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WEIRTON - Weirton's municipal employees will be receiving something extra this holiday season, following a special meeting of Weirton Council Tuesday night.
By a vote of 6-1, council agreed to provide all full-time city employees, including those who work for autonomous boards, a $1,000 "one-time salary adjustment." Part-time employees will receive $500.
The resolution had been presented to the city's Finance Committee during a special meeting Tuesday morning; however, Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh, who chairs the committee, explained there initially was little detail on the proposal and the committee felt the full council should hash it out.
"There were no numbers. The three of us felt it was out of our range," Marsh said. "With all due respect, this was kind of a shotgun resolution."
City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo explained he initially had suggested the possibility of $2,000 for full-time staff and $1,000 for part-timers, but admitted he hadn't considered inclusion of some autonomous groups.
He emphasized the payment was being done this one time, as a way to show appreciation for the work done in the last year.
"This doesn't constitute an increase that continues," he said. "It's just a one-time payment."
According to figures provided during both meetings, there are 132 full-time employees covered through the city's general fund, and nine part-time workers.
That fund includes areas such as the municipal building, police and fire departments and Public Works.
Of the other areas of the city, overseen by autonomous boards with their own budgets, the Park Board has six full-time staff and 18 part-timers; the Mary H. Weir Public Library has seven full-time and 10 part-time; the Weirton Sanitary Board has 18 full-time workers and the Weirton Area Water Board has 21 full-time staff.
Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso asked if the Weirton Transit Corp. also would be included. At council's recommendation, the three full-time and 10 part-time employees of the public transportation service also would receive the allotment.
The decision was not without some debate, though, as several members of council expressed concern as to whether the city could afford the salary adjustment, as well as whether city employees should receive the extra compensation while city residents are facing increased difficulties as a result of the COVID pandemic.
"A lot of people are losing paychecks. They're losing business," Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone said, encouraging council to balance their support of city employees with their responsibility to their constituents.
Perrone also asked if any city employees have lost out on pay or benefits as a result of the virus. Finance Director Diana Smoljanovich explained the city is required to cover up to 80 hours of pay if an employee is affected by the pandemic.
"No one has lost any compensation," she said.
DiBartolomeo also said there is a possibility some of the funds used for the adjustments could be reimbursed through the CARES Act, noting pay for police, firefighters and some Public Works staff has been eligible.
Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel, who cast the dissenting votes on the resolution, as well as the amendment establishing the pay range, noted that while the city is able to afford the adjustments because it has received almost $6 million from CARES Act funds, he feels officials should focus more on capital improvements for city facilities.
"This is going to get worse before it gets better," he said, referring to the pandemic. "I think we should take our time and look at an overall plan."
Weigel noted several proposed projects, including renovations to the exterior of the Weirton Municipal Building, equipment purchases for Public Works, repairs to the foundation and exterior of the Millsop Community Center and the replacement of Starvaggi Memorial Pool as areas of concern.
"We have a chance to correct some of those things," Weigel said.
Mayor Harold Miller, though, said this was an opportunity to show the city employees they are appreciated, noting Weirton has been losing some workers for various reasons.
Following the vote, a brief discussion was held about ongoing disputes between council and DiBartolomeo, with DiBartolomeo announcing he has obtained an attorney to represent him. Council and the city manager then went into executive session for 70 minutes for a personnel discussion.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)