HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-HRC-2003-03-24HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting
March 24, 2003
Members
Present: Alderperson Peterson, Alderperson Cogan, Alderperson Mack, Alderperson
Hershey, Alderperson Blumenthal
Staff
Present: Steve Thayer (Controller), Schelley Michell-Nunn (HR Director), Denise Malone
(Administrative Secretary), Phyllis Radke (Building Commissioner), Charlotte Pollog
(School Crossing Guard)
Meeting called to order by Chairperson Peterson at 7:09 p.m.
A. Agenda Review, Approval of Minutes & Announcement
Chairperson Peterson stated that a second Item for F.3 – Personnel Item – Police Department
has been added to the agenda. A resolution would be distributed.
The Committee reviewed the minutes from the February 2003 meeting. Alderperson Cogan
requested that under E.1 – Sub-Committee Updates – City Administrator – the date be
corrected to “Wednesday – February 26th”. After discussion, Alderperson Blumenthal made a
motion to approve the minutes from the February 24, 2003 meeting as amended. Seconded by
Alderperson Hershey. Motion carried 5-0.
There were no announcements.
B. Employee Comments & Common Council Response
Chairperson Peterson invited employees who were present to address the Committee.
Charlotte Pollog, a temporary employee at the Ithaca Police Department, spoke in support of
extending the temporary Typist position in the Police Department for a one (1) year period. Ms.
Pollog has worked on the new time keeping system for this department. This project, even
though difficult, is up to date and must be maintained on a daily basis. HR Director Michell-
Nunn mentioned that PBA President Doug Wright e-mailed her in support of this request.
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March 24, 2003
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Phyllis Radke, Building Commissioner, expressed concern regarding the issue that department
heads and deputies receive additional leave time in lieu of an annual raise this year. Ms. Radke
was concerned about the effect this issue would have on the current staff, especially in light of
the fact that when new department heads or deputies are hired, they not only receive a high
salary but also can negotiate for more in leave time and other benefits.
Alderperson Mack stated that this item should be included on next month’s agenda.
The Committee thanked Ms. Pollog and Ms. Radke for their comments.
C. Chairperson’s Report. None.
D. Affirmative Action Advisory Committee Update
Chairperson Peterson stated that she attended the Affirmative Action Advisory Committee
(AAAC) meeting on March 14, 2003.
Chairperson Peterson stated that Co-Chair Marcia Fort reported that a Strategic Planning
Session was held for Senior Staff. Senior Staff identified ten (10) categories that they would
work on. One of the categories was Workforce Diversification. The ten (10) categories were
narrowed down to three (3), which Diversity was not one: physical viability, fiscal viability and
communications.
Chairperson Peterson stated that a report was given about the Police Department and
community residents coming together at various times to discuss the relationship between the
two groups. Meeting dates and times have been scheduled and Police Department personnel
would be required to attend one of these sessions.
Chairperson Peterson stated that discussion took place regarding the decrease in applications
received from minorities and the Residency Requirement.
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March 24, 2003
Page 3
E. Sub-Committee Updates
1. City Administration
Chairperson Peterson reported that the sub-committee is looking at the rough
draft and possible changes in the job description and the ordinance. Common
Council members would be invited to attend the meeting when discussing this item.
F. Personnel Items
1. DPW – Streets & Facilities
a. Request to Amend Personnel Roster
The Department of Public Works (Streets & Facilities) requested to amend
the Personnel Roster by adding two (2) Temporary Shuttle Van Drivers.
After discussion, Alderperson Hershey made a motion to approve the
request. Seconded by Alderperson Cogan. Motion carried 5-0.
2. Building Department
a. Request to Amend Personnel Roster
The Building Department requested to amend the Personnel Roster by
increasing the hours of the Permit Clerk to 40 hours/week and by decreasing
the hours of the Typist to 20 hours/week. After discussion, Alderperson
Cogan made a motion to approve the request. Seconded by Alderperson
Mack. Motion carried 5-0.
3. Police Department
a. Request to Extend Temporary Services
The Police Department requested to extend the temporary services for a
one (1) year period. After discussion, Alderperson Hershey made a motion
to extend the temporary services to May 31, 2003. Seconded by
Alderperson Blumenthal. Motion carried 5-0.
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March 24, 2003
Page 4
b. Request to Amend Appointment Date of the Chief of Police
The swearing in date for the Chief of Police was changed to April 13, 2003,
thus requiring the change in the appointment date to April 13, 2003. After
discussion, Alderperson Blumenthal made a motion that the appointment date
of the Chief of Police be amended to April 13, 2003. Seconded by
Alderperson Mack. Motion carried 5-0.
G. Directors’ Reports. None.
H. Mayor’s Report. None.
I. New Business
1. Workforce Diversity Statistics
The Committee reviewed the departmental statistics dated March 21, 2003 and
determined that for this data to be meaningful, they would need similar data from
past years to make comparisons.
J. Old Business
1. Residency Requirement (RR)
The Committee reviewed the memo from HR Director Michell-Nunn. Ms. Michell-
Nunn addressed a number of concerns regarding RR. First, whether or not part-
time positions (department heads and deputies) are covered by the RR? Second,
the RR language specifically refers to department heads and deputies. There are
several second in command positions that do not carry the deputy title (i.e.
Assistant City Attorney, Assistant Superintendent, and Director of Economic
Development). Which of these positions are covered by the RR language? How
does the RR apply when there is more than one deputy or assistant? Third, what is
the waiver process and at what point is it appropriate to request a waiver.
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March 24, 2003
Page 5
After discussion, Alderperson Blumenthal made a motion, seconded by Alderperson
Hershey, to amend the RR to clarify that part-time positions and full-time
positions are required to be City residents and that “deputy” is a generic term, and
that it applies if more than one deputy is under the department head. Motion
failed due to Alderperson Blumenthal withdrawing her motion and Alderperson
Hershey withdrawing his second.
Alderperson Hershey moved an amendment to specify the positions. Seconded by
Alderperson Blumenthal. Motion withdrawn.
Alderperson Blumenthal made a motion that any applications for waivers and
interpretations of the RR would be addressed to the Chair of the HR Committee.
The motion failed due to the lack of a second.
The consensus of the Committee was to continue this discussion at next month’s
meeting.
2. Emergency Closing Policy
The Committee reviewed the Emergency Closing Policy. After discussion,
Alderperson Hershey made a motion to accept the policy. Seconded by
Alderperson Mack. Motion carried 5-0.
K. Adjournment
With no further business, Alderperson Hershey moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m.