Personnel Committee

November 30, 2005 - 8:00 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Members:                   Kay Breed, Chairperson; Marilyn Brown, Mike McKee, Carol Tytler, Tom Williams

Others Present:          Scott Steve, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, Katrina Spicer, Annette Barber, Lee Price, Robert Duell, Bob Howe, Jane Goldner, Carolyn Kennedy, John Bardsley, County Attorney, Patrick Ruppe  

Absent:                        Scott Elston, Steve Dafoe (excused),

 Ms. Breed called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.

 Ms. Brown moved adoption of the minutes of the November 9, 2005 meeting; seconded by Mr. McKee. 

All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 Personnel/Civil Service

 

1.         Revise Health Insurance Rates for the Cortland County Employees’ Health Benefits Program – Ms. Brown moved adoption; second by Ms. Tytler.  Ms. Breed opened the meeting for discussion.  The committee discussed the fact that if rates are not increased this year then next year the increase will be twice as much.  Chairman Steve that the increase would be more if the change to RMSCO had not been made.  Ms. Breed opened discussion as to trying to keep employees healthier. Mr. Schrader informed the committee that he has discussed this and is currently working on ways to try to educate employees regarding health and health care.  The multi month prescription plan was discussed.  Mr. Schrader discussed manners in which employees and retirees will be informed of this plan.  Ms. Breed expressed to the committee that she had planned on bringing a resolution to this meeting regarding the elimination of Health Insurance for County Legislatures.  She expressed her reasons for this and stated that she does not feel it is fair to use the taxpayers money in this manner.  Ms. Brown, Mr. McKee, Ms. Tytler and Mr. Williams voted in favor; Ms. Breed was opposed; resolution adopted.

  2.      Adopting Management/ Management Compensation Employment Policy, Rescind Resolution No. 557-87 – Ms. Brown moved adoption; second by Ms. Tytler.  Ms. Brown asked that if the multiple questions from the different departments concerning the Cortland County, Employment Policy Manual have been addressed in this revised copy.  Ms. Brown further stated that she does not want to rush this document through without thoroughly looking at it first.  She added that she does not want to rush this but she is still highly concerned with the fact that management needs a raise.  Ms. Breed agreed.  Chairman Steve stated that part of the Management Comp plan is that a raise be continuum.  He also stated that the Graded Salary Schedule has not been reviewed the department heads and they should be given the opportunity to do so.  Ms. Breed wanted to thank everyone for their input.  Chairman Steve expressed the need for Department Head input on this.  Mr. Williams discussed the process in which the Cortland County, Employment Policy Manual was distributed to Department Heads.  Mr. Schrader further expanded on response mechanism that was given to Department Heads and the incorrect utilization of that mechanism.  Ms. Breed expressed that Department Heads are free to speak with Legislators.  Ms. Brown questioned who drafted the manual.  Mr. Schrader stated that he did with input from Ms. Barber.  The committee discussed the drafting of the manual and its distribution.  Mr. Schrader stated that manual is new, it was not based on the old one.  Ms. Tytler stated that this is a challenging document and that the committee should ask for input.  She further discussed the strategy of obtaining that input.  The feedback from Department Heads on the document that was made available to them was discussed.  Ms. Barber discussed changes that were made to the document after the November 18, 2005 Management Comp meeting.  Committee members discussed grievance procedures.  Mr. Williams addressed his concerns surrounding input from Management Comp.  The process of which input was gathered and shared was discussed.  Ms. Breed stated that the document is not ready for approval, she understands the urgency of needing a new policy but does not want to just push it through.  She suggested that a meeting be set with any who wish to attend regarding the new policy to discuss their issues relating to it.  Then she would like to bring the surviving issues to a Management Comp meeting.  The committee discussed the possibility of resolving the issues and bringing it to the floor at the December 8, 2005, Session.  Chairman Steve discussed resolving the pay increase for 2005.  A timeline was discussed relating to resolving the Management Comp issues prior to the next Session.  A meeting will be scheduled for Department Heads and all others who wish to attend for Friday, December 2, 2005.  A meeting for Management Comp and Personnel Committee will be scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, 2005 to resolve any issues resulting from the meeting with Department Heads.  An e-mail will be sent out with a copy of the newly revised Management Comp Manual.  Ms. Tytler requested that the revised copy be marked with Draft. 

DISCUSSION/ PRESENTATIONS:

1.                  Unemployment Report – Ms. Barber provided the committee with a confidential Third Quarter Unemployment Report.  The committee discussed the report.

  2.                  Management Evaluations – Committee members were provided with three different sample evaluations to review.  Mr. Schrader stated that the issue was to evaluate management personnel.  The committee also discussed the relationship the evaluations to the current development of Management Comp Plan.  Mr. Schrader stated that this issue was raised due to the reappointment, which was brought up in the Health Committee.  The differing sample evaluations were discussed.  Ms. Tytler stated that she believes that the evaluation process is a dynamic process and should include the input of the employee.  Mr. Schrader agreed with Ms. Tytler.  The development of a standard form for all employees was discussed.  The evaluation of Department Heads being done by the County Administrator was discussed.  The results of improper use of the form were discussed.  The committee discussed elimination of favoritism.  The following evaluation procedure for department heads was discussed:  Once the County Administrator completes the evaluation, that evaluation should be forwarded to the jurisdictional committee for their review; if for some reason the Committee disagrees or questions the evaluation, then they will be able to question the County Administrator.  The need of having a separate review form for Department Heads was discussed. 

 Ms. Brown made a motion to move the committee into Executive Session to further the evaluations of management, seconded by Ms. Tytler. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion carried.   The committee went into Executive Session at 9:45 a.m.

 

The committee came out of Executive Session at 9:55 a.m.  Nothing was reported from Executive Session.

 

3.         Ethics Policy – Mr. Schrader discussed the attachments to his e-mail (Financial Disclosure Form and Applicable Required Filers).  Mr. Bardsley distributed Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement with attachments Local Law No. 5 of 1984 and GML §§800-803 .  He added that this is a simplified version.  The committee discussed the fact that if the municipality reaches a certain population level that municipality is mandated to use the state form.  The committee further discussed the fact that Cortland County is closely approaching that population level.           

 Ms. Brown made a motion to adjourn the meeting, second by Ms. Tytler.   

 The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.