Personnel Committee
October 12, 2006 - 9:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Larry Cornell, Chairman; Mike, McKee, Vice Chairman; Sandy Price, Don Spaulding, John Troy and Tom Williams
Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Richard C. Van Donsel, County Attorney; Annette Barber, Personnel Director; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; and Corey Preston, Cortland Standard
Absent: Steve Dafoe
Mr. Cornell called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Troy made the motion to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2006
meeting; seconded by Mr. Spaulding. Mr.
Williams requested that the phrase “Committee members discussed that this
is not the time and place to review this budget or other departmental budgets”
be amended. He discussed that the
phrase seemed too harsh. All members voting in favor, minutes approved as amended.
Mr. Troy made the motion to
approve the minutes of the September 19, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr.
Spaulding. All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.
RESOLUTIONS:
Personnel
1.
Approval To Reallocate Salary, Early Intervention Service
Coordinator – pulled from the September 28, 2006 Legislative Agenda –
Mr. Spaulding moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Ms. Barber explained that this position in the CSEA contract
is similar to a like position in the NYSNA contract. She additionally requested that the resolution reflect a
retroactive pay to September 28, 2006, because there was no error made on the
part of the employee. Mr.
Schrader requested that the account information be stricken from the
resolution. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved as amended
to reflect retroactive payment to September 28, 2006.
2.
Approval To Reallocate Salary, Department of Social Services, Staff
Development Coordinator – Mr. Troy
moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Spaulding.
Ms. Price inquired as to the reason for this change.
Ms. Barber discussed the MSD Study and after the study was complete she
received three appeals. She went
on to discuss that this is the only one that she has brought before the
committee. She further discussed
that additional skills are needed for this position and the qualifications
were not correct. All members
present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
Mr. Troy made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel
issues; seconded by Mr. Spaulding. All
members voting in favor; none opposed.
The Personnel Committee went into Executive Session at 9:37 to discuss
Personnel issues.
The Personnel Committee came out of Executive Session at 9:53.
3.
Agreement between the Count of Cortland and the Civil Service Employee’s
4.
Agreement between the Count of Cortland and the Civil Service Employee’s
5.
Extend Agreement for Third Party Administration, Cortland County Health
Insurance – Mr. McKee moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Spaulding. Mr. Schrader explained that he reviewed the contract with the
County’s Third Party Administrator (TPA) and he was incorrect about the
expiration date. He added that
this contract expires on December 31, 2006 and he would request that the
contract be extended one year. Mr.
Cornell inquired about going out for RFP for this.
Ms. Price explained that she has heard complaints regarding the current
TPA. Mr. Schrader explained that
changing TPA’s would be huge administrative burden.
Mr. Schrader discussed some other TPA’s that he has looked at in the
past and problems that relate to them. He
added that he would like to try to have a contract that expires at the end of
the year because it would coincide with the fiscal year.
Mr. Schrader also discussed the implementation of a new TPA and the
time frame as it relates to this. He
also explained that a new TPA would need to be discussed with the Unions.
Mr. Schrader recommends that the County extend its current contract for
one year and finish up the contract negotiations.
He further discussed that RMSCO, the current TPA, is still working with
the County on a plan document. He
added that the County would most likely not beat the price they have with
RMSCO. Mr. Cornell asked if RMSCO
had improved its service. Mr.
Schrader explained that it is improving and added that changing TPA’s is not
going to fix the problems that have existed.
He further discussed some problem areas and the plan document.
Mr. Schrader explained that the difficulties that employees and
dependants have been experiencing have been related to the administration of
the plan document. Ms. Price
inquired about whose responsibility it is to work on this plan document.
Mr. Schrader responded that the document is close to being finished and
that the County and RMSCO must work together to have the best plan document
for employees and dependants. Ms.
Price explained that from what Mr. Cornell and she have heard collectively,
this plan is not working for employees and dependants.
Mr. Schrader explained that Blue Cross/Blue Shield was not
administering the plan that the County had intended for them to administer.
The new TPA is attempting to change what had been practiced. He
explained that this had the end result of costing the County more than it
should have. Chairman Brown
inquired about what plan RMSCO is using.
Mr. Cornel inquired about how close the County and RMSCO are to
finalizing the new plan document. Mr.
Schrader explained that RMSCO and the County are very close to finalizing the
plan document and anticipate on presenting it at the next Personnel Committee
meeting. He further discussed
that Blue Cross/Blue Shield still has $80,000 of the County’s money because
they keep accepting claims and further discussed that the claim policy is
being changed limiting acceptance of claims to one year after the date of
service. Mr. Schrader explained
that Blue Cross/Blue Shield was not paying attention to business.
Mr. Williams inquired about an extension on the current contract.
Mr. Schrader explained that RMSCO will work with the County and has
stated that they will honor a one-year extension and the County was not paying
attention to Blue Cross/Blue Shield five years ago.
Mr. Williams inquired about the plan document and how old it was;
thirty years? Mr. Schrader agreed that it is approximately thirty years.
Ms. Price expressed that she felt RMSCO was irresponsible to not have
implemented a plan document earlier. Mr.
Schrader explained that it is not just the fault of RMSCO; it is also our
fault in addition. He discussed that it takes time to create a plan document and
to administer a better plan document. Ms.
Price expressed that by changing TPA’s there was to be no change in employee’s
benefits. Mr. Schrader explained
that the plan document that RMSCO is using is the same plan document that Blue
Cross/Blue Shield was supposed to be administering. Mr. Schrader explained that complaints that have been
received have been related to the plan document.
He went on to discuss that for example an MRI must be deemed a medical
necessity, and that is being looked at. He
further discussed that Blue Cross/Blue Shield was not administering the County’s
plan correctly. He stated that he
is working with RMSCO in areas of medical necessity, MRI, Physical Therapy,
Inpatient Substance Abuse, Colonoscopy, etc. He indicated that once a plan is completed, as changes are
needed, he will ask for an amendment. Chairman
Brown discussed her personal experience in regards to having an MRI.
Mr. Schrader explained that this has been resolved and added that at
the time of the current plan document being designed, MRI’s were viewed
differently. Ms. Price explained
that she does not feel good about this. Mr.
Cornel expressed that the Committee should anticipate a new plan on the agenda
for next month. Mr. McKee
inquired about whom is involved in the plan creation.
Mr. Schrader explained that it is the County’s plan not the insurance
company’s plan. Chairman Brown
inquired about whom is the County’s medical representative involved in the
creation of the plan. Mr.
Schrader explained that the County works with Benefit Consulting Group who is
a company that has their finger on the pulse of the medical industry and knows
where the medical industry is headed. He
further explained that the County could go to them and ask then to price
things out for the County. He
also explained that the county has an Appeals Committee made up of the
Chairman of the Legislature, County Attorney, Medical Director, Personnel
Office and himself. He discussed that they meet as needed and they have sat down
and discussed the plan document. Mr.
Schrader explained that in the past insurance policies were not paid attention
to due to the fact they required a commitment of time and that commitment of
time was just not there. Mr. Troy
inquired if the County passes a new plan document, would it need to go back to
the labor unions for their approval. Mr.
Schrader explained that it would not because no benefits will be taken away
and he does not foresee this being an issue.
He explained that unions have the tools to appeal any plan.
Mr. Schrader does not believe that the unions would be disappointed
with the changes. Mr. McKee,
Mr. Spaulding, Mr. Troy and Mr. Williams voted in favor; Mr. Cornell and Ms.
Price were opposed; resolution approved
Legislature
6. Adoption of Rules of Order – Pulled from the September 28, 2006 Legislative Agenda – Mr. Cornell pulled this resolution and requested that it be sent back to the Subcommittee for further review. No action was taken on this resolution at this time.
DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
1. Personnel: Vacancy Report – Ms. Barber had provided a Vacancy Report to all Committee members. Ms. Barber briefly discussed the report.
Mr. Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr. Cornell adjourned the meeting at 10:21 am.