1975 ADJ MIN JUN 30 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Gonzales continued that he was opposed to the reorganization from the beginning, however, he agreed on a trial basis for one year. Mr. Gonzales said in his estimation, it has not been successful and he therefore recommends that the three positions he mentioned be deleted, which would effect an approximate saving to the City of $42,700. Mr. Gonzales further stated he feels that these people are well qualified and well educated, and no doubt a credit to their professions, however, at this time the City cannot justify these additional positions, either financially or personnel -wise. Councilman Gonzales moved that the positions of Administrative Assistant and Parks and Cemetery Superintendent be deleted from the Community Services Department budget, and the position of Secretary II in the Finance Department budget be deleted. Councilwoman Spragins questioned the position of Secretary II in the Finance Department, and asked Councilman Gonzales if he was referring to the employee recently hired for the Data Processing Division of the Finance Depart- ment. Councilman Gonzales stated this is correct, and he feels the employee presently working at the Cemetery could also be utilized in the Finance Department, thereby eliminating the new position recently filled, as Council had stated there would be no new positions created or personnel hired due to the hiring freeze. Mr. Huffaker advised the position that Councilman Gonzales is referring to in the Finance Department is an Account Clerk II and not a Secretary II. Mayor Huntoon asked if there was a second to Councilman Gonzales' motion. Councilwoman Spragins stated that inasmuch as there are three different positions involved, she would like to consider one at a t ime . Councilman Gonzales said he would agree with this and withdraw his motion. Councilman Gonzales moved that the position of Administrative Assistant in the Community Services Department budget be deleted. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Spragins. Mayor Huntoon stated he feels this is a massive step in the wrong direction and a terrific vote of no confidence to the Staff. Councilwoman Spragins said she took exception to that, because - Mayor Huntoon broke in stating Councilwoman Spragins already has taken exception, she and Councilman Gonzales both. Mayor Huntoon asked where was all of this evidence accumulated that these decisions are being based upon, actually. Mayor Huntoon said he feels the Council has based their decision on evidence they have probably gotten from some of the employees, who he feels are in absolutely no position, the employees see only what effects them personally, they only see the tip of the iceberg and they do not see the overall picture. City Manager Huffaker stated he feels the reorganization of the Public Works Department, or Community Services, has been very successful, and the new people on board are well on their way to reaching the City's objectives. Mr. Huffaker said he would caution the Council in that according to the Civil Service Rules and Regulations, the aboli- tion of a position takes a four-fifths vote. Councilman Gonzales stated he is in favor of employment 100 percent, he feels very bad about cutting personnel and he would not have recommended this action be taken unless he felt it was absolutely necessary and justified, and a much-needed savings to the City. Mayor Huntoon ased for a Roll Call vote on the motion. Councilman Hayes - YES Councilwoman Spragins - YES Councilman Rehrer - YES Councilman Gonzales - YES Mayor Huntoon - NO Motion carried. City Manager Huffaker asked for the effective date of the deletion of the position of Administrative Assistant in the Community Services Department. Councilman Gonzales answered effective July 1, 1975. Councilman Gonzales then stated he would be willing to give the employee two additional weeks to seek other employment, making the termination effective July 15, 1975. Councilman Gonzales moved that the position of Parks and Cemetery Superintendent be deleted from the Community Services Department budget. Councilwoman Spragins stated that although she has heard many complaints about this employee, she would have to study this matter a little further. Councilman Gonzales then commented on the procedures followed during the reorganization of Community Services Depart- ment in the Parks Division and the Cemetery Division. Mr. Gonzales felt there was a duplication of personnel in the Parks Department as far as the superintendent's position was concerned, and he also felt the personnel in the Cemetery Department could handle the clerical duties of that operation, as well as assist in the Finance Department when needed. Mayor Huntoon stated that, in other words, the Council is going to run the City, they are not going to let the Staff do it, and we know more about what is going on than what the Staff does, is what we are really saying. Mayor Huntoon continued that apparently the Council is picking up their information from the employees, which is a number one tule that this Council has really violated in the City Manager -Council form of government, and once we start this we are down a blind alley and there is no place that we can go. Mayor Huntoon said that if the Council continues to do this, we are going to lose the Staff that we do have, the City is going to be in a chaotic condition as it has been in the past, and we are going to be working on one crisis after the other, and we are starting it right now. " Mayor Huntoon stated it is his opinion that these employees who have come to the Council members should have been summarily fired, but they are not going to be because the Council has condoned this type of activity, and the Council is going to end up in a lot of trouble. Councilman Gonzales stated these kind of decisions are always difficult to make, especially when it involves cutting JUN 3 0 1975