HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 11/4/2021Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
4:00 PM, November 4, 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, James Crandall, Bob Anderson
Teamster Employees
Meeting called to order at 4:00pm by Chairman Rondeau
Approval of Minutes of October 14, 2021: Motion Strand, Milanowski to approve minutes of
the October 14, 2021 Personnel Committee meeting. Motion Carried (5-0)
Public Comment:
Dalton Collins: Asking to be able to comment during the agenda item.
Lori Skaj: Read a statement and expressed concern for future recruitment efforts. Expressed that
a 2.3% increase is not enough.
Kristina Spencer: Concern that there could be a change with health insurance that could result in
tens of thousands of dollars in additional cost to the employees.
Negotiations with Teamster Local 346 for a Successor Bargaining Agreement:
Bob Anderson: Commented that the Highway Department staff are very dedicated. Reported that
other counties do not report the same level of dedication from their staff.
Dalton Collins: Talked about the value of the employees of the Bayfield County staff. February
2022, the requirements for CDL are changing, requiring more schooling. Higher wage would be
more attractive to recruit new employees. Request that a member of Teamsters participate in
discussions if the county is considering moving Teamster employees to the County plan.
Requested that the committee find a creative way to add 2% to the 2.3% proposed increase.
Martin Skaj: Addressed that employees have to get up in the morning and work after a night of
plowing. Longevity was taken away in the past. No on-call pay.
Zak Radzak: Employers are opening their wallets in anticipation of a shortage of drivers in the
future. Expressed that the number of staff represented at this meeting shows the concern within
the staff for future recruitment and retention. Act 10 restricts negotiations, but request that the
county does what they can to ensure the future of the department.
Dave Kontny: Shared examples of costs that would be borne by the employee if the Teamster
Health were ended. Exhausting to worry about the health insurance each year. A town recently
paid a new staff member $24 in Grand View. This is higher than an experienced Patrolman in the
Highway Department.
Abeles-Allison explained that there is not a plan to eliminate the Teamster Health Plan for 2022.
He thanked all staff for the work that they do. The County Board did approve a wage
reassessment in 2022 for all positions. Census figures show that the county population is
increasing slightly, however, we have a larger population of older residents. County is committed
to providing a sustainable wage.
Milanowski: Highway Department is a well-oiled machine. We want to keep them happy.
Motion Milanowski, Pocernich 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 October 14, 2021
ii. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Reclassification Request from
Clerk I to Clerk II.
iii. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Teamster Union Negotiations
Zak Radzak, Martin Skaj and Dalton Collins, Bob Anderson were allowed to remain in closed
session.
Radzak, Collins and Skaj left the room momentarily while the committee had a preliminary
discussion. Skaj provided a handout.
Motion Carried. Entered Closed Session at 4:30pm. (5-0)
Motion Milanowski, Strand to return to open session. Motion Carried. Return to open session at
5:45pm.
Review COVID Personnel Policy and area updates: Kavajecz will provide a draft of
questions and policy recommendation regarding to a potential Federal Vaccination Mandate at
the December meeting. The intent is to develop a contingency plan if vaccines are mandated.
Reports
a) Human Resources Report: No questions from the committee.
b) Personnel Financial Report as of October 31, 2021: Abeles-Allison reported that there
are several large retirement payouts.
Meeting adjourned at 5:55pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz