Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Laugh a minute

Please read the next 2 postings from the city's website on meeting minutes.

At least we have 1 council member looking out for us and asking questions instead of rubber-stamping legislation!



By Unbelieveable

SPECIAL Finance Nov 20th

Nov 20th Finance Committee Meeting

D. Review and request for motion to approve draft ordinance authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Ohio Council 8, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Local No. 1822, for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010, and the declaration of an emergency and immediate necessity so that employees may receive the pay increases effective with the 2008 payroll year commencing December 17, 2007. Mr. Smith stated everyone had received the information on the contract via e-mail today. Mrs. Fersch stated she had provided a brief summary of the changes in the tentative agreement. She reviewed these items and stated she would answer any questions anyone might have on these issues. Mrs. Fersch stated the contract was ratified by the Union and it must be voted on by Council tonight. Mr. Fix stated then Finance must act on it this evening and Council must also act on it this evening. Mrs. Fersch stated that was correct, and she would request three readings this evening, but it would not require emergency. Mr. Sabatino clarified Mrs. Fersch felt this was a fair contract. Mr. Smith clarified the financial items in the contract were included in the proposed 2008 budget. Mr. Smith moved to approve and forward to Council; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was
taken with Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Fix, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Sabatino voting ?“Yea.?” Motion passed, 4-0.


By Unbelieveable

Council Meeting Nov 20th

G. ORDINANCE 2007-78, ?“AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH OHIO COUNCIL 8, AMERCIAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, LOCAL NO. 1822, FOR THE YEARS 2008, 2009, AND 2010. First Reading, Smith. Mr. Smith moved to adopt; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Mr. Smith stated this is the renewal of our contract with the AFSCME employees. Mr. Wisniewski inquired when the contract with the Police union ends, and Mrs. Fersch stated that runs until 2009. Mr. Wisniewski stated he was concerned with locking the City into a 3.5 percent raise for three years with the way the budget is looking right now. He stated that would set a precedent for the negotiations with the police union and he was not sure it was a wise thing to enter into right now. Ms Gilleland stated Mr. Wisniewski was correct as we are actually dealing with three sets of employees, the non-union, and the two unions. She stated somewhere along the line in dealing with budget issues we need to break the cycle. Mr. Wisniewski stated this contract would continue that cycle for at least another three years and he did not feel he could support this contract. Ms Gilleland stated there might be the opportunity of doing a Memorandum of Understanding for discussion on this. Mrs. Fersch stated a few years ago when non-union employees received a higher raise than contained in the AFSCME contract, a Memorandum of Understanding was done giving the union members the same amount. Mr. Sabatino inquired if we needed to negotiate the contract for three years or could we do a one-year contract, and Mrs. Fersch stated in order to do that we would need to go back and re-open the interest based bargaining. Mrs. Fersch clarified this needs to be in place for the pay period beginning December 17th. Mr. Smith questioned what the best action would be this evening, to vote this contract down, Table it, suspend it, or whatever. He stated he felt Council was uncomfortable with the 3.5 percent increase each year for three years. Mrs. Fersch stated if Council wishes to Table this ordinance, she could contact our labor advisor on his cell phone and ask what the best action would be. Mayor Shaver stated it would be his suggestion to Table this, allow Mrs. Fersch to contact our labor advisor, and if possible reconsider it before the end of the evening. Mr. Smith moved to Table; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fix, and Mrs. Riggs voting ?“Yea.?” Motion passed, 6-0. (TABLED)

...

Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:05 P.M., and reconvened in open session at 10:09 P.M.


Mayor Shaver stated he understood Mrs. Fersch had contacted our Labor Advisor and he recommended that Council reject Ordinance 2007-78 at this time so further negotiations can be opened.



ORDINANCE 2007-78, ?“AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH OHIO COUNCIL 8, AMERCIAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, LOCAL NO. 1822, FOR THE YEARS 2008, 2009, AND 2010.?” First Reading, Smith. (TABLED) Mr. Smith moved to remove from the Table; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fix, Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Wisniewski voting ?“Yea.?” Motion passed, 6-0. First Reading. Mr. Smith moved to adopt; Mr. Fix seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fix, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Sabatino voting ?“Nay.?” Motion failed, 0-6.



By Unbelieveable

It will all pass

Folks what's the problem? All of this will go away once the city enters into the JEDD with the Township. They will pave the streets, pay off the debt and we will still have enough money left over to build the rec. center. Let's not sweat the small stuff here.