DATE: Friday, February 13, 2009 - Room 213
Members Present: T. Meister, P. Tollaksen, S. Alexander,C. Montgomery, H. Netzinger
Others Present: M. Koehler, M. Krueger, W. Orth, J. Briggs
ORDER OF BUSINESS: The meeting was called to order by T. Meister at 2:00 P.M. and was certified to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Law.
AGENDA: Motion by C. Montgomery, second by P. Tollaksen to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.
MINUTES: Motion by P. Tollaksen, second by S. Alexander, to approve the January 9, 2009, minutes of the regular business meeting as sent. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: B. Manning sent a letter to the Personnel Committee requesting consideration of a change in the sick leave payout policy for non-represented employees upon retirement. The Personnel Committee directed the Personnel Director to notify Ms. Manning no revisions to sick leave payout are currently under consideration for non-represented employees. The Committee recognized Ms. Manning as an exemplary employee, however Public Sector policies cannot be changed on a case by case basis.
County Board Chairperson M. Krueger appeared at the Committee meeting to discuss an item which had not been placed on the agenda. Since the topic was not on the agenda, no discussion took place. The March agenda will include the discussion item of Sauk County Code of Ordinances Chapter 13 relative to Administrative Coordinator personnel file location for reconsideration.
HUMAN SERVICES: Human Services Director, W. Orth, came before the Committee to request approval of the internal promotion of J. Hahn to the recently vacated position of Staff Accountant. Hahn had been placed on the eligibility list during the last recruitment. Orth continued, should the Committee approve the internal promotion, Ms. Hahn's current position of Accounting Assistant would require refilling. The Human Services Business Unit is currently understaffed as the result of elimination of a position, a leave of absence and a resignation. Motion by C. Montgomery, second by P. Tollaksen to approve the internal promotion of J. Hahn to Staff Accountant. Motion carried. Motion by P. Tollaksen, second by S. Alexander, to authorize the recruitment process for Accounting Assistant. Motion carried.
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: A request for out-of-state travel in excess of 300 miles has been submitted by the Sheriff's Department for Lieutenant/Assistant Jail Administrator M. Olsen to attend Jail Administration training in Colorado. The training would take place from March 23 through 26, 2009 with travel days of March 22 and 29. There would be no cost to the County. The National Institute of Corrections will pay all expenses for travel, training and accommodations. Motion by C. Montgomery, second S. Alexander to approve Lt. Olsen's travel. Motion carried.
HEALTH CARE CENTER: HCC Administrator, K. Gochanour is requesting authorization for two (2) Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) project positions. The positions would be used primarily on weekend schedules to help alleviate overtime or the need to call for agency staffing. Motion by C. Montgomery, second by H. Netzinger to authorize two project CNA positions, to be reviewed with the 2010 budget and/or move to the new facility. Motion carried.
HCC Administrator, K. Gochanour is requesting authorization for one (1) project maintenance position. The position is being requested to assist with the increased workload in the Maintenance Department as result of preparing for the closure of the current facility and movement to the new facility in October. Upon moving to the new facility the project positions would be reviewed for need and cost effectiveness. The position could either be eliminated or requested to be made into regular position as part of the 2010 budgeted. Motion by H. Netzinger, second by C. Montgomery to authorize one Maintenance Worker Project position, to be reviewed with the 2010 budget and/or move to the new facility. Motion carried.
Gochanour is requesting approval of two part-time project positions of Registered Nurse (R.N.) Instead of prior request. Two part-time project R.N.s would allow greater flexibility in scheduling and would be primarily used for weekend coverage. Motion by P. Tollaksen, second by S. Alexander to create two part-time project Registered Nurses. Motion carried.
INTERIM COMPENSATION POLICY: M. Koehler explained to the Committee individuals currently receiving out-of-class pay are not eligible for merit increases. Recently extenuating circumstances in two departments have resulted in employees remaining in an out- of- class status for over a year, thereby losing the opportunity to receive a merit increase while taking on additional responsibility. Koehler distributed a draft policy to the Committee for their consideration. Motion by P. Tollaksen, second by H. Netzinger to approve the policy as presented.
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION RATIFYING 2009 -2010 BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN SAUK COUNTY AND SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION (SEIU) DIST. 1199W: M. Koehler provided the Committee with a summary of the negotiated changes to the contract language, percentage increases and changes in benefits. Total package growth over the estimated 2008 costs is 3.71% for 2009, and 4.33, growth in 2010. Koehler reminded the Committee the 2010 percentage increase is an estimate only, based on 15% increase in the health insurance.
ESTABLISHING ESSENTIAL POSITIONS LISTS: Due to the needs of clients and/or the community at large there are some positions within the County which cannot be delayed in filling once a vacancy occurs, for example CNA's (certified nursing assistants) are required to maintain State mandated staffing levels. Prolonged vacancy results in excessive overtime, additional staff burnout and jeopardizes quality of care. Sheriff's Department positions of Jailer, Dispatch and Patrol Deputies are also positions which cannot remain vacant for an extended period of time. Motion by H. Netzinger, second by C. Montgomery to have the Personnel Director establish a list of essential positions in accordance with the Sauk County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 13.31 and to permit the refilling of essential positions prior to a Personnel Committee review. Motion carried.
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE: M. Koehler distributed the activity report for the month, highlighting the following items and dates:
The Personnel Director and Administrative Coordinator have been working with the University of Wisconsin, Baraboo Campus Administration to establish training programs for Department Heads. The trainings would focus on topics mandated for Federal and State compliance, as well as strengthening management skills and are scheduled for March 26 and 31, 2009.
Planning is underway for the 2010 budget process. A date for a joint meeting of Finance and Personnel needs to be established for consideration of 2010 increases, reclassifications and new positions, possibly June 9 or 12. The Joint meeting will need to be held June 12, due to scheduling conflicts.
Highway Mediation is scheduled for February 26, 2009. SCHCC Mediation is scheduled for March 12.
Two grievances have been filed and are slated for the March meeting.
There was over $35,000.00 in savings for the County in 2008 on unemployment charges in 2008, as a result of the Personnel Department challenging unwarranted unemployment benefits.
Motion by P. Tollaksen, second by C. Montgomery, to accept the Departmental Update as presented and to approve the bills in the amount of $ 5,591.20. Motion carried.
Motion S. Alexander, second by H. Netzinger to adjourn until 8:15 A.M. Friday, March 13, 2009, for the next regularly scheduled meeting. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted: S. Alexander, Secretary