Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.  Committee members present were Alderman Lampe and Alderman Kopplin.  Also present was Robert Kufrin, RoseAnn Underberg, Wayne St. John, Jerry Hammernik, Tom Bauer, and Marie Pellett.

Item 2.  Review and consider approval of minutes

Alderman Lampe made a motion to approve the minutes of June 26, July 16, July 28, and July 30.  Alderman Kopplin seconded the motion.  All aye; motion carried.

Item 3.  Review and consider tuition reimbursement requests

Alderman Kopplin made a motion to approve three requests from John Edwards and two from Joe Pulvermacher subject to funds availability and to deny the requests of Robert Carter because they were master’s degree courses.  Alderman Lampe seconded the motion.  All aye; motion carried.

Item 4.  Discuss a policy regarding paying for attorney bills for employees

Bob recalled there having been three hearings over the years where an employees has gone either before the Civil Service Commission or before the Police and Fire Commission for some type of appeal issue where there were attorneys present.  There is language in the Municipal Code that addresses the city paying for legal representation for employees.

The committee discussed the need to support employees and yet limit the City’s liability.  The committee asked Bob to get more information about the union’s obligation to provide legal representation for employees and whether or not it is available for these types of situations.  They also asked for more detail on the bill.

Item 5.  Discuss filling Fire Department vacancies

Chief Hammernik explained that the Mayor, Alderman Kopplin as Council President, fire management and the fire union had met and created a staffing pattern (referred to as 4, 3, 4) that would allow the department to achieve the overtime reductions proposed in the 2003 budget process.  This new pattern does not require the staffing on the paramedic unit to drop to 2 persons.  It does still require the shift to a joint dispatch center and the hiring of three fire fighters as provided for in the 2003 budget.  The Chief had told the Council that he would notify them when he was able to implement the changes including the hiring of additional staff.  (Mayor Bolender directed this item to be placed on the August 19 Council agenda.)  This item was discussion only, with no action taken by the Personnel Committee.

Item 6.  The Committee went into Executive Session at approximately 6:35 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes Section 19.85(1)(c) and (e) for:

  1. Discuss candidates for Engineering Technician I
  2. Discuss candidates for Building Inspector

Item 7.  The committee reconvened into Open Session at 6:55 p.m. to take action on any or all Executive Session items.

  1. Wayne provided the committee with an update on the status of the Engineering Technician I position.  No action was taken.
  2. Alderman Lampe made a motion to recommend Anthony Csavoj Jr. as the new Building Inspector with a salary of $47,250.  A council report and salary ordinance will be presented at the August 19th Council meeting for approval.

The Committee again went into Executive Session at 6:58 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes Section 19.85(1)(c) and (e) for:

  1. Bargain with Local 1848

The committee again reconvened into Open Session at 11:00 p.m.

  1. No action was taken.  Another meeting was scheduled for August 28th at 8:00 a.m. to bargain with the Fire Union.

The meeting ended at 11:00 p.m.