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Minutes for the Finance Committee meeting on November 18, 2008.
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Finance & Administration Committee Minutes
Thursday, November 18, 2004
4:00 p.m. - Huntington Building
Members Present: Alec Farmer, Darrel Dover, Jim Hargis, Harold Perrin, Bill Roddy and Ann Williams. Harold Perrin left at 5:24 p.m. prior to the appeal hearing and committee meeting being adjourned. Others present were: Donna Jackson, City Clerk, Larry Flowers, Finance Director, Becky Sharp, City Collector, Suzanne Hackney, Human Resource Director, Attorney Ralph Ohm, Attorney Phillip Crego, Staff, Press, and Audience.
MINUTES
Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to approve the minutes from October 28, 2004 as provided. Copies were made available to all in attendance. All voted aye.
FINANCE & AUDIT
PFG: Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to accept the staff recommendation to stay with Principal Financial Group for the non-uniform pension plan investment. All voted aye.
2005 Budget Update: It was announced there would be a special called City Council meeting on Monday, November 22, 2004 at 12:00 noon for the purpose of providing the Mayor’s proposed 2005 budget. It was explained that additional budget meetings would be established by the Finance & Administration Committee once they receive recommendations from the other city council committees.
Property List: Mr. Flowers provided a list from Melissa Houston in Engineering that identified fourteen properties from the Craighead County Data Files. They were as follows:
• PARKS: 80 Acres Frierson Park; Craighead Forest Park; Parker Park; Miles Park; Joe Mack Campbell Park; Fairview Park.
• FIRE STATIONS: Fire Station #1 at 3215 E. Johnson; Fire Station #2 at 316 W. Washington; Fire Station #3 at 4600 E. Highland; Fire Station #4 at 4216 Stadium Blvd; Valley View Fire Station at 5416 Maple Valley Drive.
• POLICE STATIONS: Justice Complex; Traffic Div./DTF; Area 1 Sub-Station.
Several properties provided by the Parks Department, Fire Department, and Police Department were not located according to the list provided by Ms. Houston who was unable to attend the Finance Committee meeting.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Extended Pay Leave: Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to accept the recommendation of Mayor Brodell and Human Resource Director, Suzanne Hackney for extended pay leave for Ms. Shirley Darby of the Fire Department with the amount to be paid back with future sick days in the amount of $2,884.80. All voted aye.
Life Insurance Bid: Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin to recommend to the full council the low bid meeting specifications of US Able for the City’s Life Insurance. All voted aye.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Alan Young, Information Systems Director provided a revised copy of a computer Usage & Purchasing Policy for consideration by the Finance Committee. He stated he would provide a copy to the Records Management Committee. Mr. Young also announced a presentation by Ritter Communications for November 29th at 1:00 p.m. regarding a voice over ID phone System.
OTHER BUSINESS
NEA Clinic: Councilman Perrin moved, seconded by Councilman Dover to have Mayor Brodell contact Blue Cross/Blue Shield and request they consider adding Northeast Arkansas Medical Center and Clinic as an in network provider at whatever Blue Cross/Blue Shield is currently paying St. Bernard’s Hospital at no additional cost to the City of Jonesboro. Ms. Hackney was asked to prepare a resolution for consideration by the full council once a response had been received. All voted aye.
Forum Assessment: An assessment and expense report regarding the Forum was provided to committee members for consideration in the 2005 budget.
Proposed Resolution - Political Freedom Act and Employee Responsibility: A copy of a proposed resolution was provided to committee members recognizing employees’ rights to be candidates for elective office and reminding employees of their responsibility not to abuse the right. Committee members were asked to review the resolution.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Perrin for a two minute recess. All voted aye.
GLENN BATTEN APPEAL HEARING:
The meeting reconvened with the Appeal Hearing beginning at 4:40 p.m.
Attached as “EXHIBIT A” are the minutes as provided of the Glenn Batten appeal hearing.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis to recess from the appeal hearing for purposes of deliberations. All voted aye.
Councilman Dover stated he had three areas of concern: 1. No policy for the appeal process pertaining to probation. 2. Being consistent with other employees who may have used offensive language. 3. Mayor Brodell’s absence at the appeal hearing. Councilman Dover expressed his disappointment in Mayor Brodell not attending the meeting, explaining it was important that committee members be able to question him. Councilman Hargis stated it was a matter of leadership and some problems that transpired. Mr. Hargis further stated the mayor is elected by the majority of the people, and must provide service as a Chief Executive. Councilman Hargis moved, seconded by Councilman Roddy to recommend to the full council to endorse the mayor’s action. Discussion followed. Councilman Farmer stated while he shares Councilman Dover’s concerns they must be concerned with all employees and make sure the work environment is one they can feel comfortable with. Councilman Roddy stated this is the first time something like this has ever been called to the council’s attention since his time in office. Councilman Farmer stated we do not seem to have the needed procedures in place, since it appears the City Planner serves both the Mayor and City Council, and cautioned against upsetting that balance. Several committee members expressed concern at Mayor Brodell’s absence from the appeal hearing stating he should be there to provide direction and information. Councilman Dover stated it is difficult to make a decision since the incident involved meetings between Mr. Batten and Mayor Brodell and one of the parties directly involved in the situation is not present at the appeal hearing. Councilman Hargis stated while he has been pleased with Mr. Batten’s work as a City Planner, in order to be able to conduct business they must follow certain boundaries of propriety dealing with employer/employee relationships. Councilman Farmer agreed there needed to be a chain of command for the employment structure. Councilman Farmer expressed concern over the matter being publicized prior to final resolution. Both Councilman Farmer and Councilman Hargis stated they would like the sexual harassment statements removed because they did not believe it constituted sexual harassment. Discussion followed regarding ‘inappropriate behavior” verses “sexual harassment”. Councilman Dover stated as the motion stands the committee is upholding all of Mayor Brodell’s findings including the sexual harassment charges. Councilman Hargis withdrew his motion and Councilman Roddy withdrew his second. Councilman Roddy asked if the reference to sexual harassment could be removed. It was explained that the Council could not compel Mayor Brodell to change the letter, but they could request it and if he refuses, then the Council could pass a resolution stating the sexual harassment statements were inappropriate. Councilman Roddy moved, seconded by Councilwoman Williams to request Mayor Brodell to remove any reference or inference of sexual harassment from Glenn Batten’s suspension letter dated February 19th, 2004 and further affirm all other actions with respect to Glenn Batten’s employment, specifically the suspension and termination. In the event Mayor Brodell will not honor this request the committee recommends adoption of a resolution by the City Council stating our position. All voted aye.
The decision was made to reconvene the appeal hearing at 8:15 p.m.
Councilman Dover moved, seconded by Councilman Hargis to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye.