01-17-1972 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COMPENSATION REQUESTS - (Continued) average city but is paying average salaries; that the Police Association is requesting an 8% increase in monthly compensation--in some limited areas, 8.5%; that Federal guidelines do not prohibit a merit-type increase, and they are proposing Police increases solely on the basis of performance; that the City cannot continually pay higher salaries without getting something in return. He suggested a pilot program in the Police Department on a limited basis for this year to determine if the merit plan is feasible; that they are also requesting a reduction in time in which the Patrolmen can go from minimum to maximum salary range. He presented a graph showing years of service with the City, which indicated that out of 163 policemen, 87 have 5 years or less experience; that 137 have 8 years or less; and suggested that with lack of experience in the Police Departments problems of law enforcement in the City will increase. He stated that Santa Ana presently pays $15.00 of the premium for Health Insurance benefits, and that all other cities used in the survey pay the entire premium, as well as the life insurance premium; and long term disability is included at Anaheim; that the City of Santa Ana provides retirement at age 55, and that 75% of the cities surveyed have retirement at age 50; that in regard to retirement, medical benefits and salary, Santa Ana is at the bottom; that the Police Department would like to come up to the average in terms of the entire corr~pensation package. Referring to incentive pay, he stated that in Santa Ana, only the Patrolmen are given incentive pay; that it 'should be applied to the entire department He also stated that officers are expected to be on duty during their lunch hour and are not compensated for this; that they are asking for reconsideration and study of overtime pay; that the staff has made a recommendation concerning vacation and sick leave and the Association requests approval of that recommendation; that the average Police staff on the survey is 1.45 officers per 1, 000 citizens, but in Santa Ana it is 1.17 officers per l, 000 citizens; that in regard to the clearance rate, Santa Ana's rate has dropped to 40% but is still well above cities used in comparison. Pie stated that the people want and deserve better police protection; and that the Council should also consider eq~ipment, procedures within the department, and morale, He recommended that Council establish a committee, with input from the community, to review these matters and their solutions. RECESS At 9:15 P.M., a recess was declared. The meeting reconvened at 9:25 P.M. with the same Council members present. COMPENSATION REQUESTS - (Continued) Mr. Steven H. Silver, Attorney representing the Santa Ana Firemen's Association, stated that the Fire Department has tried to present City management with a package and course of action that can be accomplished now; that the Fire Department is equally lacking in the area of fringe benefits; that their demands are not unreasonable; that the Firemen's Association has made three demands: salary, reduction in hours, and a new retire- ment program. He discussed the fireman's work unit, which is in terms of a 24-hour shift; that the number of shifts varies each week since there is no divisible number of days each week; that Santa Ana*s basic element is the 3-platoon system where a fire fighter works, or is given credit for vacation, sick leave or holiday, one out of three CITY COUNCIL -31 ~ January 17, 1972