Work Session
Perry Township Board of Trustees
Work Session
January 15, 2013 7:00pm
The Board previously reserved the right to take action at this meeting
Excused absence: None.
Additions/Deletions to Agenda: None.
Public Hearings/Invited Guests: None.
Communications: None.
Public Speaks on items up for Board Approval: None.
Township Business requiring Board Action: None.
Unfinished Business: None.
New Business:
Trustee Haines made a motion to approve bills and payroll in the amount of $432,236.99 for the week ending January 15, 2013; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Trustee Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Fiscal Officer:
Trustee Laubacher made a motion to accept the minutes of the January 8, 2013 Re-Organizational Meeting; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Trustee Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Administration: None.
Fire Department: None.
Police Department: None.
Road Department: None.
Law Director:
Consider Certification of 1.0 Mill Operating Levy
Mr. Hall stated that the Board has already authorized the County Auditor to certify the 1.0 mill operating levy for the general fund. Mr. Hall stated that when he further reviewed the levy with Mr. Oates and Mr. Thorn at the Auditor’s office they brought to his attention that the resolution did not include those precincts that are incorporated areas such as Navarre, Massillon and Canton. Mr. Hall stated that he believes it is the Board’s desire to tax those areas as well. Mr. Hall stated that he has drafted a replacement resolution for the Board to consider which asks the Auditor to certify all of Perry Township including incorporated areas. The first resolution only included unincorporated areas of Perry Township. The new resolution will include the precincts that have been subject to annexation as well. Mr. Schlegel stated that when he spoke to Mr. Oates to get his numbers they came up with $483,422.00 which included all of Perry Township. The certification based on what Mr. Hall stated in the resolution came out to $476,233.00. That is the difference between including the incorporated areas of Perry Township. Mr. Hall stated that could mean the difference between a piece of equipment or part-time employee. Mr. Hall stated should the Board approve this replacement resolution tonight he will hand deliver it to the Auditor’s office tomorrow. The certification will still come back in time for the Board to consider putting the levy on the ballot.
Trustee Chessler made a motion that the Board adopt the substitute resolution for the reasons explained by the Law Director as it is written and before the Board tonight; Seconded by Trustee Haines.
ROLL CALL: Trustee Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Mr. Hall noted that including the incorporated areas can only take place on the general operating levy because those areas are still considered Perry Township. Those incorporated areas can not be included on Police, Fire and Road because those departments to do not service those areas. Mr. Hall stated that a good example would be the Key Bank on SR 172. Key Bank was annexed and is in the City of Canton but it is also in Perry Township. Therefore, that parcel would be included in the general operating levy but would not be included in the Police, Fire or Road levies. Trustee Haines stated that is because those departments to do serve that area. Trustee Laubacher inquired how the general fund services the Key Bank parcel. Mr. Hall stated because Key Bank is still in the Township. Trustee Laubacher inquired if the same thing applies to University Village. Mr. Hall stated that it does not include University Village because that area was annexed and fully incorporated into the City of Massillon. University Village does not remain in the Township. Mr. Hall stated that the J.E.D.D. is another area that is subject to taxation because even though it is in Navarre and they provide road, fire and police services they still receive other Township services. Mr. Hall thanked the Board and stated that he would deliver the substitute resolution to the Auditor’s office in the morning.
Consider Approval of Road, Fire and Police Union Contracts
Fire Union
Mr. Hall stated that he is not ready to obtain signatures for the union contracts just yet but he wanted to provide a more comprehensive report to the Board. Mr. Hall stated that the fire union negotiations were finished today and they agreed on a 0% increase in 2013 along with other concessions. There are a lot of language changes and additional language regarding health/ wellness. The biggest change that the Board will see is that they have gotten away from the uniform allowance reimbursement process. Currently, an employee would order a pair of uniform pants, shirt and boots which would then get approved by the Chief. Once the purchase receipt is turned in it is submitted to the Township for reimbursement. The new contract has changed and they are going back to the old system. The Township will write a check to the employee for $750.00 (no increase in the amount) and they will turn in their receipts showing what they used the uniform allowance for. It is the responsibility of the employee to come to work in the appropriate uniform. If they do not come to work dressed appropriately then it is up to the Chief to discipline or reprimand them. Trustee Haines stated that this reduces the amount of checks that the Township cuts to the employees for uniform reimbursement. Trustee Chessler stated that this is something that is more appropriate for the Fire Department and the Chief indicated that he has not had a problem with employees being inappropriately dressed for work. Chief Martin and the union members agreed that the $750.00 is a reasonable amount and that the money does get used every year so that they can stay in compliance with their uniform requirements. The union came in originally and asked for money. The answer was, no more money, but use the allotted money more responsibly.
Mr. Hall stated that there has been an issue with excessive use of sick days. Mr. Hall stated that he will refer to it as excessive use of sick days instead of misuse of sick days because no one has been disciplined for misuse. If an employee goes 180 days (6 months) without using sick days then that employee is given an option to convert a certain amount of sick time into a personal day. This is an incentive to come to work and to not use sick leave unless you are truly sick. This also reduces the cash out amount when a person leaves or goes to retire.
Mr. Hall stated that there has been an informal process of light duty and that process has now been formalized. There are a lot more rules and regulations regarding light duty work criteria. Mr. Hall stated that the negotiations were finalized right around noon today. The draft contract was sent out. Mr. Hall stated that he received confirmation from Mr. Taylor, Mr. Shetler and Mr. Moore that they have approved it. They will now take the draft contract for a formal vote. Mr. Hall stated that he hoped to have a signed contract ready for the Board next Tuesday. Mr. Hall stated this has been the shortest and most productive fire union negotiations that they have ever had. The union understands that the budget does come into play when negotiating for collective bargaining.
Road Union
Mr. Hall stated that the Road Department union has already voted and approved their draft contract. There will be a 0% pay raise for 2013, a reduction in sick day’s cash out at retirement and they have agreed to continue to pay for insurance the way that they always have. Mr. Hall stated in the past the Road Department union was usually the most difficult to negotiate with which is credited to their former union and union attorney. This time around it was not like that. Mr. Hall stated that the union recognizes that out of all of the unionized departments the Road Department has the slimmest budget. Trustee Laubacher inquired about the sick time. Mr. Hall stated that is another concession that was made amongst the road union. Before, the road union members could go five (5) days off sick without getting a doctors excuse. The new contract language requires a doctor’s excuse after three (3) days of being off sick. This makes the road union consistent with the other Township departments. Mr. Hall stated that the fire union agreed to the same thing. Mr. Hall stated that the road union contract will definitely be signed and ready for Board approval next week at the regular meeting. The road negotiating committee came in with reasonable requests and they looked at the budget and understood that the Township needs to watch its nickels and dimes. Trustee Chessler noted that all of the union contracts are three (3) year agreements and they are all on the same footing with the insurance. It is consistent amongst all of the unions and they are all subject to the insurance committee that meets every year.
Trustee Haines inquired if the road employees are still able to get their comp time for the amount of time they work for snow removal. Mr. Hall stated that it was adjusted to sixteen (16) hours on and six (6) hours off. Both Mr. Masalko and Mr. Young indicated that this is better for management when it comes to scheduling and flexibility. Trustee Laubacher inquired if the contract has to be opened back up next year regarding pay scales. Mr. Hall stated that the contracts are locked in for three (3) years and they are receiving 0% increases in 2013 and there are increments laid out for 2014 and 2015. Mr. Hall stated that there is new language in the contract that states that if an employee is sick or unable to perform their job duties then the Road Superintendent is authorized to send them home without requiring an evaluation.
Police Union
Mr. Hall stated that he received a text message from Chuck Wilson stating that he will have the contract language to him this week. Mr. Hall stated that it is his understanding that the union voted on it but they are just waiting on Mr. Wilson to provide the contract. Mr. Hall stated that as soon as he gets the contract he will go over it with the Chief, Deputy Chief and Trustee Chessler with a fine tooth comb. Mr. Hall stated that he anticipates having the contract in hand and ready for the Board next week. The police contract agreed to a 0% increase in 2013 and they will continue to pay their insurance as they have been. Mr. Hall stated that the union negotiations have been good all the way around. The employees are seeing and recognizing the budget constraints. They are trying to protect their jobs by not making outrageous financial demands. Trustee Chessler stated that the police union came out and said that they don’t sense an appreciation or respect for the risks that they take and the sacrifices that they make. Trustee Chessler reassured them that, that is not the case and just because the Board is negotiating and trying to hold the line on costs doesn’t mean that they don’t respect what they do. Mr. Hall stated that it is very ample to have a Trustee at the table and it does mean a lot to the union members. Trustee Chessler was able to very directly reassure all of the safety service forces and road union that the Board appreciates their work and sacrifices.
Zoning: None.
Parks/Recycling: None.
Executive Session(s):
Trustee Haines made a motion that the Board adjourn into an Executive Session pursuant to ORC 121.22 (G) (1) concerning personnel issues to include the Board, Fiscal Officer, Law Director and others as requested with no action to be taken; Seconded by Trustee Chessler.
ROLL CALL: Trustee Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
The Board adjourned into Executive Session at: 7:23pm
The Board adjourned from Executive Session at: 8:22pm
Department Matters Not Requiring Board Action:
Administration: None.
Fire Department: None.
Parks/Recycling: None.
Police Department: None.
Road Department: None.
Zoning: None.
Law Director: None.
Upcoming Events:
A. Perry Township business Exchange Meeting- Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from 7:30am to 8:30am at the Police Department Community Room.
Public Speaks-Open Forum: None.
Adjournment:
With nothing further to come before the Board, Trustee Haines made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:22pm; Seconded by Trustee Laubacher.
ROLL CALL: Trustee Haines, yes. Mr. Laubacher, yes. Mr. Chessler, yes.
Doug Haines, President
Joe Schlegel, Fiscal Officer