Speaker 4: But he became popular. And so that's why I applaud our mayor for bringing forward this proposal. Let me remind you, if we can focus on one position, and that is CPD community planning, the development of the manager, current salaries 133,000. That's what it was when the mayor took office. And I remind you, it took 18 months to fill that position. 18 months? We had an excellent candidate from the state of Florida. She flew out, interviewed people, liked her, the great unknown interviews. At the last minute, she turned it down. And I really believe if that salary would have been what it is being proposed the night it had 170, it would be here and she'd still be working 18 months. And then we hired someone else was not the first choice. That lasted for 13 months. So frankly and candidly, CPD was adrift for 31 months. And now thank goodness we have Fred Buchanan coming in already here and taking over this very difficult and challenging position. That job. Part of his job is to run a department with a $16 million budget and 162 employees. I believe he is worth every penny. And by the way, these 11 positions. These numbers were not pulled out of the air. They were based on a national survey of 16 cities for each of these 11 positions. This these salaries represent the midpoint of that survey. So I support this bill. And I look forward to working with with Brad after 31 months where we had a department drifting. We can't afford that. Note the word afford. Thank you, Madam President.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilman Brown. Councilwoman Shephard.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Madam Chair. I am going to support this bill tonight. And it's because I do believe that after those many years that the Cabinet does deserve a raise, and also that the two positions in particular who are receiving the greatest increases are well overdue for those raises. But I want to I do want to say that, you know, when this was coming through committee, there was testimony by both community members and employees about, number one, some ceilings that they kind of bumped into for their pay rates based on their quartile system, which is a little too complicated for me to explain tonight. And I just want to let. I just want to let if any employees are watching. What let you know that I have made inquiries with our Career Services Authority Department about this. But specifically, I want to say that I have asked them to gather data for me specific to those employees that are very much on the bottom of our pay scale. You know, some testimony that we received during that time, you know, there were those saying, you know, folks on the bottom of the pay scale are struggling just to meet their basic bills. Why should it be okay for those that are receiving much higher rates of pay to receive that when there are some that are really struggling? And I want to let you know that I've heard that and that I am asking for that data to be gathered. And should that data show that there is some really serious disparities that, you know, are really not just that I will ask this, both this party and the mayor's office to consider making some changes there. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. And it's certainly a lot harder to pay your bills and put dinner on the table and shelter over your head when you're on the bottom than it is when you're on the top. So I do just want to make sure that, you know, that your testimony has not fallen on deaf ears. But I will be supporting this tonight. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Sheppard. I am seeing no other comments. Mr. Secretary, roll call.
Speaker 5: Oh, no.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 5: I.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 0: I, i.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 2: I i Mr. Secretary, close the voting, announce the results. Seven eyes. One day the bill is is passed. All other bills for introduction are ordered published. And we are ready for the black vote. Councilman Nevett, will you please put the resolutions on the floor for adoption?
BR14-0055:  Proposal to increase salaries of the eleven appointed Charter officers retroactive to January 1, 2014.   a) Presentation.  b) Fifteen (15) minutes of public comment on proposals. Two minutes per speaker and equal opportunity for opposing perspectives as determined by the Committee Chair.  Individuals wishing to speak must sign up in the Council Conference room (3rd Floor City & County Building, Rm. 391) beginning 30 minutes prior to the Committee’s scheduled start time of 10:30 am.  Sign up ends at 10:15 am.  The order of speakers is determined by the Committee Chair. c) Discussion/Action.    Approves salaries of the eleven appointed Charter officers retroactive to January 1, 2014. The Committee approved filing this bill at its meeting on 2-26-14.