HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CC-2011-05-02COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
Special Meeting 5:00 p.m. May 2, 2011
PRESENT:
Mayor Peterson
Alderpersons (10) Coles, Dotson, Rosario, Clairborne, McCollister, Zumoff, Rooker,
Myrick, Cogan, Mohlenhoff
OTHERS PRESENT:
City Clerk – Conley Holcomb
Information Management Specialist - Myers
City Attorney – Hoffman
City Controller – Thayer
Human Resources Director – Michell-Nunn
Youth Bureau Director – Green
GIAC Director - Fort
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Peterson led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS:
2.1 Special Common Council Budget Session:
Human Resources Director Schelley Michell-Nunn conducted a presentation that
included the following information:
Background of Labor Relations
Taylor Law
• Public Employees Fair Employment Act, 1967
• A comprehensive framework for orderly resolution of labor management
disputes.
• The right for state and local government employees to collectively bargain
with their employer over “terms and conditions of employment,” mandatory
subjects of negotiation.
• Compulsory “Interest Arbitration”
• Triborough Amendment
• Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)
City of Ithaca
Six Labor Units:
• Chief Officers Unit*
• CSEA Administrative Unit
• CSEA DPW Unit
• Executive Association
• Ithaca Professional Fire Fighters Association (Compulsory “interest
arbitration”)
• Police Benevolent Association (PBA)*
Two Non Union Groups
• Confidential – indexed to CSEA Administrative Unit
• Management
City Negotiation Team:
• Mayor
• Controller
• HR Director
• Manager(s) from relevant departments
• Attorney when labor attorneys are present
3 Contracts expired in 2010 / 3 Contracts will expire December 31, 2011
May 2, 2011
2
City employee distribution:
Union
Chief Officers Unit – 5
CSEA Admin – 131 + (6)
CSEA DPW – 98 + (10)
Executive Association – 18+ (3)
Ithaca Professional Fire Fighters - 60
Police Benevolent Association – 67 + (4)
Non-Union
Confidential – 14
Management – 29 +(2)
Total 422 + (25)
Possible attrition in next 2-3 years:
Union
Chief Officers Unit – 100%
CSEA Admin – 55 years – 33%, 20+/years – 13%
CSEA DPW – 55 years – 31 %, 20+/years – 32%
Executive Association – 55 years – 35%, 20+/years – 40 %
Ithaca Professional Fire Fighters Association – 20+/years – 42%
Police Benevolent Association – 20+/years – 18%
Non-Union
Confidential – 55 years – 36%, 20+/years – 14%
Management – 55 years – 48%, 20+/years – 45%
Leveraging for a sustainable future:
Questions to Consider:
• What do we want this organization to look like in 3-5 years?
• What is the best approach to take to achieve your goals in a sustainable
way?
Approach
• Use City Vision, Mission, Values, and Diversity Statement as a guide
• Minimize or eliminate negative impact on workforce
• Approach should be humane and respectful toward the workforce
• Smart use of taxpayer money
• Strategic
Strategies
Short-Term
Attrition and Succession Planning
Furlough – unpaid days off/delayed pay
Early Retirement Incentives
Controlled Hiring
Reduction in Hours
Salary Freeze
Labor Contract Concessions
Employee Involvement
Layoffs – Last resort
Long-Term
Organizational Efficiencies/Streamlining
Organizational Redesign/Restructuring
Privatization and Contracting Out
Use of Technology
Inter-Municipal Shared Services
Partnership with Labor Unions
Costs / Risks
Unemployment Insurance
Severance
Health Insurance Increase (Mental Health)
May 2, 2011
3
Accruals Payouts
Possible Loss of Top Performers
Decreased Morale
Potential for Workplace Violence
Discrimination Claims (Increase during economic downturn)
Recommendation
Charge a stakeholder working group (Council, Management, Union, Etc.)
Analyze data
Identify ways to reduce costs long & short term
Identify positive and negative implications of the cost reductions
Develop recommendations
Discussion followed on the floor with Common Council members participating in
Question and Answer Session on the following topics:
Shared services / consolidation
Interdepartmental shared services
Cost analysis of turning city services over to County to deliver
Summary sheets of benefits for the different labor contracts
The history of the formation of 6 separate bargaining units
Alderperson Cogan noted that he supports the formation of a stakeholder working group
and encouraged Department Heads to find creative ways to reduce costs. Alderperson
Coles noted that most Department Heads are already thinking about the reductions that
will have to be made as well as ways to raise revenues.
Mayor Peterson stated that she would appoint the working group and stated that she
would need volunteers from Common Council.
Alderperson Rooker arrived at the meeting at 6:18 p.m.
Human Resources Director Michell-Nunn noted that all of the labor contracts are posted
on the City’s website if anyone was interested in reviewing them.
The next meeting will be held on May 12, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss revenues,
mandated services, and shared services.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
______________________________ _______________________________
Julie Conley Holcomb, CMC Carolyn K. Peterson,
City Clerk Mayor