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Home My WebLink About12/07/1966Roll Call MINUTES SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL December 7, 1966 - 12:00 Noon CITY HALL Present: Emmons Blake, Frank Gallagher, Arthur F. Spring, Donald Q. Miller, Clell W. Whelchel City Staff Present: J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; H. Johnson, City Attorney; R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer. 1. The City Council discussed the request of the City Employees' Association for wage adjustment for all full time employees of $20.00 per month effective January 1, 1967 and also the request from the Employees' Association for amend- ments and adjustments to existing vacation, overtime and sick leave policies of the City. The City Council discussed existing vacation policy and its effect on employees with different starting dates. Also the Council discussed the reason for the cut off in December of 1965 of the vacation holdover privilege. The Council discussed revenue sources of the City and anticipated windfalls of extra funds or any revenues that might not produce revenues anticipated in the budget and budgeted for spending in this fiscal year. The City Council then discussed each request in the Employees' Association letter of December 1, 1966, with Council action on each item. Item No. 1: Ten working days vacation for employees who have worked from one to five years. One additional working day per year up to a maximum of twenty days , at fifteen years. Fire Department vacations shall be increased proportionately. The Council stated that they felt that there should be no change in the present City policy of ten working days vacation per year after one year of service up to ten years and fifteen working days vacation after ten years of service. Item No. 2: Allow a maximum of five days vacation carry -over. This would allow an employee to take an extended vacation trip, something which is not possible under the existing policy. The City Council agreed to allow a five day carry -over of vacation effective January 1, 1967. However, as of December 31, 1966, all accumulations were to be worked off. Item No. 3: Payment for all vacation acquired at job termination. The City Council agreed that employees would receive payment for all vacation acquired after anniversary date at job termination at the rate of 5/6 of one day per month, or 1 -1/4 day per month for employees who have had ten or more years of service, effective immediately. Item No. 4: Payment of the next regular salary check for the vacation period in advance, if a payday falls within a vacation period. The City Council offered to have the Finance Department mail the check to a I vacationing employee or deposit his check to the bank of his choice. Item No. 5: In regard to compensation for overtime or time worked on holidays, it is our belief that the City should adopt a consistent policy. As of now, some employees must take time off, while others have their choice of either time off or payment. We suggest that the individual employee be given his choice in this matter. There would be no cost difference to the City. This is certainly not too much to ask, since most City employees are given no incentive over straight time for overtime or work performed on holidays. City Council Minutes December 7, 1966 Page 2 The Administrative Officer explained . existing-policy on compensating time..off . and overtime'pay'as follows: Police -and firem n who worked extra shift received.: compensating time off.' Clerical'wokers received compensating time off for over- tim6.' Standby men in water;' -sewer and street_departmerits rec_eived.$20:OO a week which covered first eight hours of-c'all' out.' Other overtime in field at time and a half .pay. Overtime.at sewer plant, which occurs very. infrequently, compensated by straight time off. 'Wate =:plant and Whale Rock by time and a half pay. The City Council' decided no change in' existing policy. Item No.- 6': Since the 'Cit ' does - not p pay' for unused- "sick - leave; as do man agencies, Y= P Y � Y g , at the time of retirement or job termination, there is no advantage to limiting sick leave. When there is no sick leave limit, it removes the temptation for an employee to reach the allowable maximum-,and become "sick" one day per month there- after. The City Council restated existing policy of allowing an accumulation of 90 days total sick leave for each employee. Item No. 7: In view of the accelerated cost of living, we are forced to ask the City for a blanket twenty dollar per month raise in salary for all full time employees. This should be effective on January 1, 1967. There is now a widening gap between our salaries and equitable compensation for the work that we do. Our buying power is being reduced very rapidly, as the cost of living is far outstrip- ping pay increases granted in the last few years. The City Council decided to reject the request for an interim salary adjustment as of January 1, 1967 on the basis that it would set a precedent for twice a year salary adjustment considerations, that due to existing economic climate in the community, the unknown as to anticipated revenues, further that the budget had been approved on the existing salary schedules and no revenues had been set up for mid year salary increases. Also the City Council has authorized a salary survey ' within the next three months for inclusion in the 1967/68 budget request and that all salaries and other working conditions are considered by the Council during budget study to take effect 7/1/67. Councilman Miller stated that he felt that he could go along with the Employees' Association request for 4 weeks vacation after 20 years. Councilman Miller also stated that he was in favor of granting the employees a $20.00 increase in salary effective January 1, 1967. The City Council stated they would be happy to meet with the Employees' Association representatives if desired on these matters -prior to the next meeting. 2. The City Council considered the request of the Shell Company for extension of time to submit bids on the lease of a service station site on Prado Road, to March 1, 1967. It was the common consent of the Council that the'time for accepting bids be extended to March 6, 1967. 3. Councilman Miller left the meeting at 1:15 P.M. 4. The Council authorized the Mayor to inform the County Board of Supervisors that when the generator being purchased for Civil Defense Radio Station, it would be maintained by the City. R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer, reported to the Council that Radio Station KVEC in addition to KATY had been designated as an emergency radio station and also that Federal funds were available to build a protected shelter for the designated station if they met the criteria set by the Federal Civil Defense Agency. 5. Mr. Schofield appeared before the City Council urging that the City Council consider the small stock man in the proposed lease of sewer farm land for grazing purposes. He suggested that the Gudel parcel be offered for bid separately from the large sewer farm area and he was sure there would be enough interest to make the amendment worthwhile to the City. City Council Minutes December 7, 1966 Page 3 Mr. Schofield also asked that the City allow sub - leasing with their approval as a group of small stock men might bid on the lease, if they could use portions of the land. He also stated that with cooperation from the operators, both sheep and cattle could be on the land without conflict. The City Clerk was instructed to readvertise for the lease of grazing land in two parcel's; one an 8.3 acre parcel, the Gudel property and one 45.50 acre parcel. 6. On motion of Councilman Blake, seconded by Councilman Spring, the meeting adjourned. APPROVED: December 19, 1966 J . FIT2PATRICK TY CLERK 1 1