City Council

To: Mayor Mark D. Boughton and Members of the Common Council Re: Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Common Council held March 19, 2007. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance and the prayer were recited. The members were recorded as: Present- McMahon, Nagarsheth, Johnson, Trombetta, Calandrino, Perkins, Visconti, Chianese, Saadi, Cavo, Basso, Rotello, Diggs, Cutsumpas, Riley, Saracino, Seabury, Stanley and Taborsak Absent: Visconti and Esposito were out on business and Teicholz is still undergoing medical treatment. 18 PRESENT 3 ABSENT The call of the Special Meeting was read: 1. Communication - Tentative Agreement – Danbury Police Contract 2. Ordinance - Police Pension Revisions Section 14-49 Section 14-52 Section 14-54 Section 14-55 Mr. Cavo moved to accept the call to return to service. Seconded by Mr. Nagarsheth. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC SPEAKING Carl Foley, Mountain Rd.- Why was Section 14-52 included in what the Common Council is going to ratify, and not included in the tentative agreement. The police union did not approve section 14-52 Subsection C. He called attention to the last line of the Subsection, paragraph #1. He stated that widows of deceased officers would be negatively effected. He suggested “same seniority in rank” would be acceptable. Mayor Boughton stated that the language reflects the arbitrary agreement and the tentative agreement. The Finance Director gave a brief overview of the tentative contract. Article7, Section 7.3.1, Vacations; Article 12, Overtime, Section 12.9; Article 16, Wages, Section 16.1; Article 16, 41 and 50, Wages; Article 17, Vacancy of Ranks, Sections 17.1 and new Section 17.3; Article 18, Pension Plan; Police Pension Ordinance Section 14-55 (b); Article 22, Car Patrol Minimum, Section 22.1; Article 23, General Provisions, New Section of Job Descriptions; Article 23, General Provisions, New Section on Civilian Dispatch and Front Desk/Call Taking; Articles 29,47, and 55, Duration Contract Page 1 of 3  Extension; Amendments to Rules and Regulations Required to Accommodate Agreement on Reorganization and Side Letters were highlighted. Ms. Diorio stated that retirees would get the general wage increase, but would not be eligible to receive the percentages for the reorganization. Ms. Basso inquired about supervision of the civilian dispatchers. An officer would always be present. Mr. Saadi asked that if there is no change to Section 14-52, why was it before the Common Council, who would set the standard for the Pension Board with regards to disability, would the civilians fall into a union, who would set the standards for the civilians and is an ordinance needed to adopt standards. Section 14-52 is before the Council as the result of the change in the language that has to do with the COLA provision, anything in the agreement or proposed changes, impacts other sections of the ordinance. The standard for the Pension Board would be the same standards as set forth in the Workers Compensation Regulations. The Police Chief will set strict standards for the civilians and unionization of the civilians is anticipated. An Ordinance would not be needed, but the standards could be codified in the policy and procedures. Mr. Rotello asked for clarification on the pension contribution for an officer on disability and the responsibilities of the Lieutenants. Ms. Diorio explained that the contribution percentage would remain the same. Chief Baker stated that the duties of the Lieutenants would need to be negotiated. Mr. Riley asked for confirmation that the language in Section 14-52 stays the same and will the civilian dispatchers receive only on the job training. Yes, it stays the same and the civilians would receive both on the job training as well as other instruction. Mr. Seabury asked for clarification on Section 14-55. Is the disabled officer required to see a doctor to certify the disability and if someone is called back to duty, and does not appear, does the disability cease? What happens In the case of the Lieutenants doing Captains duties at a Captains pay grade and will the civilian dispatchers be trained at the Academy. The disabled officer is required to be certified disabled by a doctor and if they do not appear when summoned, the disability will cease. The Lieutenants will revert back to Lieutenants pay. Chief Baker stated that the civilians would go be required to go through the state certification process. Mr. Trombetta inquired about overtime for officers who assume the role of dispatcher for a special assignment. Chief Baker stated that the officer would need to be qualified as a dispatcher and maybe eligible for overtime depending on the circumstances. Mr. Cavo asked a follow-up question regarding disability. If an officer is on disability and comes back, would they still get credit for the years of their disability and what was the vote total of the sworn membership. Yes and the vote was 113 to 12. Page 2 of 3  Mr. Chianese ask for clarification of the term “lock out” in Section 18, the impact of the contract on the budget, what would the average citizen see as an immediate result of the acceptance of the new contract and what is the Chief’s opinion of the contract as a whole. Ms. Diorio explained that “lock out” means there would be no change in any pension provision for 10 years and the total cost with changes is $1.8 million for the total life of the contract. Chief Baker stated that the average citizen would see an increase in the number of officers patrolling the City and the minimum number of squad cars patrolling the streets would be met and, at times, may exceed the minimum depending on the circumstances. He also stated that the contract is a workable plan of significance and historical change for the City and it will serve the City well. Ms Taborsak inquired about Section 7 with regard to the Lieutenants, would more than one Lieutenant be allowed to be on vacation at the same time, would the Lieutenant ever serve as the Shift Commander and be paid properly for performing those duties, how many officers might be on step 7 on July 1, 2007, are any current dispatchers at the rank of Lieutenant, Sergeant, or Captain and has the contract been signed. The Lieutenant is the Shift Commander, there will always be a Shift Commander on duty, the majority of the 47 officers on step 6 will advance to step 7, there are no Lieutenants, Sergeants or Captains doing dispatching and the contract has not been signed because the Common Council has not approved it yet. Mr. Nagarsheth moved to approve the terms of, and funding for an Agreement entitled “City of Danbury and Danbury Police Union Local #891, Council #15, AFSCME, ALF- CIO, Tentative Agreement, Impact of Police Department Reorganization and Extension of Current Contract, in accordance with established requirements of State law.” Mr. Seabury seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mayor Boughton stated, for the record, that the retirees’ pensions for the widows and widowers are not changing at all. Mr. Cavo moved to refer item #2 to a public hearing. Motion seconded by Ms. Basso. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Cavo moved to adjourn the meeting 6:45. Seconded by Mr. Rotello. Respectfully submitted, ____________________ Dot Stasny Recording Secretary Page 3 of 3