Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes

Thursday, May 18, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m.  Committee members present were Alderman Toman and Alderman Lampe.  Also present were City Administrator Patrick DeGrave, Fire Chief Brian Satula, Finance Manager RoseAnn Underberg, Street Supervisor Dave Laehn, Personnel Specialist Marie Kreif and Rob Buikema of Davis & Kuelthau.

Item 2.  Review and approve minutes from previous meetings

Alderman Toman made a motion to amend the minutes of March 22nd, item 9c to read “for all hours worked”, to amend the minutes of February 16, item 2 approving “the minutes of January 10, January 23, and January 26” and to approve both as amended, and further to approve the minutes from the meetings of February 16, February 23, March 7, April 3, April 13, April 19 and May 2 as presented.  Alderman Lampe seconded the motion.  All aye; motion carried.

Item 3.  Review and consider tuition reimbursement requests (B. Murphy – Police)

The Committee held this item for the next meeting, pending additional information.

Item 4.  Discuss rescue needs for We Energies

Mitigation funds were set aside in the 2006 budget for specific training and equipment relative to We Energies.  The horizontal tunnel is expected to begin in June.  Chief Satula explained the differences between OSHA and MSHA (Mine Safety Health Act) requirements for this type of rescue project.  He indicated that West Allis is ANSI certified but not MSHA certified.

The city’s historical testimony to the PSC indicated that there would be tunnel related costs incurred by the city for training/equipment and security needs.  Our Fire Department employees began tunnel related training on April 10th and 19 employees have now been trained.  After the initial training, 8 hours of recertification training must be completed each year.  The Committee asked for a total number of hours and dollars spent in overtime on the project so far.

Chief Satula discussed his definition of a “team” versus the first responder group.  Our equipment needs have not been fully identified yet, however what has been identified so far has multiple other uses.

Attorney Buikema informed the committee that the city has a legal obligation to bargain the impact of this issue with the union.  The Personnel Committee expressed its concern and desire not to become the “go to” community that other communities turn to if they should need help with this type of project, or personnel for the tunnel rescue in the future.

West Allis has a contract with MMSD and they are researching whether or not they could respond to a non-MMSD tunnel project if called upon.

The city needs to clarify our obligation under this project.  What the City has done in the past 2-3 months (training conducted) does not obligate us more to the project.

Item 5.  Alderman Lampe made a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes Section 19.85(1)(c) at 10:15 a.m. to:

  1. Discuss Police Department staffing issues (Admin. Support Manager vacancy)
  2. Hear grievance #06-001 regarding acting pay (Local 133)

Item 6.  At 11:20 a.m. Alderman Toman made a motion to reconvene into Open Session to take action on the Executive Session items, seconded by Alderman Lampe.

  1. No discussion took place.  This item is held to the next meeting.
  2. Alderman Lampe made a motion to reaffirm the committee’s action on March 22nd appointing Mike Lampe as temporary Acting Assistant Street Supervisor and clarified that he should be compensated for all hours as well as to direct staff to draft the Committee’s response to the grievance and prepare a PAR form for Mike’s wage increase with an effective date of April 10.  Alderman Toman seconded the motion.  All aye.

Alderman Lampe made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:30 p.m.  Alderman Toman seconded.  Motion carried.