Board of Directors Meeting

Board of Director's -- AUGUST -- Regular Meeting

CALL TO ORDER: Wednesday, August 8, 2001 – President R. Reinhart convened the meeting to order at 15:40 hours.

ROLL CALL: R. Reinhart, President; J.K. Muller, Vice-President; J. Huss, Secretary; D. Hashin, Treasurer; A. Preece, Sergeant-at-Arms/ Director; B. Reed, Director (POL); R. Frahm, Director; S. Fullmer, Director; G. Coerper, Director.

OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT: S. McKean, E. Ramsey, and M. Spencer.

GUESTS: M. Reid.

MINUTES: No past minutes presented.

TREASURER REPORT: No written report presented. D. Hashin provided a verbal overview of account balances.

D. Hashin stated that he has familiarized himself with the duties of Treasurer, however he can not pay the bills under the current system that has been established with the accounting firm. D. Hashin said that he wants to establish a better way of his being the treasurer and overseeing the work of the accounting firm. Muller suggested a liaison with the accounting firm. Discussion held.

D. Hashin will create a procedure with R. Frahm and the accounting firm liaison within the next month to be help him with his Treasurer duties. R. Reinhart acknowledged the excellent work D. Hashin has put into the budget and financing of the POA and POF

OLD BUSINESS

PERS LAWSUIT: R. Reinhart said that PMA inquired regarding paying the bill in thirds, which is divided between HBFA, POA and PMA. R. Reinhart said that it benefits members of the PMA more on a percentage basis than the other two groups, not with standing the prior costs of litigation by HBFA and the POA. The Board of Directors agreed to stand-by the agreement that was reached with HBFA as previous stated. If PMA drops from the PERS Lawsuit, the POA will pay half of the fees. Motion by J.K. Muller and A. Preece, with all concurring.

FLSA LAWSUIT: R. Reinhart discussed the recent jury verdict which awarded hours to the plaintiffs in the Huss et al vs. City of Huntington Beach lawsuit involving former canine handlers. The City was found to be in violation of FLSA “willfully.” Another “settlement conference” is scheduled for August 10, 2001 in Federal Court.

Reinhart pointed out several relative issues from the litigation that will affect the POA. Deputy City Attorney Scott Field and Brian Walters (Liebert, Cassidy and Whetmore) showed why POA members need to be concerned when "represented" by the city in liability litigation issues and why we pay for LDF representation. Reinhart also discussed filing a complaint with the California State Bar regarding ethical violations by Scott Field during the trial

NEW BUSINESS

ELECTION RESULTS: Ballots were tabulated at the Board of Directors Meeting and the results are as follows:

Gil Coerper 62

Steve Ekstedt 60

Jeff Huss 66

Art Preece 65

Write-In Candidates - Insignificant for eight different candidates.

R. Reinhart said that he has received many positive comments and continued support for the direction of the Board of Directors and congratulated the those directors reelected and the election of Steve Ekstedt. Their term will run from September 2001 through September 2003.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS: R. Reinhart said that he was contacted by Chuck Thomas, PMA President seeking financial support or co-sponsorship for the “Employee of the Year” Department Awards Ceremony to be held in January 2002. Last year’s breakfast costs were approximately $1,400.00. The Department Awards Program benefits members of MEA, MEO, POA, and PMA. Discussion was held on the related merit of the “Organizational Value Statement” of the Department and after reviewing it the Board of directors felt that the costs could be incurred by the Department for all employees.

ORANGE COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION: R. Reinhart explained the recent letter sent on behalf of the POA over concerns raised by some of the members, to the Department from the POA’s attorney. The letter informed the Department that line officers should not attend any future meetings without legal representation, which is in the best interest as well as the Departments. Representation will be covered by the PORAC LDF Plan. Discussion held.

DMV HEARINGS: R. Reinhart said that it was brought to his attention by a traffic officer that he was minimally compensated on a DMV Hearing held via telephone. The minimal compensation was only one hour at the direction of Captain Arnold, who stated a “side letter” addressed this for only one hour of compensation.

M. Reid said that he was unaware of “side letter” or other document that addressed this and would request the Department to provide a copy of the document referenced. He said “phone time” addressed in the MOU is specifically for reports and related work business, and not related to subpoena related testifying at DMV Hearings. It was his opinion that an “appearance” would be met in accordance with DMV procedures over the telephone or in person, and therefore compensated at the rate of three hours premium time. M. Reid will handle the follow up with a letter.

FURNITURE: R. Reinhart reminded the Board of Directors that we had discussed the possibility of purchasing a dual-purpose conference table/ pool table to use for conducting business. A mere cover would be inadequate. The costs of the new conference table/ pool table could be practical and purchased on a joint basis by the POA and SRC. No Action Taken.

MUTUAL BENEFIT CORPORATION: R. Reinhart requested authority to investigate the possibility of establishing a ‘Mutual Benefit Corporation’, which would then enable the POA to provide some benefits to the members tax-free, such as the long-term disability payments received from CLEA. Motion by J. Huss and A. Preece authorizing Reinhart to contact Allen Ready for a legal opinion and feasibility, with all concurring.

INSTRUCTIONAL SEMINAR: R. Reinhart presented information on an upcoming seminar titled “How to Run A Police/ Fire Union” on November 28-30, 2001 in Las Vegas, NV. The seminar is presented by Labor Relations Information System - www.lris.com. R. Reinhart recommended that the Executive Board attend the seminar.

PORAC INSTRUCTOR: The training staff of PORAC has recruited R. Reinhart to be an instructor for an upcoming Basic Negotiation Class in Reno, NV. This is an honor and Reinhart is well deserving of this position.

COMMITTEES

LABOR MANAGEMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Meeting held earlier today which discussed –

Employee Parking Lot: Discussion was held on this matter as being discriminatory toward non-management members of the Department. It was the Department’s position that parking within the secured rear lot was merely a “temporary” answer to the damage occurring to the private vehicles and not to be considered a “past practice” which the POA believes it is and subject to the “meet and confer” process.

Association Bank Time: Request was made to direct ‘vacation time’ from employees toward the POA. Mr. Osness said that he developed the program and doing this would only confuse the process, and that ‘vacation time’ is to be used by employees. R. Reinhart said that the POA was trying to take a more active role in representation of it’s members and without the additional time those matters would have to be referred to the attorneys to handle. City’s position was that this matter needs to be addressed in the “meet and confer” process.

NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE: R. Reinhart said that he has contacted the print shop to print up copies of the new MOU for the members, which can be placed in their “Blue Notebooks.” An announcement will be made when they are available, hopefully by the General Membership Meeting in September.

CORRESPONDENCE

PARKING CONTROL OFFICERS: A memo was received from Karen Petersen seeking consideration to have the full-time PCO’s represented by the POA bargaining group instead of the MEA. Suggested that members of the Board of Directors meet with Karen Petersen prior to the General Membership meeting. Discussion held.

PEACE OFFICERS COUNSEL OF CALIFORNIA: Letters sent from Mark Reid on behalf of the POA to City Administrator, Ray Silver on the following topic(s) –

Rear Lot Parking for Employees

OTHER BUSINESS

STAFF MINUTES: Reviewed Staff Minutes of August 1, 2001.

DRUG TESTING - List of vendors will be sent to the POA this month. Anticipate program implementation by September 2001.

R. Reinhart recommended the establishment of a committee to be prepared to select a potential vendor for the program that would meet with the POA’s concerns. Discussion held. Committee was established as: R. Reinhart, Chairman; and A. Preece, D. Hashin, G. Coerper, M. Reid as members.

ACTIVITIES:

Ø September 12 – POA General Membership Meeting/ Elks Lodge

Ø September 22 – POA Retirement Symposium/ Training Room A

Ø October 2 – HB Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards Luncheon

Ø October 8 – HB Police & Fire Charity Golf Tournament/ SeaCliff Country Club

Ø October 28 – OCPCA Benefit Show/ Eddie West Field – Santa Ana

ADJOURNMENT: This meeting was adjourned at 20:15 hours to reconvene at 15:30 hours on Wednesday, September 12, 2001

ATTEST:

____________________________________

Jeff Huss

Secretary

POSTED PRIOR TO APPROVAL