PERSONNEL
APPEALS BOARD
THURSDAY,
JANUARY 15, 2009
6:00
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL. Mr. Wagner called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M., with Mr. Wagner, Ms Dunn, and Ms England present. No members were absent. Others present were Tim Hansley, Linda Fersch, and Lynda Yartin.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF October 30, 2008, Regular Meeting. Ms Dunn moved to approve; Ms England seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Ms England, Mr. Wagner, and Ms Dunn voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
3. EMPLOYEE/COMMUNITY
COMMENTS. None.
4. PERSONNEL DIRECTOR’S REPORT.
5. PERSONNEL ACTION – Update. Mrs. Fersch interviews were conducted for the Utility Billing Clerk I position and then the position was put on hold due to the possibility of the income tax department being outsourced. She stated in order to preserve jobs, should that occur, one of the employees from income tax would be absorbed into this position. She stated that decision is currently tabled at Council. Mr. Hansley stated Council has requested staff provide them with figures on what it would cost to add some of the changes to our system that would be similar to what RITA can provide, specifically on-line filing. He stated this most probably will not be resolved for two months or more. Mr. Wagner clarified the candidates interviewed were contacted and the situation was explained to them.
6. ELIGIBILITY LISTS:
A. Dispatcher Eligibility List – Update. Mrs. Fersch stated we have hired two individuals from the public safety dispatcher certified eligibility list, and we are looking to hire one part-time position. Mrs. Fersch stated this list will expire in the spring so we will need to do a new testing in June.
7. OTHER
BUSINESS:
A. Briefing on changes to the Administrative Code. Mrs. Fersch stated the Rules Committee of Council did a complete review of the Administrative Code and forwarded recommendations for amendments that were adopted by Council. She stated one of these amendments was to incorporate the duties of the Tax Appeals Board into the Personnel Appeals Board. Mrs. Fersch stated the Tax Appeals Board is responsible for hearing appeals by residents regarding the decisions of our income tax administrator. Mr. Hansley stated the Tax Appeals Board duties do not require you to be an expert in taxes, but is to hear the case and make a determination. Mr. Hansley stated a Tax Appeals Board hearing is fairly rare and may occur only once or twice a year. Mrs. Fersch stated she would distribute information on the Tax Appeals process to the members. Mr. Hansley stated when a hearing is necessary, you could hear the case and take it under advisement while you contact appropriate staff members before making a determination.
Mr. Hansley stated as part of that review the Rules Committee also looked at the City’s Charter. He stated by Charter, the main assignment of the Personnel Appeals Board was to be an appeals board. He continued that before the City had a full time human resource position, this Board was made a quasi-civil service commission. Mr. Hansley stated the way it stands right now, you have more power by ordinance than you do by Charter, and the Administrative Code is an ordinance. He stated during the amendment of the Administrative Code a lot of the duties you had before were transferred to the HR Director and the City Manager. He stated under the new Code you will be advisory to the HR Director and the City Manager as opposed to making the final decision on the listing, the testing, and all of that. Mr. Hansley stated that will be handled at staff level and your official duty will be to hear appeals. Ms England stated she felt this made much more sense than how it has been in the past. Mr. Hansley summarized that the official duties of this Board will be to hear those two different appeals, for employees and for tax payers, and to be advisory to staff. Mr. Hansley stated staff will still call on their expertise for job descriptions, creating new positions, etc. Mr. Hansley stated he felt the Board would not be required to meet on a regular basis, but would meet as necessary. Ms England stated she felt the title of the Board should be changed to reflect both duties and should be the Personnel/Tax Appeals Board. Mr. Hansley stated that was a good suggestion and he would look into that.
Ms England stated she was filling an unexpired term and she was not quite sure than that term expired. Mrs. Yartin stated Ms England’s term did not expire until February 2010; however, Mr. Wagner’s term did expire in May of this year. Mr. Wagner stated with the new duties of this board he would like to be reappointed for another term. Mrs. Yartin stated she would take that request to the next Rules Committee.
Mr. Hansley stated the next order of business would be the annual organizational meeting to elect the Chairman and Vice Chairman and to determine a meeting schedule. Ms Dunn moved to continue with Mr. Wagner as Chairman and Ms Dunn as Vice Chairman, and to continue the meeting schedule for the Third Thursday of the Month at 6:00 P.M. when necessary; Mr. Wagner seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Ms Dunn, Ms England, and Mr. Wagner voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 3-0.
8. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Wagner moved to adjourn; Ms Dunn seconded the motion. Mr. Wagner, Ms England, and Ms Dunn voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Personnel Appeals Board adjourned at 6:25 P.M., January 15, 2009.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
___________________________
Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk