HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 10/14/2021Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, October 14, 2021
Meeting was Held Remotely through Microsoft Teams
and In Person in the Bayfield County Board Room
Members Present: Dennis Pocernich, Tom Snilsberg, Fred Strand, Marty Milanowski, Brett
Rondeau
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Elizabeth Skulan-Human Services Director, Carver Harries-Ashland Area
Development Corporation
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau
Approval of Minutes of September 2, 2021: Motion Milanowski, Strand to approve minutes of
the September 2, 2021 Personnel Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0)
Public Comment: None Received
Childcare Services and Workforce Innovation Grant: Abeles-Allison reported that a
Workforce Innovation Grant is due the end of October. Carver Harries, Ashland Area
Development Corporation (AADC). AADC was instrumental in the expansion of the Evergrow
Learning Center in Ashland. Grant Requirements are that it addresses a pressing issue for the
impacted area. Housing and Childcare were the two issues identified, with Child Care being
selected as the topic for the grant application because it could be addressed more immediately.
Goal is to increase the amount of childcare available to allow parents to work.
Purpose of the Grant: Program Coordinators would be hired to assist potential childcare
providers walk through the process of becoming operational. (Licensing, facility requirements,
education, etc). Possible expand or purchase a facility to accommodate childcare.
Eligible Uses of the Grant: Cannot supplement existing wages. Tuition Assistance, health
insurance for childcare workers, housing stipends, are eligible expenses.
Request for Bayfield County to partner on this grant. No monetary commitment is required.
Draft letter of support was provided for review.
Motion Strand, Milanowski to approve Bayfield County Support of the AADC Workforce
Development Innovation Grant related to Childcare services. Motion Carried (5-0)
Personnel Policy and area updates: Abeles-Allison reviewed a list of ongoing activities that
are in place to address COVID19 concerns. He also reported that 74.3% of adults in Bayfield
County have been fully vaccinated. Using this estimated, approximately 150 of Bayfield
County’s 200 employees are vaccinated. Committee members were asked to share any other
suggestions they have to encourage county employees to become vaccinated. Examples were
shared from other counties that have implemented a color-coded tier system identifying the
requirements at the county level for certain percentages of active cases.
2022 Wage Scale Cost of Living Adjustment: CPI-U for January 1, 2022, is 2.3%. At the
last Personnel Committee meeting, the committee approved setting the wage schedule
adjustment at no less than 2%, or whatever the WERC CPI-U figure is.
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to recommend a 2.3% wage scale adjustment effective January 1,
2022 and forward to County Board for final approval. Motion Carried (5-0)
Personnel policy clarification for part time employees and health insurance:
Motion Pocernich, Milanowski to approve the policy for health insurance contributions for part-
time employees as presented and include in the County Personnel Manual. Motion Carried (5-0)
Board compensation in new term beginning April 2022: Action on this items would be
required prior to December 1, 2021. If no action is taken, the current policy remains in effect.
Consensus of the committee is to
Oversight committee role in personnel related matters: Memo to departments asking them to
put this topic on their next oversight committee agenda. List of recommendations from the
Personnel Committee, which is for the Department to work with Human Resources to formulate
a recommendation that would be reported to the oversight committee and the forwarded to the
Personnel Committee for action.
Reports
a) Contract Employee update for 2022: Another company is available to take over the
role of Premier Solutions Group that is currently used for contracted employees.
b) Health Insurance Adjustments, 2022: State Health Plan premiums will decrease
approximately .4%.
c) Human Resources Report: Review of the report in the packet.
d) Personnel Financial Report as of September 30, 2021: Payroll costs are below 2020
expenses at this time last year by about $250,000.
Motion Milanowski, 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 for deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, then
investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or
bargaining reasons require a closed session:.
i. Approve Closed Session Minutes of September 2, 2021
ii. Discussion Regarding 2022 Contract for Teamsters Union:
iii. Discussion and possible action regarding WPPA contract and side letter: 24-
hour schedule, 12-hour shift side letter.
iv. Discussion Regarding Individual Performance Evaluations and Compensation
Motion Carried. Entered Closed Session at 5:00 pm. (5-0)
Motion Milanowski, Pocernich to return to open session. Motion Carried. Return to open session
at 5:25 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 5:25pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz