Personnel Committee
November 9, 2005 - 8:00 am
APPROVED MINUTES
Members: Kay Breed, Chairperson; Scott Elston, Vice Chairperson; Marilyn Brown, Mike McKee, Carol Tytler, Tom Williams
Others Present: Scott Steve, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, Katrina Spicer, Annette Barber, Rob Corpora, Elizabeth Larkin, Eric Mulvihill, William H. Allen, Jr.
Absent: Steve Dafoe
Mr. Elston called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.
Prior to calling the meeting to order, Mr. Allen had set up a video camera to record the meeting.
Ms. Brown moved adoption of the minutes of the October 12, 2005 meeting; seconded by Mr. McKee.
All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.
Ms. Breed entered the meeting.
RESOLUTIONS:
Personnel/Civil Service
1. Revise Self Insurance Rates for the Cortland County Employees Health Benefits Program Mr. Williams moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Brown. Ms. Brown asked if these rates are the same as CSEA. Mr. Schrader stated that they are based the amounts needed to pay claims. Health Insurance claims for Individuals have increased. Individuals have increased 23% and Family have increased 14%. Chairman Steve raised a question regarding how this can be changed without a new budget having been adopted. Mr. Schrader stated that these resolutions will be in the same session. Mr. Schrader stated that need for this being done now so that adequate notice can be given to employees. Chairman Steve stated that he has asked Benefit Consulting Group to provide him with written estimates. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2. Amend Flexible Spending Plan Ms. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler. Ms. Breed questioned the impact this will have on the county. Mr. Schrader stated that it will save the county money and will save employees money on FICA. This has been amended to implement the IRS regulations. Ms. Tytler asked that a new copy should be distributed to employees. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
3. Authorize Agreement EBS Benefit Solutions (Medicaid Part D Attestation) Mr. Elston moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee. The best interest of the county was discussed. Medicare prescription drug plan was discussed. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
4. Adopting Management/ Management Compensation Employment Policy, Rescind Resolution No. 557-87 Ms. Brown questioned the significant differences. Mr. Schrader discussed the Management Compensation Policy and that it provides consistency and policy. Mr. Schrader asked the committee how they would like to handle this. Ms. Breed expressed that she would like to investigate it further. The tabling of this to be discussed before a special committee composed of the Budget & Finance Committee and the Personnel Committee. The discussion of scheduling a special meeting to discuss this further will be scheduled for November 15, 2005, directly following the Public Hearing. Further information is needed to discuss the impact of this on the budget. This Management Compensation Plan being comparable to the CSEA was briefly discussed.
5. Authorize Agreement Systemed for Prescription Drug Program Administration Mr. McKee moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler. The history of changing from Blue Cross/Blue Shield to RMSCO was briefly discussed. Mr. Schrader distributed PBM Financial Comparison report. He pointed out that there are two components to discuss, the first being administrative fees and the second being prescription filling fees. The committee discussed the fee comparison of fixed and variable costs. The report Mr. Schrader distributed was discussed. Chairman Steve discussed the differences between Systemed and PharmaCare. The different plans on the comparison report were discussed. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
County Clerk
6. Authorize County Clerk to Appoint Deputy Records Management Officer (Tabled from October 12th meeting) Mr. Elston moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Brown. Ms. Breed stated that there has been no authorization from the County Attorney to do this. Mr. Elston withdrew his motion.
Information Technology
7.
Authorize Agreement, Information Technology, (PAETEC Communications, Inc.)
Ms. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
Mr. Schrader stated that currently we are using PAETEC.
This agreement will save us $600 a month and will receive additional
features. The start date was
requested to be included in the resolution.
The cost breakdown includes local calls, local long distance calls and
long distance calls. The 2006
Budget reflects the old rate. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
8.
Authorize Agreement, Information Technology, (Folder/Sealer Machine)
Ms. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
The idea of this being below state contract pricing and saving the county
man-hours was discussed. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted
DISCUSSION/ PRESENTATIONS:
1. Report by Sub-committee on Ethics Law A draft report was provided for the committee. The fact that this report was only a draft was discussed. Ms. Brown suggested that this draft be taken by members of the committee and reviewed. Chairman Steve discussed adopting this prior to new legislature. He commented on the work done by the Ethics Sub-committee and discussed items in the report.
Mr. Allen requested to be heard. Ms Breed stated that she was not allowing him privilege of the floor. Mr. Allen objected and provided Ms. Breed with copies of a complaint regarding the September 22, 2005 Legislature Meeting. Copies were distributed to committee members.
Mr. Elston expressed that he would like to have this document, referring to the Report by the Sub-committee on Ethics Law, reviewed by Mr. Bardsley, County Attorney, regarding legality.
Mr. Allen interrupted. Mr. Elston stated that he objected to the interruption and Ms. Breed concurred. Mr. Allen questioned how he could request to be put on the agenda. He was directed to the Clerk of the Legislature.
The committee discussed Financial Statements to be added to the Ethics Law Report. The committee will recommend input from the County Attorney regarding this.
Mr. Allen stated that he was leaving the room and asked that his camera be left there and not be disturbed. Mr. Williams made a motion to remove the camera. The camera being left in the room was briefly discussed.
2. Vacancy Report Annette Barber, Personnel/Civil Service Ms. Barber provided the committee members with a Vacancy Report for their review. The eleven open positions in Nursing were discussed. Ms. Tytler brought up the Nursing Contract and the idea that the current one may have been too long. Mr. Schrader stated that the Nursing Contract needed to be made a priority in January. Ms. Barber expressed her concerns about Nurses.
3. Request from DSS on rehiring of an employee -- Ms. Tytler requested that the committee go into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.
Ms. Breed reported that during Executive Session the committee took action on the request from DSS regarding the rehiring of an employee.
Ms. Brown made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Tytler.
The meeting adjourned at 9:21 a.m.