SALINAS CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
APRIL 6, 2007 ADJOURNED MEETING MINUTES
Mayor Donohue convened the City Council and Redevelopment
Agency meeting at 8:00 a.m.
Present:
Mayor/Chairperson Dennis Donohue
Council/Agency member Tony
Barrera
Council/Agency member
Gloria De La Rosa
Council/Agency member Jyl Lutes
Council/Agency member Sergio Sanchez (arrived at 8:12 a.m.)
Council/Agency member Steve Villegas
Absent:
Council/Agency
member Janet Barnes
Also Present:
Senior Deputy City Attorney/Agency Counsel
Christopher Callihan
City Clerk/Secretary Ann Camel
JOINT CITY
COUNCIL/SALINAS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Brett Landon stated that the City’s long-term budget cannot
afford the increase in the Police Management Association’s Memorandum of
Understanding approved on April 3, 2007.
John Criswell, Police Benefit Association President, thanked
the City Council for their consideration.
CONSIDERATION
1. Memoranda of Understanding with the Salinas Police
Management Association and the Salinas Police Officers Association. SALINAS POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION MOU
CONTINUED FROM APRIL 3, 2007.
Dave Mora, City Manager, stated that the Police Officers Association’s
current MOU expires on June 30, 2007. Negotiations
have been completed for a term ending December 31, 2009. There would be five base salary increases of
five percent each effective April 1, 2007; October 1, 2007; April 1, 2008;
October 1, 2008; and April 1, 2009, for a total salary increase of twenty-five
percent. Effective July 1, 2007, POA
represented employees who have been employed for a minimum of twenty years
would be eligible for an additional five percent longevity pay to provide a
financial incentive for career employees and compensate for limited promotional
opportunities. The payment of special assignment pay would be paid to
Corporals as well as Officers. The retirees’
health saving plan does not provide for any contribution by the City.
Councilmember Sanchez arrived at
the meeting at 8:12 a.m..
Mr. Mora stated that Salinas’ Officers’ salaries would have been fifteen
percent behind the City of Monterey effective July 1, 2007 had this not been
negotiated. Salinas cannot match
Monterey, which spends $1,200 per capita compared to Salinas’ $480. The calculations have assessed the City’s
ability to pay. It will assure that
Salinas is competitive in the local market area to recruit and retain the
best-qualified personnel. He thanked
the POA for their cooperative conduct during negotiations. The amount is extraordinary but warranted
based on the work demand and the marketplace, and staff recommends approval.
Brett Landon asked whether the retirement actuarial calculations
anticipated these increases. He
requested that the City not approve an increase of this size for this term
without knowing the future revenue amount.
This would absorb all of the Measure V revenues and puts other revenues
at risk. He requested the Council to
shorten the contract if they believe large increases are needed. Salinas could contract with the Monterey
County Sheriff’s Office.
Councilmember Lutes stated that Salinas weathered financial storms
better than other California cities due to the outstanding financial forecasts
of its Finance Director. Salinas would
have been in trouble had it followed Mr. Landon’s past financial advice. Councilmember Lutes stated that Salinas is
better served by officers trained to patrol an urban area than by the Monterey
County Deputy Sheriffs. She supports
the increase both as a Councilmember and Salinas resident.
Councilmember Villegas stated that if the City could give more, he would
do it. These officers are sacrificing
family time and safety by working excessive overtime. The Police Chief requests the Sheriffs’ assistance as
appropriate. The Sheriff’s Department
is similarly facing competition from other counties offering salary increases
of over thirty percent. He hopes the
increase allows the City to fill vacancies and eliminate some of the overtime.
Councilmember Sanchez stated that it is clear to him that Salinas
Officers deserve the increase and should be the highest paid employees in
Monterey County, as should all Salinas employees due to the needs and demands
of this community. He is concerned
about the financial position that could result. However, he has trust in the City Manager and Finance Director’s
forecast because they have guided the City through very difficult financial
times. He appreciates the settlement
because any greater increase would have been too great. He is concerned about the twenty vacancies,
and he would like more officers to reside in Salinas. He would like the senior officers to assist in recruiting and
filling positions.
Councilmember De La Rosa stated that the Council values its employees,
including officers. Salinas must be
competitive in competing and retaining officers. She trusts that there are sufficient revenues to meet the terms
of the contract.
Councilmember
Barrera stated that this indicates the serious investment that the City is
making. Council trusts management, but
this is stretching the dollars. Salinas
cannot compete with Monterey. The Council
has a serious obligation to receive a return on its investment, which is a
safer community. The City will have to
be looking for new money to sustain itself.
Mr. Mora stated that there would be less officer positions had the City
deferred to Mr. Landon’s advise. The
primary matter influencing PERS is their ability to invest in the stock market. There are only six or seven officers being
funded by Measure V. There would be no
significant Measure V impact, and Measure V primarily supports other
departments.
Mayor Donohue
stated that the Council is placing its trust and has confidence in the
financial forecast. He believes there
is a new spirit in Salinas and that the economic base will stand.
COUNCIL ACTION
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa and second by Councilmember
Lutes, Council voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 19180 authorizing the City
Manager to sign the Association.
Absent: Councilmember Barnes.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:25
a.m.
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