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Regular Council Meeting <br />January 24, 2011 <br />Page 5 <br />A Motion to approve this item was made by Council Member McCarthy and seconded by <br />Council Member Pickle. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays. <br />16. Discuss and deliberate on proposed amendment of the City of Paris Personnel Policy to <br />include a new zero tolerance policy regarding racial harassment in the work place. <br />Council Member Jason Rogers said he had reviewed the city policy and he wanted <br />stronger language. He said he thought it was very much needed and that it would benefit <br />everyone by taking a zero tolerance stance against racism. Council Member Jason Rogers said <br />he would like the policy to include the discipline to include a minimum of three weeks <br />suspension without pay and/or immediate termination as outlined in his proposed wording for an <br />ordinance. Mayor Biard said he did not think it was zero tolerance as written citing the language <br />"conduct is presumed to be offensive." Council Member Pickle asked that sexual harassment be <br />included. Gene Anderson said he would like to study what some of the other cities were doing. <br />Mr. Anderson expressed a concern about a mandatory three weeks, because he said it would be <br />almost 6% of the annual salary of an employee making $25,000. He also said he would like to <br />see if other cities were using progressive discipline. Mr. Anderson said that they certainly did <br />not want to tolerate this type of behavior, but would like to be consistent with the other policies. <br />He asked Council to give staff a couple of council meetings in order to have time to research <br />other cities and to bring a draft to Council. City Attorney Kent McIlyar said he wanted to make <br />sure that they include the proper due process, such as reporting incidents and investigating <br />incidences. Mr. McIlyar said any employee that loses salary under the existing policy is entitled <br />to an appeal. Council Member McCarthy said this was going to take a lot of time and suggested <br />that it be reviewed in depth. It was a consensus of Council to allow time for research and to <br />bring this item back at a future meeting. <br />17. Deliberate and act on a salary supplement for the Finance Director for his additional <br />duties as Interim City Manager. <br />Mayor Biard said that he requested this item, because Gene Anderson had taken on <br />additional duties as Interim City Manager. Mayor Biard proposed a supplement of $1,250.00 per <br />month to be retroactive to January 1, 2011. <br />A Motion to approve the recommendation of $1,250.00 per month with a retroactive date <br />of January 1, 2011, was made by Council Member Jason Rogers and seconded by Council <br />Member Pickle. Motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays. <br />18. Deliberate on calling a special election to amend the City Charter to provide for revised <br />term limits for City Council Members. <br />Mayor Biard said that Council Member Rhonda Rogers had asked to bring this item <br />forward for consideration. He said council term limits continue to be a topic of discussion at <br />meetings when continuity and visions for the future of Paris are discussed. Mayor Biard said <br />increased term limits will be helpful in both of the areas. He said if Council wanted this to be <br />considered at the May election, they will need to have the language approved at the next <br />8 <br />