HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorkshop April 7, 2014JEFFERSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
Monday, April 7, 2014
City Council Chambers
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in a workshop on Monday, April 7, 2014. Council
President Julius called the meeting to order at 6:30pm and on the roll call members present were:
Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Gill, Councilperson Glover, Councilperson
Sellers, and Councilperson Samuel. Councilperson Owen arrived to the workshop at 6:40pm. Also
present were Safety Director Amir Mousavi and Human Resources Director Kim Calabro.
The Council met in a workshop to hear Mr. Mousavi's presentation regarding his proposal for a new
department. Ms. Calabro passed to Council a copy of the job description for the Director of
Occupational Safety, Risk and Emergency Management.
Mr. Mousavi explained that at the time of his hiring, Ms. Calabro discussed the possibility of broadening
the scope of the position of Safety Director based upon his resume showing skill sets beyond just
occupational safety management. Mr. Mousavi stated he has been asked in his capacity as Safety
Director for the City to perform tasks that have nothing to do with occupational safety. Ms. Calabro
explained that this position is funded 50% by Wastewater and she and Director Len Ashack have
discussed expanding the department if they would ever find someone with the right credentials and
skill -sets and feels that Amir has definitely proven himself to be a viable candidate for what they are
wanting to do. Ms. Calabro explained that the position would include not just internal safety issues, but
external safety issues dealing with the community such as accidents, potholes, HazMat incidences, etc.
Ms. Calabro referenced the Big Four Bridge and the Highway 65 expansion as additional areas of
responsibility.
Ms. Calabro stated that training is going to be a lot more streamlined among all the departments with
this new position. Safety would no longer report to the Director of Human Resources, but the
relationship between H.R. and Safety will continue to work in tandem to coordinate such things as
workman's comp, FLMA, first reports of injury and issues of confidentiality.
Councilperson Glover asked Mr. Mousavi what background he has to make him qualified to lead
investigations of accidents, injuries, and preparation of lawsuits and insurance investigations which is in
the job description located on page two. Mr. Mousavi gave a brief outline of his previous work
experience and training that qualifies him. Councilperson Glover stated that one thing the City lacks is
one person to gather and compile all this investigative information. Ms. Calabro stated that one of Mr.
Mousavi' s responsibilities will be to direct department heads on how to manage and do their own
investigation and then report up to them. Councilperson Glover asked Mr. Mousavi if an incident
occurred, would he act as incident commander and Mr. Mousavi stated that the new position is more of
an administrative coordination position and it would depend upon the nature of the incident as to who
would assume command. Mr. Mousavi explained that the types of incidences that he would be involved
in are major events such as tornado strikes, major flooding, earthquakes, and weapon engagements.
Councilperson Glover asked Mr. Mousavi if all the equipment the City owns and insures will be under his
purview and Mr. Mousavi stated that although it wasn't in his current job description, he did organize
that from his office and this new proposed job description does state that this duty will be his
responsibility. Ms. Calabro explained that Amir successfully cleaned up the City equipment list, and
those duties and responsibilities are currently being handled by the CMMS Coordinator thru
Wastewater who works very closely with Safety, H.R. and Vehicle Maintenance.
Councilperson Gill stated that a concern that she has is will this create a request for increased
employees and equipment down the road. Mr. Mousavi explained that companies that have 300-400
employees have up to four safety managers and, yes, there will be a need for the City to hire another
person. The number of people needed in the future depends upon the growth of the City. Additional
equipment will not be needed, but when an additional person is hired, they will also require a vehicle.
Ms. Calabro stated that the hiring of an additional Safety Manager will not take place until 2015.
Councilperson Samuel stated that one of his concerns is they haven't received the CAP information as
yet and don't expect it for another month or so. Mr. Mousavi stated that waiting a month would not be
a problem and he and Ms. Calabro are just letting Council know what they want.
Councilperson Glover asked Mr. Mousavi if Council did agree to this position and possibly a new Safety
Manager, could he quantify how much money could be saved for training that he and his department
could handle versus what we now pay someone from outside the City. Mr. Mousavi stated that we don't
pay that much for outside training due to the fact that it's not a coordinated effort when it comes to
expenditures on training, including safety training. Each department is spending their own money. Mr.
Mousavi explained that a lot of companies that have 400 employees do their training on-line.
President Julius stated that two things have been presented today: 1) a new job description for Amir and
2) creation of a new department. The concern, as Councilperson Samuel stated, is waiting until the
circuit breaker information comes back. Councilperson Glover stated that he agreed with the concept of
this and liked the idea of having someone coordinate everything as the City grows - especially the risk
management side.
President Julius thanked Mr. Mousavi and Ms. Calabro for attending tonight's workshop. Ms. Calabro
encouraged the Council to email or call with any questions they may have.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to ADJOURN at 6:58pm with Councilperson Samuel seconding,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
ATTESTED BY:
Vicki Conlin, City Clerk
Dennis Julius,
sident