HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Tuesday’s City Council meeting will start off with a public hearing over a memorandum of understanding between the city and Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 7.
The issue appears to be over the sick leave payout policy the city put in place. The local police bargaining unit wants the council to consider keeping the existing payout plan for all bargaining unit members hired before Dec. 31, 2013 and apply the city’s new sick leave payout proposal to members hired after Dec. 31, 2013. Another option for the council is to not change the language for the existing memorandum of understanding. The third option is to adopt the city’s final proposal where employees hired before July 1, 1993, would be grandfathered under the sick leave payout provisions in effect before the 2014 contract year. Employees hired on or after July 1, 1993, would be subject to the new sick leave payout provisions as proposed.
The city is required to have a public hearing where both sides will be permitted the opportunity to explain their positions on the impasse. The council is then required to take action as it deems in the public interest, including the interest of the employees involved. The city council’s decision would be final and binding on the part of both parties.
The council will also consider and decide whether the back pay will be granted for those members of the FOP, who have their merit step increase delayed due to the protracted labor impasse for the 2014 contract year.
The council will also consider a use permit for an electronic billboard at 1400 E. 30th and consider an agreement with BG Consultants for engineering services for Main Street streetscape from north of 3rd to south of 5th.
Also on the agenda: a report of the bid opening for the Family Entertainment District water line and sewer extension line, a resolution approving the Hutchinson Rod Run as a special event and considering a resolution and letter of support for the proposal to the Kansas Housing Resources Commission by Integra Property Group application for work on the Cluster apartments at 23rd & Lorraine.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall.