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Collinsville And Firefighters Union Reach New Two-Year Contract

By Stephanie Malench

smalench@timestribunenews.com

The Collinsville City Council held its first meeting of the year at Gateway Convention Center on January 11. After two new police officers were sworn in (Emily Briley and Brian Joy), Tony Fuhrmann, Director of  the Madison County Employment and Training Department, spoke during public comment to thank the City for being an active partner in the Work Force Training Program. Fuhrmann said testing was set to begin the week of January 10 for high schoolers enrolled in the apprenticeship programs with the Convention Center and Parks and Recreation Departments but has been put off a week due to remote learning.

Under New Business, and ordinance was passed authorizing a contract with American Response Vehicles in the Amount of $282,594 for the purchase of a 2023 Ambulance and accessories, including new radio equipment, computers, a stretcher, and financing. The order is being placed now because the estimated delivery time is the first quarter of 2023. The money will also come out of that year’s budget, not the 2022 budget.

Fire Chief  John Bailot also presented to the council an ordinance approving a collective bargaining agreement between the International Association of Firefighters  Local 2625 and the City. The new two-year contract was approved after just two negotiation sessions in December.

Although wages remain the same, new subsections were added pertaining to vacation and personal leave days, overtime, emergency duty (late duty), and emergency duty (call-in incentive), health insurance (hospitalization), and an increase in the uniform allowance from $500 to $750 per year.

The next ordinance passed tightens the Whistleblower Protection Policy to meet the new state mandate for the City’s employees. The last order of business was a resolution authorizing Mayor John Miller to apply for Park Enhancement Grant Funds in the amount of $86,372 to replace the Rotary Playground at Woodland Park.

The next meeting will be held on January 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gateway Convention Center.

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