HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-12/27/2017-SpecialDecember 27, 2017
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
Council -Manager Form of Government
Special Meeting — 6:00 PM
• ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Martinez, Stephens, Summers, Overbeck, Troxell, Cunniff, Horak
Staff Present: Atteberry, Daggett, Coldiron
• DISCUSSION ITEMS
Resolution 2017-116 Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Northern Colorado
Lodge #3 of the Fraternal Order of Police. (Adopted)
The purpose of this item is to approve a collective bargaining agreement between the City and the
Northern Colorado Lodge #3, Colorado Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and authorize execution of
such agreement. After the FOP voted not to ratify a proposed 2018-2019 contract, the parties returned
to the table and tentatively agreed to a one-year contract for 2018. The FOP presented this contract
to their members, and with 91 % voting, the contract ratified by a vote of 84 % yes and 16% no. The
contract now comes to City Council for consideration, and if approved, will go into effect on January 1,
2018.
Kelly DiMartino, Assistant City Manager, stated a tentative agreement on a one-year contract was
reached December 21, and the FOP members have voted to ratify that contract. Changes have
occurred relating to the total compensation committee, which will focus on compensation,
retirement, and retiree medical, a stipend increase for employees who may retire in 2018, the
addition of 0.5% to the 401 contribution, uniform and equipment handling, and the grievance
hearing process. If Council ratifies the contract, it will 'go into effect on January 1.
Mayor Troxell asked Chris Renn, Vice -President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 3, to
clarify statements he made in the Coloradoan. Officer Renn thanked Council for taking the time
to have this special meeting and discussed his comments relating to the negotiations, which have
included retirement, medical retirement, and salary. In the last attempt to bring a contract to a vote
prior to impasse, the FOP put together what it believed to be fair market -substantiated proposals.
The retiree medical has been the topic with the most pronounced deficiencies and conflict
resolution was discussed because assurance of getting to a point of market -competitiveness could
not be provided.
Officer Renn stated the FOP does not seek conflict and believes it reached out and exercised every
effort within its ability during the negotiation process.
Mayor Troxell asked where things stand today regarding the establishment of a committee for
research and retirement plans, compensation packages, retirement plans, the 0.5% increase in
retirement contributions, the 0.25% increase in retirement health savings, the one-time stipend of
$50,000, the 10% payout of remaining sick leave, and other issues. Officer Renn replied these
issues have been brought forth in the past and the committees were the idea of the FOP to ensure
the negotiations are fair in the future for both parties. The movements in the contract are
appreciated and will help officers at the end of their careers, but there is still work to do.
Mayor Troxell asked if the City backed out of the conflict resolution clause at the last minute, as
was stated by Officer Renn in the Coloradoan. City Manager Atteberry replied he does not believe
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December 27, 2017
the City backed out. DiMartino replied conversations were happening regarding some other type
of mediation and means of sharing information. The FOP questioned whether a mediator could
look at the City's finances and make a determination and was more interested in arbitration, which
the City has been consistent in saying it is not interested in pursuing.
Mayor Troxell asked Officer Renn how the City could back out if it did not agree. Officer Renn
replied the parties were at a point of contractualizing language that would deal with conflict
resolution, there was a break in dialogue, and that option was off the table upon reconvening.
Mayor Troxell noted the committee would' allow conflict resolution to be pursued and asked
Officer Renn to clarify his comments. Officer Renn replied the committee does not, in and of
itself, ensure outcomes and there are concerns among the FOP membership. He stated he has a
much higher level of confidence that things can be accomplished moving forward after his
conversation with Mr. Atteberry this morning:
Mayor Troxell asked Officer Renn to substantiate his claims this offer is not competitive. Officer
Renn replied the employer contributions to retirement offerings fall 8`h among 12 benchmark cities
with the 11.5% contribution the officers will receive if this contract is ratified. The FOP recognizes
the additional 0.5% as a gain; however, there are other benchmark cities that are recognizing the
need to significantly step up that category because of what it means to their ability to recruit and
retain the best officers.
Mayor Troxell stated the City's data shows recruitment and retention is good in Fort Collins.
City Manager Atteberry stated it is time to move forward, given the FOP has ratified the agreement,
and the fact that it is a one-year contract should give everyone some peace of mind.
Councilmember Cunniff'asked about the net one-time increase for 2018 and the net on -going
increase difference between this proposal and last week's proposal. DiMartino replied the
conversion of the sick leave was added, but was offset by the addition of another'/a cent. The
difference is the potential one-time cost of the stipend depending on how many people take that
option.
Mayor Pro Tem Horak stated the kinds of.comments made in the Coloradoan article are not helpful
for true negotiations and to work toward mutual goals.
Mayor Pro Tem Horak asked if a level of a certain benefit has ever been reduced in past years,
specifically citing the $50,000 stipend. DiMartino replied the contract language specifically states
this applies only to 2018; however, the FOP could still request it in the future. She stated she is
not aware of any time when benefits have been reduced.
City Manager Atteberry stated it is possible the stipend could completely be eliminated, although
that is not likely if there are no other options. He also did not recall a benefit being decreased.
Mayor Pro Tem Horak asked when the decision was made for the FOP to not go into Social
Security. Spence Alford, FOP President, replied that was before 1986 and those hired prior to that
were not included in Social Security and Medicare.
Councilmember Martinez asked if no other City employees have a retirement health savings
account. DiMartino replied in the affirmative.
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December 27, 2017
Councilmember Martinez stated it seems the two parties became closer in their various stances'
during the negotiations'and noted the FOP approval rate for ratification was overwhelming at 84%.
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Summers, to adopt
Resolution 2017-116.
Councilmember Cunniff stated he would not support the motion given the stipend issue and
benefits not received by other City employees, including other physically -demanding jobs. He
supported the non -financial aspects of the agreement however.
Councilmember Stephens stated she would support the motion, particularly given the support by
the FOP. ;
Councilmember Overbeck asked what occurs' if this .motion does `not succeed. 'City Manager
Atteberry replied no contract would be in place as of January 1 and presumably for the entire year.
Councilmember Stephens stated the newspaper -comments were unfortunate; however, she is not
comfortable penalizing all officers given those comments. She stated negotiations were made in
good faith and encouraged Councilmembers to support the motion.
Councilmember Summers thanked all involved parties and discussed the importance of attracting
and keeping high -quality officers.
Councilmember Martinez disagreed with Councilmember Cunniff's comments regarding police
work versus other demanding City jobs. He stated he is not willing to disenfranchise other officers
due to newspaper comments.
Mayor Troxell stated he would support the motion, though the newspaper comments were
unfortunate and a disservice. He stated the FOP should own up to the fact that the City did not go
back on its word and opposed the system which precludes the Chief and Deputy Chief from
advocating for Police Services.
Mayor Pro Tem Horak stated he would support the motion, though he did take a step back given
the Coloradoan article in which nothing positive was said.
Councilmember Cunniff expressed concern it feels as though this whole process is being used by
some to drive a separate issue, which is an attempt to change the City Charter.
Councilmember Martinez thanked all Police Services workers for their service, time, and
willingness to come forth.
RESULT:
RESOLUTION 2017-116 ADOPTED [6 TO 1]
MOVER:
Ray Martinez, District 2
SECONDER:
Ken Summers, District 3
AYES:
Martinez, Stephens, Summers, Overbeck, Troxell, Horak
NAYS:
Cunniff '
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December27, 2017
• ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
Mayor
ATTEST:
OFFORTCO�G
SEAL
City C rk
cOI-ORP�O
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