HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1974-09-19 Discussion ItemCity Manager's comments - Selected portion of transcript
during an analysis of the effect of a department 5%,
reduction in the 1974-75 budget proposal.
Mr. Andrews: The next one would be the City Manager and this
would be what 1 would suggest there and that is the phasing
in of the two Deputy City Manager's that were funded when we
presented this on a full year cycle and they would be reduced
to a period less than 6 months.
Mayor Ferre: How much would that be?
Mr. Andrews: $22,000.
Mayor Ferre: No Sir-
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Mr. Andrews: Well, $11,000. You see I am going by the
figures based on the -
Mayor Ferre: Yes but we don't need to cut -
Mr. Andrews: $11,000= = = The budget office, delay the
hiring of one vacancy to accumulate $3,400.00.
Employee Services, I don't know what you would do there.
There is no way of getting around $91,000 which would now
be $45,000. You must realize that $1,400,000 of that is in
Medical -Hospital -Attorney and Court Costs, Temporary Dis-
ability, 2/3rds Disability, Permanent total disability.
Permanent and partial disability.
Mayor Ferre: What you are saying is we can't do anything
there.
Mr. Andrews: You can't do anything there.
Special Community Programs - $6,000 so it would be about
$3,000 you are looking for.
There you would have to do something about reducing the
park concerts, something with the Beautification Committee,
The F}ower Show, Arbor Day, Poinciana Festival, Community
Schools program.
Mrs. Gordon: I would like to ask you a question.
You know, we put something on the ballot with regard to
the Deputy Managers, are they already on board?
Mr. Andrews:
Mrs. Gordon:
Mr, Andrews:
Mrs. Gordon:
No, they are not.
Are there funds in here for them?
Yes Ma'am, there are.
How much is it?
Mr.Andrews: There is roughly $32,000 per position but
Mrs. Gordon, I have kept those positions vacant plus several
others, 6 in all, since the Commission is deliberating over
this area and we are waiting for the results of the -
Mrs. Gordon: What if it doesn't pass and is rejected?
How much money will be, you know, loosened up?
Mr. Andrews: I don't know that you are going to lose any
because if the public rejects this, I am going to come to
the Commission with another plan I have formulated that
will do the same thing but in a different way.
Mrs. Gordon: Well what did we put it on the ballot for?
Mr. Andrews: To this date, right at this moment, I don't
know. I tried to explain that to the Commission when we
did all this but we are there and if this doesn't work, I
have another entirely different plan that will work that
is done within the charter but it gives people different
titles. The titles may have to be explained but we can
still achieve it within the scope.
Mayor Ferre: All right, City Physician -
Mrs. Gordon: But you didn't answer me, how much money was
involved in that? Altogether?
Mayor Ferre: Over $100,000.
Mr. Andrews: Pardon me?
Mayor Ferre: I was answering for you.
Over $100,000.
Mr. Andrews: I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question.
Mrs.Gordon: How much money is there in the budget, your
assuming the Commission is going to go along on your
alternate plan, okay?
Supposing we didn't? Then how much money would be loosened
up? I am asking you a simple question.
Mayor Ferre: 6 positions.
Mrs. Gordon: How much money does that amount to?
Mr. Andrews: That would amount to far more than what you are
looking for. 6 positions, if you consider the 2 Deputy City
Managers and a Special Assistant that is vacant rightnow and
others, we would be talking about $100,000.
Mrs. Gordon: We are talking about $100,000 that is in here
now"and you don't know whether or not you are going to need
or have.
Mr. Andrews: Oh we need it.
Mr. Plummer: Well of course Paul, you are not being fair
either because even the issue of the Deputy City Manager's
is up for an election.
Mrs. Gordon: That's right.
Mr. Andrews: Theta only one method to achieve a purpose.
There are other ways of achieving that same purpose.
Mr. Plummer; There sure are.
Mrs. Gordon; I am surprised at your answer, I will tell you
that.
Mr. Andrews; This is your City and we in the administration
are just trying to do the very best we can to expend the
dollars the most wisely and you have got to give us the tools
to do that and if you don't, we are just going to plod along
as we have for year after year and not have uncovered in a
very scientific way, in a very good way, some of the things
we hoped we could save the City.
Mrs. Gordon: That is a very debatable scientific report and
we are not going to debate it now but -
Mayor Ferret Lets keep on going.
Mr. Andrews: A11 right, Police - $810,000.
Department
City Clerk
Civil Service
Item
Electric File System
Reduce Advertising $3,000; reduce
publications and memberships $1,500;
delay filling polygraph $4, 500
Amount
$ 5,900
9,000
City Manager
Administration Delete one Special Assistant to City
Manager $20,700;
Budget Delete one Management Analyst $14, 000 34, 700
Police Delete 7 new positions 70, 000
Sanitation Reduce Street Sweeping Program
$60, 000; reduction in white wings
$51, 000
Public Works
Parks and Recreation
Building
Reduce Asphalt Account
Delete 6 positions
Delete one Building & Zoning Supervisor
$23,940; substitute two positions
111,000
50, 000
87,200
32, 300
Finance Delete one Typist Clerk and one Key-
punch Operator 14, 000
Public Properties Reduction in Motor Pool Fleet $25,000;
garage equipment reduction $66,700 91,700
Publicity Reduce contributions to Community Pro- 29, 000
grams
TOTAL $534,800
Revenue
Increase Utility Service Tax
Service Charges
Investment Earning s
$150, 000
48, 000
50,000
TOTAL $248, 000
GRAND TOTAL
$1, 553, 900
September 23, 1974
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t is important for the
developed over the last
Zity Manager I entered
s with 5 groups of organ-
s were placed on the bar-
ant issues and labor is-
ins were commenced indi-
ibsequently, on June 5,
:ion from the City Com-
Ln recommendations were
iovations and improve-
'quent to receiving those
to into executive session
!iples, the City Attorney's
t order to determine
►ositions that could be
impass was reached on
►n. It was necessary
.age in extensive analysis
make certain that we were
nds based on those pen-
ension Committee. As
pension problems we
d that is that Police
gotiating committee
the Pension System.
nd fire formed a bargain-
s, had people in the
ently, we began our
subsequently to that
argaining negotiations
sn reached and with the
last Friday. Those
indicated are now sub -
leaders must now go
:eive a favorable vote
iistration will be in a
ssion on the 27th of
position to be ratif-
ied. It is important to note that there were three significant
benchmarks flowing from these total negotiations insofar as
the history of the labor union is concerned in the City of Miami.
The first one is that we have entered into two year contracts
with a reopener in the seconde year of the contract for cost of
living increases only. Now what that means is that past pract-
ice will be set aside by way of no more annual fringes and
terms and conditions of employment will come up in that second
year of the contract. We will only be negotiating a cost of
living escalator depending on what the national economy looks
like. All other fringes and terms of conditions will be laid
to rest. The seconde important benchmark is that for the first
time in the City's history very delicate and sensitive pension
matters went on the bargaining table. I don't know too many
other cities in the State of Florida where that has occured.
The third important benchmark that I consider very important
is that under the leadership of Paul Andrews this is the second
time in the City's history that all major labor groups have
come to terms with management. I think it is also worthy to
note that the leadership of the various labor unions we've been
dealing with have conducted themselves in a very professional
and very responsible role because they had a difficult task
to represent their constituency in an inflationary economy
and at the same time recognize management's demand to deliver
the best services to the public at the lowest unit of cost.
I for one am very very proud to announce these settlements
i
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Mr. Joel Lankent Mt. Mayor, I think it is important for the
City Comsission to understand what has developed over the last
7 months. Under the direction of the City Manager I entered
into collective bargaining negotiations with 5 groups of organ-
ised labor on March 1. Over 200 issues were placed on the bar-
gaining table. Now those were management issues and labor is-
sues. Subsequent to March 1 negotiations were commenced indi-
vidually with each of the 5 groups. Subsequently, on June 5,
1 believe, my office received notification from the City Com-
mission's Pension Committee that certain recommendations were
going to be promulgated insofar as rennovations and improve-
ments within the Pension S,-stem. Subsequent to receiving those
guidelines it was necessary for me to go into executive session
for approximately 30 days with my principles, the City Attorney's
Office and various actuarial experts in order to determine
whether or not there were any back up positions that could be
utilized in the event that deadlock or impass was reached on
any of those recommendations for pension. It was necessary
also for the City Law Department to engage in extensive analysis
concerning case law and other areas to make certain that we were
on sound legal ground when we made demands based on those pen-
sion recommendations flowing from the Pension Committee. As
a procedure insofar as working out the pension problems we
entered into consolidated bargaining and that is that Police
and Fire labor leadership became one negotiating committee
insofar as those persons were a part of the Pension System.
The three civilian groups, non police and fire formed a bargain-
ing team since they were representatives, had people in the
pension plan, another segment. Subsequently, we began our
pension negotiations on August 19th and subsequently to that
after almost 1000 hours of collective bargaining negotiations
from March 1st, settlements have now been reached and with the
last one was reached on September 13th, last Friday. Those
settlements now as the City Manager has indicated are now sub-
ject to total ratification. The labor leaders must now go
back to their general membership and receive a favorable vote
to ratify the contracts. The City administration will be in a
position to recommend to the City Commission on the 27th of
this month that those contracts are in a position to be ratif-
ied. It is important to note that there were three significant
benchmarks flowing from these total negotiations insofar as
the history of the labor union is concerned in the City of Miami.
The first one is that we have entered into two year contracts
with a reopener in the seconde year of the contract for cost of
living increases only. Now what tint means is that past pract-
ice will be set aside by way of no more annual fringes and
terms and conditions of employment will come up in that second
year of the contract. We will only be negotiating a cost of
living escalator depending on what the national economy looks
like. All other fringes and terms of conditions will be laid
to rest. The seconde important benchmark is that for the first
time in the City's history very delicate and sensitive pension
matters went on the bargaining table. I don't know too many
other cities in the State of Florida where that has occured.
The third important benchmark that I consider very important
is that under the leadership of Paul Andrews this is the second
time in the City's history that all major labor groups have
come to terms with management. I think it is also worthy to
note that the leadership of the various labor unions we've been
dealing with have conducted themselves in a very professional
and very responsible role because they had a difficult task
to represent their constituency in an inflationary economy
and at the same time recognize management's demand to deliver
the best services to the public at the lowest unit of cost.
I for one am very very proud to announce these settlements
now► subject to ratification and I'M sure that each of the
various labor leaders would also like to take the podium for
the record to indicate that settlements have now been reached
subject to ratification.
Mr. Andrews: Do you want to call upon each of these? The
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees,
Mr. Hagan,
Mr. Walter Hagan, President of Local 654 AFSCME: We are, our
bargaining unit has tentatively agreed to a settlement with
the City.
Mr. Andrews: Fraternal Order of Police.
Sergeant Charles Salemo, President of Miami Lodge of Fraternal
Order of Police: We have our contract, we hope to have it
ratified within the next week or so. We are, personally, I'm
satisfied with it. I think we have come to a reasonable agree-
ment and I would like to commend both Mr. Andrews and Mr. Lanken
as well as Mr. Alvarez, the City Attorney's office for their
patience and deligence of putting up with us..
Mr. Andrews: General Employees Association.
W. Frank Williams, G. E. A.: It has been hard, I'm tired
but we have two problems; you have to ratify it and I have
to sell it to my people and I'm very optimistic about it.
Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: I didn't hear what he said.
Mr. Andrews: He said that you have to ratify it and he has
to sell it to his people. International Association of Fire
Fighters.
Mr. Charles Hall, Vice -President of International Association
of Fire Fighters: I acted as the chief negotiator in the
fire fighters bargaining sessions and I'm happy to report that
we have reached an agreement and I think it is a reasonable
agreement and nobody got everything they wanted on either side
of the table and I guess that's the way you measure the reason-
ableness of the negotiating process. I think it is unique -
for the first time in Florida we've been able to put the pension
issues on the table and I think it's important to,note that
the employees took what I consider a very responsible posit-
ion in tightening up some of the problems that we've had with
the pension and I'm sure whenever these pension ordinances
come back to you you'll recognize what I'm talking about. I
think it was a very fruitful negotiation for both parties in
terms of the educational process and I'm sure everyone on the
Commission notes the difference from past sessions that we've
had before this City Commission and the harangue that went on
in the bargaining process and I think this is much different
and a much more professional approach and one that we should
all look forward to in the future.
Mr. Andrews: Sanitation Employees Association.
Mr. William Smith, Vice -President of Sanitation Employees
Association: We have reached tentative agreements subject
to our membership ratifying the contract. Thank you.
Mayor Ferre: Well, I want to.. Certainly, I'm almost stunned.
William, Charlie, Chuck, Bill, Frank and Walter, congratulations
to you and to us, the manager and certainly to Mr. Lanken and
Mr. Alvarez, all of the people that have been involved. In
this day and age when strikes are so incredible; I spent a
few days in Italy this summer and it's just unbelievable that
when they finish one strike they get into another one and if
it isn't the fire fighters it's the doctors and the hospital
attendants and the taxicabs, it is just unbelievable what hap-
pens and I know that governments don't usually strike but in
this day and age with so many things happening it is just to
me amazing that we were able to come to an agreement and I'm
happy that... Normally this process would take four or five
hours, even in the best years I remember back when we spent a
couple of hours on these things. Walter would get up here and
give us a little lecture and it took five minutes. It's
amazing! Now, for the public and us to reiterate how much
the negotiated increases amount to including the pension. I
think it is important to reiterate that figure so we under-
stand what we're talking about. Not until they ratify it, you
want to wait.
Mr. Andrews: Yes. I think it is smarter. I think it gives
in fairness to the employee organizations, they should have
the opportunity of going back to their organizations, describe
this without having all the employees read about it in the
newspapers and then debate it and so forth before they'd have
an opportunity...
Mayor Ferre: That's certainly true. I take it all back but
somewhere along the line I think we ought to make a public
statement to that fact.
Mr. Andrews: Yes, sir.
Mr. Plummer: Mr. Mayor, I think the thing that we really
want to look at is one thing and for the record Paul, I think
you should state that the negotiated terms, whatever they are
which they've all concurred that they are in accord with; it's
just a matter of ratification, does come under what you have
proposed in the budget.
Mr. Andrews: Yes, Sir. I think you're right, I think it should
be stated that all u' the negotiations and the consideration in
those negotiations have been contemplated in this budget and
are covered.
Mr. Plummer: Right, and I think that is important.
Rev. Gibson: You know, one of the things that has, that did
disturb me sitting on this commission say last year at budget
time was to see that the people that worked for us, the City
were our enemies. I made that statement then and I want to
call it to all of our attention now. I said that I thought
it was a disgrace that we were not even acting as civilized
people. We were mad with them, they were mad with us, they
were opposing us and we were opposing them. I said I hoped we
could do differently and I'm so happy, I know you can't always
have peace and everybody's loving but certainly we didn't have
to be like we were. Thank God for a change and even if you
don't get all that you ask for, I'm happy that we are at least
approximating some getting along. Let me end with this observ-
ation. You know the people who come in here daily to see you
who are the administrators to find out about their city can
pick up an awful lot, the smile you have on your face and
antagonistic attitude that you present when we're not here,
sends the people away°turned off. I renember seeing a woman,
I don't come down here very often you know but on Commission
days, but I was here, I think it was yesterday or day before
yesterday and there was a woman with a baby in a stroller and
she was trying to get up the stairway. Mr. Andrews, you tell
all the people in this building I told this at the Commission
level; and that woman was the most angry somebody you want to
see. And incidently, I say this for another reason, she was
not black, she was not Latin, she was white Anglo Saxon. I
went there, she was trying to pull that stroller up and I said
"Madame, may I help you?" and I took the front of the stroller
and she had the back and we went on up and landed. She didn't
know who I was, I never said a word to her but evidently she
had been crossed by the people in this building, crossed -
by that, I mean she didn't get a very warm welcome. I want
to use it in that sense. So I make mention that when we are
not here who the people must pour their vehement on, and
rightly so, you are and how you treat this public will say an
awful lot about how they look at us and think about us. I'm
glad that we are now, we are ourselves are setting the example
of trying to get along and hopefully that you will try to get
along with the public, the average John Doe that comes in
that door.
Mr. Andrews: Mr. Mayor and members of the commission, I
switched the agenda schedule because I wanted to have the
commission have the affect of the employee negotiations
that went on coupled with my proposal that the millage be
established at the 11.15 which represents a tax decrease prior
to your considering an evaluation of the proposed 5% reduct-
ion of each department's budget. I'm prepared to go into that
and I'm prepared along with the department directors to respond
to all your questions but I'm hopeful that you won't take the
actions that would cause that to occur and that the City admin-
istration