Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES

COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA

WORK SESSION

SEPTEMBER 24, 2002





The regular monthly Work Session of the Council of Columbus, Georgia was

called to order at 9:04 A.M., Tuesday, September 24, 2002, in the Council

Chambers, Government Center, Columbus, Georgia. Honorable Bobby G. Peters,

Mayor and Honorable John J. Rodgers, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.



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PRESENT: Present other than Mayor Peters were Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and

Councilors Glenn Davis, Berry Henderson, Julius H. Hunter, Jr., Charles E.

McDaniel, Jr., Evelyn Turner Pugh, Richard Smith, Nathan Suber and Evelyn

Woodson (arrived at 9:08 a.m.). City Manager Carmen Cavezza, City Attorney

Clifton Fay, and Deputy Clerk of Council Sandra Davis were also present.



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ABSENT: Councilor R. Gary Allen was absent. Clerk of Council Tiny B.

Washington was also absent.



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INVOCATION: Led by Rabbi Thomas Friedman- Temple Israel Synagogue.



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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Peters.



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CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY FAIR:



Mr. Jared Smith, Marketing Manager Administration Manager for the Civic

Center, was present to invite the members of Council and everyone down to the

South Commons Complex and the Civic Center where the Chattahoochee Valley Fair

would be held, over the next ten days, from September 26 through October 6,

2002. He also mentioned some of the events in which for the first time, the

Civic Center would be used as a grand stand on both weekends for the Fair. He

provided stuffed animals for the members of Council.



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COLUMBUS AUTO & RADIATOR SERVICE:



Mayor Peters publicly thanked Mr. Paul Hall and Mr. Mark Rose from

Columbus Auto & Radiator Service for assisting him when his car broke down on

Hamilton Road. He said the gentlemen stopped what they were doing to fix his

car, so he could get back to his meeting that was being held downtown.



FIREFIGHTER?S ASSOCIATION:



Mayor Peters also thanked the Firefighter?s Association for working with

the Administration and the firefighters throughout the whole department during

this process.



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MINUTES: Minutes of the September 10 and September 17, 2002 meetings of the

Council of the Consolidated Government of Columbus, Georgia were submitted and

approved unanimously by those nine members present for this meeting, upon the

adoption of a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers and seconded by Councilor

Suber.

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CONSENT AGENDA:



THE FOLLOWING FOUR ORDINANCES LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WERE APPROVED

BY THE COUNCIL ON SECOND READING UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM

RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SUBER WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE NINE

MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS MEETING:



An Ordinance (02-96) ? Rezoning approximately 0.32 acres of property

located at 1105 and 1109 19th Street from an R-3A District to a C-3 District.

(48-CA-02-Cummings)



An Ordinance (02-97) - Rezoning approximately 0.16 acres of property

located at 1101 19th Street from an A-O District to a C-3 District.

(49-CA-02-Cummings)



An Ordinance (02-98) ? Rezoning approximately 1.84 acres of property

located at 10051 Veterans Parkway from an A-1 District to a C-3 District.

(50-CA-02-Russell)



An Ordinance (02-99) ? Amending the FY03 adopted budget, beginning July 1,

2002 and ending June 30, 2003, by reappropriating funds for activities

continued from FY02 and adjustments made for other purposes.



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THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION WAS SUBMITTED AND WAS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL

UPON A SINGLE MOTION MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM RODGERS AND SECONDED BY COUNCILOR

SUBER WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY THOSE TEN MEMBERS PRESENT FOR THIS

MEETING:



A Resolution (536-02) - Authorizing the acceptance of a deed to Village

Lop located in Section Eight, Kirkwood Subdivision on behalf of Columbus,

Georgia.



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GOVERNMENT ACCESS CHANNEL:



Mayor Peters reminded everyone that this presentation on the Promotional

Procedures/Organizational Analysis for the Department of Fire and Emergency

Medical Services would be played every night on the Government Access Channel

for those firefighters and others that are not present in the audience today.

He pointed out that there would be no votes taken on this matter today and this

is just a presentation of recommendations from this consulting group that has

spent a lot of time on this issue.



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NEW ZONING PETITIONS:



THE FOLLOWING TWO NEW ZONING PETITIONS WERE SUBMITTED AND AN ORDINANCE WAS

CALLED FOR ON EACH BY COUNCILOR SUBER:



Petition submitted by Tiger Creek Development, Inc., to rezone

approximately 13 acres of property located at 6801 Warm Springs Road (south of

the creek) from an A-1 District to an R-2 District. (Recommended for denial by

the Planning Advisory Commission and approval by the Planning Division.)

(52-A-02-Tiger Creek Development, Inc.)



Petition submitted by Tiger Creek Development, Inc., to rezone

approximately 24 acres of property located at 6801 Warm Springs Road (north of

the creek) from an A-1 District to an R-2 District. (Recommended for denial by

the Planning Advisory Commission and conditional approval by the Planning

Division.) (53-CA-02-Tiger Creek Development, Inc.)



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NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS:



Mayor Peters recognized the presence of Mayor-Elect Robert Poydasheff and

Councilor-Elect Wayne Anthony in the Council Chambers. He complimented

Councilor-Elect Anthony on the great job that was done on the House of Heroes

Program.



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DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES:



Mayor Peters advised that a copy of the recommendations has been submitted

to the Council from the CWH Management Solutions. (A copy of this document has

been filed for the record.) He said that for the last couple of years, the

Fire Department has gone through so much with the ISO rating being reduced for

the first time in the history of our City and with no fire deaths in the year

2000. He also mentioned the new fire stations, expansions and new equipment.

He recalled the International Certification, in which, this was acquired for

the first time in the history of the City and with only a few departments in

the whole world that received this kind of recognition. He pointed out that

this ordinance and this combination of trying to combine EMS with the Fire

Department was a recommendation and is evidently the trend of the future to

cross-train the personnel and have them respond, rather than, everyone

responding to one accident or non-emergency call.



City Manager Cavezza reported that we have integrated EMS and the Fire

Department on paper, but the total integration is not there, and that?s what

this study is all about. He said that these consultants were asked to tell us

how to totally integrate EMS and the Fire Department so that they are an

effective organization that can respond in either direction. He said that this

would give the personnel a lot more flexibility in their jobs. He advised that

we went out for a Request for Proposal and CWH was selected. He pointed out

that Dr. Chris Hornick is the president of the organization and he has been out

and all of the firefighters know him, because he has been out in the field

talking to them, along with his assistant Mr. Michael Blair.



Mayor Peters pointed out that this is a long process. He advised that the

recommendations of where we want to be when there is total integration would

probably be four or five years from now.



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COMMAND STAFF PERSONNEL FROM FORT BENNING:



Mayor Peters recognized the presence of the Command Staff Personnel from

Ft. Benning. He said that they are new to our region; the Commanding General

of Ft. Benning, General Paul Eaton and his wife are present with them.



General Paul Eaton from Fort Benning came forward to acknowledge those

staff members present with him and express his appreciation for being asked to

be a part of this meeting.



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WORK SESSION AGENDA:



PROMOTIONAL PROCEDURES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES:



Mr. Chris Hornick, from CWH Consulting Firm came forward to provide a

brief slide presentation that concentrates on the basic concerns and

recommendations that the consulting firm wanted to make. He said that he

would start by reviewing the recommendations for the organizational structures

of the department; then, issues related to the rank structure associated with

that. He provided a simplified version of the organizational chart for the

Fire and EMS Department and briefly outlined the chart. He pointed out the

inconsistencies in the reporting levels, to which we are recommending some

changes. He proposed the creation of an additional assistant fire chief?s

position. He said that there are some compelling reasons, as this department

starts to grow, why this department would want two assistant chiefs. He

pointed out that we have moved Emergency Management, which was reporting

directly to the Fire Chief and would be reporting to one of the assistant

chiefs. He said that we have divided the four divisions that we believe are

appropriate for the department into two different groupings and are listed as:

Operations and Fire Prevention. He pointed out another major change is that we

have removed the EMS Deputy position and have created a new position, which is

the EMS Division Chief that is equivalent in rank to a Battalion Chief. He

said that with the creation of the new EMS Division Chief position, he believes

that one of the captains that is currently in EMS would be appointed to the

position of EMS Deputy Chief.



In response to some comments made by Mayor Peters, Mr. Hornick advised that

once Chief Roy Waters leaves his position; then, there is the potential to have

a single assistant chief or continue with two. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers asked if

there was a particular reason that Fire Prevention is a Division Chief position

and not a Deputy Chief, at which time, Mr. Hornick replied that most

departments have a division chief level ahead of Fire Prevention; it is not a

deputy level position.



Mayor Peters asked in three or four years when the integration is

complete, if there was a chart available that would show what the department

would look like after the interim consolidation. He pointed out that it is his

understanding that this consulting firm would stay on board to continue the

handling of testing and promotional procedures; then, assist the Mayor and

Council with formulating the new organizational chart. Mr. Hornick pointed out

that in that time frame, this chart could be modified.



Mr. Hornick continued by highlighting the staffing portion of the

recommendations and are listed as follows:



? Creation of an additional inspector position for fire prevention.

? All other staffing and positions remain as they exist today.

? Creation of a competitive process for battalion chief.



Mayor Peters pointed out that a lot of these changes would occur through

attrition as a lot of the personnel retire. Mr. Hornick added that our

recommendation is that no one be harmed in this process. He said that we are

considering everyone who is here now.



Mr. Hornick explained that one of the problems that exist in the fire

service across the country and also in Columbus is the willingness of line

personnel to apply for and accept positions in fire prevention and there are

many reasons for that. He recommended that the position continue to be

appointed and if a person leaves fire prevention and goes back on the line,

they would revert back to whatever previous rank and pay grade they were in at

the time they were on the line with the twenty-four hour shift. He said that

individual would not be prevented, while in fire prevention, from testing for

promotions. He then outlined the fire protection and fire prevention

recommendations and are as follows:



? Creating a fire prevention career path

? Fire prevention positions should be appointed

? Add one additional inspector position

? Change grade of inspector position to a grade 13.

? Separate career path be created for the Training Division.



Mayor Peters advised that there was a lot of abuses in this area, under

the previous management, where individuals would go into crime prevention or

training and acquire some ranking, in which they bypass the system by going

this route; then, they would decide to go back into the department with their

rank or with their pay, but this Fire Chief has not allowed that to happen.



When Councilor Woodson asked about the length of time an individual

usually stays in Fire Prevention, Fire Chief Roy Waters, said that usually

individuals take a position in Fire Prevention as a forced promotion and the

Training Division is the same way. He added that he would like to make a

correction in that we have two different positions in fire prevention;

inspector and investigator. He pointed out that the inspectors are a grade 15

and would remain as such. He said that the investigators are a grade 15, but

would go to a grade 13. He said that we have a hard time recruiting and we

have vacancies in our training division right now. He said that whenever a

position becomes available in the field; they normally would try to return back

to the field positions.



Continuing with the presentation, Mr. Hornick submitted his pay structure

recommendations and are listed as follows:



? Change grade of paramedic positions to grade nine and ten (consistent with

firefighters)

? Offer a flat rate incentive pay of $5,000. for paramedic certifications or

entry level for sergeant positions.

? Offer a flat rate incentive pay of $2,500. for paramedic certification for

lieutenant and captain ranks.

? If organizational structure recommendation is adopted, more pay equity in

both of the assistant chiefs position.



Mr. Hornick explained that essentially we are translating what use to be

an increase in pay grade to equal the actual number or dollar amount of the

entry level and getting away from the changing of pay grades. He pointed out

that one of the things that we are trying to do is create a strong incentive

for members of the fire service to encourage them to get a paramedic license,

and there is a significant financial advantage for doing that. He says that

this would create a faster response time by being able to provide a paramedic

on the fire engine when it arrives on the scene.



Mr. Hornick advised that we are recommending that pay increase be reduced

to $2,500. once a person promotes to the rank of lieutenant and captain. He

then asked Mr. Michael Blair to comment on this recommendation.



Mr. Michael Blair, from CWH Consulting Firm, stated that currently at the

lieutenant and captain ranks; even within EMS, there is no incentive being

offered; therefore on that side, we are suggesting that if an individual is an

EMS Lieutenant or EMS Captain and that person maintains and uses that paramedic

certification; then, there should be some sort of incentive or bonus for that.

He explained that we are recommending that at the officers level, we would go

to $2,500., which was derived through internal discussions with the

department. He said what was conveyed to us is that the opportunity at this

level to actually serve hands-on in the paramedic role is somewhat reduced

compared to somebody who would be at a paramedic or potentially at a sergeants

position, and because of that, it made sense to us that this incentive would be

somewhat reduced.



Responding to a question of Mayor Peters regarding a person going into a

position where they are not utilizing their paramedic certification; then,

asked if that person forfeits that $2,500., at which time, Mr. Blair pointed

out that it would be withheld for any positions across the board, that if an

individual has a paramedic certification, that person would have to be willing

to maintain it and use it, so the department would reap the benefits of that

person having that paramedic certification and could use that person as a

paramedic on an ambulance or an ALS (Advance Life Support Unit) capable

engine.



Mr. Hornick provided the recommendations regarding the eligibility for

promotions and are listed as follows: education, experience and certification.



He then outlined through the different ranks the criteria for being

eligible for promotion for each position. He advised that there has been an

addition to this, because when we presented to the members of the Fire

Department, some meaningful concerns were raised with regards to insuring that

whomever applied, and not just EMS personnel, but everyone who applies should

have had some fire experience and has actually responded on a fire apparatus to

gain some of that valuable on-the-job experience. He said that we agreed with

that. He said we attempted to address that issue by proposing that in those

three years, during the past year prior to going for promotion, a person must

have been responding on a fire apparatus for half of their shifts.



Mr. Hornick then responded to various questions regarding the eligibility

for promotions. Councilor Suber expressed concerns in the additional years for

a degree that the individual should have already satisfied with the initial

promotion to sergeant. Mr. Hornick said that he believes this falls under

seniority, because the longer an individual has been in the department; they

have met that requirement once and it does not matter what position that

individual was in when they met that educational tradeoff, and this is a valid

point.



Mayor Peters said that what is being discussed is that when the University

of Georgia conducted this study they recommended grand fathering people in that

did not have the college, because that was not a condition of their employment

when they were hired. He said that since 1997, the individuals that were hired

had to have an equivalent of an Associate?s Degree; therefore, we are talking

about those people that were hired prior to 1997 could still sit for promotions

by giving them credit for years of experience in lieu of the educational

requirement, but they really are hindered by not getting the college, because

they have to wait longer to sit for the promotional process, because they don?t

have the AA degree. He said that if that person goes back to school to get the

AA degree; then, that person could move up quicker or have that opportunity,

because that person does not have to do the four years, they could only do the

two years.



Mr. Hornick pointed out that in meetings with the Firefighter?s

Association, they had asked if we could create a 1-? years requirement for each

year of education within rank. He said that the current document from the

Firefighter?s Association reads that they would prefer a 1 to 1 tradeoff,

rather than, a 2 to 1 tradeoff. He recalled that traditionally in industrial

psychology, we trade two years of experience as an equivalent tradeoff to

having had one year of education.



Councilor Smith asked if we have enough trained EMS personnel to allow an

EMS employee to spend 50% of their time as a firefighter to achieve this

necessary experience for promotion and if not, what is the earliest point and

time we are anticipating that to be feasible. Mayor Peters replied that there

is a chart that shows that they are cross-training the EMT?s and are being

given the opportunity on the EMS side to ride on the trucks, but it is still

going to take a year or two or maybe longer before the people on the EMS side

to be able to compete in these positions, and that is the reason for

maintaining a separate rank structure during this interim three year period.

Mr. Hornick recommended that that the City begin, as soon as possible,

transforming some of the engines, the fire apparatus as ALS capable; therefore,

the City would be able to not have an EMS paramedic respond on just the

ambulance, but they could also respond on an engine, it then reduces the

response time to provide that level of care to a potential patient.



Councilor Henderson suggested that perhaps there is a way as opposed to

requiring additional time in rank for the people who don?t have degrees to

allow some point compensation through the assessment center for those who do

have the degree. He said this way once they have progressed to the rank of

sergeant and try to obtain the position of lieutenant, they would not have to

take another four years in rank to be considered along with the people that

have two years in rank with that Associate?s Degree; however, those people that

do have the Associate?s Degree may get a couple of extra points assigned to

their score through the assessment center.



Mr. Hornick advised that one of the positions that the Firefighters

Association has taken is that they would like to see some type of point

structure be assigned for that education. He agreed with the observation that

if we say just plain four extra years of seniority at any level within the

organization translates to the equivalency of an Associate Degree and that it

is not something that has to recur each time they achieve the next highest

rank; then in essence what has been done, is removed any reward for those

individuals who have passed these initial years within the department. He

explained what he perceived would be difficulties in providing additional

points for those who achieved the degrees. He said that problem is

statistical, because the range of scores that are achieved by the candidates in

the process would determine how much value those points that are added turns

out to be; there is no easy way to provide a solution to that.



There was continued discussion on this matter with Mr. Hornick responding

to various questions from the members of Council. Mr. Hornick then proceeded

with his presentation regarding promotional criteria.



Mr. Hornick stated that for the positions of Fire Sergeant, Fire

Lieutenant, Fire Captain, EMS lieutenant and EMS Captain, we are recommending a

two-stage process and are listed below:



? Written Test derived from a reading list over their technical knowledge

related to what they need for those positions.

? Performance Test or assessment center

? Fire Battalion Chief being a competitive position ? performance

test/assessment center

? EMS Division Chief ? Internal Review Panel





Promotional Scoring Procedures:



? Written test of technical knowledge

? Performance test/Assessment Center

? Rank order on eligibility list will be done by weighing the written test

scores and the performance test scores of those candidates passing both

phases of the exam process.



When Councilor Woodson asked about the written scores being provided, Mr.

Hornick said that one option is to tell the candidates only that they passed or

failed and not reveal the score. He believes that there tends to be an

influence with that prior knowledge of the actual score. He recommended

providing scores once at the end of both elements of the process.



Responding to Mayor Peters, Mr. Hornick recognized that we may be called

upon to legally defend the promotional process that we have designed for the

City, and if that were the case, we would have a very strong case for defending

the weights that are being presented today. He pointed out that if we change

them to something else, for whatever the reason may be, it may or may not be

very compelling in a court of law.



Promotional Selection Procedures:



? Rule of Five with replacements



Mr. Hornick recommended that we continue with the Rule of Five with

replacements. He explained that the Chief would receive a list of top five

candidates and would be required to make an appointment from that list. He

said that once he had made that list, we are still recommending that instead of

two, that one person be added to the list and that the Chief be allowed to make

an appointment from that group again. He said that the Chief would prefer to

exhaust the band prior to adding any new individuals to it, but by writing the

ordinance to allow replacement in that group would not preclude the Chief from

following exactly what he chooses to do.



There was continued discussions on this matter with Mayor Peters

requesting that the ordinance be written the way the Chief would prefer to

promote, which is to exhaust the top five, then bringing up the next five.

When questions were raised regarding disciplinary actions of an individual that

is part of the top five list, Mr. Hornick explained that if an individual

sustains suspension during the time an individual is on the list, that person

would be removed from the list. Councilor Woodson suggested that there be

something in place where an individual is preparing to go into a sergeant rank

that they would have some type of beyond-the-job training, which focuses on

management and people skills. Mr. Hornick maintained that his recommendation

would be that we establish some type of training program for future officers

and once they become officers, require that they go through some type of

training program, but the department is not there yet.



At this time, Mr. Hornick addressed the integration of the rank

structures. He pointed out that cross training needs to be the highest

priority within the department. He projected this could be done within a five

year time frame with an aggressive approach. He said that EMS should be the

first on the call-up list to fill in for vacations, sick leave, etc. for any

fire apparatus openings, and likewise for an ambulance response, the fire

personnel should be first on that call-up list. He pointed out that if we are

requiring personnel to spend 50% of their shifts on the fire apparatus as part

of the promotional procedures; then, we have to make those opportunities

available.



Mayor Peters asked about the cost to convert a fire truck to an ALS

engine, at which time, City Manager Cavezza replied that it would be

approximately $31,000. per truck. City Manager Cavezza said that we are

looking for that money now, because we need to move to the ALS truck quickly.



Mr. Hornick said that his last point is to phase out the parallel

promotion process. He said that he believes that it is in the best interest of

the community that we eliminate, as soon as possible, the distinctions between

EMS and Fire personnel. Mayor Peters said that is going to be the biggest

issue, and that is the reason we are maintaining the dual role in this

three-year interim plan. Mr. Hornick said that we are recommending that we

commit to phasing out the separate testing process for EMS and Fire personnel

approximately five years down the road.



In conclusion of the presentation, he said that he wanted to put on the

record that we are recommending that in the promotional ordinance, that the

length of eligibility roster would be determined on a yearly basis as to how

long it would last, and it would be announced prior to the testing process.



Mayor Peters said that a member of Council would now have to sponsor the

ordinance, and it could be amended on first reading next Tuesday. Councilor

Turner Pugh said that she would sponsor the ordinance, but maintained that this

is not going to be something that we are going to rush through, because we are

going to give it the time it needs.



City Manager Cavezza said that the intent is not to rush it through, but

if we were to go to first reading next week, we would try to put an ordinance

together in conjunction with the consultants; then, the Council could amend it

accordingly. Councilor Suber asked if the study information for the testing

procedures have been given out, at which time, City Manager Cavezza confirmed

that the material has been distributed. Mr. Hornick pointed out that the week

of December 16, 2002, we are still planning on going forward with the written

test. City Manager Cavezza stated that if there is an ordinance in place

before that time; then, we are okay, but if not; then, obviously, the testing

would have to be delayed.



Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers commended the two consultants present for all the

hard work that was done to provide these recommendations. Mayor Peters then

asked about the time frame for this ordinance to be on first reading, at which

time, City Manager Cavezza advised that we are going to try to get the

ordinance to the Councilors on this Friday, September 27, 2002. Mayor Peters

advised that this ordinance would be on first reading on October 1, 2002; this

is a night meeting.



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EXECUTIVE SESSION:



City Manager Cavezza requested a brief executive session to discuss a

personnel issue. Mayor Pro Tem Rodgers made a motion to go into executive

session. Seconded by Councilor Suber and carried unanimously by those nine

members present for this meeting.



At 11:24 the regularly scheduled meeting adjourned to allow the members of

Council to go into an executive Session. At 12:12 p.m. the regularly scheduled

meeting was reconvened at which time, Mayor Peters confirmed that the

Councilors did meet in executive session to discuss a personnel issue, but no

votes were taken.



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Fire Chief Waters made some brief comments regarding the testing phase

that has been scheduled for December.



With there being no other business to come before the Council, this

meeting was adjourned, upon the adoption of a motion made by Mayor Pro Tem

Rodgers. Seconded by Councilor Suber, which carried unanimously by those nine

members of Council present for this meeting with the time being 12:14 p.m.



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Sandra T. Davis

Deputy Clerk of Council

The Council of Columbus, Georgia