2008 0221 Regular City Commission Meeting

Home Browse Search

Summary Minutes: Regular City Commission Meeting February 21, 2008 City of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida lOB. A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, Approving a Pay Plan for Sworn Police Officers; Establishing Effective Date of Pay Plan; Providing for Periodic Review of Pay Plan, Attached Hereto as Exhibit "A"; Providing the City Manager with the Authority to Do All Things Necessary to Effectuate the Terms of this Resolution; Providing for an Effective Date. Action: City Clerk Hines read the title, and City Manager Szerlag reported that one of the reasons that we incorporated as a City was to establish and maintain a first-class Police Department to protect and serve our residents, businesses, and visitors. He said that this objective is underpinned by a culture of professionalism for patrol officers, sergeants, command staff and City management, and in order to maintain that culture of professionalism, we need to be competitive in pay and benefits when compared to surrounding communities. He said about five years ago we established a step plan for patrol officers and sergeants, at that time we were competitive, however, the minimum and maximum payments entry level and maximum threshold were static along the number line and so although there was an increase every year, we never increased the starting payor maximum pay, and we went from competitive, to comparable, to below average when compared to surrounding communities. City Manager Szerlag said that when we became cognizant of the situation, we took steps to rectify the manner, and the approach we took was called an interest-based approach as opposed to traditional bargaining, as such we established ajoint committee of management and Police personnel, to act as fact finders to select comparable cities and review contracts, and this saved us months, and by taking an interest-based approach, we charged both management and patrol officers and sergeants to come up with one uniform protocol and interpretation. He noted that Michael Braverman, Esq., who was a consultant for the patrol officers, was of great benefit and brought a lot of experience to the table as well. He said once the Committee performed their work, Chief Maas and him met with the officers and Mr. Braverman to develop a new pay plan and they all believe that this is a competitive pay rate, and they defined competitive as not being the highest paid officer or sergeant but being at the 75th percentile in terms of the check that is taken home. He noted that Exhibit "A" on page 59 of the agenda packet, consists of a proposed pay plan for sergeant which they have reduced from eight steps to six steps, and a proposed police officer plan which is still maintained at eight steps. He said this pay plan will be calibrated every two years using the same benchmark cities ofBal Harbour, Aventura, Surfside, and Hallandale Beach. He also has a recommendation to increase the pay rate for captains but he doesn't need the Commission's approval for that but he indicated before that when he came across management positions that he thought needed calibration he would just make that happen and advise the Commission. Public Speakers: Michael Braverton, Esq. Commissioner Scholl said he is happy that we have reached a resolution and that it was done in an expeditious manner, and is very pleased with the Police Department's professionalism and their attitude toward the community. Commissioner Brezin said she is very proud of our Police Department and is in favor of the plan. Commissioner Goodman congratulated the Police Department. Mayor Edelcup said that we have always had, and always intend to have the number one Police Department in South Florida, and it is an honor to be the Mayor of a ]0