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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPersonnel Board - Minutes - 03/20/2001PERSONNEL BOARD MINUTES March 20, 2001 12:00 Noon Council Liaison: Ray Martinez, Mayor Staff Liaison: Rick DeLaCastro, Human Resources Director Telephone: 970/221-6845 Board Chair: Chuck Washington Telephone: 970/226-5493 A regular meeting of the Personnel Board was held on Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at the Poudre Fire Authority Training Facility. Board Members Present: Jim Alderden, Gail Shellberg, Valerie Remington, Peter Shoshak, and Chuck Washington City Staff Present: Rick DeLaCastro, Human Resources Director Vincent Pascale, Benefits Administrator Joan Busch, Admin Support Supervisor (Recorder) Other Staff Members Present: Ron Uthmann, Battalion Chief, Poudre Fire Authority Visitor: Dave Hubbard I. Benefits Presentation Rick DeLaCastro, Human Resources Director, introduced Vincent Pascale, Benefits Administrator who gave a presentation that was also given to City employees last October as part of the City Manager's Issues and Answers discussion with employees. This presentation explained the City's medical plans and also benefit trends. Employees were informed that there would be some benefit plan changes in 2001. Vincent explained that last October that employees were also informed that there likely would be some additional changes that would take place in 2002. At the City Manager's request, employees will be notified of any changes by June 2001. Rick followed up the presentation stating that Human Resources is working with the City Manager's office to define possible benefits changes for 2002 based on year end results. Staff is looking at financial solvency (based on reserves) and market competitiveness to make adjustments. Peter Shostak suggested that the Board adopt the position that the City's benefits package is appropriate but generous. The Board agreed. Peter suggested that the City look at ways to contain the premium costs associated with the benefits program. He suggested that in the long run, the package will become unaffordable. He suggested further that nothing be taken away from employees at this time, but that the City should begin to consider an increase in employee's participation in the cost of the plans (cost sharing). Personnel Board Minutes March 20, 2001 Page 2 As well as begin the process of considering a reduction in the number of plans offered. This measure could be achieved by making one plan more "premium" attractive, so employees would look favorable upon moving into that plan. Chuck Washington asked for any further comments regarding Vincent's presentation. Gail Shellberg said he was concerned about a comment an employee made that employees may not seek the medical attention they need (use the plans less) because they would have to pay more. The Board agreed that employees should not have to be concerned regarding their appropriate utilization of the plans offered. The Board further agreed that its position, as summarized by Peter Shoshak, should be entered into the minutes and submitted to the City Manager for his consideration. II. City Budget Preparation Rick distributed a memo from City Manager John Fischbach, addressed to Boards and Commissions members requesting their input on policy or service suggestions for the 2002 and 2003 budgets. Chuck asked about an employee survey and whether there was money in the budget to cover that survey. Valerie Remington asked how costs associated with the survey results would be handled. Peter suggested that timing is everything regarding such surveys. Timed correctly they are a very effective communication device. Timed poorly they can become a tremendous source of frustration within the organization. Chuck finds them to be effective in covering several subjects at the same time. Jim Alderden said that a decision to implement a survey should be left at the department head level. Rick said they can be beneficial or damaging and the validity is based on making sure you are getting the answer to the question as opposed to just a feeling at the time. Rick advised the Board that the City Manager is currently working with a group of managers to identify and document the City's organizational values. As a part of this there may be employee surveys and they may be separate and apart from a budget request. Peter said that there might be a less threatening way to get employee feedback. III. Job Evaluation Process At the last meeting, Rick reported that the Human Resources staff was working with the City Manager's office to develop a job evaluation tool to evaluate jobs. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was drafted and submitted and eight responses were received. A City selection committee reviewed the proposals and the top four respondents were selected to give a presentation to the committee on April 6, 2001. Peter asked if it would be helpful to have any of the Board participate. Rick said if any of the Board members wished to sit in on the presentation, they would be more than welcome. The presentations are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Personnel Board Minutes March 20, 2001 Page 3 IV. Skill -Based Pay Rick distributed a draft of the revised Compensation Policies that address skills -based pay. A group of City supervisors and managers formed a committee to develop guidelines for skills -based pay. These guidelines will be included in the City's Compensation Policies and the draft will be going to the Executive Lead Team tomorrow and the City Manager will ask for their feedback. Rick asked the Board to review the draft Compensation Policies and if they had any comments to please provide those by next Wednesday, March 28. V. Training Program As part of the 2002/2003-budget request process, Rick was asked by the City Manager's office to put together a proposal for a training program. The proposal calls for approval of 1 FTE for a Training Coordinator and an additional FTE in 2003. Rick distributed a copy of this proposal. VI. Minutes/Agenda The minutes from the January 16, 2001 meeting were approved as written. VII. Other Rick distributed copies of the updated Boards and Commissions Manual, Boards and Commissions Annual Reports and Work Plans, and revised City Personnel Policies and Procedures. VIII. Adjourned There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m.