0303tw_upperarlington by The Columbus Dispatch/Dispatch Magazines

March 3, 2011

City Clerk’s Office, Parks and Recreation

Council approves reorganization plan By CHRIS BOURNEA

the past year while the workload out returning to… three full-time needs, demands and responsibil- recommends changing the job title

In the Parks and Recreation De-

ThisWeek Community Newspapers has increased. The department’s employees and one part-time em- ities on the department,” she said. to records clerk and including ad- partment, Moloney is recom-

Upper Arlington City Council voted unanimously Feb. 28 to approve the reorganization of two city departments. City clerk Beverly Clevenger and parks and recreation director Tim Moloney discussed the changes at city council’s Feb. 22 conference session. Clevenger said the clerk’s office has had a reduction in staff in

record management administrator retired last July and an administrative assistant the department shared with the city manager’s office left in December. The vacant positions have saved the city an estimated $56,573 through the beginning of March, Clevenger said. “However, the department cannot continue to support its responsibilities and services with-

ployee,” Clevenger said in a staff report. The formation of various council committees that meet at different times, an increase in the number of appeals and zoning issues, citizens’ petitions and statewide regulatory requirements have increased the department’s workload, Clevenger said. “Last year’s vacancies provided an opportunity to evaluate the

City staff researched similar job descriptions in neighboring communities such as Dublin, Hilliard and Gahanna and the American Records Management Association. Staff recommends that council approve the hiring of one parttime assistant deputy city clerk who can work up to 25 hours per week. Instead of hiring another records management administrator, staff

ditional administrative and clerical duties to support the overall functions of the office. Clevenger said the city must wait for the Ohio Civil Service Commission to assign pay grades to the two positions to be filled before the city can set salary ranges and begin the hiring process. She said the city anticipates the commission taking up the issue at its March 8 meeting.

mending eliminating the Lifelong Learning & Leisure Division and transferring its programs to the Recreation Division. Two parttime employees who currently schedule programming and book instructors will also be transferred to the Recreation Division. With the retirement of recreation superintendent Ginny See PLAN, page A2

City, IAFF reach agreement on 3-year contract By CHRIS BOURNEA ThisWeek Community Newspapers

By Chris Parker/ThisWeek

Connie Barber, participating in a self-defense for seniors class last week at the Upper Arlington Senior Center, receives handson instruction from UA Police Officer Greg Ellifritz on the technique for dislocating an attacker’s windpipe.

Short course shows seniors ways to protect themselves By ANDREW MILLER ThisWeek Community Newspapers In a classroom at the Upper Arlington Senior Center Feb. 24, police officers Heather Galli and Greg Ellifritz spent a morning arming a handful of older adults with the skills they need to defend themselves from an attacker. The course is part of a monthly series sponsored by the Upper Arlington Commission on Aging. Galli, the community relations and crime prevention officer, is the

police department’s liaison to the commission. She works with other commission members to develop personal safety courses that are timely and relevant to seniors. “The topics come from reviewing current police reports,” Galli said, “along with the concerns I hear from people during my regular visits here [to the Senior Center].” Ten center members took part in last week’s free self-defense course, which covered in-home safety, such as burglary prevention, and how to respond to physical attacks.

“Anything that increases the risk of getting caught reduces the risk of being victimized by a burglar in the first place,” Ellifritz said. “Flood lights, keeping doors and windows closed and locked — simple things like that make a big difference. Most burglaries happen due to easy access, like unlocked doors or keys that you think are hidden outside but that the robbers know how to find.” Galli explained that a better option for See COURSE, page A2

The city of Upper Arlington has finally reached a new compensation agreement with the local firefighters’ union after several months of negotiation. Upper Arlington City Council voted 6-1 Monday night to approve the agreement. Discussions between city staff and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), Local 1521, began on Oct. 6, 2010, according to a staff report by assistant city manager Joe Valentino. Seven negotiation sessions followed, with council approving a fact-finder’s report on Feb. 7. Members of the IAFF unanimously rejected the report. “Before setting an arbitration hearing date, the parties conferred and through that process, the parties came to a tentative agreement,” Valentino said. According to the three-year agreement, there will be no wage increase for IAFF members in 2011, a 1 percent increase in 2012 and a 2 percent increase in 2013. The city had proposed no wage increases through 2013, while the IAFF had opened negotiations proposing annual 4 percent wage increases for the same period. Debbie Johnson was among council members who thanked IAFF members for making concessions. “I’m glad the union took into account the position the city is in,” Johnson said, referring to

A closer look According to the three-year agreement, there will be no wage increase for firerfighters in 2011, a 1 percent increase in 2012 and a 2 percent increase in 2013.

budget challenges the city is facing. David DeCapua said he voted against the agreement because he doesn’t think the city will ultimately be able to fulfill its terms, given economic projections for the next few years. “It’s not sustainable,” DeCapua said of the agreement. “I don’t want to be a part of kicking the can down the road.” Other aspects of the agreement include giving the city the ability to increase IAFF members’ contributions to health insurance coverage to 10 percent from the current 8 percent. The agreement also gives the city the ability to offer IAFF members the alternative of opting out of traditional insurance and contributing to a health savings account beginning in 2013. Whereas the IAFF had proposed allowing members to carry over up to 120 vacation hours from one year to another, the agreement allows firefighters to carry over vacation time only if authorized by the city manager. Fire Chief Jeff Young said both See AGREE, page A5

UAHS filmmakers to show work at Arnold’s Film Festival By ANDREW MILLER ThisWeek Community Newspapers

In Columbus, mention Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the name likely conjures up images of bodybuilders first, “The Terminator” second. For 23 years, Columbus has hosted the Arnold Sports Festival, the world’s largest sports and fitness exposition. This March 3-6, the Arnold Sports Festival con-

nects athleticism with filmmaking by introducing the Arnold Sports Film Festival, being held at the Arena Grand Movie Theatre. “We were inspired by films that really get into the mind of athletes; that show what motivates not just superstars but every athlete,” film festival chair Jim Hern said. “(Schwarzenegger) wanted to find a way to bridge the gap between the athletes at the festival and people who can tell their stories. It was

a way for him to connect two important facets of his life.” For this first year, two categories were juried for entry into the film festival: international film students and U.S. high school film students. Hern focused outreach efforts on Ohio high schools this year. “Over 100 Ohio schools were contacted and 40 responded,” Hern said. “Upper Arlington was one

of the most supportive schools, with some very strong entries.” Upper Arlington High School communication teacher Amanda Fountain used the film festival as a class assignment, something Hern hopes other schools will do in coming years. The festival rules restricted the films to 15 minutes in length — a manSee FILMS, page A5