Commissioners Get Update on Union Talks

Royal Oak received an update Tuesday evening on talks between the city and its unions, but a between a group of commissioners and police and fire unions has yet to happen.

That meeting was proposed during a May 19 budget review session and could happen within the next few days, City Attorney Dave Gillam said.

“As far as I know, nothing has been officially scheduled, but it could come as early as next week,” said Gillam, who is also sitting in on the bargaining sessions.

Tuesday, Gillam gave commissioners an update on contract talks during a closed-door session at . “We did discuss negotiations,” he said, noting that contracts with all city unions officially expire July 1.

That is also opening day of the city’s 2011-12 fiscal year. Although Gillam said “it would be nice” to have contracts in place by then with all city unions, that might not happen. “We have gone beyond that date in the past,” he said.

Though all contracts are up for renewal, police and fire contracts have drawn the most comment from commissioners.

Two weeks ago, c of appointing three of their own as ad hoc members of the city’s bargaining team. That unit, including Mayor Jim Ellison and fellow commissioners Terry Drinkwine and Jim Rasor is expected to outline the city’s overall financial situation.

“In a nutshell, we don’t have the money we once did,” Rasor said. “All of it is not going to fall on the unions, but everybody has to share in the sacrifice. We’ve been trimming fat as far back as 2008 but now there’s nothing to cut into but muscle and bone.”

The proposed city budget calls for a reduction of five patrol officers next year, reducing the number from 70 to 65.

Interim Police Chief Corrigan O’Donahue has sought to restore funding for a minimum 70 officers. To do that – and balance the proposed budget – the city would have to find an additional $600,000.

Commissioners took no action coming out of Tuesday’s closed session. They also made no changes to the budget proposal after the May 19 session but could do so before the budget is officially adopted, City Manager Donald Johnson said.

“The budget can be revised at any time, even during the budget year,” Johnson said.

In other action, commissioners officially appointed Johnson and Gillam as the city’s signatories on the city’s request for a liquor license at its Royal Oak Golf Course. The nine-hole course, at 13 Mile and Coolidge, is one of the city’s two municipal golf courses.

The move was procedural and approval of a Class C license is expected.

“Everything has been approved,” Johnson said.

A public hearing on the request was held April 13.