09-13-1979 Special Meeting
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Clermont was held in
the office of the City Manager on Thursday, September 13, 1979. The meeting
was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Claude E. Smoak, Jr., with the
following members present: Councilmen Cole, Schroedel, and Byrd. Others
present were: City Manager Forbes, City Clerk Carroll, and representatives
of the South Lake Press and the Sentinel Star.
Mayor Smoak announced the purpose of the meeting was to consider a proposed
Resolution presented to Council by the City Manager:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLERMONT, LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING
A POLICY TOWARDS WAGE GUIDELINES.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Clermont recognizes
its responsibility to the Federal Wage Price Guidelines, and to its
employees in an inflationary economy; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Clermont hereby
agrees to review the Annual Florida Inflation Rate by March 28, 1980:
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT if the cost of living
continues to rise at an annual rate that exceeds 8%, a further wage
increase of two percent (2%) will be granted to all City employees
on April 1, 1980, subject to budgetary limitations.
Following inquiry from the Chair as to Council's pleasure regarding the
matter, motion was made by Councilman Schroedel that the Resolution be
adopted, and the motion was seconded by Mayor Smoak for discussion.
Mayor Smoak inquired of City Manager Forbes as to comments on the matter, and
he advised he felt the Resolution represents a position where the Council is
still going by the wage price guidelines to the best of its feasibility and
still allows some flexibility toward increasing wages later in the year for
City employees.
Councilman Cole expressed concern to the late date in next year before the
inflation rate would be reviewed by Council for possible wage increase con-
sideration.
Councilman Schroedel expressed full agreement with the Resolution.
Mayor Smoak opined that it was a good compromise that displays visibly to
the employees that Council is concerned about the cost of living; That
Council does consider their services in the City extremely valuable; and,
That Council is operating in good faith. He advised it to be unfortunate
to him that the City of Clermont is in the position that it is today from
the employees standpoint; That, never in the time that he has been with the
City, has there been any such visible activities; That there has been for
some time, activities by certain City employees that have created discord
among other City employees through deliberate actions, and he hoped, and
felt very strongly, that such situation would have to be addressed. He
advised of a personal opinion that a lot of people not working for the City
today, would rather be working, but through peer pressure and other factors,
they were not.
Mayor Smoak advised that he could support the proposed Resolution, but that
he desired, and thereupon moved, that it be amended by striking out "subject
to budgetary limitations"~and to change the word "will" following the 2%
increase to "shall" in order that there will be no questions in the employees
minds that this action taken is a firm commitment. The motion to amend was
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CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
seconded by Councilman Byrd and unanimously carried. Councilman Schroedel
accepted the amendment into his original motion for adoption, and upon voice
vote, it unanimously carried. So the Resolution was adopted and the Number
344 assigned to it.
Inquiry was made of City Manager Forbes as to his proposed presentation of
the Resolution to the employees, and he replied he would present it to them
on Friday morning, advising he felt Council had made every possible effort
in good faith to present a compromise position, and strongly urge that they
accept it, but, if not, he would have no other choice but to take alternative
actions.
The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Smoak at 7:50 P.M.
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DOLORES W. CARROLL - Clty Clerk