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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.07.21 CC Minutes - HFD Relief Assoc MinutesMinutes City of Hugo Hugo Fire Fighters Relief Association Workshop Tuesday, July 21St, 2009 at 7:00pm Hugo Fire Hall Mayor Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 7: l Opm. PRESENT: Fran Miron, Becky Petryk, Phil Klein, Chuck Haas, Tom Weidt ABSENT: none ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, City Attorney Tom Weidner, City Attorney Kristine Eid, Economic Development/Parks Intern Shayla Syverson 27 fire fighters were present including Fire Chief and Relief Association Vice President Jim Compton, and Relief Association President Anthony Bronk Recap of May 20, 2009 workshop meeting with HFD Relief Association Mayor Fran Miron recapped the subjects covered at the workshop and introduced the City Attorneys that were present. Bronk shared that the current recognition of firefighters is after 10 years of service. In regards to tuition reimbursement, Bronk stated that the City does have it but needs to bring the same opportunities to the Fire Department as it benefits the City and the Department. Mike Ericson detailed applicable pages in the City of Hugo Employee Handbook and Personnel Policy, and said they are additionally covered through the Relief Association. Tuition reimbursement is detailed in the Handbook on page 14. Mike Ericson expressed that everyone should have a copy and know that they are covered under it. A firefighter stated that page 2 [of the employee handbook] read "except volunteer firefighters". Mayor Miron stated that firefighters are paid while on call. Weidner stated that it is something that is being worked out. The firefighter expressed continued confusion over having multiple books and just being handed the handbook and agenda for the meeting and questioned whether the point of the meeting was to discuss the handbook. Mayor Miron responded that the City Council acknowledges the concern over those items, that firefighters are covered by the Employee Handbook, but that the handbook was not going to be gone over in the workshop. A firefighter questioned if they were going to be heard and what the process would be. Mayor Miron stated that the City Council is taking input and providing direction to the staff. A firefighter asked when a final say would be made as the process has taken many years. Weidner said that the purpose of the workshop was to get the firefighters involved and that they would have opportunity to give input, but the decisions are to be made by the City Council. After a question about the handbook from a firefighter, Weidner said that the workshop would not result in a final product, but that there would be clarification between the two books and the City Council will be making final decisions. Haas questioned who is covered by tuition reimbursement and multiple firefighters positively reacted to being covered by that policy. Mayor Miron discussed retention, moving past the recap. Miron stated that all of the points discussed impact firefighter retention and that they goal of the City Council is to maintain longevity and maintain morale. HFD New Bonus and Point System Weidner gave background about the new points system and said that it complies with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The issue of the percent of substitution that can be done to still be considered for reimbursement was brought up. Weidner stated that 48 points per calendar year, 24 drills or meetings, etc. meant that the firefighters qualify for pension. Fire Chief Compton clarified that the substitution of points is not fair and that some negative points will be given out, and that this was read out to the firefighters during the last drill. Haas questioned the intent. Compton said that it is to make sure the duty crew is covered instead of having an "all call", which frees up the crew's time for family time. It also improves response time to calls. The point system was developed because it was easier to use per call and is used by other fire departments. Compton read through the new point system and gave additional information as needed. Haas questioned whether the annual review of the point system was similar to the percentage system and reflected the total call volume. Compton said that it matches the call volume every year. There was dialogue among firefighters about teams and the point system and the BLS program. Details were written on the white board about the additional volume of work required. Compton stated that he picks the teams, but the teams pick the hours and later that the job requirements have changed for everyone. After continued discussion among the firefighters, Mayor Miron asked that questions be directed to the City Council. A firefighter asked if [the Fire Department] needed more people. Issues of gathering points were discussed by the firefighters. Compton reminded everyone that it is not a volunteer Fire Department but that the state had changed them to be part-time paid on-call firefighters. Weidner stated that under the law, [the firefighters] are not volunteers but paid. A firefighter questioned why they are then not paid while on call. Mayor Miron stated that the nuances needed to be worked through to maintain the quality people in the Fire Department. He restated that the goal was to be fair and have a system that works well, but that all systems need review. Compton discussed the pay rate. A firefighter expressed frustration in that the pay rate is not the same for everyone because sometimes people get bumped from the call. Another firefighter clarified that there is always is a good reason when someone gets bumped from a call. Mayor Mixon asked about the teams. A firefighter stated that it has destroyed the camaraderie because he does not know the whole department and no one stays at the fire hall to "chew the fat". Mayor Miron confirmed that he heard that there was a need to expand in order to have fewer hours, but that it would compound camaraderie issues. He then asked for any additional discussion on the points system. Weidner asked of the Council at what frequency can [the firefighters] find a replacement and at what rate the can get rid of their shifts. He gave an example: if someone replaces 75% of their shifts, they can still make their points. This doesn't have a legal basis, but it is a policy question. A firefighter said that he doesn't have a problem making his points, but that he doesn't trade shifts because he doesn't think that is good for the Department. Compton said that when the new schedule and point system was established, they knew it would be hard, but that it allows for flexibility. Bronk said that he has conflicts with his job and did not have a cover for a shift because it was a vacation and family day. Discussion continued. A firefighter said that if they need the duty crew because they cannot have 25 people showing up for a single call and 2 people when it is at an inconvenient time. A firefighter added that it is important to have people with the right skill set present, especially with the ambulance service. Haas stated that he was hearing it was very important to have the duty crew, but that the other processes need tweaking. Lifestyles and reality really need to be taken into account. Also, Hass said that the purpose here was to find direction and identify issues, not to find a solution. Bronk suggested that the City establish a task force to find something that works for the majority of people. Petryk brought up the idea of a ready reserves system and tweaking the points for people's lifestyles. Compton stated that they tried to use a back-up crew but that it did not work. Mayor Miron linked this to the camaraderie issue in that people on ready reserves would have the opportunity to work with all the firefighters and discussed expansion. Compton said that there are 18 applicants and that the firefighters did not want to mix up the teams. Weidt stated that the Department has evolved, but that only six people are speaking. He questioned if that meant that the system works for the rest of the people. Weidt acknowledged that lifestyles change and that job requirements change and suggested an option for a reduced part-time position with reduced benefits. The firefighters continued discussion on what segment of time is best for them on the weekends. A firefighter stated that the vote had been spit on having 24 or 48 hour shifts on the weekends. Haas recognized the interest in the duty crew schedule and suggested that a committee be formed and that each member write ideas to be gone through by the committee so that they can make a recommendation. Mayor Miron said that his concern was that lifestyle choices are impacting the points system but that as the people change then the system would always be changing. Compton clarified that it is not the "good ole boys club" but that it is a job and the requirements have changed. A firefighter claimed that he has opted out of some training and that he does not feel that the job requirements have changed. Other firefighters strongly disagreed in that they are much better trained and that they have advanced with the additional educational opportunities. Weidner directed conversation back to the agenda items. Compton questioned being paid to sleep at the station. There was some discussion among the firefighters. Bronk said that he strongly encouraged the consideration of a task force appointed by the Mayor. He stated that it has always been family first, then job, then the department. He felt that a task force could accomplish more. Mayor Miron said that the Council would review the meeting notes, place this item on a future City Council meeting agenda and continue to look at the handbooks. A recommendation was made from a firefighter to utilize the website more. Compton suggested retention bonuses. Haas mentioned a task force to discuss the point system and retention. Mayor Miron made closing comments and complimented the Fire Department on the good work they have been doing. Compton invited the City Council to a house burn training on August 8th at Sam at 12604 Ingersoll Avenue North. Haas made a motion, Klein seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:OOpm. Respectfully Submitted, Shayla Severson