Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 EOCC MinutesMINUTES Elected Officers Compensation Commission Committee of the Whole Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 5:00 p.m. Tenth Floor City Hall Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by past Chair Glicksman. Roll Call Boardmember Patricia Curran Boardmember Elliott Glicksman Boardmember Fredrick Hogan - absent Boardmember Aaron Jenkins Boardmember Cyril McGuire Boardmember Max Zemer Others Present Jack Roberts, Law Department Jim Smiertka, City Attorney Tina Gallante, Council Staff Page 1 of 4 Introduction Mr. Roberts introduced himself with respect to his position with the Commission. He spoke on the charge this board has and the determination made on the salaries and fringe benefits for elected City officials. After this board takes final action, it goes to the City Council for action. There are seven members on this board, and four is a quorum. Starting from today, the board has 45 days to make their final determination, which is Sunday, April 13, 2003, but as a practical matter the work must be completed by April 11, 2003. At this meeting, pursuant to the Rule of Procedure, you must elect a Chair and Vice Chair and establish at least the next meeting. The ordinance dictates not to meet more than 15 times. Mr. Smiertka addressed the board and spoke to Mr. Roberts brilliant knowledge of this board's charge. He will be continuing to staff the board. He would suggest breaking the final report down into Councilmembers, the Clerk, and the Mayor; but to go further and separate the benefits. Two years ago some Councilmembers felt they had to act on the entire report, and he had to explain to them they could act on just portions of the report. Also, assuming the Council may want to reject the report, if they reject the whole report, they would be rejecting their insurance. So if the Board could separate their recommendations it would be helpful. Election of Officers for 2003 Session MS. CURRAN NOMINATES MR. MCGUIRE AS CHAIR. MR. ZEMER SECONDS THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED. MR. MCGUIRE NOMINATES MS. CURRAN AS VICE CHAIR. MR. ZEMER SECONDS THE MOTION. Approval of Aizenda MR. MCGUIRE MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AND MS. CURRAN SECONDS THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Approval of Minutes No minutes were acted upon. Page 2 of 4 Business: Reports, Presentations, Commission Questions and Discussions The Committee accepted the communications presented. The Committee agreed to invite certain individuals in for interviews. Attempt to contact Mr. Rubley for next Thursday. Determining EOCC Meeting Schedule Consensus to hold meetings on Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. Old Business None. New Business None. Commission Member Comments None. Items Under Suspension of the Rules None. Public Comments No public comment was received. Page 3 of 4 Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Tina M. Gallante Senior Legislative Assistant Lansing City Council Approved by the Committee on Appropriate documents attached to original set of minutes. Page 4 of 4 MINUTES Elected Officers Compensation Commission Thursday, March 6, 2003 - 4:45 p.m. Tenth Floor City Hall Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 4:45 p.m. by Chair McGuire Roll Call Boardmember Patricia Curran Boardmember Elliott Glicksman Boardmember Fredrick Hogan - absent Boardmember Aaron Jenkins Boardmember Cyril McGuire Boardmember Max Zemer Others Present Jack Roberts, Law Department Doug Rubley, Finance Department Francesca Knot, Mayor's Office Page 1 of 3 Approval of ALyenda MR. ZEMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AND MS. CURRAN SECONDS THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Approval of Minutes MR. ZEMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 27, 2003, MEETING AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Business: Reports, Presentations, Commission Questions and Discussions The Committee accepted the communications presented. Mr. Rubley blah, blah, blah Old Business None. New Business None. Commission Member Comments None. Items Under Suspension of the Rules None. Public Comments Page 2 of 3 No public comment was received. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Francesca Knot Senior Legislative Assistant Mayor Benavides Office Approved by the Committee on Appropriate documents attached to original set of minutes. Page 3 of 3 MINUTES Elected Officers Compensation Commission Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 4:30 p.m. Tenth Floor City Hall Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chair McGuire Roll Call Boardmember Patricia Curran Boardmember Elliot Glicksman Boardmember Fredrick Hogan -excused absence Boardmember Aaron Jenkins -excused absence Boardmember Cyril McGuire Boardmember Max Zemer - excused absence Others Present Jack Roberts, Law Department Councilmember Sandy Allen Councilmember Harold Leeman Tina Gallante, Council Staff Page 1 of 4 Approval of Agenda Approved. Approval of Minutes There was no quorum to approve the minutes. Business: BOARDMEMBER GLICKSMAN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. BOARDMEMBER CURRAN SECONDS THE MOTION. The Commission moved into Committee of the Whole for the purpose of conducting an interview with Councilmember Allen and Leeman. Interview with Councilmember Allen Councilmember Allen appeared before the Commission to speak on in regard to the charge of the Commission. She read a letter composed by her and submitted a copy to each. She went on to refer to the letter submitted by some Councilmembers which she did not sign. Her position is that she strongly supports the value of process and felt that she could not sign the letter because she feels the integrity of the commission She did respond to Boardmember Curran that she would not be asking for an increase in salary for Councilmembers at this time. She did respond Boardmember Curran that if a salary increase was offered, she would be put in a position to refuse the increase as well. Boardmember Glicksman commended Councilmember Allen on her position agreeing that it is Commission to decide on the independent position of the salary. He also questioned if economic times would have been better, would her position be different. Councilmember Allen indicated that yes, it would have been. By having a salary that may be less than commensurate of the positions you are eliminating candidates that could be beneficial to the City. Councilmember Allen thanked the Commission for their invitation. Page 2 of 4 Interview with Councilmember Harold Leeman Councilmember Leeman appeared before the Commission to speak with regard to his Council position. He has been a Councilmember for eight years and served with many different members. He represents the First Ward, designating the boundaries. He feels he has the most organized neighborhood groups in his Ward and is thankful for those groups. He has a variety of committee assignments as well as board assignments, some of which include Tri County Aging, which spearheads a growth study, of which he is the chair of. He is a member of the Community Corrections Board as well. He stays very busy Monday through Friday as well as attending selective activities on weekends. He did not sign the letter because he is a firm believer of the process and felt the Commission should be allowed to proceed with their charge. He remembers the salaries eight years were relatively low in comparison with their service. He does appreciate the Commission trying to get the salaries up to a reasonable rate. Whatever the decision, he hopes this salaries do not slide back where a large increment would have to be made up again. Those larger increments are harder to justify to the public. Reports, Presentations, Commission Ouestions and Discussions, Old Business None. New Business None. Commission Member Comments Page 3 of 4 None. Items Under Suspension of the Rules None. Public Comments No public comment was received. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Tina M. Gallante Senior Legislative Assistant Lansing City Council Approved by the Committee on Appropriate documents attached to original set of minutes. Page 4 of 4 MINUTES Elected Officers Compensation Commission Thursday, March 27, 2003 - 11:00 a.m. Tenth Floor City Hall Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 11:10 a.m. by Chair McGuire Roll Call Boardmember Patricia Curran - excused absence Boardmember Elliot Glicksman Boardmember Fredrick Hogan - absent Boardmember Aaron Jenkins Board member Cyril McGuire Boardmember Max Zemer Others Present Jack Roberts, Law Department Tina Gallante, Council Staff Approval of Agenda Approved. Page 1 of 4 Approval of Minutes BOARDMEMBER ZEMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 13, AND MARCH 20, 2003, MEETINGS AS SUBMITTED. MOTION CARRIED. Business: Reports, Presentations, Commission Questions and Discussions Old Business Mr. Roberts referred to last week's meeting, specifically the interview with Councilmember Leeman and his question on whether or not the use of his vehicle and gas mileage could be reimbursed. In researching the issue, reimbursement of expenses is not defined as compensation. Therefore, reimbursement for mileage is a matter to be left to the Council to determine. Reimbursement may be a matter of Council's budget or the policy of whether it may be deducted from the Councilmember's office holder's account. Mr. Roberts reviewed the chart on past EOCC recommendations. In 1997, the recommendations were rejected by Council. In 1999, the Commission discussed catch up since there was no increase since 1996. He commented that the Commission is not limited in its recommendation to any particular dates for changes in compensation. The Commission engaged in discussion with respect to past philosophies on why certain recommendations were made. The Commission began their first consideration with the Mayor's position and whether an increase should be made. They considered the Mayor's interview request that he not be given an increase, and would be willing to take a reduction of three percent, due to the economy. Mr. Glicksman commented that he does not believe it is wise to increase salaries of all the other elected officials and not the Mayor's position. If the Commission decides to make no increase the first year, it can show a belief that there will be a turn around of the economy and increases could be recommended for a later year. Mr. McGuire indicated that there should be some reflection of an increase, no matter who indicated they did not want one. Page 2 of 4 Mr. Zemer referred the CPI increase of 1.5% for property taxes under Proposition A. However, he is concerned with the financial condition of the City. The Commission began working on actual figures. They started with an annual 1.5% factor for all positions then considered flat rates. The following recommendations were agreed upon: Elected Officials Current July 1 July 1 2003 2004 Mayor $107,000 $108,500 $110,000 Clerk $69,ioo $70,100 $71,100 Council President $22,200 $22,500 $22,800 Council Vice President $20,950 $21,250 $21,550 Councilmember $20,200 $20,500 $2o,8o0 BOARDMEMBER ZEMER MOVED TO CONTINUE THE SAME FRINGE BENEFITS DESCRIBED IN THE FRINGE BENEFITS SUMMARY FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION OF AN AUTOMOBILE FOR MAYOR AND CITY CLERK. BOARDMEMBER JENKINS SECONDS. MOTION CARRIED. BOARDMEMBER ZEMER MOVED TO APPROVE THE ABOVE DESCRIBED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SALARY. BOARDMEMBER GLICKSMAN SECONDS. MOTION CARRIED. BOARDMEMBER JENKINS MOVED TO THAT MS. GALLANTE SEND OUT THE DRAFT MINUTES OF THIS MEETING AND IF NO OBJECTION IS MADE BY A BOARDMEMBER WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF MEETING THAT THEY BE FILED AS APPROVED. MOITON CARRIED New Business None. Page 3 of 4 Commission Member Comments Items Under Suspension of the Rules None. Public Comments No public comment was received. Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Tina M. Gallante Senior Legislative Assistant Lansing City Council Approved by the Committee on Appropriate documents attached to original set of minutes. Page 4 of 4 MINUTES Elected Officers Compensation Commission Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 4:30 p.m. Tenth Floor City Hall Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Chair McGuire Roll Call Boardmember Patricia Curran Boardmember Elliot Glicksman Boardmember Fredrick Hogan -absent Boardmember Aaron Jenkins -arrived at 5:10 p.m. Boardmember Cyril McGuire Boardmember Max Zemer - absent Others Present Jack Roberts, Law Department Councilmember Sandy Allen Councilmember Harold Leeman Tina Gallante, Council Staff Page 1 of 5 Approval of Agenda No formal action taken on the agenda because a quorum of the Commission was not present. Approval of Minutes There was no quorum to approve the minutes. Business: BOARDMEMBER GLICKSMAN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. BOARDMEMBER CURRAN SECONDS THE MOTION. MOTION APPROVED. BOARDMEMBER CURRAN MOVED TO ENTER INTO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND RECEIVE INFORMATION. BOARDMEMBER GLICKSMAN SECONDS THE MOTION. MOTION APPROVED. Interview with Councilmember Allen Councilmember Allen appeared before the Commission to speak in regard to the charge of the Commission. She read a prepared letter to the Commission and provided copies. She additionally stated her reasons for not signing the letter submitted to the Commission by the other Councilmembers: she strongly supports the value of process and felt that the Councilmembers' letter interferes with the independent integrity of the Commission Boardmember Curran asked Councilmember Allen's position on a salary increase. Councilmember Allen responded that she would not be asking for an increase in salary for Councilmembers and if a salary increase was offered, she would be put in a position that she would have to refuse the increase as well. Boardmember Glicksman commended Councilmember Allen on her position and agreed that it is up to the Commission to independently decide on the elected officers' salary. He also questioned if economic times were better, would her position be different. Councilmember Allen indicated yes, because having a salary that may be less than commensurate with other like position, could eliminate candidates that could be beneficial to the City. Councilmember Allen thanked the Commission for their invitation. Page 2 of 5 Interview with Councilmember Harold Leeman Councilmember Leeman appeared before the Commission to speak with regard to his position. He has been a Councilmember for eight years and served with many different members. He represents the First Ward and described its boundaries. He feels he has the City's most organized neighborhood groups in his Ward and is thankful for those groups. He has a variety of committee assignments as well as board assignments, some of which include Tri County Planning, which spearheads a growth study, of which he is the chair. He is a member of the Community Corrections Board as well. He stays very busy Monday through Friday as well as attending selective activities on weekends. He did not sign the letter because he is a firm believer of the process and felt the Commission should be allowed to proceed with their charge. He remembers the Councilmembers' salaries eight years were relatively low in comparison with their service. He does appreciate the Commission trying to get the salaries up to a reasonable rate. Whatever the decision, he hopes the salaries do not slide back where a large increment would have to be made up again. Those larger increments are harder to justify to the public. He will accept whatever decision is made. Boardmember Curran questioned whether Councilmember Leeman has any concern about the fringe benefits. He agreed that the benefits are well suited for the Council position. He mentioned that he would like to see a reimbursement or an allowance for of vehicular use. He commented that he uses his personal car quite often for travel to and from functions in connection with being a Councilmember. The Commission engaged in discussion with respect to the Council's personal expense accounts and their intended use. Councilmember Leeman feels that the ward members are generally more active in neighborhood issues as opposed to the at large members. Boardmember Glicksman commended Councilmember Leeman for recognizing the independence of this Commission. He asked if the economy was different, would his opinion on compensation be different? Councilmember Leeman responded that the economy should be taken into consideration, but if a formula is not maintained and there comes a point again where a large increase is needed, that causes hardship on accepting it. He said "Where do you draw a line of a salary increase when it is to maintain the cost of living?" Page 3 of 5 Reports, Presentations, Commission Questions and Discussions The Commission engaged in discussion with respect to the recommendations for this year. The consensus was for the Commission members to receive a grid with blanks for them to fill in their suggested recommendations and that they bring their suggestion to the next meeting for discussion. The Commission also requested a chart of the salary changes from 1997 to the present, including percentages. Old Business None. New Business None. Commission Member Comments The Commission came to a consensus that the next meeting would be held on Thursday, March 27, 2003, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Items Under Suspension of the Rules None. Public Comments No public comment was received. Page 4 of 5 Adiournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Tina M. Gallante Senior Legislative Assistant Lansing City Council Approved by the Committee on Appropriate documents attached to original set of minutes. Page 5 of 5 Elected Officers Compensation Commission April 1, 2003 Council President Carol Wood And Members of the Lansing City Council Tenth Floor City Hall Lansing, Michigan 48933 Dear President Wood and Councilmembers: Pursuant to Lansing City Charter and Chapter 280 of the Code of Ordinances, the Elected Officers Compensation Commission (EOCC) met in committee during the months of February and March, 2003. The EOCC reviewed all supplied internal economic and financial documents, and the current salary and benefit compensation packages of the Mayor, the City Clerk, and members of the City Council. In addition, the EOCC compared various salary structures held by like officers of similar size communities. The EOCC further heard testimony and/or received written comments on behalf of the Mayor and City Council and from the Finance Director and the City Clerk. The EOCC made a special effort to inform the public of our meetings and to invite them to speak or send written comments. No comments were received from the general public. The EOCC members are in agreement that the Mayor, City Clerk and City Council work diligently with high levels of professionalism. We collectively view their positions of responsibility as service. Moreover, it is the EOCC's opinion that just because such service is for the public good or that economic times are hard, should not conclusively be viewed as the justification for disproportionate compensation evaluations. As a policy, the EOCC reconfirms the belief that the Mayor should receive the highest compensation, inclusive of all department heads for the City of Lansing. We believe that this policy best encourages credible management at the City's highest level. The EOCC, after careful consideration and review, submits the following recommendations: Mayor's Recommendation Salaty We determine that the Mayor be compensated beginning July 1, 2003, at the rate of $108,500, Ivid7 a further adjustment of $110,000 per year beginning July 1, 2004. Fringe Benefits The current benefits, as presented by the Finance Director and summarized in the attached summary of Elected Officials Fringe Benefits, are continued. Other Compensation An automobile for use on a full-time regular basis. City Clerk's Recommendation Salary We determine that the City Clerk be compensated beginning July 1, 2003, at the rate of $70,100, with a further adjustment of $71,100 per year beginning July 1, 2004. Fringe Benefits The current benefits, as presented by the Finance Director and summarized in the attached summary of Elected Officials Fringe Benefits, are continued. City Councilmember Satary We determine that a City Councilmember be compensated beginning July 1, 2003, at the rate of $20,500, with a further adjustment of $20,800 per year beginning July 1, 2004. Council Vice President Salary We determine that the Council Vice President be compensated beginning July 1, 2003, at the rate of $21,250, with a further adjustment of $21,550 per year beginning July 1, 2004. Council President Sala We determine that the Council President be compensated beginning July 1, 2003, at the rate of $22,500, with a further adjustment of $22,800 per year beginning July 1, 2004. All Councilmembers Fringe Renefits The current benefits, as presented by the Finance Director and summarized in the attached summary of Elected Officials Fringe Benefits, are continued. Other Compensation It is acknowledged that none of the elected officers earn compensatory, vacation, or sick time and upon termination, and that they are not entitled to any compensation for the same. We, the members of the Elected Officers Compensation Commission, respectfully concur in the collective determinations now transmitted. ELECTED OFFICERS COMPENSATION COMMISSION Cyril McGuite, Chair Elliot B. Glicksman Hilda Patricia Curran Fredrick Hogan Aaron Jenkins Max Zemer April 28, 2003 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS 146 the special assessment to the State Tax Tribunal. An owner or party A COPY OF THE PRINTED RESOLUTION'WAS NOT in interest, or his or her agent may appear in person at the hearing PROVIDED to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file his or FOR THIS,ITEM'Vill B 2 c her appearance or protest by letter and his or her personal appearance shall not be required. Notice of Intent to Issue Capital Improvements Bonds for the Municipal Parking System I hereby certify that funds are available for the City of Lansing's share of said project in accounts as follows: SOURCES OF FUNDING IMPROVEMENTS: Account Number City Share of C&G $511.70 410.933690.974100.043880 City Share of Storm Sewers $0.00 City Share of Other Cost $21,485.02 410.933690.974100.043880 Assessable Portion $ 20,840.50 404.933690.974100.042237 By Councilmember Leeman Carried Unanimously RESa1UT3£3N#9-183 BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LANSING WHEREAS, in accordance with the City Charter and Chapter 280 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lansing, the Elected Officers Compensation Commission met to review the salaries of the Mayor, City Clerk and Councilmembers, and filed its determination with the City Clerk on Wednesday, April 2, 2003; and WHEREAS, the Committee of the Whole reviewed the recommendations of the EOCC on salary increases for City elected officials on Thursday, April 24, 2003, and opted to reject all of the EOCC recommendations by resolution adopted by two-thirds of the Councilmembers; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lansing City Council, hereby, rejects the Elected Officers Compensation Commission salary determinations for the Mayor, City Clerk and Councilmembers, and therefore, continues the current existing salaries for all the elected officials as provided in Section 280.10 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Lansing. Councilmember Leeman wanted to go on record for thanking the Elected Officers Commission because they have put a lot of time and effort into this issue. By Councilmember Bauer YEAS: Councilmembers Allen, Bauer, Jeffries, Meyer, Williams and Wood NAYS: Councilmembers Leeman, Smith (Councilmember Smith absent for the vote on this item) ABSENT: None THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILMEMBER JEFFRIES A COPY OF THE PRINTED RESOLUTION WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR ITEM Vill B 2.b Notice of Intent to Issue Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds (LTGO) for the Municipal Parking System THIS ITEM WAS PULLED FROM THE AGENDA AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCILMEMBER JEFFRIES COMMITTEE REPORTS There were no Committee Reports ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION There were no Ordinances for Introduction ORDINANCES FOR PASSAGE There were no Ordinances for Passage LATE ITEMS By Councilmember Jeffries 1. To pull ltems Vlll B2 c & d from tonigbrs agenda PULLED FROM THE AGENDA AND REFERRED BACK TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OTHER BUSINESS CITY OFFICER & BOARD REPORTS By Vice President Bauer That City Officer and Board Reports, along with Communications and Petitions, be considered as being read in full and that the proper referrals be made by President Wood 1. Letter from the City Clerk submitting minutes of Boards and Authorities placed on file in the City Clerk's Office RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE 2. Letters from the Mayor re: a. Acquisition of 3117 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. REFERRED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE b. Planning Board Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2004 Capital Improvement Program REFERRED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE c. LS-06-2003; West side of Waverly Rd., 154 ft. south of Hartford Rd., Planning Board recommendations on Petition for Lot split filed by Silverwood Properties REFERRED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE d. Z-2-2003; 420 W. Ionia St., Planning Board recommendations on Petition for Rezoning from "DM-4" Residential to "D-1" Professional Office District filed by Thomas E. Woods REFERRED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE e. PRD-01-02; Between Miller Rd. and Georgetown Blvd., east of