Council debates administrative-leave ordinance language, approves amendment and lays item on table

Councilors discussed a proposed ordinance to codify personnel rules for administrative leave and when employees may be put on unpaid or paid leave. The order (agenda item 30) originated from the ordinance committee and was referred to the full council without a recommendation so councilors could resolve remaining legal and collective-bargaining questions.

Councilor Jourdain proposed an amendment to add one sentence to the legal package clarifying that "the provision shall not apply to elected officers or elected employees unless specifically applicable to said elected officer or elected employee pursuant to Mass General Laws." That amendment was seconded and adopted as part of the package language on the floor.

Multiple councilors asked for additional information about the interaction between the proposed ordinance and existing collective bargaining agreements; some members said they were comfortable moving ahead only after staff provided a department-by-department review. Following the discussion the council voted to lay item 30 on the table to allow time for the law department and personnel staff to provide additional analysis and for councilors to consider the revised legal form.

Councilor Jourdain described the proposal as aligning local practice with existing state guidance, and emphasized the inserted sentence to preserve the scope of protections for elected officials under Massachusetts law. Several councilors said they want written analyses of collective-bargaining language in specific departments before final action.

Ending: The council approved the amendment to the draft ordinance language but postponed final consideration to a later meeting so members can review legal memos and personnel department analyses.