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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12-15-08 - Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2008 The City Council of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m., December 15, 2008, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, California, Mayor Mario A. Guerra presiding. PRESENT:Council Members: Mario A. Guerra Anne M. Bayer Luis H. Marquez Roger C. Brossrner David R. Gafin Mayor Mayor Pro Tem ALSO PRESENT:Gerald M. Caton, City Manager Edward W. Lee, City Attorney Lee Powell, Assistant City Manager Kathleen L. Midstokke, City Clerk Scott K. Pomrehn, Assistant Deputy City Manager Desi Alvarez, Deputy City Manager/Special Projects Susan Dornen, Deputy City Clerk Other Staff It was moved by Council Member Gafin, seconded by Council Member Brossmer and unanimously carried to add Closed Session Item No. 2 to the agenda, noting that the need arose subsequent to the posting of the agenda and that there is need for immediate action. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS:None. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION under the following authority: Mayor Guerra announced the Council is recessing to Closed Session (7:02 p.m.) to discuss matters under the authority of the following sections of the Government Code: 1. Government Code Section 54957.6 – Conference with labor negotiator Lee Powell re: direction for labor negotiations with Downey City Employees Association – Maintenance; and Executive Management, Middle Management and Confidential/Exempt. 2. Government Code Section 54956.8 – Conference with real property negotiator Desi Alvarez re: property at 8845 Imperial Highway; negotiating party: Richard Schraer; under negotiations: price and terms of payment. RECONVENE AND ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTION: The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 8:55 p.m. with all Council Members present. There were no actions to report. City Council Minutes 12/1 5/08 -1- COUNCIL MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS; REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS; AND CONFERENCE/MEETING REPORTS: Council Member Marquez wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year Council Member Gafin announced he completed his ethics training course and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Mayor Guerra noted he was happy to see all the employees and thanked everyone for their hard work. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: 1.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7098, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADOPTING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF DOWNEY AND THE DOWNEY CITY EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION – MAINTENANCE UNIT (November 2008 – October 2009): Administration. Assistant City Manager Powell presented a staff report explaining that this document covers the labor relations issues and this unit covers 56 positions within the City. He noted that this is a one year agreement. The following people spoke in support of this item: Bob Bryan Doug Kelly Mayor Guerra noted he is concerned that by taking action at this time it is not in the best interest for the City. The country is in one of the worst economic situations in more than 50 years. He believes the employees deserve raises, just not at this time. It was moved by Council Member Gafin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bayer and carried, noting the dissent of Mayor Guerra, to adopt the Resolution. 2.ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 08-7099, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY GRANTING SALARY INCREASES TO SPECIFIED EMPLOYEES (Executive, Middle Management and Confidential Exempt): Administration. Assistant City Manager Powell presented a staff report explaining that this Resolution covers 36 management positions and 5 exempt positions that are not covered under any other employee association . Council Member Gafin stated that he feels the management positions are key employees that orchestrate business of the City. He noted that times are tough; however, this would probably be the only increase these people will receive for the next 2 – 3 years. He continued that through their efforts, the Council was able to grant the rest of the employees raises and that some of the monies sitting in the reserve funds can be used to cover this. Mayor Pro Tem Bayer noted her agreement with Council Member Gafin. Council Member Marquez explained that while he respects the management employees, it is the collaborative efforts of all employees that make Downey work. He continued that these are tough economic times and that the three groups listed in this item need to be separated. City Council Minutes 12/1 5/08 -2- Council Member Brossmer mentioned that he felt the previously approved contracts were negotiated in good faith and needed to be honored. He doesn’t feel raises are appropriate use of City funds at this time and noted that the bargaining units for the School District signed off on negotiations this year. He stated that the Confidential Exempt employees should not be classified with the management positions as they are more similar to the other employees. q a '/dda a .3- Council Member Gafin asked if the item can be postponed to the first meeting in January and have the information broken down by each group to be looked at individually. It was moved by Council Member Gafin, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bayer and failed noting the dissention of Council Members Brossmer and Marquez and Mayor Guerra to adopt the Resolution. It was moved by Council Member Brossmer, seconded by Council Member Marquez and carried noting the dissent of Mayor Pro Tem Bayer, to amend and adopt the Resolution approving the 4a/, increase for the Confidential Exempt employees only and adopting Section 2 as submitted. Prior to the vote, City Manager Caton clarified that the Resolution be amended by deleting Executive Management and Middle Management from Section 1 and adopting in Section 2 as proposed. NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT: Bob Goldstein, resident of Downey, asked if the list of positions receiving raises is available on the internet and was informed that it was posted with the agenda packet. STAFF COMMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: 9:22 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., January 13, 2009, in memory of Una Cardona, longtime Downey resident. ,Z'adA B-oPZz-& KATHLEEN L. MIDS'FOKKE, City Clerk MARIO A. GUERRA, Mayor City Council Minutes 12/1 5/08