General Counsel Commission

MINUTES GENERAL COUNSEL COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 27, 2024 Present: Council Member Blackwell, Council Member Nocera, and Council Member Salafia, Council Member Sweeney, and Council Member Pulino. Staff: Deputy General Counsel, Kori Wisneski; HR Director, Justin Richardson Public: Bobbye Knoll Peterson, Jen Hobart, Kelly Robinson, Nick LaRosa 1. Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Public Comment: Bobbye Knoll Peterson spoke on behalf of the Mayor’s office and supported the upgrade for the position currently held by Kelly Robinson. She explained that the position was recommended for labor management, reviewed by labor management, and shifted to a process which did not come to fruition. Jen Hobart, President of Local 466, spoke in support of the position held by Kelly Robinson. Kelly Robinson wanted to thank everyone who has supported his position. 3. Approval of Minutes Council Member Nocera made a motion to approve the meeting minutes and Council Member Sweeney seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. New Business A. Job Description – Building Superintendent IV – Public Works Director Richardson introduced the job description. He explained that this position went through the labor management process and upon labor management reviewing the job description it was decided to negotiate with UPSEU because the job was reaching outside of its management responsibilities, but were unable to come up with an agreement with UPSEU. The job description came back to the labor management committee, which is why it is back on the agenda. Director Richardson explained that the job description was impacted back in 2020 when the position took on the Green Street and Oddfellows properties and was increased by one salary grade, but did not go through the rubric at that time. Once discovered, it was run through the rubric and increased to a salary grade 12. He explained that the job description now has taken on multiple buildings (City Hall, Greet Street Arts Center, Oddfellows, the Sports Hall of Fame, and the Military Museum). Director Richardson further explained that the fiscal impact represents a retroactive pay of $8,088 that goes back to July 1 and the fiscal impact for the remainder of the year is $3,889. More discussion ensued and Council Member Salafia questioned the negotiation with UPSEU. Director Richardson explained that it was approaching a higher level of managerial duties but unfortunately fell through. More discussion ensued and council members expressed their support. Council Member Nocera made a motion to approve the job description and Council Member Salafia seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. B. Legal Opinion to Pension Board, dated February 22, 2024 Attorney Wisneski explained that she received a request from Council Member Salafia to have legal opinions provided to the commission. She explained that the opinion was released to the Pension Board, which Council Member Salafia sits on. More discussion ensued and it was decided that emailing the legal opinions in the future would suffice. 5. Other A. Recruitment Efforts Director Richardson explained that his office has had about 18 outreach and recruitment efforts recently. He explained that he and Maria Scarlett attended an outreach event with Grace and Mercy Family Ministries talking about employment opportunities. They also attended Cementing Equity and State and Local Government Symposium at the State Capitol, and took a trip with Keisha to the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American Museum in Stratford. He explained that there will be a Black History Month lunch and learn on February 28 that Maria coordinated with Deb Shapiro and John Mills. Council Member Sweeney asked about the police recruitment and Director Richardson explained that Michelle in his office works with the police recruitments and has posted those recruitments on social media and there will be lawn signs posted as well. Michelle was commended for her good work on these emergency responder recruitments. B. Baker Tilly Update Attorney Wisneski explained that they are now in the process of job descriptions, which HR will go through to ensure they’re in good condition. She explained that Baker Tilly will be presenting at the upcoming council meeting for updates, and discussion about their process. Discussion ensued regarding rescheduling an internal meeting. Attorney Wisneski explained that the pay scale was shared with some council leadership at an earlier date. Director Richardson explained the process of how the job descriptions are being reviewed and his office will do the initial assessment and pass it off to the managers who will do the same. From there, he will review the job descriptions with 2 union leadership and then back to Baker Tilly once everything is agreed on. Baker Tilly will then assign pay grades to each job description based on its process and then the process should be complete. More discussion ensued regarding when the Council Members should receive the final packet. It was discussed and agreed that Council Members should have enough time to review the final packet before there is a presentation. C. Fair Rent Commission Update Attorney Wisneski explained that Fair Rent Commission is up and running with a webpage on the city website. There is a blank complaint form on the website for people to fill out with instruction for filing. She also explained that the commission has received 8 complaints with many against a single landlord, Stonegate, which is owned by Kozel Equity. Four of those complaint were resolved or withdrawn, one complaint will be withdrawn, which leaves three pending complaints. Discussions ensued regarding how to get the word out about the commission. The commission also agreed to have a quarterly update on this item. It does not need to appear on the agenda monthly. 6. Adjournment: Council Member Sweeney made a MOTION to adjourn and Council Member Nocera seconded the motion and the meeting adjourned. 3