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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HRC-2002-09-23 HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Regular Meeting September 23, 2002 Members Present: Alderperson Peterson, Alderperson Hershey, Alderperson Mack, Alderperson Cogan, Alan J. Cohen (Mayor) Staff Present: Marcia Fort (GIAC Director), Lauren Signer (Acting Police Chief), Doug Wright (Police Sergeant/PBA President), Norma Schwab (City Attorney), Robert Brotherton (Police Officer), Steve Thayer (Controller), Brian Wilbur (Fire Chief), Tom West (Civil Engineer), Hernando Gil (Bridge Systems Engineer), Allen Green (Youth Development Coordinator), Larry Fabbroni (Asst Superintendent), Bill Gray (Superintendent), Tom Deis (Fire Lieutenant), Schelley Michell-Nunn (HR Director), Denise Malone (Administrative Secretary) Others Present: Zela Brotherton Chairperson Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. A. Agenda Review, Approval of Minutes & Announcements Chairperson Peterson stated that the minutes were not ready for approval. Alderperson Mack stated that the Employee Picnic was held on Friday - September 20th and that it was a success. B. Employee Comments & Common Council Response Chairperson Peterson invited employees to come speak before the Human Resources Committee. PBA President Doug Wright stated that last year Common Council passed the resolution for Supplemental Military Leave. This resolution extended salary benefits and medical insurance to employees who were required to report to active duty because of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. This resolution expired September 10, 2002. Mr. Wright stated that Police Officer Robert Brotherton is still on active duty and that the benefits extended to him have expired or will soon expire. Mr. Wright asked that the Supplemental Military Leave resolution be extended through February 2003, which is the date that Officer Brotherton is expected to return to work. Human Resources Committee Meeting , September 23, 2002 Page 2 Zela Brotherton introduced herself to the Committee. She is Officer Brotherton's wife. She thanked the Committee for passing the resolution to extend pay and medical insurance to City employees who were required to report to active duty due to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Ms. Brotherton stated that the decrease in income and being required to pay for health insurance would cause a financial hardship. Ms. Brotherton spoke about their medical situation and asked the Committee to extend this resolution through February 2003. Acting Police Chief Lauren Signer also spoke in favor of extending the resolution for Supplemental Military Leave. The Committee thanked everyone for his or her comments. After discussion, the Committee added "Supplemental Military Leave" under Old Business. C. Chairperson's Report. None. D. Affirmative Action Advisory Committee (AAAC) Update AAAC Co-Chair Marcia Fort reported that Tom West was appointed as the second Co-Chair. Ms. Fort reported that the AAAC is working on the creation of the Workforce Diversity Plan, which would replace the current Affirmative Action Plan. The Affirmative Action Plan is outdated and unable to meet the current goals. The Diversity Plan would be brought before the Human Resources (HR) Committee at a future meeting. Ms. Fort stated that the AAAC appreciates having representation from the HR Committee at its regular monthly meeting. Alderperson Cogan will attend the next AAAC meeting, which will be held on Friday - October 11, 2002. E. Sub-Committee Updates 1. Department Head/Common Council Retreat Chairperson Peterson reported that the Sub-Committee would meet tomorrow (Tuesday - September 24th) to discuss notes from the Retreat. IT Director Duane Twardokus will replace Alice Green, who has retired. Human Resources Committee Meeting September 23, 2002 Page 3 F. Personnel Items 1. Youth Bureau a. Request for Temporary Reduction in Hours - Youth Development Program Leader (Outing Program) Allen Green of the Youth Bureau has requested to amend the Personnel Roster by temporarily reducing the hours of Youth Development Program Leader (Outing Program) Monica Bosworth from 35 hours/week to 21 hours/week from October 7, 2002 until January 4, 2003. After discussion, Alderperson Cogan made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Hershey. Motion carried 4-0. The Committee agreed to place this item on consent agenda. b. Request to Amend Personnel Roster Allen Green of the Youth Bureau has requested to amend the Personnel Roster by deleting one (1) full-time Office Manager and adding one (1) full- time Fiscal Manager. After discussion, Alderperson Cogan made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Hershey. Motion carried 4- 0. 2. Police Department a. Request to Create a Temporary Police Lieutenant Position The Acting Police Chief of the Police Department has requested to amend the Personnel Roster by creating a Temporary Police Lieutenant position. Sergeant Wright spoke against this request. After discussion, Alderperson Hershey made a motion to table this item at this time and consider later in Executive Session. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 4-0. After Executive Session, Alderperson H:.rshey made a motion to approve the request to create a temporary Police Lieutenant position. Seconded by Human Resources Committee Meeting September 23, 2002 Page 4 Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 4-0 (Hershey, Cogan, Peterson, Mayor Cohen). 3. City Attorney's Office a. Request to Increase the Hours of the Assistant City Attorney The City Attorney's Office stated after diligently advertising/recruiting for another qualified Assistant City Attorney, the department was unable to find someone who has the required three (3) years experience in municipal law. Thus, the City Attorney's Office is requesting to amend the Personnel Roster by increasing the hours of the Assistant City Attorney to 40 hours per week from October 15, 2002 until April 15, 2003, or until such time as an additional part-time Assistant City Attorney is hired, whichever comes first. After discussion, Alderperson Hershey made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 4-0. 4. Position Review Update Human Resources (HR) Director Schelley Michell-Nunn updated the Committee on the recent actions taken by the Position Review Committee (PRC). The Drug Taskforce Coordinator position has been approved to fill. If this position were not filled, the City would lose the grant. Ms. Michell-Nunn reported on positions that remain on hold: Police Officer - awaiting more information from the department and the DPW (W&S) positions (Engineering Aide & Junior Engineer) - no one has approached the PRC with a request to fill the vacancies. Ms. Michell-Nunn stated that N/A on the report means "no action -waiting for information". Fire Chief Wilbur made a request to the Position Review Committee (PRC) to fill the Account Clerk Typist position. The PRC recommends that the Account Clerk Typist position be filled at half time. After discussion, Alderperson Hershey made a motion to accept the PRC recommendation to deny the full-time Account Clerk Typist position. Seconded by Alderperson Mack. Motion carried 4-0. The Position Review report will be updated for the next meeting. Human Resources Committee Meeting September 23, 2002 Page 5 Alderperson Mack left the meeting at 9:02 p.m. I. New Business 1. Use of City Recreational Facilities by City Employees Lieutenant Deis was instrumental in obtaining grant money to implement a wellness and fitness program for the City of Ithaca workforce. Mr. Deis requested that the City of Ithaca make available to employees and members use of its recreational facilities (i.e. Cass Park Skating Rink and swimming pool, Alex B. Haley swimming pool, Youth Bureau recreational equipment and the City of Ithaca Golf Course) at no charge. The use will be regulated by rules to prevent misuse, abuse, and undue financial hardship to the facilities." Allen Green was unsure how this would affect other municipalities associated with the City. The Committee discussed this request. After discussion, the Committee asked Lieutenant Deis to provide more information regarding the financial impact of this request, what this would mean in practice, why should this include the golf course and to define "members". At 9:50 p.m., Alderperson Hershey made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the employment history of an individual. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 4-0 (Hershey, Cogan, Peterson, Mayor Cohen). After Executive Session, Chairperson Peterson stated that no action was taken. J. Old Business 1. Residency Requirement City Attorney Norma Schwab will insert language into the residency requirement ordinance that reflects the Sub-Committee's discussions and will forward the changes to Chairperson Peterson. Human Resources Committee Meeting September 23, 2002 Page 6 2. Supplemental Military Leave The Committee discussed the Supplemental Military Leave. The Committee was unable to make an informed decision on this item due to the lack of information. The Committee would like information regarding the fiscal implications (i.e. number of employees affected, the cost in salaries and health care benefits) should the Supplemental Military Leave be extended through February 2003 and what, if anything, other public entities are doing. After discussion, Alderperson Hershey made a motion to pass this item without recommendation onto Common Council for consideration. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 4-0 (Hershey, Cogan, Peterson, Mayor Cohen). K. Grievance Hearing - City Executive Association Civil Engineer Tom West and Bridge Systems Engineer Hernando Gil represented the City Executive Association to discuss a salary grievance. Mr. West suggested a two-part remedy. 1) Have the salaries for the three (3) engineers brought to the level of the new engineer; 2) evaluate the positions of the three (3) engineers to create salaries commensurate with their experience and responsibilities. Superintendent Bill Gray, as the initial responder to the grievance supported Mr. West's first remedy. Mr. Gray stated that the second remedy should be applied to all four (4) engineers, if not the entire compensation study. The Committee thanked the presenters and moved into Executive Session for discussion of personnel matters. The Committee reconvened at midnight. Alderperson Hershey made a motion that the grievance be denied. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 4-0 (Hershey, Cogan, Peterson, Mayor Cohen). The City Attorney will draft a letter stating this conclusion. L. Adjournment With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.