JUNE 14, 2001

Click here for minutes of the April 9, 2001 Personnel Committee Meeting
Click here for minutes of the May 10, 2001 Personnel Committee Meeting

STAFF: Sara LeTourneau

OTHERS: Diane Lauricella

CALL TO ORDER

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:20pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 10, 2001

** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTAINING (MR. KIMMEL)

ORDINANCE REVISION RELATIVE TO THE SALARIES OF CERTAIN CITY OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF NORWALK

Mr. Kimmel stated that he has questions and comments regarding the current evaluation system. He stated that those individuals being evaluated have contributed to political campaigns of those that are evaluating them and that this should not be done. He stated that this is unfair and that he is not in support of this item. Mr. Kimmel also commented that he would not accept funds from people working under him if he was running for Mayor.

Mr. Mann asked why this item was back on the agenda. Mr. McCready replied that it is on the agenda so that the Committee can vote on it as a whole. Mr. McQuaid stated that he is in favor of sending this to the Full Council, but not in favor of sending it to the Town Clerk.

Mr. McCready stated that he is opposed to an annual salary for the Registrar of Voters and the Town Clerk positions.

Mr. Tobin asked if the Council had the authority to increase the Registrar of Voters salary. Ms. LeTourneau replied that they do have that authority.

Mr. Kimmel stated that he is unhappy with the evaluation process and would like to let this item stop here. Mr. McCready replied that he does not support that initiative. Mr. Tobin and Mr. Mann both agreed with Mr. Kimmel on letting the item stop with this Committee.

PENSION AMENDMENT

Mr. Kimmel stated that he feels this is like giving a gift to the Corporation Counsel.

Mr. McCready stated that an employee that works 32 hours could receive a pension as per Ms. LeTourneau at the last meeting.

Mr. Mann stated that part-time is considered to be less than 21 hours and that the individual being discussed is considered to be part-time.

Mr. Kimmel stated that giving a pension to a part-time employee is unfair to the full-time employees. He also commented that the individual being considered for this pension is making $60,000 for a part-time position and a pension should not be needed, as it would be giving him a golden parachute.

Mr. McCready stated that the City of Danbury has stated that non-union employees are eligible for pension after 5 years of employment.

Mr. Kimmel commented that this amendment is only being created for Mr. D. Reid. Ms. LeTourneau stated that that is the way that is has been written due to the length of service that he has given.

Mr. Tobin commented that this was not right and that the amendment should affect all future Corporation Counsels, not just Mr. Reid.

Mr. Mann commented that Mr. Reid has a full-time law practice and makes $60,000 for his part-time position for the City, and should therefore, not be eligible for pension from the City.

Mr. Tobin asked how many hours does the Corporation Counsel work. Ms. LeTourneau stated that there is no hard date on that, but that the position is defined as working 21 hours or less.

Mr. McQuaid asked when this amendment would go into affect. Mr. McCready replied that it would be in July 2001.

Mr. Tobin stated that by only amending this for one person is not appropriate, that it should include all future Corporation Counsels. Mr. Mann replied that the position is part-time and no Corporation Counsel should receive this.

Mr. Tobin asked if there is any data on the number of hours the Deputy Corporation Counsel works. Ms. LeTourneau replied that there are not any time sheets available for this.

Mr. McCready stated that Mr. Reid has worked 8 years for the City and is entitled to as much of a pension as the Mayor is. Mr. Mann disagreed with this statement.

Mr. Kimmel stated that Mr. Reid should recuse himself from Counsel deliberations while this issue is being discussed. Mr. Tobin agreed with that suggestion.

Mr. Tobin asked if the wording of the amendment could be changed to include all future Corporation Counsels. Ms. LeTourneau replied that it could be changed.

** MOTION PASSED WITH 2 ABSTAINING (MR. KIMMEL & MR. MANN)

Recess: 8:51 – 8:55p.m.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT – FIRE CHIEF

Mr. McCready stated that he has no additional information to pass along at this point.

Mr. McQuaid stated that Mr. McCready, as the Chairman of this Committee, should write a letter to the Fire Commissioner regarding this matter. Mr. McCready agreed with that suggestion.

Mr. Kimmel asked how the Fire Chief was paid. Ms. LeTourneau replied that he is an at-will employee of the Fire Commission. Mr. Kimmel asked why the Mayor wanted to give the Fire Chief a contract. Mr. McQuaid replied that it is in the best interest of the Chief, as it will protect him in the future.

Mr. McCready stated that he will contact the Fire Commissioner by letter and will get an answer on the contract matter. Mr. McCready requested that this item be on next month’s agenda.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Ms. Lauricella told the Committee about the Senior Environmental position stating that it will be filled. She commented that Planning & Zoning is spread too thin these days and is not able to adequately perform this function as well. Ms. Lauricella stated that she wrote a letter to the Mayor last year regarding the matter of having a proper hiring selection committee for this position. She stated that the proper type of committee is still not in place and that they are already on their 3^rd committee. Ms. Lauricella stated that they need an individual with 3-4 years of experience as an application processor in order to handle the conservation problems. She stated that this person should also be able to handle Land Use issues and must be a qualified employee.

ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business to discuss, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:15pm

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Bales

Telesco Secretarial Services

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