HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 4/13/2017Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:30 PM, April 13, 2017
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, William Bussey, Dennis Pocernich, Rachel Coughtry
(4:45pm), Harold Maki (5:25pm),
Others Present: County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Kristine Kavajecz-Assistant, Tom
Toepfer-Highway Commissioner, Dalt Collins-Patrolman, Rob Schierman-Zoning
Administrator, Elizabeth Skulan-Human Services Director, Martin Skaj-Patrolman, Jeff Silbert-
County Board,
Meeting called to order at 4:30pm by Rondeau
Public Comment: Dalt Collins provided a copy of the position advertisement for the position he
was hired for, which reflected a wage range. The new wage study was implemented shortly after
he was hired. His understanding was that wages would be increased over the next 2 years.
Collins asked that he be eligible for the wages that were advertised when he was hired. Current
wage is $18.97. Started Sept 8, 2015.
Marty Skaj asked that the committee consider the comments of Dalt Collins. He is also here to
support the Highway Commissioner’s proposal for a revised overtime policy for the Highway
Department. The union did not propose this, but they support it.
Elizabeth Skulan stated that if the Highway overtime proposal is considered, it should also be
considered for the Human Services Department because it would be seen as inequitable by her
staff if it were not offered to them. The Human Services Department also has concerns with
changing the work week. An additional week of lag time would be needed to process payroll.
Approval of Minutes of February 1, 2017: It was noted that the agenda identified an incorrect
date of March 2. A Personnel Committee meeting was not held in March. Motion Bussey,
Pocernich to approve minutes of the February 1, 2017 Personnel Committee meeting. Motion
Carried (3-0 )
Motion Pocernich, Bussey to enter in and out of closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes
§19.85(1)(c,e) for the purpose of:
a. Approval of closed session minutes of February 1, 2017
b. To consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any
public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.
(Highway, Planning and Zoning) and to allow the Zoning Administrator and Highway
Commissioner be permitted to remain in the closed session for their applicable topics. Motion
Carried ( 3-0 ). Entered closed session at 4:40pm.
Motion Maki, Bussey to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0). Returned to open session
at 6:00pm
Toepfer reviewed his request for a revised overtime policy in the Highway Department. The
request includes overtime for weekends and overtime for hours worked over 8 or 10 in a day
depending upon the schedule. Toepfer provided a handout summarizing how other counties
handle overtime. Toepfer reported that the financial impact is estimated at $7,000-$9,000 per
year.
Abeles-Allison provided a history of when the county moved from overtime paid for work over a
scheduled shift, to FLSA standards.
Motion Bussey, Pocernich to forward a recommendation to the County Board to adopt a policy
of paying overtime for any Highway Department work conducted on weekends during the months
of November through March. Clarification was provided that overtime under the FLSA
standards would still apply year round when employees work over 40 hours in a week. Motion
Failed (1-4)
Motion Rondeau to postpone this topic to the next meeting. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Motion Coughtry, Maki to adopt a policy of paying overtime for any call-in Highway
Department work conducted on weekends regardless of previous hours worked. The FLSA
standard to pay overtime for hours worked over 40 in a week will continue. Motion Carried (5-
0).
Coughtry exited the meeting at this time.
Meal Allowances for County Employees: Abeles-Allison reviewed a proposed wording
modification to the current meal reimbursement policy. The policy would read:
“In-county meals are reimbursed on a limited basis if you are attending a conference, meeting, or
training and are representing the department as a speaker or participant, or if you are hosting a
business-related visit with someone traveling from out of the area. In-county meals are not
reimbursed for day-to-day work related travel unless approved by the County Administrator.”
Motion Pocernich, Bussey to approve the policy modification to the Meal Reimbursement policy
as presented. Motion Carried (4-0)
State reporting requirement per DSPS: Elizabeth Skulan reviewed a policy recommended by
the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Rondeau stepped out of the meeting briefly and Bussey assumed control of the meeting
momentarily.
The following policy language is proposed to be added to the County Personnel Manual:
“Any disciplinary action taken against staff who hold social work credentials must be reported in
accordance with Wisconsin Statutes 457.25(1). The Statute requires a written report to the Social
Work examining board detailing any adverse disciplinary action taken against a social worker
within 30 days of the date of the discipline. A report is required even if the social worker chooses
to terminate employment prior to application of the disciplinary action. In that event, written
notice of the reason prompting the voluntary termination must be submitted within 30 days of the
social worker’s resignation.”
Motion Pocernich, Maki to approve the policy as recommended. Motion Carried (3-0)
Rondeau returned to the meeting at this time.
Abeles-Allison reviewed a financial report of personnel related expenses for the first quarter of
the year.
Reports: This item was postponed until the next meeting.
1. Reclassification review
2. Personnel Statistics
3. Work from Home update
4. Health Insurance
5. Benefit Card
Pocernich asked for a status update on the Fair Clerk vacancy. It is anticipated that an offer will
be made early next week.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:52pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz