HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Committee - Minutes - 7/28/2022Minutes of the
Bayfield County Personnel Committee Meeting
5:00 PM, July 28, 2022
Meeting was Held Remotely through Microsoft Teams
and In Person in the Bayfield County Board Room
Members Present: Fred Strand, Marty Milanowski, Brett Rondeau
Members Excused: Dennis Pocernich, Mary Dougherty
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison County Administrator, Kristine Kavajecz-Human
Resources Director, Zak Radzak-Teamster Health Fund, Robert Doblar-Teamster Health Fund,
Martin Skaj, Lori Skaj, Michael Moore, Dalton Collins, Sheree Collins, David Kontny
Meeting called to order at 5:00pm by Chairman Rondeau
Motion Strand, Milanowski to approve minutes of the July 7, 2022 Personnel Committee
meeting. Motion Carried (3-0)
Public Comment: Dalton Collins asked if employees will be allowed to speak during the
Teamster Health discussion.
Lori Skaj expressed concern with any proposed change to the current health plan and HRA
offered to Teamster employees. Also expressed that she feels this is retaliation for giving the
Highway Department staff a raise earlier this year. As a healthcare worker, she expressed
concern with a limit on the providers that could be accessed and the difficulty of getting a
referral when needed.
Sheree Collins shared that she has worked the last 2 summers for the Highway Department. The
Department was recognized as Department of the Year for 2022. Thank You. Would like to see
the county retain the Teamster Health Plan. Asked why the county would consider switching
when all of the employees are happy with the current plan.
Presentation, Teamsters Health Insurance: Abeles-Allison displayed the health plan coverage
comparison that was presented at the last meeting. He reported that following the previous
meeting, the Teamsters requested to make a presentation.
Teamster representative Dalton Collins provided a packet of information including a petition
from staff requesting to retain the Teamster Health Plan. The packet also contained a photo of
the department with recognition as Department of the Year and Snowplow Awareness and
Operator Appreciation Resolution. Union members pay a $45 union membership fee per month
for union representation. Collins reviewed the costs of the current plans. Disability and Dental
insurances would be additional costs under the State Plan. Death and Dismemberment is
included in the Teamster plan. Collins stated that if the HRA is taken away, employees would
go broke. HRA is used to pay for deductibles, co-insurances, co-pays, dental, vision costs.
Without the HRA, employees would have to pay those costs.
Teamster Representative Martin Skaj brought up the question of the cost for the plans that
include Mayo Clinic coverage, which is currently included in the Teamster Health Plan
coverage. Skaj reiterated what Collins stated. Suggested that the county could consider putting
all county employees on the Teamster Health Plan.
Robert Doblar with Teamster Health Plan explained that the Teamsters pay a composite
premium (one flat premium for every employee regardless of singe/family status). The group
could explore a single/family option vs a composite premium. Mayo would be out of network,
which is a concern for members. There is no out of network coverage with the state plan.
Children out of state would not have out of network coverage. HRA currently offsets the out of
pocket costs that the employees experience with the Teamster Health Plan.
Radzak expressed that the members are very passionate about retaining the Teamster Health Plan
and HRA. He stated that several employees will leave employment if the insurance changes.
Currently there are 3 single employees that would save on premiums with the state plan. For the
others, there would be an additional premium equivalent to approximately 30 cents per hour.
Lori Skaj expressed that referrals are typically not approved if another provider is available in
the network.
Reports
a) Human Resources Report: Motion Milanowski, Strand to receive the Human
Resources report and place on file. Motion Carried (3-0)
Motion Milanowski, Strand to enter into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)
(c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any
public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility
and (e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public
funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining
reasons require a closed session. Discussion and Possible action Regarding: Approval of July 7,
2022 Closed Session Minutes, Strategy Regarding Union Negotiations, and WPPA Union
Negotiations. Motion Carried (3-0) Entered closed session at 5:49 pm.
Motion Milanowski, Strand to return to open session at 6:30pm
Explanation of the Social Worker Tech position. This position to be placed on the next agenda
for formal approval. Consensus is support for the position.
Meeting adjourned at 6:35pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristine Kavajecz