HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 9/7/2017Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:30 PM, September 7, 2017
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Brett Rondeau, Dennis Pocernich, , Harold Maki, Bill Bussey
Members Excused: Rachel Coughtry
Others Present: County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Kristine Kavajecz-Assistant,
Meeting called to order at 4:30pm by Chairman Rondeau
Public Comment: None received
Approval of Minutes of August 3, 2017: Motion Maki, Pocernich to dispense with the reading
and approve minutes of the August 3, 2017 Personnel Committee meeting. Motion Carried (4-0)
Motion Bussey, Maki to enter closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(c,e) for
discussion and possible action regarding:
a. Approve closed session minutes of August 3, 2017.
b. To discuss strategy for WPPA negotiations and review initial proposal.
c. To discuss strategy regarding Teamster representation status.
Motion Carried (4-0) Entered Closed session at 4:35pm.
Motion Maki, Bussey to return to open session. Motion Carried (4-0) Returned to open session at
5:00pm.
Exchange and review of initial proposals for negotiation, WPPA Union:
Rich Burghaus and Andy Mika representing WPPA entered the meeting at this time.
Introductions were conducted around the room.
Mika provided the committee with the WPPA initial proposal. Burghaus reviewed the items
listed in the initial proposal. Items included in the initial proposal were:
• Incorporate the Side Letter Dated June 1, 2017 addressing shifts between 3:00am and
7:00am on a one-year trial basis.
• Modifying the statement that the Sheriff may modify certain work schedules “in case of
emergency”.
• Establishing a regular schedule for patrol sergeant and patrol lieutenant.
• Increase comp accrual maximum to 120 hours.
• Add 130 hour of vacation at the 10-year anniversary.
• Modify sick leave accruals.
• 3-year contract
• Wage adjustment by $2 per hour for Lieutenants.
• A 3% wage increase in each of the 3 years was proposed.
The county shared a handout of their initial proposal. Abeles-Allison made a statement that the
county appreciates the work that the Sheriff’s Office does and respects the danger involved with
those positions.
Abeles-Allison reviewed the items in the county’s initial proposal. Items included in the initial
proposal were:
• Implement Annual fitness assessment for Deputies
• Amend Worker’s Compensation Policy to match state law.
• Eliminate Longevity Pay
• Statement that sick leave is not a work day when calculating overtime.
• Reduce holidays by 1 (11 total) to match other county employees.
Next negotiation session set for September 13 at 4:00pm. WPPA representatives exited the
meeting at this time.
Motion Pocernich, Maki to enter into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(e)
for discussion and possible action regarding negotiations with the WPPA union. Entered closed
session at 5:30pm
Motion Maki, Bussey to return to open session. Motion Carried (4-0). Returned to open session
at 5:40pm
Personnel Policies under consideration:
Emergency Leave Bank: Motion Maki, Pocernich to clarify that employees must be off for a
period of 2 weeks (paid or unpaid) in order to be eligible for Emergency Leave. Motion Carried
(4-0)
Telecommuting: Intent of this policy is to pilot the program for 6 months. Primary reasons for
introducing this policy is to provide additional incentives to attract and retain employees.
Motion Maki to deny this policy. Motion failed for lack of a second.
Motion Pocernich, Bussey to try the Telecommuting Pilot program for 6 months. Statement was
made that Department Heads must approve any request for Telecommuting. Motion Carried (3-
1, with Maki opposed).
End of Employment (Vacation Utilization): Abeles-Allison reported that several department
heads have expressed opposition to this policy proposal, which is to not allow vacation during
the last 2 weeks of employment.
Light Duty: A policy is being drafted that more clearly defines guidelines and parameters for
temporary/transitional return to work with regard to work related injuries and non-work related
injuries or medical conditions that may result in work restrictions. Question was asked who pays
for wages if the employee work in a department other that their primary department. Response
was that if the employee were off work, utilizing paid leave time (sick, vacation) it would be
paid by the employee’s primary department. It is in the best interest of the employee and
employer to get the employee back to work as soon as possible.
Health Insurance Utilization Review: Utilization is improving. The average was at 91% as of the
end of May. Based on the current employee census, cost estimates for premiums + HRA for
Teamster Health are very similar to Security Health.
2018 Staffing Requests and Plans: Abeles-Allison reviewed requests that have been received for
the 2018 budget and the Administrator’s recommendations.
A handout was provided.
• FT Forester, recommended for funding.
• FT Help Desk Technician, considering funding a half-time position.
• FT Jailer, recommended for funding.
• 2 contracted employees to county employees: keep as contract employees.
• PT Meal Site facilitator, recommended for funding
• PT CCO, recommended for funding
• PT Register of Deeds Clerk, not recommended for funding
• PT County Clerk position, recommended for funding
• Increased Hours for PT Clerk in Sheriff’s Office, not recommended for funding.
• Increased Hours for Vehicle Cleaner, recommended for funding
• Increased responsibilities for several positions: Zoning Clerk, Assistant to County
Administrator, Web Support Security Technician, Clerk II and Clerk III in Human
Services and Confidential Staff in the Sheriff’s Office. These are all currently under
consideration.
Reports:
a. Financial Report (Personnel Costs): Personnel costs are up only about $47,000 year to
date over the previous year.
b. Personnel Update: Current Vacant Positions include: Confidential Secretary, Surveyor,
Criminal Justice Coordinator, Social Worker, PT Jailer, Meal Site Facilitator
Meeting adjourned at 6:20pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz