1957-10-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Conncil met in adjourned regular session. Meeting called to order by the Mayor. Present: CounciLmen Royal E. Hubbard, Stanley C. Gould, Jr., A.A.Hall, J. Ogden M~rkel, Dale H. Heinly Absent: CounciLmen None A previous meeting having been scheduled in the Council Chamber, the City Council adjourned its meeting to the Mayor's Office on motion of Councilman Hubbard, seconded by Gould and carried. Overtime payment to Police Officers Council Chamber Santa ~na City Hall October 14, 1957. 7:30 P.M. Mayor Heinly opened the meeting for discussion and reported hearing on the question of overtime payment to members of the Police Department. Opinion No. 202 of the City Attorney was read reference status of records of overtime in the Police Depart~ ment and on motion of Councilman Hall, seconded by Gould and carried, the Opinion was received and filed. City Manager Carl J. Thornton quoted figures that had bee~ compiled since 19~5 on overtime records; prior records having been destroyed. Subsequent to this time investigation has been made to examine all of the records available and accurate data has been compiled between 1945 and 1949~ showing 2000 hours for nine employees, but no payment was made. The original intention was not to pay the overtime but to give compensatory time off when the overtime was ordered and approved by the Department Head. The legality of the payment was questioned, as stated in the Civil Service Rules and Regulations and it would not be desirable for any Administrative Officer to authorize these payments. It was the opinion of the M~nager that the total number of hours recorded did not represent lO0~ of over- time work performed by the officers and it would be difficult to determine which was authorized or ordered. Chief of Police Edward J. Allen said that voluntary overt~ work, by policemen throughout the country, is not compensated by pay and it is im- possible to keep an accurate account of validated overtime. The officers who have been with the Department for many ~ears did not expect the overtime pay. Police Officers were asked their opinions on the matter. Lieutenant Tracy would like the time off much better than getting paid for it and most of the officers volunteered overtime feeling it was part of their Job. Detective Fred Prendergast explained the conditions under which they work and had been told by his superior officer that overtime cannot be taken off in connection with a holiday or vacation. He further stated that overtime had been paid when officers resigned from their positions. Les ~ms, assigned to detective duty, felt that all of the overtime worked was re- corded and ordered overtime paid and whether it is paid or time off given, it would still cost the City considerable money. Assistant Chief Forrest L. Duke stated the large amount of overtime accumulated when the Department was short handed. Con~muni- cation from the Director of Finance with respect to the payment of overtime was rea~ I and on motion of Counc~lm~n Hall, seconded by Gould and carried, the communication was received and filed. Detective Eddie Banks said that he worked until an assign- ment was completed and if possible checked with Lieutenant Johnson or the man at the desk. Discussion was had to permit only 40 hours overtime to accumulate and the fact that detectives are now being paid ~25.00 per month additional for their work. CounciLman Hubbard was in favor of paying the overtime if it was legal to do so. Councilman Hall wanted the three Attorneys on the Council and the City Attorney to make the legal decision. Councilman Markel felt there was a terrific amount of laxity in the Depsz~bment to permit the overtime to continue to accumulate without a