HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 10/1/2020Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, October 1, 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
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Kathleen Haiden-Jail Administrator, Jeremy Oswald, Jen Brown, Jeremy
Clapero, Brandon Miller, Luke Kleczka, Brenda Bock
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau
Public Comment: None received.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to approve minutes of the September 3, 2020 Personnel
Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0)
Jailer Wages: Handout was provided with a history of Jailer wages. Captain Haiden shared
comments supporting a wage adjustment for Jailers. She shared that the position requires a
physical interaction component that differentiates it from other positions that are currently in the
same wage grade. Haiden shared some statistics regarding turn-over in the past 2 years.
Abeles-Allison and Kavajecz reviewed data with regard to the historic staffing levels and wage
progression for Jailers over the past 8 years. Suggestion was made to review the duties and
responsibilities of the position in relation to the wage schedule.
Motion Strand, Snilsberg recommend that the HR Director conduct further analysis and make
recommendation for consideration. Motion Carried (5-0)
Reclassifying from G to I suggested by Pocernich. Recommendation to also evaluate the staffing
levels.
Courthouse HRA Changes: Abeles-Allison reviewed the history of the HRA program. Initially
100% of unused HRA funds remained with employees. That amount was reduced to 25% as the
years progressed. The HRA for all but Teamster employees was ended in 2020 when the county
no longer offered a High Deductible Health Plan. At present, vested employees are authorized to
use up to $2,000 per year of their roll-over account for eligible dental or vision expenses. The
balance of funds can only be accessed upon separation of employment or upon retirement.
Teamster employees may use their accounts for any purpose. Proposal is to allow vested
employees to access the HRA balances for any eligible medical, dental or vision expense once
the plan deductible is met. The county currently collects interest on the funds that are
maintained in the HRA fund, although interest rates are currently very low. Consensus of the
committee is to leave the HRA parameters as they currently are for 2021, continuing the
Teamsters “All 213” access and allowing access of up to $2,000 for all other employees.
Offering Vision and Accident Insurances through ETF in 2021:
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to authorize participation in the Delta Vision and Securian
Accident insurance programs on a voluntary basis at no cost to the employee. Motion Carried
(5-0)
Temporary Emergency Leave Policy: The committee was asked for input on clarifying the
parameters of the Emergency Leave Program. The program states that it can be used for
Emergencies or Urgent Situations. Suggestion was made to more clearly define Emergency or
Urgent Situation and parameters for use.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski 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. Motion Carried (5-0) Entered closed session at 5:05pm
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to return to open session. Motion Carried (5-0) Returned to open
session at 6:20pm
COVID Workplace Updates: Kavajecz and Abeles-Allison reported that there are a number of
employees currently telecommuting. At least 50% of staff in each department are remaining on-
site. Significant time is being spent addressing telecommuting needs/desires, including
coordination with IT.
Human Resources Report for September activities was reviewed by Kavajecz.
Meeting adjourned at 6:35pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz