HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/13/1975
MI~UTES
February 13, 1975
The two hundred and seventy-fifth regular meeting of the Wheat
Ridge was called to order by Mayor pro tem Joseph Donaldson at
7 30 p.m. at 4355 Field Street.
Aldermen present were
Howard, Calvin Hulsey,
Roesener was absent.
Joseph Donaldson, Mary Jo Cavarra, Robert
Larry Merkl and Louise Turner. Mayor Homer
Also attending were City Administrator John Jerman, City Attorney
Maurice Fox, City Clerk Elise Brougham, staff and interested citizens.
Motion by Alderman Turner "I move that the Minutes of February 6 1975
be tabled one week for consideration." Motion was seconded by
Alderman Merkl and passed 6-0.
Public Comment was made by
Jim McElroy, employee of the Public Works Dept. stated that
some of the City Council members and the City Administrator Bnd the
Mayor and Personnel Officer have been vindictive to many of the employees
of the City. He stated the employees have striven to negotiate through
a Committee that was designed to hear grievances uf the employees snd
they had asked for recognition and the betterment of all employees.
All they got was "a lot of empty talk." They refused to recognize
the Committee as an organization. They had tried to settle the problems
internally, but the employees were forced to turn to a Union which
the City refuses to recognize until they are forced to by law. He
stated that all that is accomplished by this action is "a feeling of
strife between employee and administrators of this City."
Steve Garcia stated he was the national representative of the American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and that a letter
had been sent January 28, 1975 to the City asking for recognition.
He stated that Denver and Ft. Collins recognize the union to some degree,
and that it is recognized in Lakewood, Aurora, Trinidad, Leadville
and Canyon City. He referred to a resolution that the Council had
passed in support of collective bargaining, and stated that due to
this action that the City should allow all the employees a free choice
of representation by means of a secret ballot election. He stated
they were interested in all clerical, white and blue collar workers
and not the police. He stated 44 employees had signed cards to join.
Alderman Turner asked if the Public Works Association was still meeting
and Mr. McElroy said "Yes" and he asked if the Council had received
all of the Minutes of their meetings. Alderman Turner stated she
had received some. Mr. Jerman stated he thought that Council had
received all of the Minutes.
Phyllis Kramer, employee of the City (Mayor and City Administrator's
secretary) stated she felt a great responsibility to her job and
that she could represent herself and does not need a union. She
stated she had never been contacted to join the union and that some
aTIbiguous statements had been made as to the benefits the union would
give the employees.
Mr. Z.D. Fitts, contractor stated he was objecting to some of the
requirements in the 3uilding Code. He said he applied to the Board
of Adjustment for a variance to the requirement of a bigger door
(for wheelchairs) and a combustion detector and was granted a variance
only far the door. He objected to the added cast. He also objected
to the use tax that he must pay when he gets a building permit.
Mayor pro tem Donaldson stated the matter would be looked into, to
see if something could be resolved.
MINUTES - Februarv 13, 1975 - Continued
-2-
Mr. Garcia who had been granted additional time to 5peak 5tated the
employees would like an answer in writing by next Thur5day (2/20/75)
to let them haV8 an elBction to chose a representative and to recognize
their representative to some degree. He stated this was a very serious
problem.
The City Clerk read a statement from Mayor Roesener stating that no
union or other employee organization will be formally recognized as
an exclusive bargaining agent. It also stated that the City "stands
ready to meet and confer at all times with any employee or any represen-
tative designated by employees with respect to matters of employee interest."
The statement is attached to the Minutes.
Mr. Stanley Hubbell, employee of the Parks Department stated he felt
the City didn't need a union if the City would recognize employee
problems such as not receiving a cost~ living increase which created
low morale. He recommended that committees be established consisting
of persons from each department, division etc. which would provide
better communication.
Appointment of two members to the Mass Transit Committee to fill vacancies
was scheduled. No appointments were made.
Resolution No. 371 expressing opposition to the conversion of Kipling
Street as a limited access freeway was introduced by Alderman Turner
and was read.
Motion by Alderman Merkl "I move for the adoption of Resolution No.
371." Motion was seconded by Alderman Hulsey.
Motion to Amend by Alderman Cavarra "I move that the City of Wheat
Ridge request that the feasitility of a highway connection of approximately
Y2 mile between 6th Avenue and 1-70 in the vicinity of W. Indiana be
studied as an alternative." Motion was seconded by Alderman Turner.
Alderman Howard stated he felt the amendment was out of order and had
nothing to do with the Resolution. Alderman Turner stated that the
DRCOG representative can recommend any changes and/or amendments, and
it is appropriate. Mavor pro tem Donaldson ruled THE MOTION TO AMEND
OUT OF ORDER.
Alderman Howard mentioned that he hoped the resolution would not be
misconstrued that the City was in favor of the present configuration
o f Kipling north of 1-70.
Alderman Cavarra recommended that an amendment deleting the entire
section and length of W. 38 Avenue be included since there was con-
siderable comment at the time of the amendment that the whole length
of W. 38 Avenue was n~ included to be deleted as a principal arterial.
Alderman Hulsey felt one thing at a time should be handled, and
Alderman Merkl objected to ~atering dow~ the resolution.
Question was called and Motion to adopt the Resolution as read
passed 6-0.
Resolution No. 372 approving the preparation of a retirement plan
for all eligible employees was introduced by Alderman Merkl and was
read.
Motion by Alderman Merkl "I move that Resolution No. 372 be adopted."
Motion--was seconded by Alderman Turner and passed 6-0.
Resolution No. 373 authorizing funding of a solid waste study of
DRCOG and naming a representative from the City was introduced by
Alderman furner and was read.
MINUTES - February 13, 1975 - Continued
-3-
Motion by Alderman Merkl "I move that Resolution No. 373 be adopted."
Motion was seconded by Alderman Turner.
Motion to Amend by Alderman Turner "I move that the Resolution be
amended to add the following (at the end of the 6th paragraph)
'to be charged from Account 441.32.'" Motion was seconded by Alderman
Cavarra and passed 6-0. Question was called on Amen~dMotion and passed 6-0.
Approval of a lease for parking for the police dept. etc. from
Denver School of Ghmnastics for Girls was deferred one week.
Award of bids for the purchase of concrete steel forms was scheduled.
Four companies were invited to bid and only one returned the bid, i.e.
King & East Machine Corp. for a price of $4053.37.
Motion by Alderman Howard "I move that we don't award the bid for
Public Works Project PW-1-7S and instruct the purchasing department to ob-
tain additional bids." Motion was seconded by Alderman Turner and
tied 3-3. Mr. Jerman suggested that this could be brought back
next week with additional information.
Award of bid for purchase of office supplies covering a 6 month period
was scheduled. Two bids were sought, and Edgewater Typewriter was
the low bidder at a price of $3287.50. Some Aldermen stated they
felt there was more control etc. and advantage to having a central
store place rather having each department store their own supplies.
Motion by Alderman Cavarra "I move that we authorize the purchase
of office supplies from Edgewater Typewriter in the amount of $3,287.20
to be charged to the fallowing accounts 420.20, 421.20, 423.20, 422.20,
418.20, 419.20, 411.20, 415.20, 417.20, 460.20 and 440.20." Motion
was seconded by Alderman Merkl and passed 4-2. Aldermen Turner and
Howard voted "nay."
Ordinance No. 168 approving and establiShing a retirement plan for
eligible city employees was scheduled for second reading. Alderman
Merkl introduced the Ordinance and requested that the title be read.
The Clerk read the title.
Motion by Alderman Merkl "I move that Ordinance No. 168 be adopted
on second reading." Motion was seconded by Alderman Turner and MOTION
WAS DEFEATED BY A VOTE OF 5-1.
Ordinance No. 170 amending Ordinances No. 165 and 157 and 138 to establish
a new position classification stockkaper, to change the title of
several classifications, decrease the salary ranges for automotive
and equipment mencanic I and II, to delete the classes of administrative
officer, city attorney, public works maintenance superintendent and
accompanying salary ranges, was introduced by Alderman Merkl and was read.
Alderman Howard questioned if the Personnel Committee had
the ordinance and Mr. Jerman stated they had approved it.
Fox recommended that the emergency clause be rewritten.
reviewed
City Atiorney
Mr. Jerman explained that a grievance had been filed by the mechanics
because their title of light and heavy equipment operators did not
fit their job. The title of mechanics was at a higher step in the
ordinance, so the mechanic titles had to be placed at the lower grade
to correspond with their current pay. Alderman Turner stated she had
brought this up at the time the ordinnce was being adopted and was
told it shouldn't be done.
Motion by Alderman Howard "I move that Ordinance No. 170 be referred
back to this City Council at the March 6, 1975 Study Session." Motion
was seconded by Alderman Turner and passed 6-0. Alderman Hulsey requested
that the Personnel Committee's recommendation be in writing on the
Oninance.
MINUTES - February 13, 1975 - Continued
-4-
Resolution No. 374 pertaining to the zoning on the property of
Annexation No.5 (Duaine Richter's property) was introduced by
Alderman Merkl and was read.
Motion by Alderman Howard "I move that Resolution No. 374 be adopted."
Motion was seconded by Alderman Hulsey and passed 6-0.
Ordinance No. 171 rezoning the property in Annexation No. 5 to Planned
Commercial Development was introduced by Alderman Hulsey and was read.
Motion by Alderman Merkl "I move that Ordinance No. 171 be adopted
on first reading and be published and posted." Motion was seconded
by Alderman Turner and passed 6-0.
Motion by Alderman Merkl "I move that the City Administrator be
allowed to take his vacation on March 18 through Mall!1 28, 1975."
Motion was seconded by Alderman Hulsey and passed 6-0.
Mr. Jerman explained a crime statistic report from the Police Dept. had been di~
indicating a decrease in the total crime index down 8.8%. The burglary tributed
prevention grant of LEAA reduced residential burglary by at least 5%.
Motion by Alderman Turner "I move that Chief Pinson be allowed to
attend a conference (sponsored by the Division of Criminal Justice)
in Salt Lake City on April 7 through 9th, 1975." Motion was seconded
by Alderman Merkl and passed 5-1. Alderman Howard voted "nay."
Mr. Jerman brought up a request from Director of Parks Mr. Horton
for improvements to the Anderson Buildinq and qrounds as follows
1. Hook up a sink in the multi-purpose rOom so that groups
can make coffee etc. more easily.
2. Install a concrete pad and bicycle rack outside the building.
3. Install a split rail fence in front of the building.
Several Aldermen requested cost estimates of these projects.
Alderman Merkl requested an updated list of the the Citizen Committees.
Motion by Alderman Cavarra "I move that the Mayor authorize approval
of payment for expenditures of meals (when meeting all day) far the
Civil Service Commission and Civil Service Review Board and that food,
lodging and transportation for guest members be paid, if needed."
Motion was seconded by Alderman Hulsey and passed 6-0.
Alderman Merkl requested that at the March 6th Study Session that
a discussion of taking the cars home for the detectives be scheduled.
City Attorney Fox stated some eldery people had approached him to
have their property held in a wildlife type of use only ,to be sa
designated in their will. Mr. Fax was directed to pursue this offer.
Alderman Howard requested that Mr. James O'Brien receive a certificate
of appreciation for his service on the Police Advisory Board.
A letter from Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission rejecting
the project of Wheat Ridge in its current form was acknowledged.
A letter from Wheat Ridge Water District stating the Board had no
objection to the Lakewood Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners
serving Wheat Ridge residents who were customers of Consolidated was
acknowledged.
Meeting was adjourned at 10 00 p.m.
l --, . ) )
~b/ K ,'---0-X;' Jhi~La'I'&V
li~e Brougfiam, ~ity '. erk
I
APPROVED
,..- . 1
'~~7\) ~~!
I
,
} I
'", I'
" , !
, ,----
I
Minutes - February 13, 1975 - Continued - Page 5.
STATEMENT OF MAYOR HOMER L. ROESENER
CONCERNING RECOGNITION OF UNIONS OR EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS
WITHIN CITY GOVERNMENT
Due to my unavoidable absence at the City Council meeting February 13, 1975,
I wish to have the following statement read and made a matter of public
record
It is the policy and intention of the City of Wheat Ridge that no union or
other employee organization will be formally recognized as an exclusive
bargaining agent for City employees or any portion thereof. This position
is taken after thorough discussion by the City Council of this matter and
is in full accord with existing state and federal law as they pertain to
local government jurisdictions.
The reason the City is taking this position is that the City believes that
all employees should have a free choice with respect to their representation.
I wish to emphasize, however, that the City stands ready to meet and confer
at all times with any employee or any representative designated by employees
with respect to matters of employee interest. It is my belief that such
free and open interchange of information and discussion will create the most
healthful environment for the resolution of employee problems.
This position of the City will be maintained until and unless otherwise
required by state law.
As Mayor, and on behalf of the City administration, I wish to state that I am
willing at any time to meet with any representative but under no circumstances
will I recognize them as an exclusive representative nor enter into any
agreement unless required by statute to do so.
February 13, 1975