MINUTES OF THE DELEGATES MEETING Tuesday, August 2, 2011 Los Angeles Police Academy

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE DELEGATES MEETING Tuesday, Los Angeles Police Academy The Delegates meeting of Tuesday,, was called to order by President Paul M. Weber at 1700 hours. The minutes were recorded by Director Peter Repovich. Other Directors present: Vice President Corina Lee, Ramon Espinosa, Tyler Izen, Julian R. Melendez, Scott Rate and Kristi Sandoval. Director John R. Mumma was on vacation. Also present were Assistant General Counsel Elizabeth Silver-Tourgeman, and Independent Counsel Gary Ingemunson. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Delegate Chris Carson, Facilities Management Division. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Robyn Wilder, Interim Chief Benefits Analyst, Pensions Division, gave a presentation entitled Health Subsidy Freeze & Opt-In. She discussed retirees health subsidy, members non-medicare subsidy, the available health care plans, the health subsidy freeze ordinance, the general provisions for the opting in, and information on how to opt-in. Robyn advised that a letter would be sent out to all sworn officers regarding how and where to sign up, as well as providing a handout to the Delegates. Corina Lee gave her committee report. COMMITTEE REPORTS Lee acknowledged and thanked the MOU team: President Paul M. Weber, Directors Scott Rate and Julian Melendez; and Delegates Jeff Hart, Mike Jolicoeur and Greg Stearns for the tremendous amount of hours and work dedicated to the MOU and for a job well done. Lee asked that they stand in order to be recognized by their fellow Delegates. Weber commended the MOU team for the extraordinary effort made to negotiate and to ratify the contract. He informed the Delegates that as soon as the MOU is printed, copies will be provided to the Delegates. Lee indicated that the amount of retroactive time on the 2% medical subsidy will go back to August 15 th, regardless of when you signed up. Lee informed the Delegates that due to the ratification of the new MOU, managed attrition is off the table. Page 1 of 6

2 Lee discussed that there is an active meet and confer regarding OWB centralization of Homicide, assuring the members that due to the League being in the meet and confer process, the Department cannot start implementing any changes until the process is complete. Anyone with any questions or concerns should contact Corina Lee at the League. Lee discussed open enrollment for the Flex Spending Accounts, which will be October 1st 31st. She stated that she will be writing about the specifics in her September TBL article. Paul M. Weber gave his committee report. Weber reiterated the 2% medical subsidy, noting that the amount the members will be required to pay will go back to August 15, Weber informed the Delegates on Workers Compensation settlements and the issues members may have with the IRS if they are not careful regarding their claims on their tax returns. He explained that the TBL article written by Director John R. Mumma noting issues of fraud with the IRS was in no way a statement that any of our officers were defrauding anyone; but rather, that the members need to be sure their tax person is well versed with regard to deductions that may or may not be allowable on your tax returns. The IRS is very diligent when auditing Workers Compensation deductions, and taking a deduction you are not entitled to is considered fraud and penalties for this are steep. Weber reported on the MOU. He thanked Delegates Jeff Hart, Mike Jolicoeur and Greg Stearns for their dedicated hard work on the MOU team and asked that they stand in order to be recognized by their fellow Delegates. Weber commended the team s effort to get this contract negotiated and ratified. He indicated that as soon as the MOU is printed, copies will be provided to the Delegates. Weber indicated that there are still attacks on pensions and public safety issues across the state, which can affect Los Angeles. He also spoke about the federal deficit debacle and the fallout that can occur once they actually have a budget and make their cuts, as it will trickle down to the state level. Weber discussed the assistance provided by the League to the City to help bring jobs to Los Angeles; this will help to strengthen the economic environment within the city. Weber introduced SLO Joe Busciano, Harbor Division, who is running for Los Angeles City Council, Seat 15. He was born, raised and lives in the Harbor area. Joe told the Delegates that his experience with the Department will be a great help with the issues police officers face with City Council every day. Julian R. Melendez gave his committee report. Page 2 of 6

3 Melendez updated the Delegates on the Brown telephone message inquiry. He noted that since his last update in April, they are continuing their meetings on Mondays (once a week) in the evenings so the committee members can meet on off duty time. He explained, and apologized, for some of the meeting cancellations since April, which included holidays, the Police Memorial, and MOU work in May and June. Melendez discussed the changes to Article 7.1 of the MOU, usage of CTO time in lieu of vacation time. Whenever a member s CO asks them to use CTO time in lieu of vacation time, the MOU now allows a member to accumulate those vacation hours above their two-year maximum accrual. Melendez advised that members should document when they are required to use CTO time in lieu of vacation time during their scheduled vacation. Melendez also answered a question regarding end of your vacation balances for members who are off IOD or on a military leave. For example, if your short vacation is coming up and the CO approaches you and requests you use your CTO time because you re reaching the cap, be sure to document it on a 15.7 and keep a copy so you don t end up losing the vacation time come the first of the year. He noted that his next Blue Line article will cover the issue extensively. Melendez offered to answer any questions about the upcoming LAPPL elections and the Lieutenant spot that he will be vacating at the League. Scott Rate gave his committee report. Rate reported on the State Legislature and initiatives that are coming up. There are currently 22 initiatives circulating and 9 pending at the attorney general s office for consideration several of which are of concern to us. There is an initiative that will be looking at term limits and will be looked at on both sides of the legislature so they can do 12 years on both sides, taxes on cigarettes, budget changes, a creation of a rainy day fund, increase in interest in the marijuana legislation, paycheck protection, pension systems issues, which include eliminating collective bargaining rights and taxing pensions, as well as raising public pension retirement age. Rate advised Delegates not to sign anything. The way some of the bills read could convince you to believe the bill is something you want until you look at the fine print and see it is not what it seems. Peter Repovich gave his committee report. Repovich discussed the remaining $90 million in Prop Q money. He indicated that City Council intends to build a new Northeast Station and remodel Rampart Station for use by Metropolitan Division officers. City Council also discussed the possibility of building a new Northwest Station. Repovich informed the Delegates about the upcoming League Director election. He stated that as of today, those who wish to run should request a Candidate s Petition for Office from Lou Mele, Operations Manager, at the League office. The four Director offices that are up for election are: Office No. 1, Police Officer rank; Office No. 6, Detective rank; Office No. 7, Sergeant Rank; and Page 3 of 6

4 Office No. 9, Lieutenant rank. All completed packages (petition, statement, and photo) must be hand-delivered to Lou Mele, at the League office located at 1308 West 8 th Street, Los Angeles, California, 90017, by Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 1700 hours. Tyler Izen gave his committee report. Izen informed the Delegates that the City Controller has changed their database system, so LAPFCU will be mailing correspondence to advise its members on how to continue to make automatic loan payments and/or deposits. He indicated that the process may change, but the end result will be the same. He indicated that although the Department said they would only promote and not approve any reversions, the Department has since indicated that they will be promoting and reverting some detectives and sergeants in the coming month or two. As I have reported in the past, the city charter gives the Chief full discretion on whether or not to allow reversions. Kristi Sandoval gave her committee report. Sandoval informed the Delegates that the Eagle & Badge Gala has been relocated to the JW Marriott as a result of issues the Hyatt Regency is having with labor. Further, she noted that due to the change, the wine tasting will need to be moved or changed. Sandoval indicated that approximately 1,600 people attended the League Picnic at Knott s Berry Farm in June. The photos from the picnic are on the League s website (LAPD.com) in the members only section. She noted that the League is going to begin posting photos from our events in the members only" section of the website to make them more readily available to the members, without them being made public. Sandoval noted that the event made approximately $3,000, which was donated to the Eagle & Badge Foundation. Sandoval stated that this year s Open Membership Meeting will be Tuesday, September 6 th. She suggested that Delegates bring anyone that may be interested in becoming a League Delegate. The 2012 Delegate Candidate Application will be made available at the September Delegates Meeting. Sandoval acknowledged the six new Delegates: Tonya Juarez-Washington, Personnel Group; Vincenzo Averaimo, Hollywood Division; Jaroen Hitanukulkit Harbor Division, Alvin Jackson, Gang and Narcotics Division; John Parker, Devonshire Division and Ryan Caplette, also at Devonshire Division. She indicated that Delegate Division vacancies are as follows: Hollywood, two; Northeast, one; Pacific, one; Rampart, one and Southwest, two. Sandoval thanked the Delegates for their work on behalf of the membership. Page 4 of 6

5 Sandoval reminded the Delegates that a copy of the E-newsletter is in the packets that were handed out to them at the beginning of the meeting and requested that it be posted on the League bulletin boards at each division. Ramon Espinosa gave his committee report. Espinosa reported to the Delegates about the higher education and training program (HEAT), stating that the Scholarship Committee would be reviewing applications that have been received to date, and reminding the Delegates that per the current MOU, there will be $100,000 available annually so that officers can apply for reimbursement of education and training. Espinosa stated that checks should be sent out by the end of the month. Espinosa reiterated his dissatisfaction with the UR Company in his Blue Line article. After hearing from an elderly retiree and learning that his surgery had been delayed for seven months, Espinosa concluded that the UR Company is stalling these matters. Espinosa contacted the executives from the UR and expressed his concern on the way that they are handling these matters. UR reacted positively and began working on these issues. He stated that a meeting is scheduled at his office on Thursday, August 4 th, to discuss said matter further. He will report to the Delegates at the next meeting. In the meantime, feel free to communicate with Dawn Alvarado, Administrator for IOD with the City at dawn.alvarado@lacity.org regarding any IOD issues that you may have. Please be sure to copy Espinosa at ramonespinosa@lappl.org. Espinosa stated that he is currently working on a meet and confer on IOD injuries (the Employee Obligation Packet). Espinosa indicated that anyone that is injured on duty, should NOT receive the packet until the meet and confer is completed. He asked that any questions regarding this matter be referred to him at ramonespinosa@lappl.org. Espinosa discussed that LAPRAAC has been giving out the City Badge and LAPD trademark, and that members are unaware that this is occurring. Two new LAPRAAC Board members voted in favor of the trademark going back to the City, which could be a potential loss of revenue to LAPRAAC. He also reported that the City gave nothing in return for use of the trademark. TREASURER S REPORT Treasurer Ramon Espinosa presented the 2011 Treasurer s Report. Motion by Delegate Mark Kelly, Planning and Research Division, seconded by Bobby Smith, Wilshire Division, to accept the May 2011 Treasurer s Report. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Leonard Miller, West Traffic Division, seconded by Bobby Smith, Wilshire Area, to accept the June 2011 Treasurer s Report. Espinosa answered questions submitted by Kellie Castillo. Page 5 of 6

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