Present: Chairman Rackow, Alderpersons Sevenich, Filipiak, Seiser, Moore

Also Present: Mayor Wescott, C/T Schlice, Clerk Zdroik, Directors Gardner, Schrader, Van Alstine; Alderpersons Walther, Sowieja, Barr, Molski, Nealis, Phillips; Police Captain Dowling, Fire Chief Barnes, Mayoral Assistant Molepske, Portage County Personnel Director Freiberg, Paul Chronis (Journal), Gene Kemmeter (Gazette), Matt Mattano (WIZD)

1. 2001 new position requests (Police Department, City Assessor’s Office, Fire Department).

There were two clarifications made before the start of the meeting. The first one is the request is for the year 2002 instead of 2001, and the second clarification is that two of the requests are not for new positions but instead it is for upgrades of the positions.

Mayor Wescott said he has reviewed the requests and is supportive of the three position requests from the Police Department, City Assessor’s Office, and the Fire Department.

On the Police Department request, the Mayor feels the hiring of the civilian dispatcher will allow for more sworn police officers to work on the streets. He went on to say that it is cost effective and the City could be required to reimburse the federal government approximately $32,000 if the position is not retained and the Department Justice was to make the demand.

Chairman Rackow brought to the Committee’s attention Assessor Kuehn’s research of similar cities as to population, salary, and number of full time positions.

Mayor Wescott noted Fire Chief Barnes’ request is not for a new position. The request is for the 3/4 time Fire Department Confidential Secretary position to be increased from thirty hours to forty hours per week.

Since it is not listed in the Assessor’s survey, Ald. Seiser asked if the Deputy Assessor’s position is filled, how many full time positions will the Assessor’s office have?

Chairman Rackow said four full time positions.

Ald. Phillips asked if the Deputy Assessor position will start immediately.

The Mayor said Assessor Kuehn would like permission to start the hiring process in 2001, after the request has been approved by the Common Council in September 2001.

On the Police Department’s request, Ald. Phillips asked the status of the joint dispatch between Portage County and the Police Department and what effect will that have on hiring this dispatcher.

Mayor Wescott thinks it will probably take two years before we will have an answer to Ald. Phillips’ question. The City is working with the County’s Public Safety Committee on a Request for Proposal to identify a company that will do the analysis.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Filipiak seconded, to approve the 2002 position requests from the Police Department, City Assessor’s Office, and Fire Department. If the City Assessor is able to identify a successful candidate before 2002, then the Assessor has permission to proceed this year.

Ald. Sowieja made a statement on the dispatcher’s position request. He said this position started out as a grant to communities by the federal government. Now, with the hiring of this position, it is putting the burden on the taxpayers of the City, the Alderman said.

Chairman Rackow noted the City saw an opportunity to test this program and the City discovered that there seems to be a need for the position and is now proposing to retain the dispatcher.

Ald. Sowieja stated he appreciates the Chairman’s explanation but it is still taxpayers’ money.

Chairman Rackow said the federal grant is also taxpayers’ money.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

2. Adjourn into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) for an update on bargaining. (8:12 P.M.)

Ald. Filipiak moved, Ald. Moore seconded, to adjourn into closed session.

Roll Call: Ayes: Chairman Rackow, Ald. Sevenich, Filipiak, Seiser, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

3. Reconvene into open session for action on tentative agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 484, AFL-CIO. (8:45 P.M.)

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Sevenich seconded, to reconvene into open session.

Roll Call: Ayes: Chairman Rackow, Ald. Sevenich, Filipiak, Seiser, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Filipiak seconded, to recommend approval of the tentative labor agreement with the International Association of Firefighters, Local 484, AFL-CIO, for the years 2001 and 2002.

Ayes: Chairman Rackow, Ald. Sevenich, Filipiak, Seiser.
Nays: Ald. Moore. Motion carried.

4. Adjournment - 8:47 P.M.

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