11/26/2008 Special Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-SPECIAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 26, 2008
Mayor Vossler called the special meeting of the City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Advanced notice of meeting was given by posting in three prominent places within the community. All proceedings shown were taken while the meeting was open to the attendance of the public.
The Mayor, James Vossler, presided and City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Dan Fricke, Harlan Schrock, Dale Lawver, and Dan Drake. A quorum being present and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.
As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, Mayor Vossler announced that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act has been posted on the south door of the City Hall meeting room for all in attendance to review.
Mayor Vossler announced that this special meeting was scheduled to discuss proposed changes to city employee benefits, policies, and procedures, and to determine annual employee wage/salary increases. (Proposed changes submitted by Dale Lawver for consideration are attached, as well as correspondence from Patrick Gates relating to Lawver’s proposal.)
Items discussed included the following:
Employee duties and responsibilities (job descriptions)
Wages/salaries
Employee log books
Employee evaluations
Improved communication(s) between Council and employees (utilizing committees)
Priority list of projects, goals
Updating the Friend Municipal Code
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, informed the Council that he requires his employees to utilize log books and that these books are available for the Mayor and Council’s review.
Dan Drake commended the employees on the exceptional job they’ve done cleaning the streets (including snow removal), as well as mowing city lots. Councilman Drake also added that they do a great job taking care of the park.
After discussion relating to the issues listed above, motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Schrock for the following proposed increases to employee wages to be retroactive as of October 1, 2008, Gates-3%, McFarland-3%, Gilmer-7%, Whitmore-5%, Anderson-3%, Baugh-3%, Yoder-3%, Domeier-3%. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Fricke, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates stated to the Mayor and Council that when any changes to the current employee policies and/or practices may be considered, he feels it is important that he and all employees be involved in the process and that employee input and/or feedback be considered. Council agreed.
With no further business to come before the Council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Dan Drake, seconded by Harlan Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Drake, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
