BOARD OF DIRECTORS - ACTION SUMMARY
Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - 6:00 p.m.
Administration Building
2101 Hurley Way, Sacramento, CA
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Horel. Board Members
Present: Engellenner, Granados, Goold, Horel, Jones, Stewart, Trujillo,
Valley, Vanderveen; Fire Chief Martinez, General Counsel Price, Board
Clerk Tilson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN
DISTRICT JURISDICTION INCLUDING ITEMS ON OR NOT ON AGENDA
CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Board Meeting Action Summary-October 3, 2001
2. Deposit Report-2001
3. District Claims-September 2001
· Board Action:
Stewart/Jones-Approve Consent Agenda and ratify claims. All in favor, with
Director Granados abstaining. Motion passed.
ACTION ITEMS(S)
1. Salary and Benefit Survey of Classifications Within the
Resolution Affecting Senior Management, Management and
Unrepresented Confidential Employees-(Means)
§ Item back before the Board after direction to have a Policy
Committee meeting to discuss certain issues, namely:
- Written proposal submitted by Director Vanderveen at the 10-3-01
Board Meeting
- October 3, 2001 Salary and Benefit Survey Report, Classifications
Under Review Section, Item 3, Board Clerk/Chief's Secretary-pending the
Fire Chief's position on the proposed reclassification of the Fire Chief's
Secretary
§ A special Policy Committee meeting was held October 11, with
discussion on the following:
- Two different Salary Proposals from Director Vanderveen for the
Unrepresented classifications: one dated October 3; another October
10-distributed at the meeting.
- Educational incentive excluded-a District-wide policy to be developed
and referred to the Policy Committee for consideration of an educational
assistance program
§ Two-page Salary Schedule report dated October 16, without
educational incentive, distributed to the Board from Director Vanderveen,
listing 14 unrepresented classifications-illustrating the original pay
scale and a recommended pay grade revised to incorporate a standard 8%
differential between each grade; 9 remaining classifications not
addressed.
§ Fire Chief Martinez addressed the issues considered at the special
Policy Committee meeting:
- Educational incentive is not a standard in the public sector; in lieu
of, he supported tuition reimbursement or assistance
- Senior Staff Administrative Coordinator- after the reorganization, he
assigned different job functions to Barbara Safford who had served as
Board Clerk/Chief's Secretary. The assignments were similar in some areas
to an Administrative Services Officer and District Analyst in the survey
conducted, salary to be consistent with the District Analyst. He supported
the reclassification.
- Wage grade schedule-met today with Director Vanderveen on his
document dated October 16 recommending salaries for 14 listed positions.
He requested the Board move on these salaries today-some positions are
vacant and need to establish salaries to proceed with the hiring process.
- Recommended the standard wage grade issue with a uniform differential
between the grades be referred back to the Policy Committee for study.
He reaffirmed the fact that any wage grade system being considered
would not result in a pay cut to any incumbent employees within a
classification.
§ Director Vanderveen recommended establishment of standards for the
entire District regardless of the issue-educational incentive or wage
grades.
- Provided staff and the Policy Committee with documentation on the
current 42 pay grades and a model for consolidation into fewer wage
grades; differential to be decided upon by the full Board.
- Recommended the 14 positions listed in his report be approved tonight
under the Revised Step 5 Salary figure with an 8% standard differential
between each classification, effective November 1, and refer the whole
issue back to the Policy Committee to formulate a standard for the entire
group of unrepresented personnel for consideration by the full Board and
application in the Resolution [for Senior Management, Management and
Unrepresented Employees] by the end of the calendar year.
Director Valley voiced concern relative to going this route if there is
a loss in equity for any contract employee from the former Sacramento
County Fire Protection District.
§ Salaries shown on Director Vanderveen's report for Electronics
Technician and Telecommunications Technician to be reversed--radio and
telephone technicians are more difficult to find according to Chief
Plessas.
President Horel requested the original staff analysis be amended to
reflect this recent information to provide an accurate up-to-date file
report for future reference.
§ President Horel questioned the concept of fewer wage grades and the
resulting effect of trying to force fit the balance of the classifications
into the equation if an arbitrary 8% differential is applied to the 14
listed positions. All the incumbents will be protected, but he questioned
the impact as it pertains to future employees in those classifications.
Chief Means stated a study on the appropriateness of a wage grade
approach to compensation for this District has not been done, and did not
have an answer to related questions.
§ Considerable discussion was held on the wage grade system versus a
need for equity adjustments for the seven positions and two
reclassifications listed in the October 3, 2001 Salary and Benefit Survey.
§ Director Goold stated the Policy Committee will consider the
unrepresented positions not listed here tonight with a recommendation back
to the full Board, followed by a wage grade package to be applied to all
positions.
· Board Action:
Goold/Vanderveen-Approve the lower of the two salary scales shown in the
report as Original Step 5 or Revised Step 5 effective November 1, 2001 for
the 14 listed classifications, with the salaries of the Electronic
Technician and the Telecommunications Technician to be reversed; the
remaining unrepresented personnel not listed tonight be referred back to
the Policy Committee to move these classifications into a consolidated
wage scale, followed by a complete District-wide analysis of all wage
grades at the Policy Committee level. Directors Goold, Jones, Stewart,
Trujillo, Vanderveen, Horel, YES. Directors Engellenner, Granados, Valley,
NO. Motion carried 6 - 3.
FOR THE RECORD:
14 listed classifications referenced above and approved Step 5 Salary for
each:
Information Technology Manager $ 7,546
Deputy Fire Marshal $ 6,986
CQI Manager $ 6,470
Info Infrastructure Technician $ 5,990
Network Systems Technician $ 5,547
Purchasing Agent $ 5,486
Computer Systems Technician $ 5,341
Administrative Coordinator $ 5,136
Telecommunications Technician $ 4,770
Staffing Specialist $ 4,693
Electronics Technician $ 4,651
Help Desk Technician $ 4,403
Senior Accounting Technician $ 3,673
Legal Secretary $ 3,656
BREAK-7:30 p.m. RECONVENED-7:40 p.m.
· Board Action:
General consensus the Policy Committee will study the concept of tuition
reimbursement in addition to the pay grades.
§ Director Vanderveen confirmed the fact that the salary pay grade
issue being referred back to the Policy Committee does not include
educational incentive.
He recommended that job descriptions established contain appropriate
educational criteria as a mandatory qualification, except in the case of
incumbents.
2. Resolution No. 52-01-Industrial Disability Retirement-(Appel)
Firefighter John D. Arnaz
[considered after Closed Session]
§ Work related injury resulting in permanent disability precluding
performance of duties as a Firefighter
§ Application filed with the Public Employees' Retirement System
§ Recommend approval-Retirement effective October 18, 2001
· Board Action:
Engellenner/Goold-Motion to adopt the Resolution. Unanimous vote in favor.
PRESENTATION ITEM(S)
1. Fire Station Master Plan-(Ritter)
[taken out of order after Action Item 1]
Chief Plessas reported that direction was given at the last Board
meeting for more public outreach within the next 30 days to solicit
comment on the Plan.
A focus group to include Chief Haverty and the Community Services
Division strategized possible steps to contact the 600,000 residents in
our community, to include:
§ Considerations for cable casting a Board meeting:
- The 30-day time frame is not adequate for the November 7 meeting
- Researched an off-site Board meeting at six possible locations:
- Orangevale Community Center
- North Highlands Community Center
- La Sierra Community Center
- City of Citrus Heights City Council Chambers
- Gold River Community Center at Gold River
- Sacramento Sheriff's Office Rockingham Service Center
It is difficult to schedule these meeting rooms and the cable group
within a 30-day timeframe.
- Cable cast by Metro Cable Broadcast in the District Board Room
Fire Chief Martinez suggested the regular business be conducted at the
November 7 Board meeting; the second Board meeting falls on November 21,
the day before Thanksgiving, and typically the meeting is moved; we can
focus on broadcasting a regular meeting the following week, November 26
through 29.
Other areas of public outreach:
- Mailer brochure to all District employees to include retirees
- Follow-up meetings with employees at Stations 21, 50, 65, and 106 with a
presentation by Chief Haverty
- Hold on newspaper ads until a final brochure is completed
- Disseminate information/brochure within community newsletters
- Presentations/letters to community groups
- PowerPoint presentation located on the web site
- Attend breakfast meetings with Supervisor Don Notolli
- Fire Chief Martinez to meet with Supervisor Roger Dickinson
- Inquiries received from the Sacramento County Board of
Supervisors-meeting scheduled next Thursday with their Chiefs of Staff for
a briefing on our activities
- Plans to meet with the staff of the Citrus Heights City Council
and the R.E.A.C.H. groups representing the City of Citrus Heights
Directors Goold and Trujillo to be notified of any meetings
- Susie Rupp of The Rupp Company, a professional marketing and public
relations organization, is assisting the Focus group for the next 30 days
to accomplish public outreach goals
- Deputy Chief Ritter stated architectural services have been secured
for the station design criteria for inclusion in the overall Master Plan;
should be available at the next regular meeting.
- Steve Hanson encouraged follow-up on utility companies for
dissemination of information. Applauded efforts of the outreach program;
concerned with the closure of Station 102, and scheduling this meeting
after a major holiday which may lend to a lack of participation by
citizens.
- Director Vanderveen and President Horel both indicated an interest in
participating in community outreach meetings.
· Board Action:
General consensus to allow staff to proceed with plans to establish an
available date to cablecast a Board meeting to discuss the single topic of
the Fire Station Master Plan.
2. Agreement for Video Services/3rd Alarm Program
With Peppers & Associates-(Price/Plessas)
- The District has utilized the services of Peppers & Associates
for specified video purposes, including production and editing of the
"3rd Alarm" program.
- The contract for services is up for renewal. The term of the new
Agreement is October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002, with a maximum
compensation of $65,000.
- Recognized Captain Steve Simonich for an excellent job as the point
person on this project.
- Request for clarification of the Scope of Services to specify
production of a minimum of six programs
- Staff recommends the Board authorize the Fire Chief or his designee
to execute the Agreement for Services with Peppers & Associates.
· Board Action:
Stewart/Granados-Approve staff recommendation. Unanimous vote in favor.
3. Fire Station 23 Remodel-Award Contract for
Architectural Services-(Price)
- In order to proceed with the remodel of Station 23, it is necessary
to obtain architectural services for the design, construction documents
and specifications, project bidding, and project construction services.
- Request for Proposals (RFP) issued September 25, 2001. Three
responses received: CH& D Architects-$75,580; ATI Architects-$130,000;
and RRM Design Group-$122,000.
- Station 23 will be reconstructed in phases. Redesign criteria to be
consistent with the new construction criteria being developed by the
architect to include separate but equal gender restrooms, locker
facilities. All facilities have been tested for asbestos-in remodels or
reconstructions, those issues are taken care of simultaneously. ADA
requirements, permanent generators, decontamination areas to be included;
met with all station line personnel and integrated their recommendations
where possible in the overall plans.
- Design documents will be made available to the Board
- Remodel sign suggested for public awareness of improvements to the
existing facility within the community
- Staff recommends the contract be awarded to CH&D Architects, and
the Fire Chief or his designee be authorized to enter into a standard form
AIA architectural services agreement to proceed with the remodel of
Station 23 in accordance with the scope of architectural services and
responsibilities outlined in the RFP.
· Board Action:
Valley/Goold-Approve staff recommendation. Unanimous vote in favor.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT-(Horel):
- Named to participate on the Arden Arcade Planning Commission
Workgroup for Public Safety; unable to attend the October 27 meeting but
Paul Lake of the Sacramento County Planning Agency indicated the work will
go on through March. Looks forward to participating.
- Received meeting notice from the Sacramento County Employees
Retirement Board. Anyone interested in participating can contact Board
Clerk Tilson.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT-(Fire Chief Martinez)
- Announced the appointment of Firefighter Larry Savage to Engineer and
Battalion Chief Wynn Latta to Assistant Chief, effective November 1, 2001.
GENERAL COUNSEL'S REPORT-(Price):
- The District was served yesterday with a tort claim involving the
newspaper cameraman who tripped and injured himself at Station 23 and
subsequently passed away-this item will be on the Closed Session for the
next meeting.
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATE REPORTS:
Communications Center Delegate-(Vanderveen)
- Next meeting: October 30, 2001 at 10:30 a.m.
Regional Fire & Rescue Training JPA-(Stewart)
- Next Meeting Date: TBA
Policy Committee-(Goold)
- Next meeting: November 7, 2001 at 5 p.m.
Finance Committee-(Vanderveen)
- Next meeting: TBA
CONVENE TO CLOSED SESSION AT 8:45 P.M.
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION AT 9:25 P.M./CLOSED SESSION REPORT
General Counsel Price reported on the Closed Session:
Conference With Legal Counsel-Existing Litigation
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 (a)
John D. Arnaz vs. Sacramento County Fire Protection District
WCAB-SAC 296041
Board briefed by staff-no action taken.
Resolution to be considered under Action Item No. 2.
Conference With Legal Counsel-Existing Litigation
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(a)
Sacramento Area Fire Fighters, Local 522 v. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire
District
Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 01AS04439
Board briefed by staff-no action taken.
Threat to Public Services or Facilities
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957
Board briefed by Fire Chief Martinez-no action taken.
BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
Goold:
Inquired about replacing the current Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
banner on the wall behind the dais.
Fire Chief Martinez stated we are in the process of finishing the Board
Room to include audio visual; will focus on creative ideas for something
suitable.
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Charles A. Horel, President Gay Jones, Secretary
Charlotte Tilson, Clerk of the Board
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