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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCIV 1983-03-24 Minutes MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ~ MARCH 24, 1983 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY HALL 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 1. CALL TO ORDER ~ The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Ed Szol Chairman David Phelps Vice Chairman George Pederson Bob Roark Others Present: Ron McKinney Civil Serviee Secretary Dick Fisher Councilman Jerry McGlasson Police C~ief Stan Gertz Fire Chief ~ , ~ Absent: Bob Skelton Commission Member 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Pederson moved, seconded by Commissioner OF FEBRUARY 21, 1983 Phelps, to approve the minutes of February 21, 1983 as written. The motion carried unanimously. 4~ 4. DISCUSSION OF EMPLOYEE Mr. McKinney stated that there were some modifications BENEFITS to the existing benefits and one additional benefit being recommended. He stated that with the withdrawal from the'Social Security program a void was created with regards to retirement and survivor's benefits. He stated that the other cities North Richland Hills usually compares itself with in regards to salaries and benefits and who participate in the same retirement system, Hurst, Haltom City, Euless, and Richland Hills, provide more of the benefits available than North Richland Hills. He said the comparison shows the other four cities matching ratio matches the employees' contribution 2:1. He stated Haltom City and Richland Hills employees contribute 7~ while Hurst and Euless employees contribute 5%. He explained the different benefits to the Commission. The Commission discussed the retirement plan. Chairman Szol asked Mr. McKinney to obtain a copy of all of the different benefit options and the rate changes for the last five years. - CIVIL SERVICE MINUTES March 24, 1983 Page 2 Mr. McKinney stated that the.recommendation regarding life insurance would be a moot question if the Supplemental Death Benefit was adopted under the TMRS Re~frement Plan. He explained that this was included in case the Commission did not want to recommend that the 5upplemental Death Benefit be picked up. The Commission discussed what the City offers in the way of life insurance. Mr. McKinney explained the recommendation being made for sick leave. He stated that there have been a lot of comments with regards to the employee being able to use some of fiis sick leave or be paid for part of it. He stated that the plan being suggested is the same as Hurst. He explained the plan to the Commission. The Commission discussed sick leave and its purpose. Chairman Szol stated that the purpose of sick leave was to protect someone when he was sick and that it should not be additional vacation time. He stated he did not mind the accumulation, but felt a maximum should be put on the accumulation. The Commission discussed the existing holidays. Chairman Szol suggested that the consideration be given to let the employee pick the day he wants to take as his floating holiday.* Mr. McKinney stated he would discuss the suggestion with the City Manager. Mr. McKinney stated the next benefit for discussion, Certification/Education Incentive Pay, would be presented by the Police and Fir.e Chiefs. Police Chief McGlasson came forward to address the Commission. Commissioner Phelps stated the City of Fort Worth got into trouble a few years ago with such a plan. Chief McGlasson explained to the Commission how Fort Worth's plan worked and the flaw in their system. He stated that the system being proposed for North Richland Hills was not the same as Fort Worth's and explained how the plan would work. He stated the plan would require that the officer submit a certified transcript and that it would only pay for completing a degree and course that the City felt was related to the function the officer was performing. ; ended: This will allow the City the opportunity to be open one extra day per year. CIVIL SERVICE MINUTES March 24, 1983 ~ Page 3 Chairman Szol asked what the advantages were of putting it on a percentage basis. Chief McGlasson stated th,e advantage was that unless the Council chose to raise the pereentage, you never have to go back into the plan because it would not automatically increase or become outdated. The Commission discussed how the plan would work and the potential cost. Chairman Szol asked if the same thing would apply to the Fire Department. ~ Chief Gertz stated the Fire Department's plan was drawn up in accordance to the Police Department's and was compatible with it. Chief Gertz explained how the plan would w~rk in the Fire Department. Commissioner Phelps stated he thought it~was a g~od plan as long as it was controlled. The Commission delayed taking action on any of the employee benefits until the next scheduled meeting date. ~ 5. JOB CLASSIFICATION Mr. McKinney stated that he asked the department heads PLAN to supply him with any new classifications they would be asking for in next year's budget so that he could bring them before the Commission for them to classify the positions. He stated that five new classifications ' were being requested. He explained that the Court Clerk was requesting a warrant officer to be placed ' in Pay Grade 3, and she would be coming before the Commission at a later date with a job description. Fire Chief Gertz came forw~rd and explained the position of Fire Captain to the Commission. He stated he would be asking for three Captains to work the shifts of A, B, and C. He explained that the purpose of the new classification was to provide closer supervision 24 hours a day. He stated that this classification would provide a person in an authorative position who would be able to make decisions to correct problems, supervise at fire scenes as well as in emergency situations, and relieve his assistant and himself to observe and perform more administrative duties. CIVIL SERVICE MINUTES March 24, 1983 ' Page 4 * The Commission discussed the Fire Captain classification and questioned the need for another layer of supervision. Commissioner Pederson stated that as far as the pay grade, it looked appropriate. Chairman Szol stated that from the pay grade standpoint, he had no problem with it being a level higher than the Fire Lieutenant classification. The Commission agreed that if the position were approved by the City Council, Public Safety Pay Grade 5 would be appropriate. Police Chief McGlasson came forward to explain the position of Jail Attendant. He stated the purpose of the ~ position was to return the sworn officer to the street and maintain more continuity in the jail processing. He explained the duties that the jail attendant would have. He stated that this person would also be required to abtain an intoxilizer certification. He stated he was requesting the position be placed in Pay Grade 6 and explained why he felt this pay grade was appropriate. The Cvmmission discussed the position of jail attendant. Chairman Szol stated he had no problem with the position, but questioned whether it should be in Pay Grade 5 or 6. He stated that in looking at the jobs in Pay Grade 5 and the knowledge that the dispatcher is required to learn, he was leaning towards Pay Grade 5 for this position. Chief McGlasson stated that if the position were placed at a lower level it would be difficult to attract the type of person who is settled and can meet the require- ments. He stated a lower level would attract a group of people that could in the end cost the City more money if they couldn't get the intoxilizer certification. Commissioner Phelps stated he was leaning towards Pay Grade 6. He stated that if this person did not do everything correctly the police officer would be wasting his time. Commissioner Pederson stated that there was not a great difference in dollars between pay grade 5 and 6. The Chairman called for a vote. Commissioners Phelps, Pederson, and Roark voted to place the position in Pay Grade 6. Chairman Szol voted to place the position in Pay Grade 5. \*Amended: The Commissio,n discussed the Fire Captain Classification and were of the unanimous opinion there was not a need for another layer of supervision. ~ ~ CIVIL SERVICE MINUTES March 24, 1983 Page 5 Mr. McKinney stated that the position of Code Enforcement Official was a re-establishment of a previous position the City had two or three years ago. He explained that the City has an employee who was recently transferred from the Fire Department to Public Works and is performing the duties of Code Enforcement Official. He stated the Public Works Director is requesting this position in next year's budget and is asking that it ' be placed in Pay Grade 6. The Commission questioned the rationale for placing the position in Pay Grade 6 rather than in Pay Grade 4 or 5. The Commission postponed taking action on the job classification until the Public Works Director could come.before the Commission and justify his reasons for wanting to place the position in Pay Grade 6. The Commission discussed the Technical Services Librarian classification. Chairman Szol stated that the position was similar to the Children's Librarian and Adult Services Librarian and should be in the same labor grade. The rest of the Commission members agreed with the Chairman that the Technical Services Librarian classification should be placed in Pay Grade 7. 6. DISCUSSION OF SALARY Mr. McKinney stated the percent of change in the CPI RANGES FOR 1983-84 since last February was 3.7%. ~ There was a general discussion by the Commission regarding the CPI and the adjustment of the salary ranges.' The Commission discussed increasing the ranges 5-6~ and recommending a general pay increase of 3.7~. Chairman Szol asked Mr. MeKinney to prepare and submit to the Commission the number of employees who are at the entry level salary of their pay grade that would receive a 5% or 6% increase instead of a 3.7% general increase. The Commission delayed taking action until the next scheduled meeting date. The Commission delayed their recommendations on employee benefits, job classifications, and salary ranges until the meeting of April 7. 7. ADJOURNMENT The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m. Szol, Chairman . Ron •cKinney, ' il Ser e Secretary ~