BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- Hoping to improve employee relations and reduce costly legal battles Ogdensburg has hired a labor relations attorney and consulting firm.

Ogdensburg City Manager Fonda Chronis told council in September that he lacked the expertise necessary to properly address employee relation issues and that bringing in someone to assist in that field could potentially save the city money in the long run.

"I think everybody on council knows the city does not have a dedicated HR department. As a matter of fact the city manager is designated as the personal officer," he said. "Many of the city's HR and civil service related issues that are faced currently by the city are certainly beyond my expertise."

Chronis said hiring the firm would allow the city to streamline its legal services, improve efficiency in addressing human resource related issues, provide department heads with a dedicated resource to help them walk through complicated issues and speed processes involving HR related problems.

"Our departments spend an inordinate amount of time, as do I, on human resources and civil service issues. We need an expert to help us guide this," he said.

In recent years the city has racked up extensive legal fees related to labor contracts which resulted from a soured relationship between former members of city council and the fire department union.

Chronis said the money is already being spent on attorneys, but believes the funds would be better spent helping the city navigate these through a single firm.

Council agreed to hire Roemer Wallens Gold and Mineaux at cost of $4,500 per month through the end of 2025.

That price would increase to $4,750 per month in 2026 and $5,000 per month in 2027.

The agreement calls for day-to-day support of human resource functions, comprehensive negotiating services and consultation and advice regarding the city's rights and liabilities on numerous human resource topics.

Powers said he is familiar with the firm and believes them to be reputable. He offered his support for the measure.

Mayor Tooley agreed.

"Personally I think this is a support service that has been long overdue," Tooley said. "I think this is a wise expenditure."

Councilor Donna Trimm asked if this was a better solution than hiring an HR specialist as a city employee.

Fonda said he believed that this was a more cost effective approach and allows the expertise of an entire firm rather than a single individual.

Deputy Mayor Dan Skamperle said his hope is that the service will allow the city to extinguish a fire before it becomes a bigger problem.

"It seems that oftentimes there are little things that don't need to go to litigation," he said.

Skamperle says he's hopeful the firm can help the city address problems before they make their way to the courtroom.

He said that in the last three years the city has spent more than $700,000 on legal fees.

The measure passed with support from all members of the council.