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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2001 Minutes THE MINUTES OF THE OCOEE PERSONNEL BOARD MEETING HELD OCTOBER 23, 2001 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Resnik called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. in the Commission Chambers Conference Room, called the roll and declared a quorum to be present. PRESENT: Chairman Resnik, Members Debbie Bertling, Jean Grafton, Betty Hager, and Commissioner Howell. Also present were Human Resources Director Psaledakis and Deputy City Clerk Green. ABSENT: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PERSONNEL BOARD MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 24, 1998. Member Bertling, seconded by Member Hager, moved to approve the Minutes as presented. Motion carried 5-0. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION REGARDING PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS Human Resources Director Psaledakis said changes are proposed in four sections of the Rules and Regulations. As referred to below, additions are underlined and deletions are struckthrough. She explained the changes and members commented as noted. Section 8 - Holidays 8.02 Eligibility for Holiday Pay (I). Employees must complete their initial one year probationary period in order to qualify for the Personal Days (Floating Holidays). Ms. Psaledakis explained this section had been added because there had been a serious problem with employees who had been employed only three or four weeks taking two days off right away. Members had no problem with this change. Ms. Psaledakis pointed out that it was necessary for the Firefighters Union to review any proposed changes and to provide input before the changes are presented to the City Commission. She said that had been done by the Union president, and they are okay with all the proposed changes. Personnel Board October 23, 2001 Section 9 - Personal Leave 9.02 - Use of Leave (E) Employees who become sick on vacation leave may shall use sick leave for such period of illness but must present a doctor's certificate. Ms. Psaledakis said this change was necessary in order to be consistent with the Family Medical Leave Act, which is a federal policy. (H) Delete (hours for vacation) so it will be consistent with 9.06 (B). 9.04 - Request for Personal Leave-Vacation (D) Personal Leave time taken as vacation must not be taken in more than a two (2) week (80 hour) block or five (5) shifts for Fire Department employees on a Section 7(k) schedule, without prior approval from the City Manager. Ms. Psaledakis said this section was added because of the changes in 9.06 (B). 9.06 - Accrual of Leave (B) - Employees must take a minimum number of hours personal leave (vacation) each fiscal year based on years of service or the required number of hours will be automatically deducted from the employee's personal leave bank on September 30. (D) -- . . . . . - . . . . •. - ••• - _ . : •pemenal-leave-acemal.l Ms. Psaledakis explained that this section was deleted because there had been abuses of this provision in the past. Commissioner Howell commented that he had been against removing this provision when it had been discussed in the budget process. 9.09 - Personal Leave Due to Sickness/Injury (E) - Sick leave is a privilege and as stated above is not to be abused. Members agreed with these changes, except for Commissioner Howell who noted his objection to removing the two day bonus. Section 12 - Pay Plan & Starting Rates 12.09 - Pay Upon Permanent Transfer Low 2 Personnel Board fikw October 23,2001 (D) When an employee is permanently transferred to a job classification in a different pay grade, a transfer into a job in a lower pay grade shall be treated as if it were a demotion under Section 12.07, whether voluntary or involuntary, except as provided in Section 12.09 (C). (for physical reasons) Members had no objection to this change. Section 13 -Miscellaneous Policies and Benefits 13.01 - Smoking Policy (B) (1) No person may smoke or use any tobacco products (chew, snuff, etc.) in any City of Ocoee building or facility or vehicle. (2) Smoking-is Tobacco products are permitted outdoors except. . . (3) The City Manager shall be responsible for ensuring City-wide implementation . . . (4) Violation of this policy shall subject the employee to disciplinary action up to and including termination. (5) Citizens, clients, contractors and visitors to City facilities shall be expected to comply with this policy. Violators shall be requested to extinguish their smoking material and remove other tobacco products or to leave the building . . L 13.05 - Group Medical, Dental/Vision, Life Insurance (A) The City provides group medical, dental, vision and life insurance protection for its employees who are classified as full time. All benefits provided, coverages, and employee premium contributions are determined during each annual budget. Ms. Psaledakis explained this change was needed to allow for changes in premiums and budgetary constraints. (B) These forms of insurance are available for the dependents of eligible employees but they must pay all or a portion of the premium for dependent coverage through payroll deductions, which shall be determined during each annual budget. However, all employees hired on or after 10/1/01 shall be responsible for 100% of the premium for dependent coverage on all insurances. Chairman Resnik said he did not agree with the City paying no portion of dependent coverage. Member Bertling explained that employees are currently paying 100% of dependent coverage on all except health. At this time they are paying 25% of the cost of health 3 Personnel Board October 23, 2001 insurance dependent coverage. During the budget process, the City Commission said they want to increase that percentage over the next several years for existing employees. Chairman Resnik asked if the City could not afford to pay the premiums for dependent coverage and Ms. Psaledakis said the premiums are skyrocketing. Chairman Resnik asked that the record show that the Chairman does not agree with that (requiring employees to pay full cost for dependent health insurance coverage). Member Bertling said in a survey of other cities, they found that Ocoee is the only City requiring employees to pay that small a percentage. Other cities require employees to pay a greater portion, if not all, of dependent coverage. Ms. Psaledakis said information about the proposed changes would be distributed to employees and they could give input to City Commission in the public hearing for the ordinance. She said these changes are recommended by the City Manager and the HR Department. Commissioner Howell said he also had not agreed with requiring employees to pay the full portion of dependent coverage, but realizes tax payers can not be asked to pay ever increasing premiums. Member Bertling, seconded by Commissioner Howell, moved that the Personnel Board recommend approval of the changes as proposed. Motion carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Attest: kanA.42_,%/L. cinsak I Marian Green, Deputy City Clerk John Resnik, C a ""a V 4