HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 5/16/2002Minutes of the:
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting May 16, 2002.
Members Present: John Blahnik, Harold Maki, Brett Rondeau
Members Absent: David Good, Neil Paulson
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Kris Kavajecz
Meeting called to order by John Blahnik at 5:00pm. in the County Board Room
Motion by Rondeau, Second by Maki to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2002 meeting. Motion Carried.
Motion by Rondeau, Second by Maki to nominate Blahnik as Chairman. Chairman Blahnik asked 3 times if there
were any other nominations.
Motion by Rondeau, Second by Maki to close the nominations and cast a unanimous vote for Blahnik for Chairman.
Motion Carried.
Motion by Maki, Second by Blahnik to nominate Rondeau for Vice Chairman. Chairman Blahnik asked 3 times if
there were any other nominations.
Motion by Maki, Second by Blahnik to close the nominations and cast unanimous vote for Rondeau as Vice
Chairman. Motion Carried
WORKING FOREMAN UPDATE
Update from Administrator Abeles-Allison regarding the Working Foreman Position for the Highway Department.
The Highway committee decided to offer a position of intermittent working foreman. Working foreman will be paid
regular Equipment Operator wage when not performing functions of Working Foreman and will be paid Working
Foreman wage when working in that capacity. Working Foreman is an intermittent supervisory position as
designated by the Highway Commissioner or Patrol Superintendent. Position was posted and applications accepted.
One application was received and that individual did meet the qualifications and was awarded the position.
LCC Position Request
A committee, consisting of representatives from Bad River, Red Cliff, and the LCC organization propose to partner
to provide funding for limited term full-time employee and are asking for Bayfield County’s support of the hiring.
Abeles-Allison questioned whether it might be better to go with a contract or lease employee rather than full time
employee. Diane Daulton forwarded concerns to the other partners in this proposal. Position would be a temporary
position which would be contingent on further funding. Question from Harold Maki as to what the purpose of the
position would be. Position would help identify potential projects for LCC to undertake. Supervision would be by
Diane Daulton. Comment by Blahnik that he would prefer to explore alternatives to a full time position. Comment
by Maki that he would rather see staffing for a qualified person to evaluate water related effects in our area rather
than an additional office staff person in an area that already has multiple departments examining the same topics for
the sake of using grant monies so that further grant monies can be obtained in the future. Maki would like to see
results, rather than more paperwork and regulations. Abeles-Allison stated that he will work with LCC to evaluate
alternatives to hiring a full-time employee and will provide an update at the next meeting.
Motion by Rondeau, Second by Maki to approve the position as a contract or lease employee position with an
evaluation of the value of the position at 6 months. Motion Carried.
Dept Head Evaluation:
Abeles-Allison handed out a copy of the Department head evaluation form as a review and explained proposed
changes to the form. One such change was to category E5 in reference to a dress code. Since the county does not
have a formal dress code, he proposes to change the wording to “represents the county well”. A section would be
added for goals and also a signature line for the employee. Abeles-Allison explained that he generally creates an
additional evaluation summary form for each evaluation including strengths, areas to work on and goals for the next
evaluation period.
Suggestion from Blahnik to add cost saving strategies or possibilities for future savings in their department.
Clarification that a dept head is evaluated annually by their oversight committee in conjunction with the
Administrator. The form is then placed in the personnel file. In addition, each dept head evaluates their respective
employees within the department annually New employees are evaluated quarterly during the first year and then
annually each year after.
Discussion of Reclassification Requests for 2003 fiscal year:
Abeles-Allison reviewed the process for reclassifications per union contracts. The employee makes a request to the
Dept Head. The Dept Head evaluates the request and approves or disapproves request. If approved, Dept Head
forwards to the County Administrator. If approved, Administrator forwards to oversight committee. If approved by
oversight committee, moves to Personnel Committee. Reclassifications that are approved go into effect on January
1 of the following year.
Question from Maki regarding the process for terminating an employee. It was explained that documentation is the
key component in any termination.
Employee Recognition:
Abeles-Allison explained that he would like to evaluate the possibility of implementing an employee recognition
program. A handout of ideas was presented and reviewed by committee members. The annual employee picnic is
scheduled for June 12 and the Administrator would like to recognize 6 employees that have achieved benchmark
anniversaries. Suggestion from Blahnik to be sure to ensure that any recognition be "special" and that it not be
frivolous. Committee members discussed employee of the month and employee of the year suggestions. They
would prefer to see employee of the year rather than employee of the month.
Abeles-Allison proposed an alternative for funding of this program. There is potential for a small commission from
sale of sodas if the county chooses to enter into a contract with Coke and possibly Pepsi distributors. Abeles-Allison
proposes that this money, or some of the monies be designated for the funding of this program. The June 12 picnic
is held on the front lawn of the courthouse. All members were in agreement that this would be a worthwhile
program.
Next Meeting: Future meeting will be scheduled for 4:00 unless conflicts arise.
There being no further business to come before the Personnel Committee, a Motion was make by Rondeau, Second
by Maki to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:00pm.
Respectfully submitted by Kris Kavajecz