I AM SENDING OUT A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU IN OUR BLOG WORLD..... I AM NO LONGER THE RECORDING SECRETARY FOR S.W.S.N.A. AS OF TODAY. JULY 14TH, 2013. JIM AND I ARE GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF OUR TIME BEING RETIRED, TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN YARD AND HOME, SWIMMING, TRAVELING, AND MOST OF ALL RELAXING. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE IN YOUR LIVES FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS.
CATHY WAGNER
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
S.W.S.N.A. MINUTES 4/29/2013
Southwest Saginaw Neighborhood Association
Minutes
March 19th 2013
Opening
The meeting of the Southwest Saginaw Neighborhood Association was called
to order at 6:35 pm on 3/19/13 in Beacon of Hope Church by Jose` Barajas .
Present
Councilman Andy Coulouris, Pastor Tucker, Lt. Terry
Carpenter
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was unanimously approved as distributed.
Approval of Minutes
New Business
April 23rd, 2013 will be the 4th
Annual Go Green Celebration. “IT’S NOT
JUST PAPER AND PLASTIC”. PARTICIPANTS
AND TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:
Iris Waste Diversion, Mid-Michigan Waste Authority,
Batteries Plus, Saginaw County Health
Dept., (Light Bulb and Mercury Disposal), Community Prescription Support
Program (Prescription Disposal), Hard Drive and Electronic Removal, Trees for
the Tri-Cities.
Meeting Takes Place:
Saginaw City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 11:00AM-1:00 PM
Refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by, the Green Team.
Treasury Report
Pat gave the balance of our monies.
Lieutenant Terry
Carpenter
Lt. Carpenter told us that the Minorities
are now the majority and that the Majorities are now the Minorities.
Lt. Carpenter thanked the Southwest Saginaw Neighborhood
Association for all of the support we have shown. He thanked us for the cake and card.
50-50
We held the drawing.
We collected $43.00 and Jose` Barajas won the $22.00 which he donated
back to the Association.
Meeting Adjourned
@ 7:15 PM
We adjourned the meeting early so we could all participate
in a celebratory cake for Lieutenant Terry Carpenter’s Promotion.
PRESIDENT: Jose` Barajas
VICE PRESIDENT: Kerry Conrad
SECRETARY: Cathy Wagner
TREASURER: Pat McCloy
EVENT
COORDINATOR: Debbie Murphy
SOUTHWEST SAGINAW NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION MINUTES 5/21ST /2013
Meeting called to order: by Jose @6:30 P.M.
Dignitaries: Larry Coulouris, Kevin
Wilkins, Director of Animal Control
Old Business: Jose` asked for a motion to
approve the May Minutes of 2013. Motion
was made and seconded and approved.
Motion Passed.
Treasurer Report: Pat announced she works at the
Red Cross. If you would like to donate
or help out in the Moore Oklahoma Disaster, call 754-8181, press number 1 and
that will put you directly in touch with Pat.
Last month we had $496.25. We had
$15.00 from our 50-50, $10.00 for signs, and a $3.00 donation. Bringing our total to, $524.25
President’s Report: Smoke Detectors are available
from the fire department, call 759-1393.
Red Cross is looking for donations for Oklahoma Disaster. We have issue sheets up front for anyone with
issues.
Councilman Larry Coulouris: On the 2nd Saturday of
every month the City has a drop off across the street from City Hall for trash
etc. You can call 399-1311 for details.
Deanna Virciglio: Call Mosquito Control @ 755-5711
if you have tires. You can drop them off
@ 211 Congress Ave. You will need your
I.D. to show them. This starts after
June 5th. John Stemple from
S.E.I.N.I.C. had someone pick up the Planet Aid Drop Box on Maple. City Ordinance, Rummage. You are allowed 1 rummage sale a year and
only for 3 days. You are allowed to put
a sign in your yard and your neighbor’s yard with permission from the
neighbor.
Ric Russell: Ric said he cut at 2200 block of
Hamilton, and Mead and Michigan for 4 and ½ hours. He has no help.
Jan McCurry: Jan asked about La Placida on
Michigan. She talked about planting
trees or something in the area. It was
mentioned that the entire block should be taken down. The City will cut the encroachment and 4 feet
inside of the sidewalk. We are going to
see if we can get Tom Miller from the County Land Bank for our next meeting.
Kevin Wilkins: Director of the Animal Control
moved here from Wisconsin, he is originally from Illinois. He would like it if some people would come
into Animal Control and sign up for volunteering. He talked about never relocating wild
animals. He suggests that you trap them
and take them to animal control. He said
if you relocate them to a nature center for instance, they could have a disease
and give it to other animals. We are
down to 3 animal control officers. This
is hurting response time. Animal Control
now has a staff of 26. Threating animals
have top priority. If it is an
emergency, call the police 911. You can
always drop an animal off at the shelter.
There is a fenced off area in the back that you can take them to. Dog packs are up quite a bit this year. Euthanasia is 60% down. Fees are $125.00 for a dog, spayed or
neutered shots etc. There is a $90.00
fee for all cats. They respond to farm
animal’s complaints and horses.
50-50 drawing: There was $27.00 in the
50-50. The winning ticket was #
280894. The winner took home
$14.00. The rest goes to the
association.
Don’t forget about Neighborhood Watch
signs. They are $2.00 a sign. Ask a board member for them.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:41 P.M.
President: Jose` Barajas
Vice President: Kerry Conrad
Recording Secretary: Cathy Wagner
Treasurer: Pat McCloy
Event Coordinator: Debbie Murphy
CHIEF LIPE'S CITY WIDE MEETINGS: DECEMBER 2012- DECEMBER 2013
Chief Brian Lipe’s City Wide Meetings: December 2012-December 2013
December 20th 2012: Houghton Jones Association, Houghton
Elementary School:
Tuscola & N. 9th
Street Entrance 5:30 PM
January 24th 2013: Covenant Association: American Amalgamated Workers Union
1614 Mershon St. 5:30
PM
February 28th 2013: First Ward Community Center 1410
N. 12th St. 5:30 PM
March 28th 2013: Adams Boulevard Association, Michigan Lutheran Seminary 5:30 PM
April 25th 2013: Brockway Carmen Park & St.
Stephen’s Association: St. Stephen’s
Parish Hall
1300 Malzahn 5:30 PM
May 23rd 2013: Cathedral District, Green House
Center of Hope 723 Emerson 5:30 PM
June 27th 2013: S.W.S.N.A. 2109 W. Michigan, Beacon of Hope Church 5:30
PM
July 25th 2013: Redeemer Neighborhood
Association, Loomis School, Loomis & Webber ST. 5:30 PM
August 22nd 2013: Saginaw High Association, UAW
LOCAL 699 HALL, 1911 Bagley St. 5:30 P.M.
September 26th 2013: Northeast & Arthur Eddy,
Bethel Ame Church, 535 Cathay St. 5:30 P.M.
October 24th 2013: Heritage Square Association,
Butman Fish Library, 1716 Hancock St. 5:30 P.M.
November 21st 2013: Adams Blvd. Association, Michigan
Lutheran Seminary, 2777 Hardin Street.
5:30 P.M.
December19th 2013: Houghton Jones Association 5:30
P.M. Houghton Elementary School: Tuscola & 9th street
entrance. Note: Nov. & Dec. meetings on the 3rd
Thurs.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
S.W.S.N.A. Minutes March 19th 2013
Southwest Saginaw Neighborhood Association
Minutes
March 19th 2013
Opening
The meeting of the Southwest Saginaw Neighborhood Association was called
to order at 6:35 pm on 3/19/13 in Beacon of Hope Church by Jose` Barajas .
Present
Councilman Andy Coulouris, Pastor Tucker, Lt. Terry
Carpenter
Approval of Agenda
The agenda was unanimously approved as distributed.
Approval of Minutes
New Business
April 23rd, 2013 will be the 4th
Annual Go Green Celebration. “IT’S NOT
JUST PAPER AND PLASTIC”. PARTICIPANTS
AND TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:
Iris Waste Diversion, Mid-Michigan Waste Authority,
Batteries Plus, Saginaw County Health
Dept., (Light Bulb and Mercury Disposal), Community Prescription Support
Program (Prescription Disposal), Hard Drive and Electronic Removal, Trees for
the Tri-Cities.
Meeting Takes Place:
Saginaw City Hall Council Chambers
Tuesday April 23rd, 2013 11:00AM-1:00 PM
Refreshments will be provided. Sponsored by, the Green Team.
Treasury Report
Pat gave the balance of our monies.
Lieutenant Terry
Carpenter
Lt. Carpenter told us that the Minorities
are now the majority and that the Majorities are now the Minorities.
Lt. Carpenter thanked the Southwest Saginaw Neighborhood
Association for all of the support we have shown. He thanked us for the cake and card.
We held the drawing.
We collected $43.00 and Jose` Barajas won the $22.00 which he donated
back to the Association.
Meeting Adjourned
@ 7:36 PM
We adjourned the meeting early so we could all participate
in a celebratory cake for Lieutenant Terry Carpenter’s Promotion.
PRESIDENT: Jose` Barajas
VICE PRESIDENT: Kerry Conrad
SECRETARY: Cathy Wagner
TREASURER: Pat McCloy
EVENT
COORDINATOR: Debbie Murphy
Friday, April 12, 2013
Saginaw cutting to 55 police officers, 35 firefighters in manager's recommended budget
Saginaw cutting to 55 police officers, 35 firefighters in manager's recommended budget
Posted on Saginaw News on April 12, 2013, 9:30AM
Saginaw would face dramatic public safety staffing cuts in the budget being recommended by City Manager Darnell Earley, which will be presented to city council before the end of April 2013. Full story »
Inappropriate post? Alert us.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Sheriff Federspiel still says NO
SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw Sheriff William Federspiel said he went into a meeting Monday, April 8, with the city of Saginaw's administrative team hopeful that he would hear a new idea for partnering to fight crime.
But what Federspiel heard from City Manager Darnell Earley and his staff, he said, was more of the same.
"Basically they were there to get me to say yes to the 80-plus-four model and then they wanted us to take it back to the council to vote on it," Federspiel said.
The policing model being pursued by the city would staff 80 full-time officers and four part-time officers, a staffing level the sheriff has maintained is not enough to properly police the city.
The sheriff said Earley gave 15-20 minutes of background information and then handed the meeting over Assistant City Manager for Public Safety Phil Ludos, who advocated the sheriff consider the 80-officer contract proposed by the city administration in 2012.
It appeared to be an attempt to sell the same idea that had already been clearly rejected, Federspiel said
"We have this gap," he said. "Darnell believes the 80-plus-four is the best financial model for the city. He wants me to believe it. But I don't believe it."
Earley asked for the meeting after Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel, in an email sent three weeks ago, said no to the 80-officer proposal.
- Email from Federspiel saying "no" — sent March 18
- Response from Earley asking for meeting — sent March 26
At the table Monday was Earley and his management team, Federspiel, Saginaw County Board of Commissioners Chairman Michael Hanley, County Controller Robert Belleman and Courts and Public Safety Committee Chairwoman Cheryl Hadsall.
Federspiel pointed out the notable absence of anyone from the city's labor unions or any representatives from the general public.
Hanley and the sheriff have both maintained that one of the biggest blockades to any negotiations is contractual obligations to the city's two police unions, which currently hold contracts running through June 2014.
"We continue to be very concerned about the labor dispute at the city," Hanley said.
"The county currently sees no path forward," -Board of Commissioners Chairman Michael Hanley
According to the Saginaw police officers' union president, the city administration has not made a good-faith effort to negotiate cost savings ideas with the union, while city officials claim the union has yet to bring any significant cost savings to the bargaining table. The unions have also filed a grievance claiming the city is in violation of the current contracts by attempting to negotiate a contract with Federspiel.
Hanley said the city manager made it clear that the labor issues were purely the city's concern. But Hanley said he pointed out those issues would become the county government's concern as well, if they were to begin negotiating a contract with the city.
Hadsall said the group talked for more than an hour, though no decisions resulted.
"We're all on the same page that something needs to be done," she said. "No doors were closed. I think that is important."
Hanley said the county asked for additional time for staff to take another look at the proposal, since Belleman is relatively new to the position.
The city manager asked for a final answer by Friday, April 12. Hanley said that it will take longer than that, but expects to respond to City Hall by the end of April.
"He said he wanted to know what to bring back to his city council," Hanley said. "I told him to tell them, 'Assume the status quo.' The county currently sees no path forward."
The city manager's backup plan — which could become part of the budget Earley is required to present to City Council by the end of April — is staffing cuts to a 55-officer police department and a 35-firefighter fire department.
For police, the reduction would revert the city back to the same staffing level Saginaw's department had in 1910. The fire department would also be pushed back to decades-old staffing levels, and two of the city's four fire stations would likely be closed.
A representative from MLive asked to attend the meeting Monday, but was told by Belleman the meeting would be closed to the public in an attempt to encourage more open discussion.
"I thought maybe they would come in with a different proposal," Federspiel said. "Nothing has changed since the last time I said no."
Earley was not available for comment after the meeting Monday.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
N.A.A.G. MEETING MARCH 19TH 2013
JUST REMINDING EVERYONE THAT THE N.A.A.G. MEETING IS TOMORROW AT 12:00 NOON. CITY HALL @ CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
THANK YOU,
CATHY
THANK YOU,
CATHY
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Chief Lipe's City Wide: March 28th 2013
CHIEF LIPE'S CITY WIDE FOR MARCH 28TH 2013 HAS BEEN CANCELLED:
NEXT MEETING IS ON APRIL 25TH 2013: BROCKWAY CARMEN PARK & ST. STEPHEN'S ASSOCIATION IS HOSTING AT ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH HALL.
NEXT MEETING IS ON APRIL 25TH 2013: BROCKWAY CARMEN PARK & ST. STEPHEN'S ASSOCIATION IS HOSTING AT ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH HALL.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Southwest Saginaw Neighborhood Association Minutes 2/19/2013
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: by Jose` @ 6:40 PM
Jose` welcomed all visitors to the Association Meeting
DIGNITARIES: Mayor Branch, City council members: Anne Boensch, Dennis Browning and Larry Coulouris. Ex Interim Fire Chief: Ricardo L Longoria. Saginaw County Commissioner: Mike Hanley. Police and Fire were well represented. John Stemple S.C.E.N.I.C.
OLD BUSINESS: Jose` asked for a motion to approve the January Minutes of 2013. Motion was made and seconded and approved. Motion Passed.
Jose` reminded everyone if they have any issues to fill out the issue sheet and put it in the box. Jose` made a statement that our police and fire are doing a fine job and we want to keep them in the City of Saginaw and not to go to the County.
We had the first SVP Driving throughout the West Side City on February 9th 2013 from 6:00 PM- 12:00 Midnight. It was a great success.
NATHAN VOELKER CPO: Nathan gave us a crime update. In February we had 11 felonious assaults, 3 robberies, none of which were in the S.W.S.N.A. area, 1 carjacking. There were 5 Property crimes in the S.W.S.N.A. area.
TREASURERS REPORT: Starting Balance of $318.85 as of January 1st. 2013. January's meeting we had ($36.00) 50-50. We had a ($3.00) donation, half of the 50-50 ($36.00) ($18.00) was donated back to the association giving us a total of ($36.00) plus ($3.00) = ($39.00) added to the previous balance of ($318.85) gives us a new balance of ($357.85) February 19th 2013 we started with our ($357.85) and added 50-50 ($63.00) of which ($31.50) was donated back to the association by the 50-50 winner. We had a ($23.00) donation giving us a total of ($443.85) balance.
MEETING WAS OPENED UP TO THE PUBLIC:
Debbie Murphy asked the Mayor about his 18 page proposal. Mayor Branch said he would like to see us become more aggressive.
Mrs. Jones: Would the tax cap being lifted help? Mayor, Yes it would but it still wouldn't be enough. The tax cap being lifted has to come by someone other than the City Hall.
Tom Webb, Saginaw High Association: How is the Headlee Amendment Prop A? Late last year it was absorbed in the general fund.
STATEMENT: We need our police and fire departments.
QUESTION: What is being done about concessions in City Hall?
MAYOR: We have made revisions in Health Care, staff increases have been cut over the years. The State say we have to provide for the City Manager.
OFFICER SCOTT BICKEL: 1. We need to join together and be proactive and progressive. We have the talent here to resolve this. We have no positive advertising, why can't we put pamphlets out on shelves and advertise what a great city Saginaw is?
2. Who is out there for the City of Saginaw with a welcome to our City that is bringing in revenue to the city? Make up a pamphlet talking about our city and association areas. Distribute it to all of the new people moving into the area.
50-50 DRAWING: We had ($6300) for 50-50 The winning ticket was (#412279). Mr. Longoria donated the winnings back to the association.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:30 PM
PRESIDENT: JOSE` BARAJAS
VICE PRESIDENT: KERRY CONRAD
SECRETARY: CATHY WAGNER
TREASURER: PAT MCCLOY
EVENT COORDINATOR: DEBBIE MURPHY
Jose` welcomed all visitors to the Association Meeting
DIGNITARIES: Mayor Branch, City council members: Anne Boensch, Dennis Browning and Larry Coulouris. Ex Interim Fire Chief: Ricardo L Longoria. Saginaw County Commissioner: Mike Hanley. Police and Fire were well represented. John Stemple S.C.E.N.I.C.
OLD BUSINESS: Jose` asked for a motion to approve the January Minutes of 2013. Motion was made and seconded and approved. Motion Passed.
Jose` reminded everyone if they have any issues to fill out the issue sheet and put it in the box. Jose` made a statement that our police and fire are doing a fine job and we want to keep them in the City of Saginaw and not to go to the County.
We had the first SVP Driving throughout the West Side City on February 9th 2013 from 6:00 PM- 12:00 Midnight. It was a great success.
NATHAN VOELKER CPO: Nathan gave us a crime update. In February we had 11 felonious assaults, 3 robberies, none of which were in the S.W.S.N.A. area, 1 carjacking. There were 5 Property crimes in the S.W.S.N.A. area.
TREASURERS REPORT: Starting Balance of $318.85 as of January 1st. 2013. January's meeting we had ($36.00) 50-50. We had a ($3.00) donation, half of the 50-50 ($36.00) ($18.00) was donated back to the association giving us a total of ($36.00) plus ($3.00) = ($39.00) added to the previous balance of ($318.85) gives us a new balance of ($357.85) February 19th 2013 we started with our ($357.85) and added 50-50 ($63.00) of which ($31.50) was donated back to the association by the 50-50 winner. We had a ($23.00) donation giving us a total of ($443.85) balance.
MEETING WAS OPENED UP TO THE PUBLIC:
Debbie Murphy asked the Mayor about his 18 page proposal. Mayor Branch said he would like to see us become more aggressive.
Mrs. Jones: Would the tax cap being lifted help? Mayor, Yes it would but it still wouldn't be enough. The tax cap being lifted has to come by someone other than the City Hall.
Tom Webb, Saginaw High Association: How is the Headlee Amendment Prop A? Late last year it was absorbed in the general fund.
STATEMENT: We need our police and fire departments.
QUESTION: What is being done about concessions in City Hall?
MAYOR: We have made revisions in Health Care, staff increases have been cut over the years. The State say we have to provide for the City Manager.
OFFICER SCOTT BICKEL: 1. We need to join together and be proactive and progressive. We have the talent here to resolve this. We have no positive advertising, why can't we put pamphlets out on shelves and advertise what a great city Saginaw is?
2. Who is out there for the City of Saginaw with a welcome to our City that is bringing in revenue to the city? Make up a pamphlet talking about our city and association areas. Distribute it to all of the new people moving into the area.
50-50 DRAWING: We had ($6300) for 50-50 The winning ticket was (#412279). Mr. Longoria donated the winnings back to the association.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 9:30 PM
PRESIDENT: JOSE` BARAJAS
VICE PRESIDENT: KERRY CONRAD
SECRETARY: CATHY WAGNER
TREASURER: PAT MCCLOY
EVENT COORDINATOR: DEBBIE MURPHY
Monday, February 25, 2013
INTERIM CHIEF LIPE'S CITY WIDE MEETING
INTERIM CHIEF LIPE'S CITY WIDE MEETING IS THIS COMING THURSDAY EVENING
FEBRUARY 28TH 2013 @ FIRST WARD COMMUNITY CENTER 1410 N. 12TH ST. @ 5:30 PM.
FEBRUARY 28TH 2013 @ FIRST WARD COMMUNITY CENTER 1410 N. 12TH ST. @ 5:30 PM.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Saginaw City Manager Darnell Earley responds to recent call from the community for him to step down as Saginaw's top administrative official
SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw City Manager Darnell Earley has responded to recent calls from the community for him to tender his resignation as Saginaw's top administrative official.
Members of the audience at a Tuesday, Feb. 19, community meeting said they believe Earley should be fired because of the direction he has been leading the city.
Earley drafted a written response — dated Thursday, Feb. 21 — aimed at the comments made during the meeting.
"I find it quite disingenuous on the part of certain people to raise the issue of terminating me or any member of my staff for doing the job that the City Council, in two motions at separate meetings, directed us to do, as did a 17 member citizen's advisory committee," he wrote. "That task was to explore proposals for contracting police services to the Saginaw County Sheriff."
The meeting Tuesday was hosted by the Southwest Neighborhood Association and attended by Mayor Greg Branch and some other members of Saginaw City Council.
During the meeting, Branch said the city's financial problems would not be solved by firing the city manager.
"Ultimately, the issue here is not, and should not be, individual personalities, because it does not matter who the city manager is, we are still going to have the same issues," he said. "This is bigger than Darnell Earley."
In his response, Earley said his management team is exploring all financial options that will keep the city "financially solvent" and prevent the state from declaring Saginaw in a financial emergency. Punctuating the statement with an exclamation mark, he writes that the state designation could result if the city spends money it does not have.
"The majority of the public gets it," Earley wrote. "They also dismiss this latest attempt to shift the real focus of this issue as the political ruse of those with special interests trying to direct all this negative energy and attention to me and my staff. As a veteran City Manager, I believe such emotional responses and tactics are to be expected as we deliberate public safety service models, as it is a matter of great concern and ultimately for the benefit of all stakeholders."
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
COUNTY COMMISSIONER MIKE HANLEY SPEAKS AT S.W.S.N.A.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER MIKE HANLEY SAID AT THE SOUTHWEST SAGINAW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING HELD ON 2/19/2013, THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HAVE REMOVED CITY MANAGER DARNELL EARLEY'S PROPOSAL FOR THE CITY POLICE TO GO TO THE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT FROM THEIR DOCKET ON MARCH 13TH, 2013.
Saginaw Mayor Greg Branch doesn't support termination of City Manager Darnell Earley, despite disagreements
EnlargeSaginaw Mayor Greg Branch speaks during an open discussion portion of a citywide meeting hosted by the Southwest Saginaw Neighborhood Association at Beacon of Hope Church in Saginaw Tuesday, Feb. 19. The meeting was organized to discuss possible cuts to the police and fire services in the city.Saginaw neighborhood association holds meeting to discuss police, fire services gallery (10 photos)
With other local officials looking on at the 6:30 p.m. meeting inside Beacon of Hope Church, 2109 W. Michigan, Branch explained his proposed ordinance enforcement plan, state revenue sharing, Saginaw's tax cap, and his disagreement with City Manager Darnell Earley regarding a proposal to contract with the Saginaw County Sheriff's Office for city policing services.
"I think it would be safe to say that the city manager and I don't see eye to eye on this issue. I think he sees it as the magic bullet - the simple, one shot way to fix the budget issue," Branch said to the room of approximately 100 people.
"I don't think it is the best solution. I have voted that way, (but) I am one vote of nine."
Branch opposed the proposal to contract with the sheriff,when it came up for a council vote in December, but was outvoted by the majority of council members.
Though Branch said he does disagree with Earley on how to bridge a projected $3.2 million budget gap for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, which begins July 1, he disagreed with audience members at the meeting, who expressed their support for eliminating Earley as the city manager, saying firing him would fix the city's financial problems.
"Ultimately, the issue here is not, and should not be, individual personalities, because it does not matter who the city manager is, we are still going to have the same issues."
"This is bigger than Darnell Earley. This is bigger than Phil Ludos," Branch said, bringing up the assistant city manager for public safety, after audience members also called for his termination.
"We can't sustain our public safety infrastructure on incremental cuts," he said, explaining that the salary Ludos takes in would only sustain one-and-a-half police officers.
Branch blamed many of the city's financial problems on state laws and encouraged Saginaw residents to contact their state legislators with complaints about issues, including non-resident tax rates, which are limited by the state.
While Branch was the centerpiece of the meeting, police and fire officials also spoke up. Several public safety officials expressed their gratitude for support from audience members, including police officer and union president Doug Wortley.
"I'd like to say thanks to all the people here for supporting the police and fire departments. It means a lot to us," Wortley said.
N.A.A.G. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ACTION GROUP 2/19/2013
OUR N.A.A.G. MEETING 2/19/2013 WAS ABOUT GETTING A NEW MAP OF ALL OF THE SAGINAW CITY ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR CURRENT BOUNDARIES. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME IN THE PROCESS. WORKING NOW WITH PAULA FROM ENGINEERING AND WITH MIKE MC GIBNEY FROM TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND DAN SHERMAN, WE ARE GOING TO GET THE JOB DONE.
SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED ABOUT THE CITY WIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING TONIGHT AT 2109 W. MICHIGAN AVE. BEACON OF HOPE CHURCH @ 6:30 PM.
ALSO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVING A CITY WIDE ASSOCIATION POT-LUCK SOMETIME IN MAY OR JUNE FOR ALL OF THE ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR MEMBERS.
SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED ABOUT THE CITY WIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING TONIGHT AT 2109 W. MICHIGAN AVE. BEACON OF HOPE CHURCH @ 6:30 PM.
ALSO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVING A CITY WIDE ASSOCIATION POT-LUCK SOMETIME IN MAY OR JUNE FOR ALL OF THE ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR MEMBERS.
Saginaw neighborhood association to hold citywide meeting to discuss police, fire services
By on February 19, 2013 at 8:00 AM, updated February 19, 2013 at 8:45 AM
Saginaw police services will be the topic of conversation during a city-wide neighborhood association meeting planned for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18. Members of the Southwest Neighborhood Association organized the event, in lieu of their regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
According to the group's website, several city officials, including Saginaw Mayor Greg Branch, have been invited to attend the gathering. Officers from the Saginaw Police Department are confirmed for attendance, according to the site.
A message to MLive, from the association, stated that many local officials have confirmed plans to attend.
A message included on the front page of the group's website states, "WE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW A UNITED FRONT WITH THE CITY IN BACKING OUR SAGINAW CITY POLICE FORCE IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT PINK SLIPS THAT HAVE GONE OUT TO THE POLICE AND FIRE."
At the beginning of February, 36 police and fire personnel received pink slips, which city officials say will take effect July 1, if an alternative solution is not found for resolving a projected $3.1 million gap in Saginaw's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Monday, February 18, 2013
SOUTHWEST SAGINAW NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING 2/19/2013
HELLO EVERYONE,
SOUTHWEST IS INVITING OTHER ASSOCIATIONS TO COME AND JOIN US AT OUR
NEXT MEETING ON FEBRUARY 19TH @ 6:30 PM
WE HAVE INVITED ALL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR TO ATTEND.
OFFICER SCOTT BICKEL AND OTHER OFFICERS INCLUDING OUR CPO OFFICER
NATHAN VOELKER WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW A UNITED FRONT WITH THE CITY IN BACKING OUR
SAGINAW CITY POLICE FORCE IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT PINK SLIPS THAT HAVE
GONE OUT TO THE POLICE AND FIRE.
PLEASE COME AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS WITH ANY NEW IDEAS OF HOW WE CAN
KEEP OUR POLICE AND FIRE. WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THEM TO THE CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS AT THAT TIME.
ALSO, AFTER JANUARY'S CITY WIDE MEETING, SOME OF US WERE TALKING ABOUT
HAVING A CITY WIDE POT LUCK WITH ALL OF OUR ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERS
WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND. WE ARE THINKING OF HAVING THIS SOMETIME IN MAY OR JUNE OF THIS YEAR.
SOUTHWEST IS INVITING OTHER ASSOCIATIONS TO COME AND JOIN US AT OUR
NEXT MEETING ON FEBRUARY 19TH @ 6:30 PM
WE HAVE INVITED ALL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR TO ATTEND.
OFFICER SCOTT BICKEL AND OTHER OFFICERS INCLUDING OUR CPO OFFICER
NATHAN VOELKER WILL ALSO BE IN ATTENDANCE.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW A UNITED FRONT WITH THE CITY IN BACKING OUR
SAGINAW CITY POLICE FORCE IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT PINK SLIPS THAT HAVE
GONE OUT TO THE POLICE AND FIRE.
PLEASE COME AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS WITH ANY NEW IDEAS OF HOW WE CAN
KEEP OUR POLICE AND FIRE. WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THEM TO THE CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS AT THAT TIME.
ALSO, AFTER JANUARY'S CITY WIDE MEETING, SOME OF US WERE TALKING ABOUT
HAVING A CITY WIDE POT LUCK WITH ALL OF OUR ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERS
WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND. WE ARE THINKING OF HAVING THIS SOMETIME IN MAY OR JUNE OF THIS YEAR.
COULD YOU ASK YOUR GROUP IF THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN DOING
SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND GET BACK WITH ME ABOUT IT?
HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE NEXT N.A.A.G. MEETING ON THE 19TH AT 12:00 NOON
Saginaw police unions file grievances, accusing city of violating contracts with officers
By on February 18, 2013 at 11:46 AM, updated February 18, 2013 at 11:47 AM
Saginaw: Policing a city in decline
- Saginaw police unions file grievances, accusing city of violating contracts with officers
- Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel: Not ready to negotiate on city's 80-officer police contract
- Saginaw city officials present police contract to Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel
- Saginaw Acting Police Chief Brian Lipe has a plan for smaller 55-officer department
- Saginaw city staff, police unions reach apparent impasse in negotiations
View full size Saginaw police officer Doug Wortley, president of the Saginaw police officers' union, announces during a press conference on Feb. 18, that the union is filing a grievance against the city alleging that the city is violating its contract with the union. Union President Doug Wortley announced Monday, Jan. 18, that the union is filing a grievance against the city of Saginaw for delivering a draft contract to Federspiel on Friday, Feb. 15. Wortley called the action a "clear violation" of the city's current contract with officers.
"The city's proposed contract with the attempted outsourcing violates no less than three articles of the contract," he said. "They can't just walk away from the contract."
According to Wortley, the city is violating the "non-interference" clause in the contract, which is meant to protect officers against union-busting.
The contract states that the city agrees to not "aid, promote, or finance any labor group or organization which purports to engage in collective bargaining or make any agreement with any such group or organization for the purpose of undermining the Union."
- The city's current contract with the police officers' union
- The city's current contract with the command officers' union
"With contracts, it all goes down to interpretation," Jordan said.
Wortley also said the union is considering filing an unfair labor practice complaint against the city with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission. Whether or not the officers have standing to file such a complaint is currently being considered by attorneys for the Police Officer Association of Michigan, he said.
Despite the disagreement, Wortley said both the police officers' and command officers' unions are working on a cost-savings proposal to bring back to city labor negotiators.
"The officers of the Saginaw Police Department are committed to assisting with a resolution to the financial situation," he said.
"They can't just walk away from the contract." -Saginaw police officers' union President Doug Wortley
Wortley said the substance of the proposal, currently being reviewed by the command officers' union, is not related to a contract with the sheriff, though he declined to offer further details.Both unions previously offered up a compromise that included support of a county contract, which was denied by city representatives. That resulted in an apparent impasse in negotiations between the two parties.
Wortley said wanted to commend Saginaw County commissioners and Federspiel himself in the positions the elected county leaders have taken thus far.
After receiving the contract Friday, the sheriff said he is not yet ready to negotiate a contract with the city. He said he wants to see the city and the union reach a conclusion together first.
When asked if filing the grievance would hurt any future talks with the city, Wortley said the city administration has already damaged its relationship with the unions by "refusing to negotiate."
Friday, February 15, 2013
SAGINAW CITY OFFICIALS PRESENT POLICE CONTRACT TO SAGINAW COUNTY SHERIFF WILLIAM FEDERSPIEL
View full sizeSaginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel spoke at the Courts and Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. Standing behind Federspiel are Pontiac Mayor Leon Jukowski and Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe. - The draft police contract, as presented to Federspiel Friday
"It's 80 plus four," Federspiel said. "Which is exactly what I said emphatically no to. I'm still saying no."
The sheriff said he also does not intend to negotiate a contract with the city without support from the police unions.
"I'm not going to be the leverage point to break that contract," Federspiel said. "They still have more work to do, obviously."
During a county committee meeting on Feb. 6, City Manager Darnell Earley announced that the city planned to provide the contract "early next week." In reality, Federspiel did not receive the document in the mail until late in the afternoon Friday, Feb. 15.
In the letter, Earley asked Federspiel to review the contract language and come back to city administration with any comments or questions.
"Our goal is to put before the City Council a tentative agreement that can be reached after your review, negotiation, and whatever discussion of the provisions contained therein you may feel necessary," Earley wrote. "The City of Saginaw is anxious to move this process forward, and in that regard we look forward to your prompt response."
A contract with the sheriff is Earley's recommended alternative to deep staffing cuts at the fire department, which he said would be necessary to help the city close a $3.2 million budget deficit.
After city leaders asked the sheriff to provide data on the cost of a contract, Federspiel delivered a proposal with 103 full-time sworn officers. The cost laid out in that initial proposal started at $7.3 million in the first year and rose to $9.6, million in the fifth year of the contract.
- Read the sheriff's original proposal
- Read the city's counter-proposal
Acting Police Chief Brian Lipe said, if the layoffs do take effect on July 1, he has a plan for the reduced police force.
Saginaw city administration, which has been seeking support for months from the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners, have been invited to return to the county's Courts and Public Safety Committee meeting set for Wednesday, March 6.
Per the Saginaw City Charter, Earley is required to present a balanced budget to city council by the last Monday in April.
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