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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-10-1998 Meeting I I I ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ROOM - August 10, 1998. 2:00 P. M. PRESENT: Hons. Larry Sconyers, Mayor; Powell, Vice- Chairman, Beard and Shepard, members; Jim Wall, Attorney; Randy Oliver, Administrator; John Etheridge, HR Director; Clifford Rushton, IT Director; Richard Acree, Asst. Director of Public Works - Facilities Maintenance Division; Lena Bonner, Clerk of Commission and Nancy Morawski, Deputy Clerk of Commission. ABSENT: Hon. H. Brigham, Chairman. Also Present: Sylvia Cooper of The Augusta Chronicle, Stacey Eidson of The Metropolitan Spirit, George Eskola of WJBF Television and Hons. Todd and J. Brigham, Commissioners. A request to approve early retirement for Saralyn D. Rowland under the 1977 Pension Plan, was read. Mr. Beard: I so move. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve recommended modifications to job classification and compensation plan (cost impact this year $51,360; annual impact $176,090 to be budgeted), approve new Compensation Policy and Procedure Manual and approve 1999 pay increases for employees ($400,000 budgeted for 1998), was read. Mr. Oliver: The Personnel Board has finished its work on the appeals and the dollar figure is slightly different from what is listed. It should be $186,377.85 for the year. This changes the classifications for a number of employees and has a new Compensation Policy and Procedure Manual which changes the limits for hiring someone in from 10% of the range to 50% of the range. This is desirable because the midpoint of the range is the benchmark for the job which means that's what the average person makes averaging everyone to do that and we think that flexibility is needed. The final component is that as of 1011 we would do the 1998 pay raises in the amount of 3% and we're proposing that these be 1 1/2% across the board to people who have been here a year as of 7/1 and that the other 1 1/2% be done based on merit like we did before. It worked well and would be reviewed by myself and the EEO Officer. Mr. Beard: As people take on other responsibilities during the year, would they be compensated for those? Mr. Oliver: My suggestion would be in such a case that the department director work with Human Resources to reclassify that position as appropriate. Mr. Todd: I'm concerned about the 50% above midpoint and doing that in a blanket situation versus it coming to the Commission each time and approving it. I understand that there are certain positions which will probably cost more to bring in qualified people but I think we should keep it on a case-by-case basis with the Mayor and Commission deciding whether to do it or not. I Mr. Oliver: That would be fine and we could continue to do it that way. Mr. Beard: I move that we approve this. Mr. Shepard: Second. Motion adopted unanimously. A request to approve an Ordinance to amend the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual for Richmond county, Georgia so as to modify the grievance and appeals process for employees, was read. Mr. Beard: I think our employees should have the right to come before the Commission regarding an appeal if they desire. I don't think the Commission wants to hear everything that comes before the Personnel Board but there may be some cases that a I Commissioner may feel strongly about and if the person gets six votes to bring it before the Commission meeting, then this should be allowed. Mr. Todd: I think that department heads should have an appeal process to the Commission. Mr. Wall: Department heads go straight to the Commission; they do not go through the Personnel Board. Mr. Bridges: I thought when we discussed this before and changed the Ordinance that that option was left open to us and if there were six votes on the Commission to hear a case, that the case could be brought before the full Commission and then we'd vote on whether to uphold or not uphold the Personnel Board. Mr. Wall: No. Mr. J. Brigham: I don't think this is a good idea to have Commissioners circulating letters that hear some grievances and not hear others. I think it should be an all or none policy and I don't have a problem with the department heads. It's not giving justice equally. Mr. Wall: I agree. We have to advise an employee of what I his appeal process is and I don't think you want us to write a process that says the decision of the Personnel Board is final; however, if you can get six Commissioners to hear you, then the I I I appeal would be to the full Commission. We would have a hard time defending that policy. Mr. Shepard: I don't see how you could do that either. Mr. Chairman: Why not let the Mayor make the decision of whether the Board hears it or not? That could be an option. Mr. Beard: I think that this appeal process should rest with the Commission. I was suggesting that it be brought before the Commission and if they feel like they want to hear it, then six votes would get that hearing. If not, then you throw it back out. Mr. Wall: If you want to go back to that process, then you can repeal this Ordinance and that will accomplish that. But please realize that you will hear a request for an appeal at one meeting and then two weeks later, you will hear the actual appeal and I think this will actually lengthen the process. Mr. Chairman: I think we need to have more discussion on this. Mr. Beard: I agree and I move that we postpone any action on this until the next Administrative Services Committee meeting. Mr. Shepard: I agree with both of you and I second it. Motion adopted unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Lena J. Bonner Clerk of Commission NWM