Meeting of 2000-1-18 Special Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Mayor Powell. Notice of meeting and agenda were posted on the City Hall notice board as required by State Law.

1. Pursuant to Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes SS 307(B)(4), consider convening in executive session for purposes of conferring with the City Attorney regarding a pending claim or action resulting from the reconsideration of the award of the arbitrator in FMCS Case No. 99-0628-13269-8 between the IAFF, Local 1882, and the City of Lawton and other related matters; take appropriate action as necessary in open session. Exhibits: None.

2. Pursuant to Section 307B4, Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes, consider convening in executive session to discuss the case styled International Association of Firefighters, Local 1882, v. The County Election Board for Comanche County, Oklahoma and City of Lawton, Case No. CJ-99-1388, filed in the District Court of Comanche County, and if necessary, take appropriate action in open session. Exhibits: None.

Mayor Powell announced that the Council was invited to a demonstration at the Myriad Convention Center on January 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. by Southwestern Bell regarding Internet service.

MOVED by Williams, SECOND by Warren, to convene in executive session to consider Items 1 and 2 as recommended by the legal staff. AYE: Williams, Devine, Purcell, Shanklin, Beller, Haywood, Warren, Smith. NAY: None. MOTION CARRIED.

The Mayor and Council convened in executive session at approximately 11:02 a.m. and reconvened in special, open session at approximately 11:40 a.m. with roll call reflecting all members present.

The City Attorney reported the Mayor and Council had met in executive session to discuss Items 1 and 2, which are related and would be dealt with together. He said the first case was FMCS Case No. 99-0628-13269-8, which was the interest arbitration and the resulting litigation, followed by International Association of Firefighters, Local 1882, v. The County Election Board for Comanche County, Oklahoma and City of Lawton, Case No. CJ-99-1388. Vincent said a possible motion may be offered on those cases.

MOVED by Purcell, SECOND by Warren, that in order to settle with the firefighters union that the City Manager be directed to send a letter to the union with the following facts to settle this arbitration: that we continue with the current pay plan that is in effect as of this year, we offer a 3% salary increase retroactive to 12 July 1999 and an additional 3% salary increase effective 6 March 2000.

Shanklin asked how much money that would cost the taxpayers for this fiscal year and where the money will come from. Baker said the cost this fiscal year would be $228,448 and right now he was not sure where the funds would come from. Baker said he had anticipated using lapse funding from salaries and he was not sure that money was still there based upon a recent increase for general employees, and he would have to find the money. Baker said he thought a good portion of the money may come from deferring a purchase of a piece of equipment in the Fire Department, which was $215,000 for that one piece of equipment.