HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 5, 2010 SpecialJEFFERSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL SESSION
Monday, Apri15, 2010 5:45 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in Special Session on Monday,
April 5, 2010. Council President Nathan Samuel called the meeting to order and on call
of the roll those members present were: Councilpersons Mike Smith, Ed Zastawny,
Keith Fetz, Connie Sellers, Barbara Wilson, and Nathan Samuel. Also present were
Council Attorney Greg Clark, and Deputy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Hollis.
Councilperson Fetz made the motion to approve the agenda, second by Councilperson
Sellers, passing on a vote of 6-0.
Council President Samuel said this is the first meeting of the process agreed upon in the
Fire Contract to get together regarding salaries for the third and fourth years.
Councilperson Zastawny reminded all the City would not go into the third and fourth
years as the financial situation of the City was not known due to annexation and the State
cap on the levy. Fire Union President David Kaskie said there is interest in starting the
process of negotiating salaries. The agenda has changed due to the fitness test. President
Kaskie noted the history of inconsistencies. There is now a new executive board for the
Union. The issue is the definition of a sit up and a push up. At issue is a crunch sit up as
opposed to a full sit up. There is concern for the inconsistencies of testing. Council
President Samuel said it is the council's responsibility to negotiate the contract and the
administrations responsibility to enforce the contract. There is a process. The options
are the Merit Board or Arbitration. President Kaskie said the matter has been taken to the
Merit Board and were advised they do not have the authority. President Kaskie has been
advised until a firefighter is found unfit by the local Pension Board, the firefighter is
considered fit for duty. Council President Samuel said the contract states if a firefighter
cannot pass the test the firefighter is considered unfit. Attorney Clark said the Merit
Board is not set up to handle this. President Kaskie explained the procedure for the
Pension Board. All agree physical fitness needs to be addressed. He offers to have the
State Union Director come and set up the testing. Councilperson Smith recalled a
meeting last November regarding task testing. President Kaskie cannot speak to that.
People were on a lot of different pages in that meeting. He did note it is a fight the Union
will fight if it is punitive. He does not know why tasks changed. Attorney Clark
reviewed what he remembered of the meeting. Councilperson Zastawny remembers that
job related tasks are the best way. No details were worked out. Past Union President
Eric Hedrick reviewed his memory. President Kaskie said a failed test does not mean the
firefighter cannot perform the job. Council President Samuel feels the issue is the "unfit
for duty language". President Kaskie feels the test is tainted. He suggests foregoing the
test, offering services to develop a test. Firefighter Jimmy Johns asked "what is the next
step?" Captain Sneed said he is a member of the local Pension Board. The only
authority is over medical conditions. Councilperson Smith said the contract can be
opened if agreed. to by both parties. Firefighter Hedric said it is a good program and it is
going the right way. Attorney Clark said the council can expand the duties of the Merit
Board. Council President Samuel said there is a need to expand the responsibilities of the
Merit Board. There is a need for clarity and it is up to the Mayor. Firefighter Hammond,
explaining the situation involves him asks, "Where do I go next?" Councilperson Fetz
asked if authority is granted to the Merit Board, how fast it can happen. Attorney Clark
feels within two weeks to a month.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
Attest:
Clerk Treas r Peggy Wilder