Friday, January 24, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. Committee members present were Alderman Kopplin, Alderman Lampe and Alderman Bolender. Also present was Robert Kufrin, Tom Bauer, Jerry Hammernik, Marie Pellett, and Pete Joncas.
Item 1. Roll Call
Item 2. Approval of minutes
Alderman Kopplin made a motion to approve the minutes of December 4 and October 24, 2002. Alderman Lampe seconded the motion. All aye; motion passed.
Item 4. Discussion on health insurance status for 2002
Bob informed the committee that our self-funded health insurance plan has reported good performance to date for 2002.
Item 5. Discussion on Police Officer leave request
Jon Luellen requested a leave of absence while evaluating an employment opportunity with the City of Kenosha. Since the Police Department does not currently have an established eligibility list and with a strongly supported recommendation from the Chief, the Committee approved a 45 day maximum leave. If he returns to the City of Oak Creek, Officer Luellen will retain his original badge number, but his anniversary date will be revised to reflect the leave taken. Alderman Bolender, seconded by Alderman Lampe, made a motion to approve the request with a maximum leave of 45 days. All aye; motion carried.
Item 6. Discussion on Military Leave
The existing Military Leave Policy was established in 1998 and allows individuals to continue the City’s insurance at their own cost after 31 days. If the leave is less than 31 days, the City pays for the insurance. Bob indicated that no grievances were filed when the policy was adopted and there have been opportunities for the unions to bargain language into their contracts, but no action has been taken on the part of the Union.
Employees in the Guard include: two in the Fire Department, one at the Police Department and one in the Street Division.
The Committee discussed contacting Congressman Ryan to request that the State pick up the additional cost of coverage for our zone – the difference between what the government allows in our region and what providers charge.
Alderman Lampe suggested that Steve Gallagher be advised to enroll in TriCare immediately. The Committee discussed the possibility of the City absorbing the additional out of pocket expenses for employees under TriCare so that the total out of pocket expense would be no different than what they are paying now under the City’s health insurance plan; but the union would have to agree to do so.
Alderman Lampe made a motion, seconded by Alderman Kopplin, to indicate that the Personnel Committee will entertain further requests [by reservists] for out of pocket costs [while out on Military Leave], but denied the continuation of insurance at the City’s expense at this time.
Item 7. Discussion on Water Utility benefits
The Committee discussed the general practices of a current City employee transferring employment to the Water Utility, particularly in regard to vacation and retirement benefits.
Item 8. Discussion on Section 125 plan
To ensure that all employees are aware of their opportunity to enroll for health care reimbursement and dependent care reimbursement through the Section 125 plan, department heads will be given a list of all employees in their department each fall during “open enrollment” and ask each employee to sign off on the sheet, thereby confirming that everyone has had the opportunity to enroll.
Alderman Lampe, seconded by Alderman Kopplin, denied the request and further assigned the responsibility to department heads to ensure that each employee has had the opportunity to enroll. All aye; motion carried.
Item 9. Discussion on 2003 non-union salary ordinance
An increase of 2.9% was budgeted for 2003.
The Personnel Committee already agreed to a schedule for the Assistant Fire Chief to match the other Assistant Chief within a set period of time.
Alderman Lampe, seconded by Alderman Bolender, made a motion to increase the non-union salaries by 2.9%. On vote: Alderman Lampe aye, Alderman Bolender aye, Alderman Kopplin no. Motion carried.
Item 10. The Committee entered into Executive Session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes Section 19.85(1)(c) and (e) at 12:49 p.m.
Item 11. The Committee reconvened into Open Session at 1:00 p.m. and took the following actions.
a. The City Clerk and Accountant salaries will be increased per previous discussions, retroactive to the date when the Treasurer resigned. If a referendum passes and a new Treasurer is elected, the salaries will revert back to their previous rates 60 days after the election plus whatever percentage increase the other non-union employees received on January 1st.
b. No discussion.
c. A meeting needs to be scheduled with the Fire Union.
d. No discussion.
e. No discussion.
f. Interviews will be scheduled for next Tuesday.
g. The grievance will be denied based on the late filing date.
h. A salary increase with a 5% separation from the union was recommended.
Alderman Bolender, seconded by Alderman Kopplin, moved to adjourn at approximately 1:03 p.m. All aye; motion carried.