07-07-2020 - AGENDA ITEM 07 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE WEST COVINA POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION (WCPOA)AGENDA ITEM NO. 7
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: July 7, 2020
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
City Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
EMPLOYMENT FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE WEST COVINA POLICE OFFICERS'
ASSOCIATION (WCPOA)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION NO.2020-74 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA ADOPTING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR
THE EMPLOYEES IN THE WEST COVINA POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION
BACKGROUND:
West Covina Police Officer Association (WCPOA) MOU is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021. However,
on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak a
"public health emergency of international concern." On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization
elevated the public health emergency to the status of a pandemic. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom
declared a State of Emergency on March 4, 2020. On the same date, Los Angeles County declared a local
emergency and a local health emergency. The City of West Covina declared a local emergency on March 16,
2020.
On March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20, mandating all individuals living in
the State of California to stay at home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain the continuity
of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors. On the same date, the Los Angeles County Public
Health Officer issued a Safer at Home Order for the Control of COVID-19, ordering, among other things, the
immediate closure of: (1) non -essential retail businesses, (2) indoor malls and shopping centers, including all
stores therein regardless whether they are essential or non -essential businesses, and (3) indoor and outdoor
playgrounds for children, except for those located in childcare centers.
As a result of the State and County stay-at-home orders, the City has experienced a decline in economic
activity, which has impacted the City's revenues. City staff estimates a potential loss of $2.8 million in General
Fund revenues for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 and a continuing loss of $2.1 million in General Fund revenues in
FY 2020-21.
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APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of July, 2020.
Tony Wu
Mayor
APPROVED AS FORM ATTEST
Thomas P. Duarte Lisa Sherrick
City Attorney Assistant City Clerk
I, LISA SHERRICK, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK of the City of West Covina,
California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2020-74 was duly adopted
by the City Council of the City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof
held on the 7th day of July, 2020, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Lisa Sherrick
Assistant City Clerk
11/24/2020
Print Staff Report
In addition to the economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, over the past five years, the City's General
Fund reserves have continued to decline — in FY 2014-15, the unassigned fund balance was $20,531,695, in
FY 2015-16, the unassigned fund balance was $15,032,389, in FY 2016-17, the unassigned fund balance was
$14,119,078, in FY 2017-18, the unassigned fund balance was $11,979,653, in FY 2018-19, the unassigned
fund balance was $9,884,913, and for FY 2019-20, the unassigned fund balance is projected to be $1,903,251.
These reserves are insufficient to fully absorb the loss in revenue that will occur due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
The City has also faced challenges in delivering a balanced budget in recent years. For example, to deliver a
balanced budget for FY 2019-20, the City had to make significant cuts in expenditures, including layoffs of
City employees, contracting out Building & Safety and Engineering functions, and not funding vacancies in
City positions. Further, as of May 19, 2020, the City's General Fund deficit was $7,201,514.
Due to the financial condition of the City, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City
Council unanimously declared a fiscal emergency on May 19, 2020. In declaring the fiscal emergency, the City
Council authorized the City Manager to take any and all actions necessary to address the fiscal emergency,
including reviewing and making changes to service agreements.
Unfortunately, as outlined above, the City has faced significant fiscal challenges in recent years, which
challenges were not foreseeable at the time the City entered into the MOU with the WCPOA. The COVID-19
pandemic, which effectively shut down the economy, was also not foreseeable at the time the City entered into
the MOU. Due to this "irresistible, superhuman cause", which is expected to result in a loss to the City of
approximately $2.8 million in General Fund revenues in the current fiscal year alone and which exacerbated
the City's financial condition such that the City declared a fiscal emergency, the City is unable to perform its
contractual obligations pursuant to the MOU. The City must stabilize its cash flow. The City is unable to
determine when it will recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic and be in financial position to
enable it to resume performance.
The City Manager sent an all staff memorandum to City employees on April 29, 2020 and May 19, 2020
summarizing the City's need to address its unforeseen emergency costs and strained financial position.
On May 15, 2020, the Los Angeles County Department of Auditor -Controller ("County Auditor -Controller")
notified the City that due to delayed payments of property taxes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City's
May 20, 2020 property tax remittance will be less than expected. On the same date, the County Auditor -
Controller notified the Successor Agency that due to delayed payments of property taxes due to the COVID-19
pandemic, the Successor Agency's June 1, 2020 property tax remittance will be less than expected; and
the City's General Fund reserves are insufficient to fully absorb the anticipated loss in revenue that will occur
from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of May 19, 2020, the City's General Fund deficit was $7,201,514 and on May 19, 2020, the City Council
declared a fiscal emergency in Resolution No. 2020-46
DISCUSSION:
Between May 20, 2020 and July 7, 2020, representatives of the City met with representatives of the City's
labor groups including West Covina Fire Management Association, West Covina Firefighters' Association
I.A.F.F. Local 3226, West Covina Police Management Association, West Covina Non -Sworn Safety Support
Employees' Association, West Covina Confidential Employees' Association, West Covina Maintenance and
Crafts Employees' Association, West Covina Mid -Management Employees' Association, and West Covina
General Employees' Association to discuss the City's unforeseen fiscal emergency and the need to
immediately stabilize the City's cash flow through immediate cost savings measures through the reduction of
personnel and benefits costs. The West Covina Fire Management Association, West Covina Firefighters'
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11/24/2020
Print Staff Report
Association I.A.F.F. Local 3226, West Covina Police Management Association, West Covina Non -Sworn
Safety Support Employees' Association, West Covina Confidential Employees' Association, West Covina
Maintenance and Crafts Employees' Association, West Covina Mid -Management Employees' Association,
and West Covina General Employees' Association have put forth proposals on reduction of personnel and
benefits costs and reached agreement on proposals to assist the City during this unprecedented time to assist
the City in immediately stabilizing the City's cash flow through immediate cost savings measures. Despite
repeated efforts on the City's part to engage in good faith discussions and negotiations with the West Covina
Police Officers' Association ("WCPOA") between May 20, 2020 to July 7, 2020, including making multiple
requests to meet with WCPOA, the WCPOA refuses to meet with the City to discuss proposals on reduction of
personnel and benefits costs to assist the City on immediately stabilizing the City's cash flow through
immediate cost savings measures.
The City is currently experiencing a month -to -month deficit cash flow and its cash balance is projected to be
depleted in its entirety and turn negative by September 2020. The City projects to have a negative cash balance
at the end of December 2020 of $5,786,000. If the City does not take immediate action to reduce personnel and
benefits related costs and expenditures, the City anticipates it will be unable to sustain its on -going operating
expenses, including payroll; and because of the City's anticipated immediately forthcoming inability to sustain
the current on -going operating expenses, including payroll, there is not a reasonable amount of time to
complete the meet and confer process under the Meyers-Milias-Brown-Act, Government Code section 3500 et
seq.
The following actions set forth below constitute an emergency within the meaning of Government Code
section 3504.5, authorizing the immediate implementation of such terms and conditions while the City
completes any remaining aspects of the meet and confer process. This emergency is based upon the findings
in this resolution and Resolution No. 2020-46, adopted by the City Council on May 19, 2020.
1. The classic members' employee contribution to Ca1PERS shall be 12% through end of December 2020.
2. The entirety of the City/Employer contribution to Deferred Compensation provided to employees shall
be suspended through end of December 2020.
3. The entirety of the $600 cash amount provided to employees in lieu of receiving medical benefits, and
the entirety of all cash amounts provided to employees covering the difference between the amount of
the medical insurance premium and $600, shall be suspended through end of December 2020.
4. The entirety of the City/Employer contribution to the Retiree Health Savings Plan (RHSP) shall be
suspended through end of December 2020.
5. The entirety of all Senior Officer Pay (100%) shall be suspended through end of December 2020.
6. Educational Incentive Pay shall be reduced by 50% through end of December 2020.
7. Bilingual Pay shall be reduced by 10% through end of December 2020.
8. Hazardous Pay and Assignment Pay shall be reduced by 10% through end of December 2020.
9. Holiday Pay for shift employees shall be reduced by 10% through end of December 2020.
10. Uniform and Maintenance Allowance and Payment shall be reduced by 10% through end of December
2020.
11. There shall be cap on the City/Employer contribution towards Medical Insurance coverage as follows:
o Employee Only - $650.00
o Employee + 1 (dependent) - $1150.00
o Employee + Family - $1600.00.
12. The entirety of all Lateral Entry Employee Vacation Leave and Lateral Entry Sick Leave shall be
suspended through end of December 2020.
13. The entirety of Tuition Reimbursement provided by City policy shall be suspended through June 30,
2021.
14. With the exception of the above terms and conditions of employment, all other terms and conditions of
employment from any and all previous and current memoranda of understanding, amendments thereto,
letters of understanding, and side letter agreements currently in effect between the City and the West
Covina Police Officers' Association are to remain as terms and conditions of employment.
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11/24/2020
Print Staff Report
The terms and conditions of employment adopted are effective July 7, 2020.
The terms and conditions of employment adopted herein supersede any all previous and current memoranda of
understanding, amendments thereto, letters of understanding, and side agreements currently in effect between
the City and the affected employee organizations.
These terms and conditions of employment shall be immediately effective and the actions set forth in this
resolution constitute an emergency within the meaning of Government Code section 3504.5, authorizing the
immediate implementation of such terms and conditions while the City completes any remaining aspects of the
meet and confer process. This emergency is based upon the findings in this resolution and Resolution No.
2020-46, adopted by the City Council on May 19, 2020.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City's Labor Attorney, LCW, has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
Prepared by: Helen Tran, HR/Risk Management Director
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost savings to the City through imposition of the terms and conditions of employment equals
approximately $462,000 for six months.
Attachments
Attachment No. 1 - 2020-74 (West Covina Police Officers' Association)
CITY Achieve Fiscal Sustainability and Financial Stability
COUNCIL
GOALS &
OBJECTIVES:
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ATTACHMENT NO. 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-74
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR
EMPLOYEES IN THE WEST COVINA POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION (WCPOA)
WHEREAS, the City was recently listed by the California State Auditor as a fiscally
challenged city based on criteria that ranked the fiscal health of over 470 California cities
across the State; and
WHEREAS, over the course of the past five (5) years, the Citys unassigned
General Fund balance has continuously declined: in FY 2014-15, the unassigned fund
balance was $20,531,695, in FY 2015-16, the unassigned fund balance was $15,032,389,
in FY 2016-17, the unassigned fund balance was $14,119,078, in FY 2017-18, the
unassigned fund balance was $11,979,653, in FY 2018-19, the unassigned fund balance
was $9,884,913, and for FY 2019-20, the unassigned fund balance is projected to be
$1,903,251;and
WHEREAS, in order to deliver a balanced budget for FY 2019-20, the City made
significant cuts in expenditures, including contracting out the Building & Safety and
Engineering functions, not funding vacancies in nine (9) positions citywide, layoff of eight
(8) employees, shifting some eligible salaries and benefits to special funds; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that essential
services of the City are not jeopardized, public health and safety are preserved, the City
is able to pay its obligations when due, and the City is able to pay its employees for the
work they perform, the City must take immediate and comprehensive action to further
reduce spending, including, but not limited to, spending on personnel and benefit costs;
and
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the
novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak a "public health emergency of international
concern;" and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of
Emergency as part of the State's response to the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
outbreak; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization elevated the
COVID-19 public health emergency to the status of a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the City Manager, acting in the capacity of the
Citys Director of Emergency Services, declared the existence of a local emergency due
to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer
("Local Health Officer"), issued an Order for the Control of COVID-19, directing, among
other things, the immediate closure of: (1) bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, (2)
movie theatres, live performance venues, bowling alleys, and arcades, (3) gyms and
fitness centers, and (4) wineries, breweries, and tap rooms that provide tastings; and
WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-
19, ratifying the City Manager's proclamation; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-
33-20, ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their
place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal
critical infrastructure sectors; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020, the Local Health Officer issued a Safer at Home
Order for the Control of COVID-19, ordering, among other things, the immediate closure
of: (1) nonessential retail businesses, (2) indoor malls and shopping centers, including all
stores therein regardless whether they are essential or non -essential businesses, and (3)
indoor and outdoor playgrounds for children, except for those located in childcare centers;
and
WHEREAS, the unforeseen economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have
been significant, and the Citys approximately 3,278 businesses are experiencing
substantial losses; and
WHEREAS, the City has experienced an unforeseen significant decline in
economic activity due to the decline in business activity and the closure of all non-
essential business establishments within the City due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby
reducing revenues for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 below budget estimates, with similar
trends projected for FY 2020-21; and
WHEREAS, City staff estimates a potential loss of $2,800,000 in General Fund
revenues (i.e., sales tax, Transient Occupancy Tax, etc.) for FY 2019-20, and a continuing
loss of $2,100,000 in General Fund revenues in FY 2020-21; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager sent an all staff memorandum to City employees
on April 29, 2020 and May 19, 2020 summarizing the Citys need to address its
unforeseen emergency costs and strained financial position; and
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2020, the Los Angeles County Department of Auditor -
Controller ("County Auditor -Controller") notified the City that due to delayed payments of
property taxes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Citys May 20, 2020 property tax
remittance will be less than expected. On the same date, the County Auditor -Controller
notified the Successor Agency that due to delayed payments of property taxes due to
the COVID-19 pandemic, the Successor Agency's June 1, 2020 property tax remittance
will be less than expected; and
WHEREAS, the City's General Fund reserves are insufficient to fully absorb the
anticipated loss in revenue that will occur from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, as of May 19, 2020, the City's General Fund deficit was $7,201,514;
and
WHEREAS, on May 19, 2020, the City Council declared a fiscal emergency in
Resolution No. 2020-46; and
WHEREAS, between May 20, 2020 and July 7, 2020, representatives of the City
met with representatives of the City's labor groups including West Covina Fire
Management Association, West Covina Firefighters' Association I.A.F.F. Local 3226,
West Covina Police Management Association, West Covina Non -Sworn Safety Support
Employees' Association, West Covina Confidential Employees' Association, West Covina
Maintenance and Crafts Employees' Association, West Covina Mid -Management
Employees' Association, and West Covina General Employees' Association to discuss
the Citys unforeseen fiscal emergency and the need to immediately stabilize the City's
cash flow through immediate cost savings measures through the reduction of personnel
and benefits costs; and
WHEREAS, the West Covina Fire Management Association, West Covina
Firefighters' Association I.A.F.F. Local 3226, West Covina Police Management
Association, West Covina Non -Sworn Safety Support Employees' Association, West
Covina Confidential Employees' Association, West Covina Maintenance and Crafts
Employees' Association, West Covina Mid -Management Employees' Association, and
West Covina General Employees' Association have put forth proposals on reduction of
personnel and benefits costs and reached agreement on proposals to assist the City
during this unprecedented time to assist the City in immediately stabilizing the City's cash
flow through immediate cost savings measures; and
WHEREAS, despite repeated efforts on the Citys part to engage in good faith
discussions and negotiations with the West Covina Police Officers' Association
("WCPOA") between May 20, 2020 to July 7, 2020, including making multiple requests to
meet with WCPOA, the WCPOA refuses to meet with the City to discuss proposals on
reduction of personnel and benefits costs to assist the City on immediately stabilizing the
City's cash flow through immediate cost savings measures; and
WHEREAS, the City is currently experiencing a month -to -month deficit cash flow
and its cash balance is projected to be depleted in its entirety and turn negative by
September 2020;
WHEREAS, the City projects to have a negative cash balance at the end of
December 2020 of $5,786,000; and
WHEREAS, if the City does not take immediate action to reduce personnel and
benefits related costs and expenditures, the City anticipates it will be unable to sustain its
on -going operating expenses, including payroll; and
WHEREAS, because of the City's anticipated immediately forthcoming inability to
sustain the current on -going operating expenses, including payroll, there is not a
reasonable amount of time to complete the meet and confer process under the Meyers -
Milias-Brown-Act, Government Code section 3500 et seq.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council finds that all of the foregoing recitals are true and
correct and hereby incorporates and adopts them as findings and determinations by the
City Council as if fully set forth herein.
SECTION 2. The City Council finds that the need to immediately implement the
terms and conditions of employment and take the actions set forth in this resolution
constitute an emergency within the meaning of Government Code section 3504.5,
authorizing the immediate implementation of such terms and conditions while the City
completes any remaining aspects of the meet and confer process. This emergency is
based upon the findings in this resolution and Resolution No. 2020-46, adopted by the
City Council on May 19, 2020.
SECTION 3. The terms and conditions for employees in the West Covina Police
Officers' Association are described below and are adopted.
1. The classic members' employee contribution to CalPERS shall be 12%
through end of December 2020.
2. The entirety of the City/Employer contribution to Deferred Compensation
provided to employees shall be suspended through end of December 2020.
3. The entirety of the $600 cash amount provided to employees in lieu of
receiving medical benefits, and the entirety of all cash amounts provided to
employees covering the difference between the amount of the medical
insurance premium and $600, shall be suspended through end of
December 2020.
4. The entirety of the City/Employer contribution to the Retiree Health Savings
Plan (RHSP) shall be suspended through end of December 2020.
5. The entirety of all Senior Officer Pay (100%) shall be suspended through
end of December 2020.
6. Educational Incentive Pay shall be reduced by 50% through end of
December 2020.
7. Bilingual Pay shall be reduced by 10% through end of December 2020.
8. Hazardous Pay and Assignment Pay shall be reduced by 10% through end
of December 2020.
9. Holiday Pay for shift employees shall be reduced by 10% through end of
December 2020.
10. Uniform and Maintenance Allowance and Payment shall be reduced by 10%
through end of December 2020.
11.There shall be cap on the City/Employer contribution towards Medical
Insurance coverage as follows:
o Employee Only - $650.00
o Employee + 1 (dependent) - $1150.00
o Employee + Family - $1600.00.
12.The entirety of all Lateral Entry Employee Vacation Leave and Lateral Entry
Sick Leave shall be suspended through end of December 2020.
13.The entirety of Tuition Reimbursement provided by City policy shall be
suspended through June 30, 2021.
14. With the exception of the above terms and conditions of employment, all
other terms and conditions of employment from any and all previous and
current memoranda of understanding, amendments thereto, letters of
understanding, and side letter agreements currently in effect between the
City and the West Covina Police Officers' Association are to remain as
terms and conditions of employment.
SECTION 4. The terms and conditions of employment adopted herein are
effective July 7, 2020.
SECTION 5. The terms and conditions of employment adopted herein supersede
any all previous and current memoranda of understanding, amendments thereto, letters
of understanding, and side agreements currently in effect between the City and the West
Covina Police Officers' Association.
SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall
enter the same in the book of original resolutions and it shall become effective
immediately.