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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-85 WS . SPECIAL JOINT WORKSHOP WITH CITY COMMISSION AND MERIT BOARD HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1985 CALL TO ORDER Comm. Hager called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m., noting for the record that there was a quorum of both boards. Members present as follows: Comm. Cox; Rodgers; Hager; and Bateman; Merit Board Members Breland, Bond, Frame, Sanders and Swickerath; City Manager Griffin and Deputy Clerk Nordstrom. DISCUSSION OF APPENDIX C Comm. Rodgers requested this workshop with the Merit Board in order to discuss the proposed Ordinance revising Appendix C that had been drafted by the staff and City Attorney. . The first item he wanted to address was Section 1.02, subsection 2, which pertains to vehicle use by City employees. Comm. Rodgers feels that no vehicles should be taken home with the exception of the Police vehicles and selected Public Works vehicles, specifically the water department when they have personnel on duty 24 hours a day/on call. He stated that he felt fuel consumption had been excessive lately and the mileage and exposure of these vehicles needs to be controlled. The vehicles should be parked at the City barn, and according to Comm. Rodgers there are no vehicles at the barn except for garbage trucks, a few of the street department, the courier and government official cars parked at City Hall. He feels that any exceptions should go before the Commission. . City Manager Griffin stated that the street department has their own shop where they park their vehicles. The only vehicles that are being taken home are for the departments that are on call. City vehicles are not to be used for personal use. There was only one time a supervisor was caught using a City vehicle for his own personal use and he was reprimanded. The Water Department does a lot of work on the weekends as they are flushing lines and the wells have to be checked seven days a week. The recreation department vehicles are out due to ball games or having to mow lawns before a game. He further stated that former City Manager Burgess made it clear to him, and several supervisors in a meeting that was held, that vehicles may go home with the City Manager's approval and those employees that are on call 24 hours a day in response to City needs; this was stated to be the "City's Policy". This does not correspond to what Comm. Rodgers was saying; therefore, City Manager Griffin said he was kind of perplexed as to whom was correct. Comm. Cox stated that it may be very beneficial to take vehicles home; e.g., the City Manager who has many meetings at night in varied locations. L . . . COMMISSION & MERIT BOARD WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 23, 1985 PAGE 2 Pat Bond stated that she has had employees of the City work for her on their off duty time and they have her that they use City equipment, such as lawn mowers and trucks in order to make extra money and if the equipment breaks down they take it back to the barn for repairs at the City's expense. She stated she strongly objects to this being done. City Manager Griffin stated that he was not aware of this being done and he will speak to the supervisor's on this matter, indicating that he concurred with Mrs. Bond's feelings. The City Manager stated that when the vehicles are assigned to individuals and taken home, they are taken better care of than when left at the barn. On several occasions, he has seen the employees washing and cleaning their vehicles on their own time at home over the weekend. They seem to have more pride in the vehicle if assigned to them. No concensus was arrived at on this issue. Comm. Rodgers then asked to move on to Section 1.05, Family Employment Restrictions. He just wanted to make sure this section on Nepotism was added as it was left out of the original ordinance. City Manager Griffin stated that State law requires that you do not have nepotism; therefore, Section 1.05 should be left as it is. The next item for discussion was Section 2.02, subsection (2) - Probationary period. Comm. Rodgers stated that the original Ordinance #821 does not indicate anywhere that a probationary employee may be terminated without recourse. He feels that any employee of the City should have recourse and if they feel they have been fired unjustly, they should be able to appeal to the Merit Board, Commission or whatever. City Manager Griffin stated that he had discussed this with the City Attorney and most other cities and places of employment that have employees on a probationary period do not afford them the same benefits of a full time employee. Most of the Commissioners and Merit Board Members agreed that the probationary employee should have some recourse. There was some discussion on the length of period - on whether it should be six (6) proposed Ordinance states) or whether three be sufficient. No consensus was agreed to. the probationary months (as the (3) months would The next item for discussion was Section 10.2 of 821 - Coverage, Comm. Rodgers stated that this covered in this revised ordinance. He stated employee who falls under the Merit System then they eligible for a Merit Board review with the only being the City Manager. The City Manager is Ordinance was not that any should be exception directly 2 . COMMISSION & MERIT SYSTEM BOARD WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 23, 1985falls PAGE 3 responsible to the Commission, they set his salary and determine the terms of his employment. Exceptions to the Merit Board should be: Items a, b, c, d, f, - City Manager only, and g. Comm. Cox brought up the subject of the City Manager having a contract. He felt he should have one. Comm. Rodgers stated that he disagreed with doing away with the "across the board" pay raises. He stated that people are not going to work if they do not get merit raises. City Manager Griffin stated that he did not agree with that, if people want to better themselves they should get the raises, but the ones who do not want to better themselves should not get a merit raise. Jim Swickerath questioned item 1.01, subsection 9 - "Do not get involved in politics in the City of Ocoee". He stated that employees, as concerned citizens should get involved in politics. Pat Bond wanted to go on record that she does receive her . mail at 295 Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.. . ~