Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, October 9, 2002

The meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m. Committee members present were Alderman Kopplin, Alderman Lampe and Alderman Bolender. Also present was Robert Kufrin, Assistant Fire Chief Krudop, Sue Wojcinski, Police Chief Bauer, Captain Endthoff, Beverly Buretta.

Item 1. Roll Call

Item 2. Consider approval of minutes of August 29 and September 9

Alderman Kopplin moved to approve the minutes of August 29 and September 9. Alderman Bolender seconded. All aye; motion carried.

Item 3. Review and consider tuition reimbursement requests

The Committee recalled specifically asking why Mike Kressuk did not intend to go to MATC for his courses, but his response memo did not specifically address the question.

Firefighters often go to schools that offer alternative learning options (e.g. distance learning) because of their work schedule. AC Krudop added that some instructors are more accommodating than others in regard to attendance.

In response to Alderman Bolender’s question, Bob indicated that he recalled other individuals taking classes through the University of Cincinnati. Over the past 5-8 years we’ve had students going to 6-7 different schools. The Police employees have a propensity to go to a certain set of schools; Fire employees go to another set of schools. Police and Fire employees have been the primary utilizers of tuition reimbursement. Chief Hammernik has supported higher education and he was able to convince the Police and Fire Commission to require higher education for staff members pursuing higher rank positions.

Bob did send a memo to department heads informing them that the Personnel Committee will be requiring each person requesting tuition reimbursement to explain the program they are in and their status on an annual basis.

Alderman Kopplin made a motion to approve the tuition reimbursement request for Michael Kressuk. Alderman Bolender seconded. All aye; motion carried.

Item 4. Consideration of various personnel requests for 2003

Alderman Lampe indicated that a correction needed to be made to the budget spreadsheet handout that was distributed with the agenda, which indicated that the request for additional firefighters was not recommended by the Personnel Committee.

AC Krudop provided additional information to the committee in regard to the Fire Department’s overtime and how it is being reduced.

Alderman Kopplin stated that the spreadsheet also reflected the Committee did not recommend the addition of 4 dispatchers, however at their last meeting they agreed to recommend adding them.

AC Krudop provided additional handouts showing sick leave usage. The Committee compared sick time hours to overtime hours. AC Krudop also presented other factors that impact staffing levels at the Fire Department (increased skills and activity on the scene, transport to different facilities).

The Committee considered new requests submitted by Scott Sikorski, Engineering Technician. The Committee discussed the increase in complexity of jobs, duties becoming more computerized and in some departments, no increase in the number of employees with more work being done.

Alderman Lampe made a motion to deny the request of Scott Sikorski. Alderman Bolender seconded. All aye; motion carried.

The Committee reconsidered the request from the Health Department. The Committee discussed unemployment compensation for part time employees, the impact of the contract with the schools, and the possibility of consolidating services.

Alderman Lampe made a motion to increase the Public Health Nurse salary range to $17.49 - $21.71. Alderman Bolender seconded the motion. All aye; motion carried.

A discussion was held in regard to combining Police and Fire dispatching duties. Tom indicated that the Police Department cannot add Fire dispatching at their current staff levels. Capt. Endthoff explained the department’s need for an additional dispatcher even without the additional responsibility of Fire dispatching. Chief Bauer indicated that they would like the additional dispatcher(s) to be on board in spring.

The SRO Officer was left in as a recommendation. For the new Detective/Sergeant, 75% of their workload would be working on cases; 25% would be supervision, attending meetings that Capt. Endthoff doesn’t have time for, coordinating with other agencies and task forces.

In considering the Detective/Lieutenant position, Alderman Lampe asked if the position could include a requirement of more than 2 years experience with the City of Oak Creek. Bob indicated that such a change would have an impact on other lateral positions and other job descriptions may need to be adjusted.

Alderman Lampe made a motion to recommend the Detective Lieutenant position to Council. Alderman Bolender seconded the motion. All aye; motion carried.

Item 5. Discussion on status of City Treasurer position

Bob explained that the impact of the proposal is a fiscally neutral, cost effective approach. Alderman Lampe had question about the supervisory responsibility over the City Clerk. Bob responded that the City Clerk is under the same direction from the City Administrator as the department heads are insofar as policies and procedures are concerned, particularly in relation to accounting responsibilities. Such direction applies to the whole organization. Bob did not recall there being an issue with direction or control in the past that would necessitate removing such language. Bev indicated that there have already been inquiries into the Treasurer and Account Clerk III positions.

Alderman Lampe made a motion to recommend the City Treasurer’s position with the City Clerk’s position as proposed. Alderman Kopplin seconded the motion. All aye; motion carried.

Item 6. The Committee did not enter Executive Session.

a. Discussion on performance evaluation and salary increase for Street Light Maintenance Electrician

Item 7. The Committee took the following action.

a. Alderman Lampe made a motion to recommend the increase for the Street Light Maintenance Electrician as requested. Alderman Bolender seconded the motion. All aye; motion carried.

b. No discussion took place.

The Committee scheduled the next meeting for Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 a.m.