HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 1/30/2020Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, January 30, 2020
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Bayfield County Annex, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Brett Rondeau, Tom Snilsberg, Harold Maki
Members Excused: Tom Gordon
Others Present: County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison, Kristine Kavajecz-Assistant, Jody
Heffner, Dan Heffner, Kim Lawton, Pete Morrissette, Jason Bodine, Nikki Revak, Elizabeth
Skulan
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau
Public Comment:
Jody Heffner commented that she is not in favor of using the StayWell on-line wellness incentive
due to concerns with personal data protection. She also stated that she believes that
it is a penalty rather than incentive.
Kim Lawton commented that she is a state employee and has concerns with the “incentive
program” because she believes that the county’s current plan could be construed as coercive
rather than an incentive because it amounts to more than $1000 per year. She feels that it can
have a negative morale impact as well. Incentive is to give something in addition to the base
compensation, not a reduction of a premium.
Dan Heffner stated that there is currently a lawsuit by AARP related to wellness incentives. He
reported that his research into StayWell is that the IP address is not a protected item and can be
shared with other organizations.
Motion Pocernich, Maki to approve minutes of December 5, 2019. Motion Carried (4-0)
2019 Wellness Program Review and 2020 Plans: Pete Morrissette shared data about the 2019
wellness program and activities. Fitness Center, Fitness Classes, Shower Facility, Employee
Gardens, Bicycle Racks, Disk Golf on Courthouse Lawn, Brown Bag Lunch and Learns, Salad
Bar Lunches, Annual Wellness Fair, Seasonal Fun Activities with educational component.
Wellness Program, 2021: Abeles-Allison explained the 3 steps that were required to receive the
premium incentive for 2020. The program for 2021 is currently being finalized. An employee
group met to discuss ideas for a 2021 program. During that meeting concerns were identified
related to privacy. A revised proposal was drafted based on the concerns received. A handout
was provided that outlined the background/history of wellness initiatives over the last decade.
The handout also outlined a proposal for 2021. The proposal for 2021 would offer the StayWell
and Security Health on-line options, but would also offer a paper option for participation,
addressing the privacy concern.
Discussion was held regarding what is an “incentive”.
Motion Maki, Pocernich to postpone this discussion until the next meeting. Motion Carried.
Comment was shared recommending that a set premium and set dollar incentive for participation be
looked at as an option rather than a percent of premium.
Difficult-to-fill positions: County has struggled with filling Social Worker, Surveyor and Nurse
positions. Social Worker I position has been open since May 2019. The professional pool is very
small and the competition for employees is high. Currently evaluating many different options to
attract new employees including, wages, benefits, educational assistance, interns.
Motion Pocernich, Snilsberg to enter into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes:
§19.85(1)(c,e) to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation
data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises
responsibility and to allow Skulan to participate in the closed session. Motion Carried. Entered
closed session at 4:35pm
Motion Pocernich, Snilsberg to return to open session. Motion Carried. Returned to open session
at 4:40pm
Review of Personnel Policy
a. Fire and EMS Volunteer Policy: It was reported that a policy was
implemented in 2019 allowing employees to receive compensation for
responding to Fire and EMS calls during their shift up to 4 hours per month. 4
employees have utilized this policy. Feedback on the policy has been positive.
The policy was also shared at a recent Towns Association meeting.
b. Vacation Policy: Abeles-Allison reviewed the county’s current vacation
schedule. Data is being gathered from other counties and
Year end Personnel Statistics for 2019: Would like to see quarterly data.
Motion Pocernich, Maki to enter into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes:
§19.85(1)(c,e) to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation
data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises
responsibility: and deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public property, vesting of public
funds or conducting other specified business whenever competitive or bargain reasons require a
closed session. Approve Closed Session Minutes of November 7, 2019, Employee specific
performance discussion, Exit interviews. Motion Carried.
Motion Pocernich, Maki to move into open session. Motion Carried. Entered open session at
5:00pm
Reports
a) Staffing Update: Provided earlier
b) Evaluation updates: Completed for 2019
Meeting adjourned at 5:05pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz