07-17-2002 VC PH-MMINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING
OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL
OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
HELD WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2002
Present: Dr. Edward M. Eissey, Mayor
Donald G. Noel, Vice Mayor
Charles R. O'Meilia, Councilman
David B. Norris, Councilman
Dennis W. Kelly, Village Manager
Kathleen F. Kelly, CMC, Village Clerk
Absent: Joseph A. Tringali, President Pro Tem
George Baldwin, Village Attorney
ROLL. CALL:
Mayor Eissey called the Public Hearing to order at 5:30 p.m. All members of Council were
present except President Pro Tem Tringali, who was absent due to illness. All members of staff
were present except Village Attorney George Baldwin.
PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING
7'he purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear representatives of the International Association of
Firefighters (IAFF) and representatives of the Village of North Palm Beach and their
presentations regarding impasse issues; and to hear comments from the public.
Matthew J. Mierzwa, Jr., on behalf of the IAFF, explained the position of the IAFF, which is that
the recommendations of the Special Master be adopted. Mr. Mierzwa asked the Village Council to
adopt the recommendation that all discipline more severe than a written reprimand, including
suspecisions without pay for 24 hours or less, should be appealable to an arbitrator for final decision.
Further, Mr. Mierzwa asked the Village Council to adopt the recommendation that longevity pay be
added to the base pay for the firefighters and paramedics in accordance with the salary adjustments
provided for by the Village in the 200]-2002 contract with the Police Benevolent Association
(FBA).
Labor Counsel James A. Cherof, on behalf of Village Manager Dennis Kelly, stated that the
Village's rejection of the Special Master's recommendation regarding disciplinary appeals is
based ar fiscal impact, and the Village's position to minimize disciplinary issues that can go to
arbitration. Additionally, the Village's rejection of the recommendation regarding longevity pay
is based also on fiscal impact and the Village's plans to equalize compensation, which is
currently the subject of an outside consultant study.
Minutes of Public Hearing
I leld Wednesday, July 17, 2002
• COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
"I'he following persons addressed the Council to ask that the impasse be resolved by adopting the
recommendations of the Special Master:
Peter McGrane, 716 Robin Way, North Palm Beach
Matthew Yakubowski, 704 Osprey Way, North Palm Beach
William Bond, 813 Hummingbird Way, North Palm Beach
Steve Campana, 501 Gulf Road, Norih Palm Beach
Bruce Dash, 612 Inlet Road, North Palm Beach
Steven Appleby, 536 Inlet Road, North Palm Beach
Anthony Giarrusso, 560 U. S.
Comments from the public were followed by questions from the members of the Village Council.
Mayor Eissey announced that the Village Council may not be taking a vote tonight due to the
absence of President Pro Tem Tringali, who was ill. If, after discussion, the Council wishes to
afford a review time for President Pro Tem Tringali, a Special Meeting will be scheduled to vote
on these impasse issues.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the Public Hearing adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
~~
athleen F. Kelly, CMC
Village Clerk
•