Following Tuesday’s City Council meeting, members took to private quarters to discuss items in Closed Session, but had no action to report from labor negotiations with current City Manager and City Attorney.
As stated by City Attorney Phaedra Norton, the closed session was to include talks of items 11B, 11C, and 11D which were under the provision of California Government Code 54957(b)(1). Items 11B and 11C were stated as “Public Employee Performance Evaluation[s]” for the City Manager and City Attorney, respectively. Item 11D, also under the closed session, describes a “Conference with Labor Negotiators” regarding the “salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits” on behalf of the City Manager and City Attorney. City Clerk Kellie Weaver revealed prior to the session that little would be revealed of the City Manager and City Attorney’s pay contracts, as both fall under Code 54957.
Weaver explained that she would state there was no action to report from the closed session after their discussion because of the nature of the items.
According to City documents, as well as Wasden himself, his five-year contract as City Manager expired June 30. Discussions in closed session were to look at a potential renewal of his contract as well as Norton’s, although November’s General Election may mean a new majority on Council, as two Council seats are open and Mayor John Lazar is not running for reelection.
Item E, also discussed in the closed session, involved a conference with labor negotiations. The item listed negotiators Wasden and Dave Young, as well as employee organizations including: Turlock Associated Police Officers, Turlock City Employee Association, Turlock Firefighters Association Local 2434, and Turlock Management Association- Public Safety.
Unrepresented employees listed included: Accountant, Sr., Assistant to the City Manager for Economic Development/Community Housing, Community Housing Program Supervisor, Deputy Development Services Director/Planning, Development Services Director/City Engineer, Development Services Supervisor/City Surveyor, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk, Finance Customer Service Supervisor, Fire Chief, Human Resources Analyst, Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Technician, Legal Assistant, Municipal Services Director, Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities Director, Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities Superintendent, Payroll Coordinator, Principal Civil Engineer, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Secretary/Deputy City Clerk, Executive Administrative Assistant/Public Safety, Technical Services Manager, Utilities Manager, and Water Quality Control Division Manager.
TurlockCityNews.com wil provide updates regarding the City Manager’s pay contract as they become available.
It’s appears City Government is attempting to use a vail secrecy under the gise of a Government Code to push through the renewal of the City Manager and City Attorney contracts without the opportunity for the newly elected Mayor and seated City Council to decide on what is right for the City of Turlock. Why would City Officals be so defensive about negotiations and keep as much information from the general public unless there is a hidden agenda to extend the City Manager and City Attorney contract for a lucrative pay increase costing this city for years to come. Why should the citizens continue to pay outrageous salaries when comparison cities pay much less for their leadership. Let the new Mayor and new Council decide who they want to partnership with and STOP these back room deals once and all. Call your current Mayor and City Council and express you disapproval to move forward with these contracts.