Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
CC:	Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager
Date:	July 28, 2009
RE:	Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Lawrence and the Lawrence Police Officer Association (LPOA)

The City and the LPOA have successfully negotiated a new two-year agreement for 2010 and 2011.  The members of the respective teams should be recognized for their hard work to date on this item.  The negotiation team for the LPOA includes Mike McAtee, Justin Rhoads, Bill Bradford, and Mark Weems.  The police negotiation team for the City includes Diane Stoddard, Chief Ron Olin, Captain Mike Pattrick, and Captain Tarik Khatib. 

The agreement with the IAFF Local 1596 is expected to be ratified on Saturday, August 1, so it would be ready for consideration by the City Commission on August 4, 2009.

Background:

The agreement includes the following major elements/changes from this year’s agreement. 

• Compensation:
• 0.5% wage adjustment for 2010 plus the step merit program and competency adjustments for those who are eligible
• A reopener discussion for 2011 wages during 2010
• Competencies:
• Addition of two competencies: Neighborhood Resources Officer and Motor Vehicle Inspector
• Increase from three (3) to four (4) the number of eligible competencies in the educational category, but retaining the cap of a total of six (6) competencies
• Longevity:
• Language in the article that reflects that longevity is budgeted at the rate of $4 monthly for 2010, but emphasizes the City Commission’s discretion in funding longevity pay in 2010 and 2011 and provides funding level options for the City Commission’s consideration
• Wellness Leave:
• Decrease the sick leave threshold that someone must have to earn wellness leave from 850 sick leave hours to 240 hours
• Length of Agreement:      
• Two (2) years with a reopener to discussion compensation for 2011 during 2010
• Enables the reopening of the term, to allow for possible lengthening of the agreement beyond 2011

The LPOA considered the proposed agreement at a meeting on July 27, 2009 and ratified the agreement.  The City staff and the LPOA jointly recommend approval of the new agreement.

Requested Action:

Approve the 2010-2011 agreement with the Lawrence Police Officers Association (LPOA) and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement.