Posted: 1/18/05
Local 49ers get new contract
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The Houston County board approved a new three-year contract with its Local 49ers Highway Department Union employees on January 11.
Workers will receive a three percent cost of living adjustment raise in 2005 and 2006, and split raise of two and three percent in 2007.
The countyís contribution for insurance coverage will also go up by $10 per month each year, to $210 for 2005, $220 for 2006 and $230 for 2007.
Here are some other new items in the contract.
ï Employees will get a $10 payment per shift when they have to report to work before their normally scheduled starting time, such as snowplow drivers in a storm.
ï The clothing allowance for mechanics went up from $400 per year to $475 for the first two years of the contract and $525 for the final year. Mechanics can opt for uniform service of $12.76 per week instead of the clothing allowance.
ï Longevity pay increased to $30 per month for employees with 5-10 years of continuous service, $40 per month for 10-15 years of service, and $50 per month for 15 years and more.
ï Engineering technicians will receive $75 for each MnDOT certification up to $750.
Deputy, haulers approved
In other business, the board approved the hiring of a deputy to replace Randy Shefelbine, who resigned in December to become Caledonia Chief of Police. The hiring process will take about three months, Sheriff Mike Lee said.
Board members did not act on a request from Lee to hire an officer for the courtroom. Third district commissioner Ann Thompson said she wanted to meet at the committee level with the court administrator and sheriffís department personnel first to discuss it.
Second district commissioner Kevin Kelleher said there are certain realities with the budget, and he wanted to have the judge talk to the board.
Lee agreed that the court workers needed to let the board know exactly what they wanted.
ï The board also approved contracts for seven waste haulers: Bob Giblin, Harter Quick Clean-up, Hilltoppers, Houston County Recycling Center, Richardís Sanitation, Root River Refuse, and Waste Management.
Civics class lesson
The meeting was much better attended than normal, with about 29 students from the Caledonia High School ninth grade civics class. Teacher Carol Sweeney-Marnach brings her students to a county board meeting every year.
Students asked a few questions, but mostly listened as three different department heads and the five county commissioners explained their jobs.
Board chairperson Ann Thompson described the boardís job as controlling the budget, looking at programs, and setting policy.
Environmental services director Rick Frank talked about how the county processes materials at drop sites in the county.
One big upcoming change is that items with a circuit board can no longer go into landfills, Frank said. The county will have to figure out how to pull things like TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and cell phones from the waste stream. This will be implemented in 30-60 days, he said.
That gave fourth district commissioner Dave Corcoran a chance to say that this is an unfunded mandate, and property taxes could rise as a result.
Frank, a 28-year county employee, then told the students that the drop sites are funded by a $2.50 per month household fee, and that the program is recognized in the state and beyond. It has eliminated a lot of illegal dumping that is so easily done in the ravines of the county, he said.
Personnel director Tim Comstock talked next about the collective bargaining process, using the Local 49ers contract that was before the board that day as an example.
He also gave students a job tip: study to be a civil engineer. These technicians design and lay out roads, and monitor construction. ìSo if youíre considering an occupation, consider that one,î Comstock said. ìTheyíre in demand.î
Sheriff Mike Lee told the kids about his job. ìBelieve it or not, we have a waiting list for our jail,î he aid. ìItís like booking a room in a hotel.î
Lee elicited some chuckles when he added, ìI donít want to see any of you there in the future, please, except on a tour.î
The civics class visit is a great activity,and one the students enjoy, Sweeney-Marnach said after the meeting. She feels it gives the students the opportunity to see county government in action, and to interact with elected officials and county employees.
ìThe kids get an idea of the importance of being involved,î she said.
Sweeney-Marnach also praised the county board and department heads for doing a good job with the students.
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