CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	City Manager’s Office		Commission Meeting Date:  August 7, 2018
Staff Contact:	Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Receive proposals from the City and members of the Lawrence Police Officers' Association (LPOA) concerning wages and/or fringe benefits and/or working conditions and schedule public hearings on August 14, 2018 for the purpose of receiving explanation and supporting documentation for each party's proposal pursuant to Resolution No. 6817.
Executive Summary:		Resolution No. 6817 outlines the policy of the City regarding employee organizations.  Under the Resolution, the City Commission shall permit group discussions between its administrative staff and employees representing any of four designated employee groups recognized under the Resolution.  The scope of the discussion is outlined in the Resolution but is generally limited to wages, fringe benefits, and working conditions.  Management Rights, which are defined in the Resolution, are not subject to discussion.  The members of the Executive Board of the Lawrence Police Officers’ Association (LPOA) are the designated representatives of the police officers and detectives.  The current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the LPOA expires December 31, 2018.  City administrative staff and representatives of the LPOA have been in regular discussions regarding a new MOU since April.  Section VI of the Resolution contains the discussion procedures.  Under those procedures, “if the parties have failed to resolve, remove, or agree to an issue of discussion by July 1^st, that issue shall be declared at impasse.”  The parties can continue to discuss but if impasse still exists, the parties must work with a mediator.  Four all-day sessions were held with a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service from July 23 through August 1.  And while there are many issues that the parties have tentatively agreed to as of August 2 (terms must be approved by the membership of the LPOA and by the City Commission), there are several issues that remain at impasse.  Under the Resolution, “if an impasse continues to exist three days after exchange of the last proposals of the parties, each party will submit its proposal in writing to the City Commission.  The City Commission shall, within seven (7) days of receipt of the proposals, schedule public hearings for the purpose of receiving explanation and supporting documentation for each party’s proposal.”  Staff recommends the Commission receive the proposals from the City and members of the LPOA on August 7 and schedule the public hearings for August 14. Following the hearings, “the City Commission’s decision shall be final and binding” pursuant to the Resolution.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Effective Governance/Professional Administration Core Services Sound Fiscal Stewardship Collaborative Solutions
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		The 2019 budget includes some funds for additional compensation and benefits for employees covered by the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the LPOA.  However, the exact fiscal impact to the City is unknown at this time and varies depending on the proposal accepted by the Commission following the hearings on August 14.
Attachments:		Resolution No. 6817 Current MOU between the City and the LPOA City’s last proposal on unresolved issues - Added 08/06/18 LPOA’s last proposal on unresolved issues - Added 08/06/18

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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