BELLAIRE - Staffing issues were partly cleared in Bellaire on Thursday as village council approved an ordinance updating the pay-scale for part-time employees within the service department only.
Ordinance 2012-05, which passed 5-0 as Councilman Josh Meyer was absent, boosts the pay for part-time employees at its base to $10 per hour.
Any of those employees who hold a Commercial Drivers License, are licensed to operate heavy equipment or have any other specific license or certification will start at $12 per hour.
This measure is retroactive to May 1 and repeals any other ordinance pertaining to part-time wages for service department employees.
These employees will also not be eligible for any type of benefits, sick or paid personal leave or health insurance.
"Once the mayor signs this ordinance we're going to get to work bringing in some people," said John Leonard with the Board of Public Affairs. "We'll place an ad for the positions and we've also had people contact us about possible openings since this plan was first discussed."
Previously, the part-time positions with the service department paid only $8.14 an hour to start, even if the employees had heavy equipment certification or had their CDL.
Leonard noted, however, that he was confused why full-time service employees weren't part of this or an accompanying ordinance.
He stated that the department has had around 4-5 workers retire or resign and the board sought to replace these with part-time employees paid at a higher rate as well as transfer some of the savings to the full-time employees.
The police department's officers, both full and part time were not addressed.
Both appear to be forthcoming.
And in the case of the police department, it's been a long time coming.
"I'd again like to ask council for a $1 per hour raise for our full time officers that I first requested on May 17 during the council meeting," Bellaire Police Chief Mike Kovalyk said. "Our part-time officers were also not part of the ordinance that was just passed and I have been asking about the full-time officers since May 17 and here it is, July 5."
Kovalyk reminded council that the police department has only had one raise in 12 years with the last pay increase coming in 2005.
Councilman Jerry Fisher motioned to take the police raise issue to the finance committee so it can come back with an ordinance for the $1 per hour raise. This motion passed 5-0. Councilman Jim Piatt, the chair of the finance committee, stated the group will meet next week to devise the ordinance.
That ordinance will also address full-time service employees.
The site, found at www.bellairebiz.com, houses a listing of businesses in Bellaire, listed both alphabetically and by category.
It also contains: a city map; photo gallery; a listing of things to do around town and a history of the town.
Pat Kniesner assured council there is no cost to the village. The site is nearly complete but viewable online as additions and corrections are made.
She explained the two sought council's blessing to host the site.
Last year, the football moms hosted the football bash which was a rousing success.
Callarik explained a slight change is in order for this year as the group is hoping to host a Bellaire Sports Fest, bringing all sports teams and school organizations into the fold.
Approval was granted, again, by a 5-0 vote.
The next council meeting will be Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m. in council chambers.
Hughes may be reached at mhughes@timesleaderonline.com
