04/14/1975
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Proceedings of Civil Service Board meeting held April 14, 1975.
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The Clearwater Civil Service Board met in regular session on Monday evening,
April 14, 1975 at 7:30 P.M. in the Civil Service Office, City Hall Annex.
Members present: Glenn Finkenbinder, Helen Peters, Tom Chenoweth, A. D. Finch
and Carroll Nall
Visitors: Mary Drew, Judy Adriance, Gardner Smith, Officer, Richard Howard,
W. F. Bryant, Ted Motry, Gail Stoner, Monty Stoner, Virginia Leahy,
Jack Geisel, Robert Henry and Don Andrus
Chairman Finkenbinder called the meeting to order.
Mr. Chenoweth moved the minutes of March 10, 1975 be approved. Seconded by
Mr. Nall and motion carried.
Asst. Director reported on assembled examinations conducted.
Asst. Director reported on Certifications and Appointments.
Asst. Director reported on Lay-Offs and Dismissals.
Mr. Chenoweth moved that the resignations of Paul T. Dunn, Custodial Worker,
Central Services Department, John W. G. Creais and Gust A. Klang, Custodial Workers,
Central Services Department, Scott D. Cromwell, Diver/Worker, Marine. Department,
Morris Rose, Marine Attendant I, Marine Department, Theodore Littlejohn,
Recreation Assistant, Parks & Recreation Department, Lois Tweed, Maintenance Worker I,
Parks & Recreation Department, Chester Lewis, Jr., Golf Supervisor II, Parks &
Recreation Department, Janet S. Carr, Switchboard Operator, Police Department,
Raymond D. Boler, Rodman, Engineering Division, Public Works Department,
Thomas J. Barry, Parking Meter Collector, Traffic Engineering Department,
Anthony Holmes, Distribution Serviceman I, Gas Division, Utilities Department and
Ken D. Meyer, W.P.C. Attendant., W.Y.C. Division, Utilities Department be accepted.
Seconded by Mrs. Peters and motion carried. '
1. Mrs. Peters moved the Board ratify the Director's action in approving two
additional positions of Civil Engineer II, Range 68, Engineering Division,
Public Works Department. Seconded by Mr. Chenoweth and motion carried.
2. Asst. Director presented the Director's request for clarification of -the role
of the Civil Service Board and Personnel Director in the collective bargaining
process as stated in the Director's letter to the Board. A general discussion
on the subject ensued. Remarks included:
Miss Drew, President of.the CEA, stated that the CEA is opposed to the
Director attending the collective bargaining meetings.
Mr. Chenoweth stated he felt the Director should be present and represent the
City on the part of management. '''
Mr. Nall asked who would represent the City if the Director is not at the
meetings?
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Civil Service Board Meeting
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April 14, 1975
Bill Bryant, President of I.A.F.F. said he did not feel Mr. Laursen should have
been sitting on the opposite side of the Firefighters, taking the part of
management during the Firefighter-City negotiations. He stated that the Director
took minutes during their negotiations and he felt the minutes reflected the
management viewpoint. He stated these should have reflected the viewpoint of
both parties.
Mr. Finch stated he did not think the Personnel Director should even attend the
meetings. The Board has one function and that is to work in harmony with the
Appointing Authority and to carry out the intended purpose of merit. If the
Director is over at negotiations, he is going to be out of place. With respect
to employees' bargaining with the City he related that he didn't think they
have any business having any bargaining deals with anybody because they have
the best Civil Service law in the State of Florida but if the employees and
the City want to do that it is okay.as long as it doesn't violate these laws.
Mr. Nall stated that the thing he couldn't get through his head was the bitterness
toward Mike Laursen and asked what the problem was.
Judy Adriance, Secretary of C.E.A. said that the CSA receives many telephone
calls from people with complaints and they have the feeling that the Director
is not neutral and this is one reason why the C.E.A. does not want him at the
bargaining sessions. She stated that he needs to regain the confidence of the
employees.
Mr. Nall said that he was finding out something he didn't know about - lack of
confidence.
Judy Adriance said that the G.E.A. did not feel the Director was on neutral
ground, that he leans toward management; that this may be because Mr. Weimer is
using him like an Assistant City Manager. The C.E.A. would like him out of the
bargaining so that employees can feel they can go to him with a problem instead
of running to the Association.
Mary Drew stated it is hard for her to come and bring complaints to the Board
that she feels the Personnel Director should have brought to them; that employees
do not come to the Director because of what Mrs. Adriance said, they come to
the Association President; that she brought up things to the Board that the
Director had not brought up; and that he has no right or business at the
bargaining. If he is the Personnel Director, according to the law and according
to the rules, he will be busy enough and see the problems of employees and gain
their confidence - that's the job of the Personnel Director - and inform the
Civil Service Board what is going on.
Police Officer Richard Howard, F.O.P. representative,
objection to Mr. Laursen attending bargaining sessions
remain neutral.
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said the F.O.P. had no
but they feel he should
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Civil Service Board Minutes
April 14, 1975
Mr. Chenoweth stated that the man who is in charge of the personnel operations
of the City of Clearwater should know what is going on in matters affecting
personnel administration; that he works for the Civil Service Board and he
ought to be in a position to tell the Board what is going on. He said the
Director isn't going to be in that position if he is not at bargaining sessions,
Mr. Chenoweth moved that the Board direct our Director to attend the collective
bargaining negotiating meetings as a. neutral and observer and to be a source
of information to both parties -- not to be a member of either negotiating team.
Motion seconded by Mr. Nall and carried with Mr. Finch and Mrs. Peters voting
against the motion.
Mr. Bryant, I.A.F.F. President stated he would like to see Mike Laursen at the
bargaining sessions to confer with, but as a neutral. As long as he is on the
sidelines and with Mr. Chenoweth's motion, this would ensure his neutrality.
Mary Drew said that the C.E.A. Bargaining Agreement with the City stated that the
Personnel Director should not attend the bargaining sessions.
Mr. Bryant requested that the Board ask the Director to draw up policy guide lines
regarding Mr. Laursen attending the meetings. Mr. Chenoweth said he did not
think this was necessary, but if it can be done, we will approve it at the next
meeting.
Mr. Finch brought up the matter of grievances being presented directly to the Board
by the C.E.A. Mr. Chenoweth said this had been bothering him since he had been on
the Board. The employee representatives come to the Board with grievances which
they have never discussed with the Personnel Director. They should go to the
Director and try to get the grievance adjudicated and if they can't, then bring it
to the Board. They should go through channels - Supervisor, Department Director
and then Personnel Director.
Asst. Personnel Director read letter written by Mr. McFate, Housing Director to
Mr. Weimer stating that the Housing Authority unanimously approved amendment to the
agreement dated B-21-73 between Clearwater Housing Authority and City of Clearwater
which places the Housing Project Director under Civil Service. As soon as this is
approved by the City Commission it will be transmitted to the HUD office in
Jacksonville for their approval.
Miss Drew asked to be allowed to say something to the Board before the meeting
adjourned. She said the reason she has been coming and bringing things to the
Board was because, "Of the Personnel Director allowing violations of the law. When
employees don't know which way to turn and the Personnel Director does not bring
it up to the Board, such as Emergency Appointments, this Myra McCaskill deal and
many others - as President of the Association 'I felt that it is my duty, according
to the Employees Handbook, to come before the Board. If the Personnel Director does
not. inform the Board, then I think someone should inform the Board and let the
Board know what has been going on and this is the purpose of my attending all of
these meetings for the last four years and I feel that I have accomplished something
for these employees who are justified and have passed examinations and have their
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1 " Civil Service Board Minutes April 14, 1975
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`." legitimate complaints brought t o the Board because the Personnel Director has not
41- brought it to the Board."
Mr. Chenoweth said he felt she should first see if the Personnel Director can
resolve the problem and then if he doesn't resolve the problem, it can then come
==1 ti:; to the Board,
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-= Asst. Personnel Director advise d the Board Members that the Attorney for
Russell Riendeau had written a letter requesting that the matter regarding
Officer. Riendeau be withdrawn f rom the April Agenda.
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r?•.,r Mr. Chenoweth moved the meeting be adjourned. Seconded by Mr. Nall.
y?sr Respectfully su tted,
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Approved :
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Personnel Director & Secretary
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" Glenn
Finkenbinder Chairman
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