|
ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2006
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, August 7, 2006. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Crowley, Edgar, Hilinski, Kaupin, Lee, Mangini, Maxellon, Nelson, Peruta, Ragno and Tallarita. Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Director of Human Resources, William Mahoney
MOTION #8876 by Councilman Hilinski, seconded by Councilman Mangini to waive the reading of the resolution.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8876 adopted 11-0-0.
RESOLUTION #8877 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Crowley.
Mr. Coppler stated Resolution #8834 was approved June 5, 2006 to accept two grants from the Connecticut State Library for two different programs. He explained the language of that resolution was not accepted by the State of Connecticut because it did not specifically spell out who is going to be in power to execute and deliver the necessary contracts. He noted this resolution revises Resolution #8834 so that it’s acceptable to the State.
Councilman Mangini requested clarification in how it was not acceptable. Mr. Coppler stated the original resolution stated the Town Manager was to accept the grant, and the final paragraph of this resolution is more specific.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #8877 adopted 11-0-0.
RESOLUTION #8878 by Councilman Edgar, seconded by Councilman Mangini.
RESOLVED, that the Enfield Town Council does hereby approve the four (4) year collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Enfield and AFSCME Council 15, Local 798 dated July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2010.
Mr. Mahoney stated there were 14 bargaining sessions and they reached a tentative agreement on July 28th and it was ratified by the union on August 4th. He listed some highlights of this contract:
- wages will be 4% the first year; 3%, 2.5%, and 2% the following years
- the employee’s premium share will increase to 12.5% effective July 1, 2009
- the first sick leave policy for employees, which is very similar to the Town’s sick leave policy
- the first drug testing policy
- addition of a pension COLA with a provision that if an officer stays until age 55 and has 25 years or more of service, they will have a 2.5% COLA once they reach age 60. If they stay until age 55 and have less than 25 years of service, but more than 20 years of service, they will have a 2% COLA when they reach age 60
- provision for a rule of 70 retirement, which means if someone has 20 years of service and they have a combination of age and years of service that equals 70, they can get out before age 50, or they won’t be eligible for medical insurance until they’ve reached normal retirement age
- direct deposit will be mandatory
- monthly provision to help out detectives who have to work weekends or a half weekend
- clarification on some sick leave language
- clarification on when overtime will be paid when they involuntarily change shifts
- clarification of what a shift is for the 1A group
- provision enabling the Town to hire at Step 4 of the contract to make Enfield more competitive
Councilman Edgar stated his belief this process worked very well, and he recommends the acceptance of this contract. He indicated he’s pleased with the sick leave, drug and direct deposit policies. He added he is also pleased to see the ability to bring in experienced officers at Step 4.
Councilman Ragno agreed with Councilman Edgar. He stated his belief the process was reasonable, and he feels both sides had some parity. He noted they accomplished some major goals. He added his belief the content of the policies is very important, and it really sets a standard for Enfield. He noted this can be a model for other towns. He commended Bill Mahoney for his work on this.
Councilman Edgar stated the federal facilitator was a lot of help.
Councilman Kaupin questioned what was the difference between the last meeting and what’s before the Council to be voted on. Mr. Mahoney stated the last meeting had two differences – one was the sick leave policy and the other difference related to the health insurance.
Councilman Kaupin stated he is happy to see the wage level continue at the percentages that the Town has with its different bargaining units. He added his belief this is a very good contract for the Town and the Police. He thanked Councilmen Edgar and Ragno. He noted he can tell the difference between this negotiation and what transpired four years ago. He stated he appreciates the feedback the Council constantly received in Executive Session when Council liaisons were giving updates on the contract. He acknowledged staff works very hard, and he commended Mr. Mahoney for doing a great job with this. He stated his belief having Council liaisons was very helpful in this process.
Councilman Lee requested clarification about adding a designee to the committee reviewing the performance appraisal tool. Mr. Mahoney explained there is a tool that’s used to evaluate an officer’s performance, and the union questioned if it would be permissible to have one designee on this committee which would be a union designee.
Councilman Lee questioned if this is a software tool, and Mr. Mahoney responded no, it’s just an evaluation tool.
Councilman Mangini agreed with Councilman Kaupin in that it’s very important to have Council liaisons and Town staff involved in the negotiations. She stated she’s very pleased and happy with the feedback she has received from the officers. She questioned if the Step 4 relates solely to new hires coming on board, and Mr. Mahoney responded yes. He explained after July 1, 2009, anyone who is a certified officer can be brought on board as a Step 4.
Councilman Crowley stated he recently spoke with some police officers, and they’re very satisfied with how this has turned out. He added he has also heard Mr. Mahoney did a great job in the negotiations.
Councilman Peruta referred to the increase in the insurance premium cost share and questioned what this is being increased from, and Mr. Mahoney responded 10%.
Councilman Peruta questioned what the Town’s health insurance increase has been over the past few years, and Mr. Mahoney stated this has been a very good year with a 4% increase. He pointed out the plan isn’t being changed at all.
Councilman Peruta questioned how Enfield compares to other communities, and Mr. Mahoney stated Enfield is right in the ballpark.
Referring to questions he has received from residents of Enfield, Councilman Nelson questioned if any of this contract effects Councilman Edgar’s pension at all. Mr. Mahoney responded no.
Councilman Nelson stated his belief it was beneficial to the Town having Councilman Edgar involved in the negotiations because he’s familiar with certain issues.
Councilman Hilinski questioned whether direct deposit is mandatory, and Mr. Mahoney responded yes.
Councilman Hilinski questioned how often do they pay overtime when an officer’s shift is involuntarily changed. Mr. Mahoney stated it is less frequent than it was, and they’ve taken steps to try to lower those occasions.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if the 4% salary increase or anything else is calculated in this year’s budget. Mr. Coppler stated he will check into that.
Chairman Tallarita stated he was very pleased with this budget negotiation as opposed to the last police negotiation. He noted having to go to arbitration isn’t pleasant for either side. He stated his belief this is a fair contract to both the Town of Enfield and the police officers. He expressed his appreciation for the commitment from the liaisons, Mr. Mahoney and the rest of the Town staff who helped put this contract together. He added he also appreciates the cooperation they received from the union.
Upon a ROLL-CALL vote being taken, the Chair declared RESOLUTION #8878 adopted 11-0-0.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #8879 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Crowley to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8879 adopted 11-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:26 p.m. |