HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 12/5/2013Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, December 5, 2013
County Board Room, Bayfield County Courthouse, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, John Bennett, Shawn Miller, William Bussey, Neil Schultz
Others Present: County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Kristine Kavajecz-Confidential
Secretary, Attorney Daniel Borowski, Dennis Pocernich, Dee Kittleson, Steve Krewson-WPPA,
Jail Employees. Zak Radzak-Teamsters, Rod Alstead-Teamsters, Jacob Brandis-Teamster, David
Renz-Teamsters, Pat Radzak-Teamsters, Larry Tutland-Teamsters, various citizens.
Rondeau called the meeting to order at 4:12pm.
Motion Miller, Bussey to approve the December 3, 2013 Personnel Committee minutes. Schultz
noted a correction to the previous 2 meeting minutes. If an employee’s spouse is employed and
has health insurance available to them through their employer, they should not be allowed to
take county insurance. Motion Carried with correction.
Motion Schultz, Bennett to amend the agenda to allow the committee to go into closed session to
exchange proposals for a 2014 agreement with WPPA-Jail Unit if necessary. Motion Carried.
County explained that they are prepared to bargain base wages with the Jail Division.
On behalf of the Jailers, Krewson requested the CPI increase of 1.66% in parity with other
bargaining units.
Abeles-Allison stated that the county is willing to agree to a 1.66% across the board increase for
jail staff. Tentative agreement reached at 4:20pm. Jailers to hold a vote and report results to
Abeles-Allison. County Board to consider at the December 10 meeting.
Wage Study:
Abeles-Allison reviewed the narrative for the closed session outlining wage study
recommendations.
Discussed when wage increases are awarded to new employees, whether on anniversary date or
annually on January 1.
Motion Bussey, Bennett that employees should receive scheduled increases (first 4 years) on
their anniversary date and after that should receive any Cost Of Living increase on January 1,
or on the date bargained by their unit if applicable.
Motion Bussey, Bennett to amend the motion to read that at the anniversary date, the employee’s
pay is increased to the next level of the wage schedule, subject to the employee performing
satisfactorily. Motion Carried (5-0)
Original motion now identical to the amended motion. Motion Carried.
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Suggestion from committee that they would like to receive reports on increases that are awarded
for new employees during the first 4 years.
Highway Equipment Operators: At the last meeting, the committee suggested using the current
wage as the new mid-point for these employees.
Motion Miller, Bussey to set mid-point at $20.10 for Equipment Operators. Motion Carried
For new employees that start at more than 80% of the midpoint, they will increase incrementally
until they reach the mid-point.
Motion Bussey, Bennett to accept recommendation of Item 4b in the narrative including specific
wage/position changes for 7 employees. Motion Carried.
Discussed how to handle reclassifications of existing employees from I or II positions that may
already be receiving pay higher than the midpoint of the next higher position.
Motion Bussey to authorize a 4% increase to employees that reclassify to a higher position, but
are already being paid at a wage higher than the median of the next higher level and
reclassification is approved by the Personnel committee. Motion died for lack of a second.
Suggestion by Schultz to revisit this if an issue arises related to this reclassification situation.
Motion Bussey, Miller to authorize a 2% increase to employees that reclassify to a higher
position, but are already being paid at a wage higher than the median of the next higher level.
Motion Carried. (4-1)
Discussion regarding how to handle step increases for recently hired employees. Consensus of
the committee is to not award increases to newly hired employees that are already receiving a
wage higher than the midpoint.
Affordable Care Act Definition of “Cadillac Plan” was reviewed. $10,200 for single plan, or
$27,000 for a family plan. Beginning in 2018, the employer pays a penalty for Cadillac plans.
Motion Schultz, Bussey to enter closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(c, e) for
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding approval of closed session minutes of December 3,
2013, discussion regarding employee compensation, union negotiation strategy and negotiation
with the Teamster Bargaining Unit. Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 5:24 pm.
Motion Bennett, Bussey to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
5:58pm. The committee took a 5-minute break.
Teamster Representatives entered the meeting at this time.
The meeting resumed at 6:04pm.
Abeles-Allison welcomed the new attendees to the meeting. Abeles-Allison announced that the
county is willing to negotiate base wages.
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Teamsters confirmed that the document received at an earlier meeting was their opening offer.
Zack Radzak stated the Teamster’s position is that they may bargain wages and benefits. County
reiterated that they are willing to negotiate a fair and equitable wage increase up to the CPI.
Motion Miller, Bussey to enter closed session for the purpose of negotiations with Teamsters. All
non-bargaining representatives were asked to exit at this time. Motion Carried. Entered closed
session at 6:07pm.
Motion Miller, Schultz to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session at
6:30pm.
Motion Bussey, Bennett to recommend implementation of the wage study with modifications as
presented by Abeles-Allison to the Personnel Committee, to commence January 1, 2014.
Discussion.
Schultz expressed concern that more work needs to be done before being recommended. Wage
schedule and Compensation plan will be presented to the County Board.
Motion Carried (4-1)
Meeting adjourned at 6:43pm