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Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:
NEW SMYRNA BEACH - A labor agreement with Teamsters Local No. 385. on a new police contract that will run retroactive from Oct. 1 of this year, through Sept, 30, 2013, with the city expecting to save almost $162,000 in one year, is expected to be voted on tonight by the City Commission.
The meeting begins 6:30 p.m. in the commission chambers at New Smyrna Beach City Hall, 210 Sams Ave.
Among the highlights of the proposed city agreement with the Teamsters:
- Overtime threshold will increase to 160 hours for platoon members (80 hours for non-platoon), saving the city $77,000 during the first year of the contract.
- Personal leave payment for new hires will be limited to two years of the accrual allowance. And after leaving city employment, payment of accrued personal leave for new hires will be limited to one year.
- New hires after Oct. 1 will receive employer contributions of 90-percent for health and dental coverage.
- There is no salary increase for the first year of the contract but can be revisited for the years 2012 and 2013; promoted employees will receive an increase of a minimum grade or five-percent whichever is greater; and new hires will no longer receive longevity payments.
Commissioners will also consider the Community Redevelopment Agency's Grants and Aids Request from the Merchants of Flagler Hospitality Group. The organization requested $52,175 from the CRA in July. The Grants and Aids Program was established to assist existing businesses and organizations in generating positive regional publicity for the city as well as to increase the flow of business and tourism dollars into the CRA district.
Two contracts are also expected to pass the commission's inspection when they consider approving a contract with Quentin L. Hampton & Associates for $29,700 for phase 1 of a project to dredge Canal Calore, and sign off on a $389,177 contract for John Toft Construction to renovate and restore the Chamber of Commerce building on Canal Street.
Commissioners will take up a request from attorney Glenn Storch of Port Orange, on behalf of the owners of Bishop & Bishop Body Shop Inc., 1111 Canal St., to annex approximately 1.2 acres into the city.
The property is located northwest of the intersection of Canal, Bay and Hickory streets. The commission approved the request on first reading in September. The Volusia Growth Management Commission certified the plan after receiving no complaints or concerns from citizens.
Holiday festivities that require road closings will be considered by the commissioners on Tuesday as well. Among the events:
- Norwood's Holiday Food and Wine Festival, Friday and Saturday;
- Light Up Flagler Avenue, Friday;
- the annual Christmas Parade on Flagler Avenue, Dec. 4;
- the Annual Ed Root Run starting on Flagler Avenue, Dec. 4;
- New Years fireworks display on Flagler Avenue, Friday, Dec. 31.
About the contributing writer:
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Dale Smith is a resident of New Smyrna Beach, who has reported on local news in Volusia County since October 2009. His writing background includes a mix of journalism and public relations in several community newspapers and a p.r. firm in northern Virginia. He attended Barton Academy in Barton, Vt., and the Cambridge (Mass.) School of Broadcasting for radio & TV broadcasting.