HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 8/6/2020Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, August 6, 2020
Meeting was Held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person at the Bayfield
County Board Room, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Tom Snilsberg, Fred Strand, Marty Milanowski, Brett
Rondeau
Members Excused:
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau
Public Comment: Lori Skaj commented that Personnel Committee and County Board minutes on
the county web site need to be brought up to date. She also requested that the wellness program
be waived for Teamster employees and that the premium incentive be awarded. A request was
made to allow all of the Teamster HRA funds for 2020 to be rolled over to employees accounts
rather than 25% of unused funds. Skaj also thanked the committee for allowing the Teamsters to
continue with the Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage through the Teamster Health Fund.
Minutes of the July 2, 2020 Personnel Committee Meeting: Motion Strand, Snilsberg to
approve the minutes of the July 2, 2020 Personnel Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0)
COVID Workplace Updates: Abeles-Allison reported that most all staff are working on-site.
Results of a recent employee survey were reviewed.
o 78.1% stated that the County is providing enough or more than enough safety measures
regarding COVID-19. 21.9% stated that not enough safety measures are in place.
o 54 comments were received with suggestions. Several of these suggestions are being
considered.
o 76.2% stated that an isolation office should be provided, where appropriate. 23.8%
prefer not to offer an isolation office.
o 98% stated that telecommuting should be offered on a limited basis (28.6%) or offered
to everyone (69.5%). 2% stated that no-one should be allowed to telecommute.
o 49.5% stated that they would choose to telecommute, while 29.5% stated that they
would prefer to work on site, 13.3% have no preference and 7.6% stated that
telecommuting is not applicable
o Nearly 43% of respondents indicated that they have school-aged children. The majority
of these will have some form of virtual schooling.
COVID Personnel Policies: All departments have been asked to develop contingency plans if
all or a portion of their staff became ill and were unable to work. Department Heads will be
asked to work individually with employees that have dependents to establish schedules for the
school-year. A percentage of employees may be permitted to telecommute to ensure that offices
may remain open in the event of a COVID outbreak and also to accommodate school/work
balance.
Personnel Polcies:
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to authorize that the Maternity/Paternity policy be extended to
include Regular Part-Time employees on a pro-rated basis. Motion Carried (5-0)
Motion Pocernich, Strand to authorize that employees may access ICI insurance after exhausting
sick leave. Paid leave may not be used to supplement ICI payments. This policy to be effective
September 1, 2020. Motion Carried (5-0)
Health Department On-Call Policy: In Human Services we have an on-call policy. Discussed
extending this to the Health Department beginning on March 19, when our emergency
declaration was made, and ending when we lift our declaration. One public health sanitarian and
one nurse would be eligible for on call scheduling. The topic will be discussed further after the
closed session discussion on a related topic.
Human Resources Report: Report was distributed and reviewed by Kavajecz. Full report
included with the minutes.
Personnel Financial Report: Personnel costs in all Departments are similar or below 2019
levels.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to enter into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes:
a. §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.
i. Approve Closed Session Minutes of July 2, 2020
ii. WPPA Negotiation Preparations
iii. Employee specific compensation.
Motion Carried. Entered closed session at 5:02pm Abeles-Allison and Kavajecz were allowed to
remain in the meeting.
Motion Strand, Milanowski to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0) Returned to open
session at 5:29pm.
The committee resumed discussions regarding On-Call Pay for Public Health Nurses and
Sanitarians.
Motion Pocernich, Strand to authorize on-call pay of $1.50 per hour effective March 19, 2020
through December 31, 2020. One nurse shall be on-call all week during non-business hours and
one Environmental Health Sanitarian shall be on-call on weekends. Motion Carried (5-0)
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz