HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Board - Minutes - 01/15/2002PERSONNEL BOARD MINUTES
January 15, 2002
12:00 p.m.
215 North Mason
Training Room
Council Liaison: Ray Martinez, Mayor
Staff Liaison: Rick DeLaCastro, Human Resources Director
Board Chair: Chuck Washington
Board Members Present: Jim Alderden, Gail Shellberg, Valerie Remington, Peter
Shostak, and Chuck Washington
City Staff Present: Rick DeLaCastro, Human Resources Director
Joan Busch, Admin Support Supervisor (Recorder)
Poudre Fire Authority Staff: Ron Uthmann, Division Chief
I. Call to Order
Chair Chuck Washington called the meeting to order at 12 p.m.
II. Minutes/Agenda
Minutes from the October 9, 2001 meeting were reviewed. Joan Busch brought to the
Board's attention a correction to the spelling of Peter Shostak's name. Gail Shellberg
moved and Valerie Remington seconded that the minutes be approved as corrected.
Motion was approved unanimously (5-0)
I1I. Previous Meeting Comments
Peter Shostak commented that in reference to the last meeting and the City's structure
adjustments to its pay plan, he found it amazing that there appears to be a large
percentage of employees who are at the maximum of their pay range. Rick DeLaCastro,
Human Resources Director advised that City Council asked the same question and he
answered that its based on the turnover rate. Fort Collins is the lowest of other cities
along the Front Range. This is good in terms of the stability of the City's workforce,
however, this also means it is a more expensive workforce. Peter commented that if
inflation drives the labor market and it goes down, then employees who are at the
maximum may not get increases.
Ron Uthmann noted that Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) is a destination department for
firefighters because of the organization and quality of life. This also helps keep turnover
low.
Personnel Board Minutes
January 15,2002
Page 2 of 3
IV. 2001 Annual Report
Rick advised the Board that the 2001 Annual Report is due to the City Clerk's Office by
January 31. Rick distributed copies of the 2000 Annual Report for reference and asked
for any changes. Chuck commented in 2001 there were no employee appeals. Gail
suggested adding the dialog with the City Manager. Valerie said that the Board reviewed
the City's Compensation and Benefits Plans and the presentations were very timely. Rick
said he would make these revisions and forward to the Board for their review and
submittal to the City Clerk's Office.
V. Election of Chair/Vice Chair
Chuck announced that this would be his last meeting as Chair and that the Board needs to
select the Chair and Vice Chair for 2002. After discussion, Chuck nominated Valerie for
Chair and Peter for Vice Chair. Gail seconded the nomination. Motion passed
unanimously (5-0).
VI. Job Evaluation Process
Rick advised the Board that he received a draft of the job evaluation plan developed by
our consultant, Public Sector Inc. The plan uses a point system and compares the points to
market value dollars. The next step is to meet with the City Manager and review this plan
before rolling it out to the organization. The consultant will determine factors that will
tie the non-benchmarked jobs to the benchmarked jobs. Then how to make the
appropriate adjustments will need to be decided by the City Manager. More information
should be available at the March meeting. Rick estimated that by May 2002 all City jobs
will be evaluated.
VIL Benefits Update
Rick reported that most of the City's Medical Benefits Plans expire next year. At the City
Manager's direction, any changes to employees' benefits need to be communicated to
employees in June with the changes to occur the following January. In order to meet this
requirement, the Benefits Administrator is requesting Requests for Proposals (RFP) on
administering medical and dental benefits plans. Changes may not occur in the plans, but
in the providers. If any Board member would like to participate in the RFP process,
please let Rick know.
Peter commented that the City shouldn't underestimate the emotional impact to
employees when making changes to providers.
VIII. Human Resources Department Staff Update
Human Resources recently hired Brenda Ehleiter, HRIS/Benefits Analyst. Brenda will be
working with the City's JD Edwards Personnel/Payroll software to extract information
from the system to share with supervisors and also to assist in implementing additional
features of the software.
Personnel Board Minutes
January 15,2002
Page 3 of 3
Doreen Kemp, Training Specialist started working this week. Doreen comes from
Larimer County's Training Program. She will be conducting a training needs analysis in
May or June to determine the City's training requirements. Peter asked if the new staff
could be introduced to the Board.
H.R. Intern, Mary Tye is a CSU graduate student who will be working on the City's
testing programs to assess current practices.
IX. Employee Survey
The City Manager has requested that an employee survey be conducted. Rick is working
with the City Manager to define the scope of the survey. Peter commented that the
organization needs to be prepared to address the concerns included in the survey and to
fix any problems. Chuck advised that the hard part is handling the data after it's gathered
and timing and preparation is critical.
X. Announcements
• Rick announced that the Human Resources Department is holding its annual Job Fair
on January 24. The Board is invited to attend.
• Mike Powers, Executive Director of Cultural, Library and Recreational Services will
be retiring in April. Human Resources staff is currently working on the recruitment.
Deadline for applications is January 25. Rick said that the Board members are invited
to participate on a selection committee if interested.
• Chuck announced that he responded to a recent article in the Coloradoan newspaper
that indicated the City's employees were paid too low. He provided a copy of his
response to the Board.
• Chuck advised the Board that he will be retiring and because of traveling will miss
the next two meetings. He is submitting his resignation now to allow City Council to
appoint his replacement so the Board will not be short a member for the next
meetings. Peter expressed his gratitude to Chuck for his services to the Board. Other
members agreed. Ron Uthmann expressed his thanks on behalf of the Poudre Fire
Authority.
• Gail Shellberg excused himself from the remaining portion of the meeting.
XI. Adjourn
Valerie Remington moved that the meeting be adjourned. Peter Shostak seconded. The
motion was approved unanimously (4-0). Meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
Approved:_"` 4� L� >C>ltwr1j
Valerie Remington, Chair