Explanation
A request to advance sick leave up to seventy-two (72) hours to Audrea Hickman, Office Assistant III, came before the Board of Industrial Relations for consideration. Based on the criterion listed in Rule 5 of the Rules of the Board, the Board is recommending approval to City Council of the advancement of sick leave. Ms. Hickman is a valued employee of the Department of Development. She has recently exhausted her sick leave and vacation balances as a result of absences related to caring for a family member with a werious health condition. While her absences are covered by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and approved, they are unpaid, thereby placing a significant burden on her family.
Emergency action is proposed.
There is no additional fiscal impact to the Department.
Title
To authorize the advancement of sick leave to Audrea Hickman, Office Assistant III, Department of Development in the amount of up to seventy-two (72) hours; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, Audrea Hickman, Office Assistant III, Department of Development, has requested an advancement of up to seventy-two (72) hours of sick leave; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Rules of the Industrial Relations Board, the Board recommends approval of the request for advancement of sick leave for Audrea Hickman based on the criterion listed in Rule 5; and
WHEREAS, Audrea Hickman will repay the sick leave used from the advancement from half of her 2009 sick leave entitlement and half from her bi-weekly vacation accrual until such used advancement is repaid; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to advance sick leave to Audrea Hickman to ensure payment of her regular salary during her absences, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the advancement of sick leave of up to seventy-two (72) hours is recommended by the members of the Board of Industrial Relations to City Council for approval to Audrea Hickman, Office Assistant III, Department of Development.
Section 2. That the members of City Council approve the recommendation of the Board of Industrial Relations and grant the advancement of up to seventy-two (72) hours of sick leave to Audrea Hickman, Department of Development.
Section 3. That Audrea Hickman will repay half of the hours used from her 2009 sick leave entitlement and half of her by-weekly vacation accrual until such hours used are repaid, with the exception that if she should leave employment with the City of Columbus before full repayment of the advancement of used sick leave, such payment due (the monetary equivalent of used advanced sick leave) shall be deducted from her terminal leave payment, or if the terminal leave payment is insufficient to cover said balance, she will reimburse the City the monetary equivalent due.
Section 4. That the payment of salary under the provisions of Section 2 hereof, be and is hereby authorized from the General Fund, Fund 010, Division 44-01, Character 01.
Section 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.