HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/27/1975
MINUTES
October 27, 1975
A special City Council Meeting was called to order at 7 10
by Mayor Homer Roesener at 4355 Field Street. The Regular
had been previously cancelled by Council due to a holiday.
p.m.
Meeting
Councilmen aM~rR~ing were
Hulsey, Larry and Louise
shortly after the meeting
Mary Jo Cavarra, Joseph Donaldson, Calin
Turner. Councilman Robert Howard arrived
convened.
Also in attendance were City Administrator John Jerman, City
Clerk Elise Bnwgham and staff and interested citizens. City Attorney
Maurice Fox arrived l~ter.
Motion by Councilman Merkl "I move that Agenda Item #3 be changed
to Item #1, and have Items #1 and #2 follow." Motion was secor,ded
by Councilman Donaldson and passed 5-0. Councilman Howard was absent.
Mr. Jerman explained there was an alternate capital improvements
budget if the sales tax failed for a total expenditure of $244,973.
He srated the original capital improvement budget would be used
if the sales tax passed. He stated in the operating budget there
would be $150,000 unallocated reserve, the 5% raise for the employees
is included and the there is funding for the lri-district animal
shelter. He stated it is a credit to the city that it can hold
the line on its operating budget. He stated there wem no new positions
other than the 2 in the police budget that will be carried from this
year.
Councilman Hulsev questioned the alternate capital budget being
based on 2.7 mill levy increase. It was stated this was discussed
at a previous budget meeting that he had not attended.
In answer to a question, Mr. Jerman stated the final draft of the
budget dated 10/27/75 was $12,000 less than the preliminary
budget, and the unallocated reserve has been increased.
Motion by Councilman Cavarra "I move that the funds allocated for
\outh Services fee personnel be deleted at this time, and placed
in the Unallocated Surplus, and that the staff prepare a grant application
requesting funds to implement this program and that appropriate job
qualifications and descriptions be prepared." Motion was seconded
by Councilman Turner.
Discussion followed. Judqe Zarlengo stated this was a compensation
token and that the 2 volunteer probationers had worked 6 years at their
own expense. He stated they serve in the capacity of coordinators.
He stated it has been explained that the state and county agencies
are in the process of decentralizing. He stated the program is
worthwhile and was under the impression it had been approved.
Nancv_Snow of 11155 W. 40 Avenue stated she was not against juvenile
services but that she thought it was unethical to have no job
specifications, no hours and that every position in the city should
be open to the public. She stated this is a duplication of county
services. She stated if any kind of counseling is done on a fee
basis, the state law provides that it is a private practice and that
person must be a licensed psychologist with a PhD. She stated it
is very important that the counselor knows how far to go legally
and that there needs to be supervision.
Rav Pepe of 3390 Teller stated that Judge Zarlengo was a department;
head and he didn't think he would "steer the Council wrongN with
recommending this new department.
Councilman Turner stated this is not a criticism of individuals or
the program, but that other departments have been asked to limit
new di visi ons and tha t this "i s not the ye ar" to be creati ng one here.
Judqe Zarlenqo stated his ladies do not do.counseling, that th~have '_.
had training in Golden as volunteer probatloners. He stated they cDordln-te
the activites of the state agelicies, and that he will prepare job specs.
MINUTES - 10/27/75 - Continued
-2-
Councilman Cavarra stated her motion is not to scrap the program,
but she had contacted other cities who had received funding assistance
for similar programs, and that proper specifications are needed for
any kind of a job.
City Attornev Fox recommended that Councilman Howard
to the fact that his wife is oneOthe people who will
this program, if approved.
abstain due
be paid in
Question was called on Councilman Cavarra's Motion and was DEFEATED 3-2.
Councilmen Donaldson, Hulsey and Merkl voted "nay." Councilmen Turner
and Cavarra voted "aye." Councilman Howard abstained.
Motion by Councilman Merkl "I move that on Page 55. in the Budget, that
3 Public Works Maintenancemen at pay grade 19 be deleted at the request
of the Public Works Director, and that the savings from these 3 jobs
be inserted on Page 57., accou~t .56 fee personnel which would be
increased by $27,287." Motion was seconded by Councilman Hulsey.
Councilman Merkl sta ed the Labor Pool can be contacted for these jobs, and this
would involve the layoff of 3 employees. Councilman T_urner stated
this was not in the ini tial preliminary budget and the persom181 cuts were
Oily in the request to departments to cut 10%.
Question was called on the Motion and passed 4-2. Councilmen Tur~er
and Cavarra voted "nay."
Motion by Councilman Turner "I move that $35,000 be removed from
Account 441.32 professional and consulting fees in Public Works Engineering
and be transferred to Account 450.43 major repair and maintenance
contracts for street improvements, and that $14,724 of this money
be transferred into Account 441. Civil Engineer II." Motion was
seconded by Councilman Cavarra.
Councilman Turner stated this was requested in the preliminary budget.
Mr. Jerman stated there had been a change, and the Director of Public
Works wanted a Chief Engineer instead of a Civil Engineer II.
Question was called and Motion WAS DEFEATED 4-2. Councilmen Hulsey,
Merkl, Donaldson and Howard voted "nay."
Councilman Cavarra stated she felt it was cheaper to do some engineering
in-house and requested a cost analysis of the ~eration of the city for
this year (1975). Mr~Jer~ stated he felt it was cheaper to
go to a consultant, and that just because the money is budgeted
it doesn't mean it will all be spent.
Motion by Councilman Howard "I move that due to the removal of 3
Public Works Maintenancemen, that the savings from the cost of living
adjustment in the amount of $1,364 and on page 56. Account 450.11
Personnel overhead savings in the amount of $6,500 be added into
Account 450.56 fee personnel." Motion was seconded by Councilman
Merkl and passed 4-2. Councilme~ Turner and Cavarra voted "nay."
Motion by Councilman Turner "I move that the .16 accounts conference
and meeting expense in the following divisions be changed as follows
Mayor - $700, Council $418 (each), Clerk - $418, Treasurer - $418, and
that no department head's allocation exceed $750, and that these accounts
be adjusted to reflect the chang~ and the money be placed in Account
450.43 paving contracts." THERE WAS NO SECOND AND MOTION DIED.
Motion by Councilman Howard
eliminated in the budget in
SECOND AND MOTION DIED.
"I move that the Burglary Unit be
the sum of $173,007." THERl WAS NO
Motion by Councilman Merkl "I move that the City Council will consider
adoption of the 1976 Budget for the City of Wheat Ridge on November 5, 1975
at 7 3D p.m and establish the mill levy." Motion was seconded by
Councilman Donaldson and passed 6-0.
City Attornev ~ox stated 6 people may vote on the adoption of the budget
whlch are the members of the City Council.
MINUTES - 10/27/75 - Continued
-3-
Agenda Item 2. Decision concerning effective date of 5% employee
pay increase was scheduled next for discussion.
Motion by Councilman Merkl 'II move that we make the effective
date of the employee increasei/1/76." Motion was seconded by
Councilman Hulsey and TIED 3-3. Councilmen Turner, Cavarra and
Howard voted "nay." City Attornev Fox recommended that the Mayor
n~ vote if this pay increase would be in the form of an ordinance
at a future time. MOTIO~: DIED.
Motion by Councilman Merkl
increase effective 4/1/76."
"I move that we make the 5% employee pay
Motion was seconded by Councilman Hulsey.
Councilman Cavarra asked
increase" to his Motion.
not
Mr. Merkl to include the words "or parity
Councilman Merkl agreed but the Second did
Motion by Councilman Merkl "I move that we make the 5% employee
pay increase or pari ty increase effective 4/1/76." Motion was
seconded by Councilman Cavarra.
Discussion followed. Mr. Jerman stated the last cost of living
increase was in July 1974 and that the employees received a parity
increase in July 1975. He stated the Police Protective Assoc.
and Employee Council have agreed to abide with the 5/0 increase.
Councilman Cavarra commented that the last parity increase gave the employees
a minimum raise of 5% and it is possible a true parity compared with
other jobs could decrease a salary also
In answer to a question, Mr. Jerman stated the employees have received
a floating holiday, 2 additional vacation days which is compar3ble
with the police department vacations. He stated the salary survey will
be presented at the Monday meeting.
Question was called on Councilman Merkl's Motion and passed 4-2.
Councilmen How8rd and Turner voted "nay."
i"lotion by Councilman Cavarra "I move that the City Administrator
and department heads be exempt from this Motion (pertaining to
giving 5% raise in 4/1/76) and that these positions will mreviewed
at a later time." Motion was seconded by Councilman Turner and
passed 4-2. Councilmen Donladson and Hulsey voted "nay."
A decisioncam:erning the proposal for the increased mill levy to
be earmarked for capital improvements was next on the Agenda.
Motion by Councilman Merkl "I move in the event that the sales tax
questbn is defeated that the Council look at a 2.7 mill levy increase
to be earmarked for capital improvements." Motion was seconded by
Councilman Cavarra.
Councilman Howard stated this should not be voted on now until the
results of the election are known.
COUNCILMAN MERKL WITHDREW HIS MOTION ON THE MILL LEVY.
Rav Pepe stated he felt it was wrong to delay the decision on !~he
mill levy until after the election and urged all 6 members of Council
to promote the sales tax.
It was noted by founcilman Merkl that the upcoming Monday night meeting
on November 3, 1975 was a combination Study Session and regular meeting.
Judqe Zarlenqo spoke on his budget regarding the overtime and part time
help that had been added. He stated he had no intention of a~ding
an additional person in the Clerk's Office and requested a Motlon. that
the part time help be stricken and the funds transferred to overtlme pay.
He mentioned the witness fees and jury duty was also cut and he may
need additional funding in the future depending on.h?w many people
are summoned etc. He mentioned tha~ the court actlvlty had seemed
to level off but that it was impossible to let his Court Clerk's have
rime off during the day because they are always busy.
_._--..~._--,._,
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I'll.', ,J\~S _ 1,0/'2-7/75 - Continued
Motion by Councilman Turner
Account 412 - par~ime help
overtime and premium pay."
and passed 4-2. Councilmen
-4-
"I moo that $2500 be taken from
and that money be placed into Account 412.12
i"lotion was seconded by Councilman Merkl
Cavarra and HulSEY voted "nay."
Meeting was adjourned at 9 15 p.m.
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Elise Brougham, City d1erk
)
APPROVED
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