Another union contract approved
The Lakewood City Council tonight approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Local 1043 and Ohio Council 8 American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (Administrative Employees) — AFSCME.
According to Mayor Edward O. FitzGerald, it is very similar to the Public Works union contract that was approved in December. “It calls for a lot of sacrifice,” he said.
Workers will not receive a pay increase in 2010, but will earn raises of 1% and 2% in 2011 and 2012, respectively. They will also adopt a 90/10 healthcare plan.
“There are no sweeteners, so to speak, in the contract,” FitzGerald said. “Overall, it was a pretty positive [negotiating] experience.”
The city has five other union contracts it still must finalize.
Miscellaneous
The county gave the city $49,000 to run events like the H1N1 vaccination clinic that the city hosted in mid-December.
The U.S. Census will hold a Census Job Fair in the auditorium at Lakewood City Hall on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
Councilperson Nickie Antonio (At-Large) introduced a representative from the Ohio Department of Health who announced a pilot program in Northeast Ohio that will attempt to lower the high rates of smoking among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young adults. (See their Web site)
The Council had a second reading of an ordinance that would make bicycle licenses free. They now cost $2. Police Chief Timothy Malley hopes the fee change will encourage more children to get licenses. The ordinance was referred back to the public safety committee for discussion.
Public Works Director Anthony Beno introduced an ordinance to give an easement to the Ohio Educational Credit Union located at 17526 Madison Ave. The sidewalk easement would allow the credit union to have an ADA compliant ATM. The matter was referred to the public works committee for more discussion.
Discussion of liquor permit transfers for the BP gas station at 14718 Madison Ave. and The Root Cafe at 15118 Detroit Ave. was deferred until the police complete their examination of the situation.
The Council unanimously elected Councilperson Kevin Butler (Ward 1) as their new president. Councilperson Mary Louise Madigan (Ward 4) retained the vice presidency. They also formally accepted the final results of the November general election. “We’re thrilled you won,” said Butler of Councilperson Monique Smith’s victory.
Madigan announced the passing of Milan Stankovich. He recently retired from the city after over 54 years of service and did an absolutely fantastic job of greeting city hall visitors. He made Lakewood look good.
The council meeting lasted 27 minutes and was attended by around 15 people. Check out the docket (.PDF) here.
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