Ann Arbor city offices closed this morning for employee meeting
City of Ann Arbor offices will be temporarily closed today from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. during an employee-only meeting being held at the Michigan Theater.
Mayor John Hieftje says he's hoping firefighters consider the challenges facing the city when they vote on ratification of a new contract this week that includes wage cuts.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The topic of discussion is the current financial crisis, which city leaders propose addressing by slashing the city's budget by 30 percent over three years. That likely will mean more job cuts.
AnnArbor.com was told by city leaders a reporter won't be able to attend today's meeting, which is closed to the public but open to the mayor and council members.
"I'm going to be there, but not as a participant in the meeting," said Mayor John Hieftje. "But I certainly want to hear what they have to say. It's an effort to inform city staff of the challenges we face that are not unlike any other city in this state. In fact, I tend to think from my conversations with other mayors that we don't have the depth of problems that they do in other cities."
Officials announced in an e-mail to city employees that the meeting will last from 10 a.m. to noon, with time allotted for staff questions and answers. City employees must show a proper employee badge to gain entrance to the theater.
The e-mails also states that city employees are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting and parking arrangements. Â For those unable to attend, the meeting will be available to watch online from any city-networked computer by following a link provided to employees.
Today's meeting comes just one day before the city firefighters union, Local 693, is scheduled to take a vote on a new contract that is rumored to offer significant concessions. City Administrator Roger Fraser agreed to postpone the layoff of 14 firefighters pending ratification of the contract.
The firefighters union, in return, is asking the city's top leaders to take pay cuts comparable to what's being asked of labor groups. Hieftje told AnnArbor.com Monday night "that's not a problem," except that it's up to the Local Officers' Compensation Commission to set the level of pay for elected city officials.
"We can't reduce our own pay," Hieftje said. "That needs to go through a board. But we could recommend to them that they reduce our pay. And they don't meet this year, but as soon as we can get them to do that, I'm certainly willing to give that up."
The Compensation Commission is a six-member board that currently includes Eunice Burns, Fred McDonald, Martha Darling, Roger Hewitt, William Lockwood and one vacancy.
For a complete list of city positions and salaries by fund, go here.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
alarictoo
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 5:09 p.m.
Lokalisierung: True, that would be ludicrous. However, when the article states "the topic of discussion is the current financial crisis, which city leaders propose addressing by slashing the city's budget by 30 percent over three years," then I do not expect that to imply that is merely an informative session. The topic of the meeting, if it was accurately portrayed in the article, speaks to key items of public interest, vis a vis, the budget woes of the city. I just thought that the city might want to show the same kind of transparency everyone seems to expect from other public institutions, such as the school district.
Lokalisierung
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 2:28 p.m.
Ummm what cost do you think the city incurred by shutting down exactly? I mean, if you owe the city money, you're going to come back another time to pay it, or get a late penalty in which they'd be making more. What about this meeting do you think "cost them money?"
mliverox
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.
Interesting that today - for the first time in quite a while - Roger didn't drive his BMW convertible to work. How nice of him to try to fit in with all of the 'commoners' he wants to get rid of.
Moose
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.
Who appointed the members of the Compensation Commission?
Gill
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 1:50 p.m.
The cost to shut the city for 3 hours and shuffle all employees to a meeting probably just cost one of the workers a job, due to the meeting costing as much as their salary... Probably had a raffle at the door to see who.
neighborhood fan
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 1:06 p.m.
Given the number of likely attendees, the chances of someone "leaking" are substantial. I am confident annarbor.com folk will ferret some details out fairly quickly. One thing is certain, Ann Arbor will be affected in some way over the cuts -- the question will be what and where...
Fred Posner
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 12:59 p.m.
Agreeing with the others here about this meeting not being open to the public as simply unacceptable. Wondering how you can FoIA a meeting when you're not sure what info is there...
Lokalisierung
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 12:57 p.m.
"by opening to full public view the processes by which elected and nonelected officials make decisions on your behalf." No decisions were made in the public's behalf. It's an informative session. What's next, You think you have the right to attend meter maid staff meetings?
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
I'm no lawyer but with respect the open meeting law a meeting of employees is not the same as a meeting of elected officials who vote on "legislation" is it?
alarictoo
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
"AnnArbor.com was told by city leaders it will not be able to attend today's meeting, which is closed to the public."????? Very interesting. I'm pretty sure this is in conflict with Michigan's Open Meetings Act of 1976 ( http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAgQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislature.mi.gov%2Fdocuments%2FPublications%2FOpenMtgsFreedom.pdf&rct=j&q=michigan+public+meetings+act&ei=bbJMS-25H4-SNv_CsIEN&usg=AFQjCNGAXd7-8jHIKvILw0GOgtdEYfKFjA). The only exceptions of which seem to be: Closed Meetings: The law provides for closed meetings in a few specified circumstances. In order for a public body to hold a closed meeting, two-thirds of its members must vote affirmatively in a roll call. Also, the purpose for which the closed meeting is being called has to be stated in the meeting when the roll call is taken. Closed meetings may be called without a two-thirds vote for the following reasons: (1) considering the dismissal, suspension or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against a public officer, employee, staff member or individual when the person requests a closed hearing; (2) considering the dismissal, suspension or disciplining of a student of a public school when the student or guardian requests a closed hearing; (3) strategy and negotiation sessions necessary in reaching a collective bargaining agreement when either party requests a closed hearing; and (4) partisan caucuses of the State Legislature. (5) for a compliance conference the department of commerce conducts under MCL 333.16231, concerning an investigation of certain licensed medical professionals. (6) to conduct searches for a university president, until the board has narrowed the search to 5 candidates. Other reasons a public body may hold a closed meeting are: (1) to consider the purchase or lease of real property; (2) to consult with its attorney about trial or settlement strategy in pending litigation, but only when an open meeting would have detrimental financial effect on the public bodys position; (3) to review the contents of an application for employment or appointment to a public office when the candidate requests the application to remain confidential. However, all interviews by a public body for employment or appointment to a public office have to be conducted in an open meeting; and (4) to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute. Mayor Hieftje, would you care to comment on what appears to be the abrogation of the City's responsibility to obey the laws that govern public institutions in our state?
try your best
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 11:41 a.m.
It seems to me that if the fire dept and police dept can continue to provide service during this "all city employee" meeting the city could have kept all services running at a minimum level...oh yeah the city won't burn down or be stolen blind with these other services not open. How much $$$ did this cost the city.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
Cutting back Ann Arbor salaries for leadership likely amounts to peanuts. We don't need a few hundred grand, we need Millions. Maybe Ann Arbor could sell some of it's Greenbelt to pay for those firefighters and Union wages.
schlomo
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 9:46 a.m.
"And they don't meet this year, but as soon AS WE CAN GET THEM TO DO THAT, I'm certainly willing to give that up." It's only January. This is a crisis!! Can WE GET THEM TO DO THAT by holding an emergency meeting?
Cash
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.
I'm guessing that the employees would rather chew on broken glass then attend the meeting. Employees.....grin and bear it. This too will pass.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
"City of Ann Arbor offices will be temporarily closed today from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. during an employee-only meeting" "AnnArbor.com was told by city leaders it will not be able to attend today's meeting, which is closed to the public" As the non-invited public I'm curious who the "city leaders" are who decided to shut down city offices for 3 hours?
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jan 12, 2010 : 8:07 a.m.
""We can't reduce our own pay," Hieftje said. "That needs to go through a board. But we could recommend to them that they reduce our pay. And they don't meet this year, but as soon as we can get them to do that, I'm certainly willing to give that up." But you could certainly donate back to the City the reduction your willing to take. Think outside the box Mr. Mayor.