be accepted and the binder be
Reserve offs. ordered.
accepted from Roll Call:
Cal-Surance Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Liewer.
Recess The meeting was recessed to permit the City Clerk to
make the call necessary to order the binder.
Following the recess, the City Clerk informed the Council
that the binder was in effect as of 5:10 p.m., July
2, 1971.
Discussion Discussion of the 1971-72 budget was resumed.
of the 1971-
72 budget The Manager said that when he speculated on a 10~ tax
rate increase, it was only speculative as he has no
concept of what the assessed valuation will be. A 10~
increase would be about $6.25 on a property with a
$25,000 market value, this, of course, in addition to
levies made by other agencies.
In going over the budget, the Manager was asked if
it reflected the change made by the Council, and he
said all changes were included and that unless the
Council wished to, there was no reason to go through
the individual line items. Also, all salaries
contained in the salary resolution are in keeping
with the Council's determinations. He said if there
was no further discussion of the budget that either
before or after a motion was on the floor, representatives
of the Peace Officers Association were present in the
audience and wished to make a statement to the Council.
Officer John McConnaughey, representative and Treasurer
of the Peace Officers Association, stated they were
present to request an additional 2 per cent salary
increase for a total of 6 per cent, and to present
the results of surveys made which hopefully would
impress upon the Council the need for an increase in
wages in the Police Department. In surveying ten
mutual aid cities, eliminating Santa Fe Springs as
they contract with the Sheriff's Department, it was
found that Lynwood has the lowest per cent of ranking
personnel, it has the fourth lowest percentage of
detectives, is second lowest in sworn personnel per
1,000 population, using a population of 43,600. In
a survey of Los Angeles County, excluding any raises
that other cities might get, 70 per cent of the police
agencies are receiving more base pay than the City of
Lynwood. He provided the following arrest figures:
~V~`l
in the first four months of 1971 there were 1264 arrests 1971-72
an increase of 22.5% over 1970 and 55.75% over 1968; budget
total reports for the same period were 2430, an reviewed
increase of 9.9% over 1970 and 18.5% over 1968; total
adult detective bureau cases 304, an increase of 56%
over 1970 and 52% increase over 1968; in the juvenile
~-- bureau 381 cases an increase of 23% over 1970 and
110% over 1968. In surveying ten mutual aid city
figuresfor arrests based on total number of arrests
for the first four months of 1971 divided by the total
number of sworn personnel, Mr. McConnaughey said that
Lynwood is number one in the ten cities. He said
these figures indicate that Lynwood is one of the
hardest working departments in the area, and along
with that, it is one of the lowest paid, which has
made morale in the department become very low recently
Also, that it appears that none are going to receive
less than 5 per cent increase.
He was asked if in the statement that 70 per cent of
the police agencies in the County are receiving
higher base pay than in Lynwood, were all benefits
available to Lynwood officers taken into consideration.
Mr. McConnaughey replied that assuming that every
possible salary addition was considered, Lynwood
is Number 2 for patrolmen and sergeants and Number 5
for lieutenants from the top, but the problem is
that more than 50 per cent of the personnel are not
eligible for these benefits. He described the ~
difficulty of achieving the additional pay available
through the educational programs, particularly the P.O.S.T.
certificates, although in informal discussion with
the Council he agreed that the P.O.S.T. program is
a very good incentive for career personnel. He
emphasized that the problem remains in the base pay
which, prior to July 1 is the third lowest of
the Mutual Aid cities, and reiterated that they
were asking for a 2~ tax increase which would
cover a 6. per cent raise.
The discussion was interrupted momentarily by
the City Attorney, who requested that the outer door
be unlocked as it had inadvertantly been locked by
personnel closing the building for the day.
The difficulties of budgeting in view of the
current economic conditions was discussed by the
Council. Cutbacks were made in many areas, open
positions are not being filled in order to achieve a
more nearly balanced budget and to be able to provide
personnel with the increases contained in the budget.
As to additional supervisorial personnel, Councilman
Siokos commented that there will be an investigation into
that need.
Sergeant Glenn Sauls addressed the Council to comment
..-• on the morale problems being encountered in the
department, and how long it takes to fill gaps
when personnel leave the department. He also spoke
of benefits in some cities such as, longevity pay,
shooting pay, and various things to fill in those
gaps. He also spoke of the demands which were dropped
in the course of negotiations. He discussed the
need for additional sergeants and was told the
Council's intention is to investigate that situation,
2 _~ 0
Discussion Overtime pay was discussed and Mr. Sauls said they would
re 1971-72 rather not work overtime, and mentioned the problems
fiscal brought about when vacations are being taken,
budget particularly in the detective bureau. When questioned
about lowering of morale in the department, Mr. Sauls
mentioned several causes, such as the 4 per cent rather
than 6 per cent increase, lack of supervision, lack of
number of detectives and other personnel, inadequate
building facilities, cost of the .health plan, and
arrest and crime rates. He said more personnel would
reduce overtime and benefit the city generally.
Councilman Stevens commented on the possibility of
paying 1 per cent additional in salary increases, but
said he would hesitate considering it for only one
employee group.
Improvement of court time, appointment of a court
officer, consideration of a "10-plan" were discussed
informally by the Council members and police representatives
who were joined by Officer Michali Rambas.
1971-72 After a discussion with the City Attorney concerning
budget procedure, it was moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded
adopted by Councilman Green, that the 1971-72 fiscal budget
be adopted.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Liewer.
Res. 71-42 RESOLUTION N0. 71-42 entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
Salary reso. CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD SETTING FORTH
1971-72 THE SALARIES BY CALSSIFICATION OF ITS OFFICERS AND
fiscal year EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER BENEFITS," was reviewed by the
City Manager. It was moved by Councilman Green,
seconded by Councilman Stevens, and carried that
further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Stevens, seconded by
Councilman Byork, that said resolution be adopted.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: Councilman Liewer.
It was moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Council-
man Stevens, and carried, that the meeting be adjourned.
City' Clerk, City of Lynwood
APPROVED JULY 20, 1971
t~ -
or o C ty of Lynwood