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125 <br />the Police Department. He advised he got a copy of the report that the City <br />Management has been using for the last six weeks, which is Drug and Alcohol <br />Abuse in the Workplace and Testing Employee Assistance and Discipline, which a <br />law firm in Southern California was commissioned by the League of California <br />Cities to start addressing this issue. City Management started addressing <br />this issue six weeks ago and all of a sudden he read about it in the newpaper <br />without full knowledge of the employee body knowing what was going on or City <br />Management was some way working through the process. The City Manager and <br />City Attorney staffs have been working during the past six weeks trying to <br />determine the proper direction which the City ought to be taking as far as <br />drug testing is concerned. Councilmember Mercer felt it very unfortunate and <br />inappropriate for City Council to be taking a position regarding testing until <br />after staff concludes its work and developes its own policies. He stated he <br />has some very mixed feelings regarding the attention this subject has drawn <br />recently. City employees do an outstanding job and he had no reason to <br />believe that any of them are drug addicts or alcoholics. It appears to him to <br />be a direct slap in the face to raise this issue of drug testing in the press <br />prior to any discussion with staff or the employees. He stated if he were a <br />full time City employee he would be embarrassed and confused by suggestions <br />which have been made in the newspapers. After a review of the reports City <br />staff has been working with, he felt the most prudent and proper step would be <br />to allow City Management of this City to do the job they are paid to do. City <br />employees ought to be allowed to work this situation out, and return to Coun- <br />cil with a report as to their findings. Council ought to allow this decision <br />to be made outside political circles and influence. He sincerely hoped that <br />the City Management and City employees could discuss this subject and work it <br />out in a legal and appropriate manner acceptable to all. He hoped the City <br />Council never loses sight of the fact that City employees are people first and <br />as such they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect above all else. <br /> <br /> Councilmember Wood stated he shares Councilmenber Mercer's feelings. He <br />stated this issue caught him by surprise when it was first brought up, at the <br />time he was in the hospital, that the City even needed this type of thing. <br />His statement to the press at that time was that he did not see how City Coun- <br />cil could ask an employee of the City to take this examination unless Council <br />would take the test first. <br /> <br /> Mayor Brandes stated he was not in conflict with Councilmember Mercer. He <br />stated he never expected employees to take the test; only that the drug test- <br />ing program be looked into and participated in on a voluntary basis. <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS <br /> Councilmember Mercer advised that he has been meeting with Falcon Homes <br />and homeowners regarding various complaints relative to faulty workmanship of <br />these houses. He stated that another meeting is scheduled later this month <br />with the developer, City staff, and the affected residents to try to solve the <br />problems. <br /> <br />MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC <br /> Mr. Bill Stansell, 2368 Gloria Court, representing the homeowners on <br />Gloria and Dorothea Court, stated there are problems regarding Twelve Oakes <br />Homeowners Association not complying with Ordinance No. 919. He stated that <br />drainage problems have resulted in extensive damage to homes in his area. He <br />advised that letters regarding this matter have been sent to the Twelve Oakes <br />Homeowners Association without any appreciative results. He stated that he <br />has asked for assistance from City staff without much response. He requested <br /> <br /> 6 - 10-7-86 <br /> <br /> <br />