HomeMy WebLinkAbout4C - Contingency AccountSTAFF AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
~'R(~,NK BOYLES, CITY MANAGER~~
CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION O'rt..0_~A, ELOCATE $8,000 FROM THE
CONTINGENCY FUND FOR PAYMENT OF LABOR NEGOTIATION
FEES.
AUGUST 1, 1994
BACKGROUND:
DISCUSSION:
ISSUES:
Earlier this year the City Council authorized the transfer of $12,000 from
the contingency account to pay attorney's fees associated with labor
negotiations with AFSCME Local 14 representing professional, technical
and maintenance employees, Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS)
representing police officers and the Teamsters representing police
sergeants. This original allocation will soon be expended and it is
necessary to allocate additional funds from contingency in order for the
negotiation process to be concluded.
Peter Bergstrom and Kathy Eilers of Ratwik, Roszak, Bergstrom and
Mahoney P.A. have been active in numerous negotiations and mediation
sessions with two of our three bargaining units. Four negotiation
sessions took place with AFSCME representatives before an additional
four mediation sessions occurred. For police officers a total of five
negotiation sessions and one mediation session occurred before the
union decided to request arbitration. One negotiation sessions took place
with the sergeants unit until it was mutually agreed that further
negotiations should await the conclusion of the police officer's contract.
In addition to these negotiation sessions and the associated preparation,
Pete and Kathy have conducted three sessions with the City Council to
establish strategy and discuss negotiation related issues. Furthermore,
the two of them have been involved in other personnel matters, including
grievances and other personnel actions.
As a result of these extensive activities, the majority of the initial $12,000
allocation has been expended. Peter Bergstrom expects the remaining
mediation, arbitration and negotiation sessions to require about $8,000
additional dollars. I am pleased with the services we have received, and I
believe that the services have been rendered in a cost effective fashion.
Labor relations is a two way street. It is difficult to determine how much or
how little time will be required to conclude matters since cooperation is
required on the part of both parties. It is my opinion that the city and its
representatives have not been the sole cause of delays which have
occurred in the labor relations process.
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4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
ALTERNATIVES:
RECOMMENDATION:
ACTION REQUIRED:
I also believe that the benefits which were initially identified when the
Roszak firm was retained are being achieved and should be continued.
Council has the following alternatives:
1. Deny the additional allocation from contingency and direct
staff to reassume complete responsiblity for negotiations.
Authorize an additional contingency account allocation of up
to $8,000 to conclude contract issues with our three
bargaining units.
Staff recommends Alternative #2. While $20,000 is certainly a substantial fee for
any service, I believe that the quality of negotiations, other legal services
rendered and quality of personnel opinions have been very satisfactory. We will
work with Peter and Kathy to keep their billable time a minimum consistent with
quality service.
Motion as part of the consent agenda to authorize an additional $8,000
allocation from the contingency account for this purpose.
AGN4C.WRT
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