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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCIV 1983-02-21 Minutes MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION FEBRUARY Z1, 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 7:00 P.M. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Ed Szol Chairman GeQrge Pederson David Phelps Bob Roark Others Present: Ron McKinney Civil Service Secretary Dennis Horvath Assistant City Manager Dick Fisher Councilman Artie Kutcher Water Service Worker Absent: Bob Skelton Vice Chairman 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Phelps moved, seconded by Commissioner OF ~EPTEMBER 22, 1982 Pederson, to approve the minutes of September 22, 1982 as written. The minutes were approved 3-0 with Commissioner Pederson abstaining since he was absent. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Phelps moved, seconded by Chairman Szol, OF NOVEMBER 4, 1982 to approve the minutes of November 4, 1982 as written. The motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Roark abstaining ~ since he was absent. 5. ELECTION OF CIVIL The Chairman asked that this item be moved to the end SERVICE CHAIRMAN & of the Agenda in anticipation that Bob Skelton would VICE CHAIRMAN FOR come in. 1983. 6. APPROVAL OF JOB Dennis Horvath explained to the Commission the Public DESCRIPTION & Works Study he did and how the position of Maintenance CLASSIFICATION OF Management Technician was one of the recommendations MAINTENANCE MANAGE- he made to the City Council on how the labor departments MENT TECHNICIAN work methods could be improved. He stated that the POSITION. Public Works Department has not had an increase in . people in five or six years and that a lot of things are not getting done. He stated he first felt a foreman was needed, but later realized another layer of supervision was not the solution to the problem. He explained to the Commission the different responsibilities expected of the Public Works Superintendent in addition to supervising on the street. He said he felt a person ~ . CIVIL SERVICE MINUTES February 21, 1983 Page 2 was needed somewhere in the middle between a leadman and a foreman to take on some of these responsibilities. He explained that this person will also keep track of the historical records that the City is not keeping track of now. He stated that the job description was written for both the Public Works and Utility departments because eventually it will be implemented in the Utility Department. There was a general discussion by the Commission members regarding the position and the job description. Chairman Szol asked if this person would only be doing clerical duties. Mr. Horvath explained the different duties. He stated this person would be working with the Public Works Superintendent establishing the goals for the given month and setting these goals out on a weekly and daily basis. He explained how the City of Midland was set up and the duties of their Maintenance Management 7echnician. Chairman Szol asked if he had reviewed this with Mayor Pro Tem Ramsey. ` Mr. Horvath explained that the City Council approved the Public Works Study as a whole last Monday night. Chairman Szol asked what pay grade the position was in. Mr. Horvath stated that it was in Pay Grade 6, the same as Public Safety Dispatcher. Chairman Szol asked who this person would work for. Mr. Horvath stated the person would work directly for the Director of Public Works. Commissioner Pederson stated he liked what Mr. Horvath was saying, but questioned if they would be gaining anything by adding this type of person. He asked what the foremen were doing. Mr. Horvath explained that the Public Works Department did not have any foremen. He explained to the Commission how the department was organized. CIVIL SERVICE MINUTES February 21, 1983 Page 3 ~ Chairman Szol stated he had no problem with the scheduler but that unless the managers are managing this person is just going to sit in there and answer the phone. Mr. Horvath explained that this person will know what is required of him on a monthly basis. He explained that the Superintendent will get his daily schedule from this person. Commissioner Pederson stated he liked the theory, but he questioned the need for this caliber of a person rather than a secretary or clerk to keep track of the record- keeping. He said he could not comprehend that the Street Superintendent does not know where his crews are working at in the City. Mr. Horvath explained that the Street Superintendent is expected to do so much that he doesn't have time to take on this responsibility. He stated that there has to be someone to make the whole plan work. He stated that Hurst has a similiar position and a clerk in addition. He stated that Midland has three planners and two or three clerks in addition. He stated that the Public Works Clerk North Richland Hills has now could absorb some of this work, but someone is needed to make the schedule work. Mr. McKinney stated that the Street Department does more different tasks than any other department and the tasks change throughout the year. He stated that if the Street Superintendent were to take on these duties all of his time would be spent at the desk. Councilman Fisher stated that the Planner's duties are more involved than keeping track of crews. He stated he has a very explicit manual that details what is needed to accomplish a job. Councilman Fisher questioned why the Council approved the position before the Commission. Mr. Horvath explained the Council approved the whole list of recommendations, but the Commission needed to approve a job description. Commissioner Phelps moved to approve the job description of the Maintenance Management Technican and to classify the position in Pay Grade 6. Chairman Szol seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. ~ ~ CIVIL SERVICE MINUTES February 21, 1983 Page 4 ` 7. GENERAL DISCUSSION Mr. McKinney stated that it was time for the Commission to OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS begin considering the recommendations they want tA make to the City Council with regards to employee benefits for the coming budget year. He stated he has received some items from employees, supervisors, and department heads with regards to adding a few benefits and increasing some we already have. He stated that one of the areas brought to his attention was the loss of survivor's benefits when the City opted out of Social Security. He said that several employees have asked `about the possibility of increasing the life insurance that the City carries on its major medical policy. Mr. McKinney stated another area brought to~his attention was sick leave. He stated that Hurst allows an employee to convert one week of sick leave to vacation as long as the employee maintains 400 hours of sick leave on the books. He stated that Haltom City pays their employees in December for the sick hours they accumulate in excess of thir~y days. He stated that North Richland Hills has employees who have accumulated over 1,000 hours in sick time so an annual limitation would have to be placed on the amount. He stated that these are just a few possibilities tv consider in regards to sick leave. ~ Mr. McKinney stated that he has been approached about disability benefits. He stated that there is a . supplemental disability benefit that can be purchased through the Retirement System for a nominal fee. He stated that he has had a difficult time finding a carrier who will carry a disability policy. Mr. McKinney stated another area brought to his attention was educational incentive pay for employees who attain a higher level of certification or licensing than what is required for their position. There was a general discussion by the Commission regarding educational incentive pay. The Commission discussed the City's medical insurance premium and the rate increases. Commissioner Phelps asked Mr. McKinney if he had looked , at any cost containment programs. Mr. McKinney stated he has looked at some self-funding programs that look very attractive on the outside. ~ CIVIL SERVICE MINUTES February 21, 1983 Page 5 Chairman Szol stated the only thing gained from self- funding is the reserves. Mr. McKinney stated the premiums the City pays are designed to cover the carrier's costs for reserves, premium taxes, commissions to agents, brokers, billing expenses, and a built-in inflation factor. He said it was these factors that the City feels would make self- funding attractive. Mr. McKinney stated that Prudential has a cost containment program in that they provide free of charge second and third surgical opinions. Commissioner Roark asked if deductibles were ever considered. Mr. McKinney stated yes, that he has another plan he is looking at where the City would punchase major medical insurance with a$500 deductible. He explained to the Commission how the plan would work. The Commission discussed a stay-well plan. Mr. McKinney stated that another area of interest to the employees is the possibility of the City increasing its contribution rate on retirement. He stated that now it is a matching ratio of 1:1. He discussed two other ways the City could go--lZ:l and 2:1. Commissioner Phelps asked if an employee could contribute more than 5%. Mr. McKinney explained each employee can contribute up to 7q, but the rates have to be changed by the City Council by ordinance. He stated that the rates can only be changed at the beginning of the calendar year. Chairman Szol asked if the retirement ratio could be made service related; i.e. 1:1 and then after ten years of service it becomes 2:1, Mr. McKinney stated TMRS would not allow that. He said the City has to state by ordinance what the rate will be for the year. Councilman Fisher stated that the key is benefits in the hospitalization area. Chairman Szol asked Mr. McKinney to write down all of these concerns and the different suggestions. CIUIL SERVICE MINUTES February 21 , 1983 Page 6 5. ELECTION OF CIVIL Chairman Szol asked for nominations for Chairman. SERVICE CHAIRMAN & VICE CHAIRMAN FOR Commissioner Phelps nominated Ed Szol as Chairman. 1983, Commissioner Pederson seconded the nomination. Ed Szal was approved unanimously as the Chairman for 1983, Chairman Szol asked for nominations for Vice Chairman. Commissioner Ped~rson nominated David Phelps as Vice Chairman. Commissioner Roark seconded the nomination. David Phelps was approved unanimously as Vice Chairman for 1983. 8. ADJOURNMENT The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:02 P.M. Ed Szol - Chairm Ron McKinn ivi ervice Secretary ~ ~ UPDATED SERVICE CREDIT AND ANNUtTY 1NCREASE STUDY City of North Richland Hills ~ Effective Date - January 1, 1983 i. Updated Service Credits Pro osed Plans 5 1 2 3 4 Present Plan 5% 59r' S% 596 Deposit Rate 5`~' 1_1 -2-1 I-1 1-1 l=ul1 ruil Full Matching Ratio Fuli Fuii Full Salary ~Aaximum ye5 Yes Yes Yes Vesting - 20 Year Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Y~S 1~fl96 100% - 10 Year NrA lppy6 70% Updated Service Credit 1983 1983 1983 19$3 1983 Contribution Rates 1982 1983 1.84 1.84 2.77 3.69~ Normai Cost l•$1 .~l ,2g .65 •89 !'rior Service • 35 ' 28 2.12 3, 42 4. 58 2.16 2.12 2.25 Retirernent .24 .24 .24 .24 Supplemental Death (AbcR) , d6 . ~6 , 06 .06 Supplemental Disability .OS •~6 2.55 2.42 3.72 4.88 Total Rate ~~b) 2.21 2.18 Amortization Period 25 25 25 25 19-9/12 25 in Years _ II. Annuity Increases Pro osed Plans E A B ^C D 70 Percentage of Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) Addition to the Prioc .dl Service Contribution Rate {96) he Cit 's contribution rate under various combinations af Updateda er ~a e shown under~theUVarious Annuity Increase To determine t y ~'~ta! Rate under the appropriate Updated Service Credit plan to the percen g ~?ans. ~ _ ) )