Santa will make a stop at the Auburn library on Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. to read to kids of all ages. On Dec. 17, the holiday cheer will continue with the payment of a “one time pay increase” for Auburn employees who have been with city for six months or more, thanks to a resolution approved by the Auburn City Council at its Dec. 2 meeting.
The “one time pay supplement” of $250 for the city’s 46 full-time employees and $150 for one part-time worker was discussed at the Nov. 17 meeting. It generated continued citizen concern that city attorney Jack Wilson addressed prior to the council’s unanimous decision to award the supplements, which will come from each department’s budget for regular employee compensation.
Citizen activist John Nelms made “a last ditch effort” and asked the council if “there was any way possible to come up with a little more money.” He suggested going through the budget “line item by line item” until bonuses of “at least $500” could be found.
Past councilman and community watchdog Charles Sewell expressed his opinion that the pay supplements were “improper” and possibly illegal. He cited a 1999 ruling by the state attorney general that the City of Snellville could not give holiday bonuses legally.
In response, that city began to offer “longevity payments” — a practice which Sewell advocated Auburn adopt. Several other citizens expressed the notion that employees who had been with the city for years should get larger supplements than those with only a few years tenure.
Calling the supplements “permissible” and “lawful,” Wilson said the “gratuities clause” in the state constitution forbids public entities from giving public funds away, but allows payment in exchange for or recognition of services received. In this case, the “consideration” the city receives, Wilson said, is “the staff’s dedication and commitment in saving thousands of dollars and keeping (the city) solvent,” as the resolution states.
“Call it a supplemental pay or whatever,” Sewell said. “At this time of year…it’s still a Christmas bonus.”
BALL FIELD WORK ON SCHEDULE
The council approved some $46,000 to rent the heavy equipment needed to keep the Parks Mill ball field and new public works facility projects on schedule. Public works director David Hawthorne made the request, saying the grading and soil removal equipment rental will be rented from local contractor KSP Enterprises at “half the cost of what they usually charge.” Public works employees will operate the equipment.
The council also granted Hawthorne an additional $4,126 to pay a temporary agency for an employee who can “read construction blueprints and estimate grades” on the project, as no one on the public works staff has those specific skills. The person Hawthorne has selected has experience and will work at the rate of $11 per hour; Labor Ready (temp service) will get an additional $6.19 per hour. He will also operate some equipment.
YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM
As much as $4,320 was approved to rent the Auburn Elementary School gymnasium so a new youth basketball league for 5-12 year-olds can be launched on Saturdays. Parks & Leisure services coordinator Tommy Duncan said flyers announcing the league were distributed at the school, but sign-ups had been “slow,” so he was extending the registration deadline. A minimum of 32 players is needed.
At a registration fee of $75 per player, with 128 players, Duncan said, some $9600 would be generated. He estimated the cost of the program, including player jersies, tournament trophies and game officials at $9,040. Gymnasium rental funds not used will go back into the city budget.
LIBRARY REPORT
The Auburn library has seen a 10 percent increase in patronage as compared to last November, library director Julia Simpson said. A 20 percent increase in computer use has occurred, primarily due to unemployed patrons looking for work.
Two new book groups aimed at teens will start in December. “Flippin Pages,” geared toward middle schoolers, will meet the second Saturday of each month from 2-3 p.m. “Got Spine?” a high school reading group, will meet from 3-4 p.m. on the same day.
The library will be closed Dec. 24, 25, 27 and 31.
OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE
Blechinger said the Auburn police department is collecting toys and food to distribute to local families in need during the holiday season. The city is also participating in the annual Mayors’ Motorcade which provides gifts for patients in mental hospitals. Donations of personal hygiene items, robes, slippers, art supplies, games and other offerings can be dropped off at city hall.
OTHER BUSINESS
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Miller said she received a lot of positive comments and e-mails about recent city events and the new holiday tree.
sITY PLANNER ,ARRY ,UCAS SAID THE APPLI cation for a $498,000 DOT Safe Routes to Schools grant was submitted. The awards will be announced in March 2011.
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work on the application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to pay for the R&R Building conversion to a community center is almost complete.
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and Company, an Atlanta-based engineering, planning and design firm that is providing pro-bono work on a state Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant application that would fund sidewalk and streetscape improvements.
