Columbus, Georgia

Minutes for the Meeting of the

Public Safety Task Force Committee

March 31, 2004





Present members of Task Force: Councilors Wayne Anthony and Skip Henderson

(8:07 a.m.). Jackie Lee, Glen Bahde, Eddie Hall, Carl Kinzalow (9:10 a.m.),

Thomas Faulkner, Charles Shafer, J. D. Hawk, Randy Robertson and Byron Hickey.



Absent members: Bobby Southerland, Brad Nelms, Bruce Whitehead and Craig A.

Haggas.



Visitors: None.



Clerk of Council: Ms. Tiny B Washington, Clerk of Council (8:20 a.m.) and Ms.

Triena Sharpe Administrative Specialist (8:03 a.m.).



Location: Ground floor Conference room of the Government Center.



Meeting began at 8:00 a.m.



COUNCILOR WAYNE ANTHONY RECAPS ON INFORMATION THAT WAS SHARED AT THE PREVIOUS

MEETING:



Meeting opened with Councilor Wayne Anthony recapping on the March 3, 2004

information.



Mr. Glen Bahde shares that they are researching other cities? budget

percentages that is being directed towards Public Safety. He also emphasizes

their understanding of the LOST and the importance of their willingness to

lobby support and assist in advertising. Councilor Henderson responds, in his

own defense and not in behalf of the Council; about being uncomfortable if

Public Safety dipped into their own funds to help promote the LOST, but

referred to the entire spectrum, explaining that salary issues are the biggest

point so far, yet also states that the study will bring out the facts and that

compression is the issue within the system. Mr. Randy Robertson interjects that

compression is the biggest issue.





THE GROUP DISCUSSES WHAT THE POSSIBLE SOURCES OF REVENUE ARE:



Councilor Anthony then suggests talking about sources of revenue, equity, pay

increases, additional jobs and funding things that have been shared at the

meetings that pertain specifically to Public Safety.



Responding to a question posed by Mr. Randy Robertson in reference to city wide

fees, Councilor Henderson explains that a form of it is done every year and the

percentages effects are across the board with some areas of the Government.



Councilors Henderson and Anthony, Mr. J.D. Hawk, Mr. Glen Bahde and Mr. Randy

Robertson continued for several minutes? brainstorming ideas that had

previously been used by several organizations; giving personal examples and

financial figures of the cost that would and did incur to implement the ideas.



Councilor Henderson concluded the discussion with an idea and history that

instructed the group to understand the 2 sides of the issue (Laborers and

Management).





THE GROUP NOW DISCUSSES THE POSSIBILITIES OF A SIGN ON BONUS:



Councilor Anthony shares about the sign on bonuses and the difference between

what agencies are offering, referring to one agency that offers a 5-10 thousand

dollar sign on bonus if you have completed your training. Mr. J.D. Hawk added

that it is considered post certified for the sign on bonus, yet he explains

that they do hire a regular officer. Mr. Randy Robertson explains that this is

what was done at APD; if you walked into APD without any college education,

they would start you off at $32,000; any law enforcement officer from Columbus

Georgia (Sheriff?s Office or Police Department) would start off at $41,000

because they are already post certified.



Mr. J.D. Hawk then explains that if the officer has over 2 years of training

then the cost is not passed to the new agency. Then Mr. Randy Robertson

explains that this comes out to approximately $2,800 not including salary

(through the Police Academy). Then Mr. J.D. Hawk remarks that the training

period is shortened.



Councilor Anthony recaps the options that were expressed in reference to the

10-year vesting; sign on bonuses, certifications, or the image of Columbus

being a training ground for other locations and what can be done about this

perception. Mr. Byron Hickey stated to increase their pay and the benefits.

Then Mr. J.D. Hawk explains the 10-year vesting is necessary for retention; to

avoid becoming a revolving door and the sign on bonus is unnecessary because of

the low pay for the post-certified officer.

Mr. Glen Bahde then explains the problem with the paramedics who are let off to

attend school and the difference of pay in other locations, to which Mr. Randy

Robertson agrees and expresses the effects of the employees working 2 jobs.



The discussion went on for several minutes in reference to the recommendations

for the pay decrease, to which Mr. Thomas Faulkner answered that they need to

restore the pay back from when it was reclassified. Mr. J.D. Hawk says the

problem is the interpretation of handling the pay, after which the discussion

ended with many members agreeing that the pay must be uniform.





MEMBERS EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT ATTENDANCE:



Mr. Byron Hickey then expresses gratefulness for Council members present and

his discouragement of the lack in attendance from the other Council members and

the Mayor scheduling another appointment with the Council members on the same

day. At this point Ms. Tiny Washington shares that Councilor Woodson was out of

town and Councilor Hunter was in court.



RECAP OF CONCERNS:



Councilor Anthony recaps over what was still on the table for discussion

between Public Safety and the Council Members, to which he answered as follows:



? Removed the PTO (Paid Time Off)

? Comprehensive Study (is already underway)

? Cost study Analysis for the 30 year and out and the Pension



Councilor Henderson answered Mr. Glen Bahde?s concern about why the study can

not be conducted by some of Public Safety?s Management or General Government,

to which he responded that the trust requires them to make this an arms length

transaction, he then expresses that he is speaking in his behalf and not in

behalf of the Council as a whole.



Mr. Randy Robertson spent several minutes explaining the FOPs position on

education and explains that there is inaccurate information tossed around,

stating he supported the elimination of education. Mr. Randy Robertson

continued to explain the difference between the Military Code of Justice and

the Police forces educational requirement. He continued to express the

reduction in the educational requirement for a certain period of time, which he

states was implemented by Chief Dozier and his understanding of the right Chief

Dozier has to implement this. Mr. J.D. Hawk expresses that there is some

concerns about the military service time-served, as an equivalent to the

educational requirement. Mr. Charles Shafer echoed concerns of Mr. J.D. Hawk.

Mr. Glen Bahde then states narrowing the search by focusing advertisement.

Councilor Henderson explains that in lieu of the educational requirement, he

believes that the understanding was to broaden the search and give access to

others to qualify for these positions. He continued to state that the pay,

benefits and education all have to be a part of the solution.



Mr. Randy Robertson expresses concerns about the transfer of life experience

for the military members and gave historical examples that did not work with

certain military members and some examples of ex-military members who were

successful. He then expresses agreement to a period of time for the educational

requirement and states that he wanted a good officer whose objective is not

just for pay purposes.



After the group summarized the points previously agreed upon Mr. Randy

Robertson, Mr. J.D. Hawk, Mr. Glen Bahde, Mr. Eddie Hall, and Mr. Byron Hickey

all agree to recommend that 3 years is a long enough time to allow for an

individual to meet the educational requirement.



Ms. Tiny Washington informs the group that a 4-year degree is already a

requirement in the ordinance for employees in reference to paid promotion.



THE GROUP DISCUSSES THE HIRING AND SELECTION PROCESS:



Councilor Anthony explains the difference between hiring, selection and

recruiting. He then expresses his intent to become aware of the recruiting

budget and executive loan of personnel who previously were contacted for

employment.





OPINIONS ABOUT AN ADVISORY COMMISSION:



Mr. Randy Robertson expresses concerns about a Citizens Review Board and

expresses favorable towards an Advisory Board. Councilors Henderson and Anthony

addresses that the Council Members position are 4 to 5 in support of the

Advisory Board, which Councilor Henderson continued to state that the rules of

engagement would deter some conflicts. Mr. Randy Robertson continued to expound

on the other trouble shooting mechanisms that assist the citizens with their

concerns and complaints such as Personnel Review Board and Internal Affairs.



THE GROUP DISCUSSES THE HEALTH CARE ISSUES:



Councilor Anthony answers the concern of Mr. Glen Bahde about Hospital care

issues with some of those he represents, to which Councilor Anthony shares that

there is some behind the scenes negotiations taking place concerning the Health

benefits.



THE GROUP DISCUSSES RESEARCH BEING DONE:



Councilor Anthony explains the 2-step process for Mercer research in reference

to Mr. Glen Bahde?s question about the pay plan being conducted by The

University of Georgia.



Ms. Tiny Washington then agreed to email the minutes from the Budget Review

Meetings, which occur on Tuesday?s after the Council meeting in the month of

May.



FINAL CLOSING REMARKS AND RECAP ON ISSUES:



Councilor Henderson then expresses the value that is being gained from the

Committee meetings. He also states that adding more meetings would not be

necessary because steps towards answers are being worked on.



Councilor Anthony recommends that at the next meeting they speak about 2 other

issues that he would like to present and establish a report to determine

whether they need to meet again. In which Mr. J.D. Hawk recommended that any

recommendation that the Committee agrees upon be formally presented to the

Committee before being submitted to the Council.



Councilor Anthony explains that the problem must be fixed economically and

states that the study may be done around July 1, 2004.



Councilor Anthony recaps over the main points covered during the meeting as

follows:



REVENUE

? LOST

? Alternative Tax: Minimum Housing Fee

? Fees: ABC

Alcohol Card: $25.00 -$50.00

MULCH



VESTING:

? 10 years

? Compression: Middle Pay

? Starting pay: Benefits

? Reclassifications

? One H.R. Department: for H.R. Department Hiring pay



? Pay

? Hiring

? Recruitment



Education:

? High School start at a level 9 (allowing 3 years for Associate)

? Associate Degree start at a level 10 (at 3 separate levels)



? 10.A - Associates Degree

? 10.B - Bachelors Degree

? 10.C - Masters Degree





Councilor Anthony ends the session and schedules the next meeting for April 28,

2004 at 8:00 a.m., which was rescheduled for May 21, 2004 at *8:00 a.m. and

subsequently to May 26, 2004 at 8:00 a.m.



Meeting adjourned at 9:52 a.m.





______________________________________

Triena B. Sharpe

Administrative Specialist

Recording Secretary