Saline Patch: Saline City Council approves new police chief contract, raises for city staff

The contract begins July 2 and is prorated on the basis of time worked. He will participate in the Michigan Employment Retirement System Hybrid Pension Plan and must contribute a minimum of 1 percent of his gross annual salary, but not more than 10 percent, toward a defined contribution plan.

In addition, he will receive $5,000 for moving expenses and will be allowed to take home a city-owned vehicle.

“The Saline police chief will receive 40 hours of vacation time in addition to the amount of vacation time provided to employees … this additional 40 hours will be provided … after receiving a satisfactory job performance evaluation by the city manager upon completing six months on the job,” the contract states.

The city will host a meet-and-greet for Hrinik on July 2 at 4 p.m. to be followed by a ceremonial swearing in at 4:30 p.m.

The City Council also approved contracts for non-union and appointed officials, which includes a 2 percent cost of living increase beginning July 1 for a total of $22,431.

“The employees in City Hall are very high caliber, very dedicated to the city … I can’t say thank you enough,” said Mayor Gretchen Driskell.

She said that with the reductions in city staff, “a lot of people are doing a lot more work; it’s a good compromise for this year.”

Council Member Dean Girbach agreed, saying that the City Council has asked staff to contribute more to their retirement.

Although they got a slight raise, these employees will not get step increases nor will they get merit bonuses. In addition, these non-union employees now have to contribute 3 percent of their gross salary for their retirement to Michigan Employee Retirement System or MERS.

Before the vote, Saline resident Mary Hess advocated for $1,000 across-the-board increases for all staff members before the City Council vote stating that those employees “on the top of the totem pole” would receive more money than those making less money.

Hess called out the outstanding work of Clerk Dianne Hill, who was recently named 2012 City Clerk of the Year by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. She was nominated by Driskell and was voted on by the association's membership.

Hill will receive the award on June 20. Of the 16 city staff members, two make more than $100,000. Campbell will soon begin receiving about $107,000. In 2011, he received about $105,000. Gary Roubal, engineer, traffic engineer and street administrator, will begin making about $104,000 on July 1. He made about $101,000 in 2011.

Council Member Jim Roth has an excused absence from the meeting.