Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCIV 1981-08-31 Minutes CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS AUGUST 31, 1981 The Civil Service Commission of the City of North Richland Hills held a regularly scheduled meeting in the Conference Room of the City Ha11 Building. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT Bill J. Betts, Chairman Edmund Szol, Vice Chairman Bob Skelton OTHERS PRESENT Sharyl Groves, Councilwoman Dennis Horvath, Assistant City 1~Ianager Stan Gertz, Fire Chief Bobbie McCorkle, Court Clerk Ron McKinney, Civil Service Secretary Patricia Hutson The meeting was called to order at 7,30 P~M. by Ch~irman Betts. AGENDA ITEM l. APPROVAL OF MINUTE~ Chairman Betts moved to accept the minuzes as written. Co~issioner Szol seconded the motion. Tlie motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM 2, CONSIDERATION OF BiDS FOR EMPLQYEE INSURANC~ Commissioner Szol said he had someone to take a look at the insurance comparison breakdown costs and th~,t the two best ~olicies: were TML (Prudential) and Pilot Life from a cost standpoint and a coverage standpoit~t. Bobbie McCorkle said that she had checked with other cities who Rave had TML. She stated that Plano had used TMT, since 1979 and were pleased., She stated that the Insurance Commitee was hesitant to recommend B1ue Cross Blue Shield from past experience. She stated that slie had cliecked on Pilot Life and that one trucking company that used Pilot Life told fier that there was a slow pay back on their claims and that the paper work has to be precise. She stated that the Insurance Committee feels that the Aetna Program is the best and that Aetna's coverage is adequate for the City~'s needs. She stated that the c.ommitte~e would like to approach the employees with a questionaire to see what they want in coverage versus cost. There was a discussion among the Commission if there would be enough time to do a questionaire and go before the City Council before. the CityPS present insurance coverage expires. It was decided that there was not enough time. - CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSiON MINUTES Page ~ao August 31, 1981 r3o b /h r Cer'~le.> There was a discussion about the different insurance coverages. ^--5--'----- ~ said tliat Fort Worth and Euless had had good results with TMI. coverage. Bobbie McCorkel said that the Committee was skeptical of it because it is a trust fund and they had been told that a trust company can raise their prices. There was a discuss3on as to whether pre-existing conditions would lie covered under the different insurance policies proposed~. . / ~l C ~tl ~ ~ OR ir/ Commissioner zol stated that TNIL has_f superior accident policy a~d-~etrr~ ~~~~f 5 a~ A r"f1~ l~ ~o ~9 A'e~ Commissioner Skelton sa3d he felt Aetna is higher all the way across tlie board. He stated there were Zess bene£its and the city~would be pay~ing more on the assumption that there is same deep dark evi7_ in the trust fund, Commissioner Szo1 stated that in a trust fund you are rated wittl e~reryone else in the fund. Commissioner ~kelton stated that you cvu~d have a higher pay off percentage rate and the rest participating in the fund may be down which might help to hold the rafies down. Commissioner Betts lnade a mofiion to accegt TML''s like insurance coverage based on getting a guaranfieed rate for a period o~ one y~ear begi~nning October l, 1981 and ending Octolier 1, 1982R Commissioner Skelton seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously~ Chairman Betts stated that the Cornmission would discuss the aecidental death coverage next. Chairman Befits stated ttlat it was his understanding that the City will pay for AD&D. Chairman Betts made a motion to accept the AD&D under TML and ~or the City to pick up the .05/$1000 cost. Commissioner Skelton seconded fihe motion. The mption carried unani~cnously.. The Commission discussed the major znedical covezag~. ne~~. '~he Commission agreed that TML has the liest plan. Chairman Betts made a motion to accept ma~ox+ ~iedica~ bene~its under T1KL providing that the rafie is guaranteed for a period o~ one year beg3nning October 1, 1981 and ending Octo}ier 1, 1982~ Commissioner Szol seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Commission discussed the dental benefit coverage next. ~ CIVIL SERVTCE COMMISSION MINUTES Page Three August 31, 1981 Commissioner Szol made a motion to accept TNII., for Dental Benefit coverage provided the rate guarantee is substantiated. Commissioner Skelton seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM 3. REVIEW CHARTER CHANGES Chairman Betts stated this item was on the agenda in case any one has any questions about'the Charter amendments. He asked if there was any discussion. There were no questions in regards to any of the Charter changes by the Commissioners. AGENDA ITEM 4. CONSIDERATION OF CIVIZ SERVICE SECRETARY PpSITION Chairman Betts stated that Ron McKinney had been appointed Civil Service Secretary by the City Council at the last council meeting. The Chairman welcomed Ron McKinney to the group~ Chairman Betts sfiated that Ron McKinney has worked for the City for about s3x years and that he could not think of anybody better qualified to do the work. Councilwoman Groves added that Ron's appointment was unanimaus with the. Council also. The Chairman stated that the Commission `aould tnove item 6 an the Agenda up if no one had any ob~ections. AGENDA ITEM 6. CONSIDERATION OF FiRE DEPARxMENT GLASSi~FICATI,ONS Stan Gertz stated that he had two items that concerned employees. Ei;e explained that at one time there was a position under ~ivil service called Fire Arson investigator Inspector and that the pos~ition had been taken out from under ctvil s~ervice. He explained that fihe position is now titled Chief Arson investigator and that the individua7, who held this position has transferred back into a civil service clas~sification,, Chief Gertz requested that the title lie restricted fio Arson Investigator only~ not an inspector. There was a discussion concerning the title change. Chairman Betts stated that an individual was being moved back under civil service with a job title change and the Commission was be3ng asked to appro~re the title pt Arson Investigator under Civil Service. Commissioner Skelton made a motion to establish the title of Arson, I~vestigator to be under Civi1 Service supervfision and Chie.f Gertz wi11 furnish the Commission with the job specifications. ~ CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES Page Four August 31, 1981 Commissioner Szol seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Chief Gertz stated that there is a prerequisite before being able to test. He stated that the pay grade is not set for this position. He explained that the pay is normally that above a lieutenant but not higher than that of a captain. Chief Gertz requested that the testing for the positfon of Arson Investigator be restricted to those raho have served a minimum time of one year as a fire lieutenant before being eligible to test for the position. There was a discussion as to who should be able to test for the position. Chief Gertz stated that an arson investigator requires additional training above that of a police officer. He stated that the arson investigator is suppose to know as much as a detective plus arson. He must have two years experience as a fire fighter plus detective hours. Ron McKinney stated that the Charter states that no person is eligible for a promotion unless he has served in such department for two y~ears. Chairman Betts made a motion to approve the pay grade for Arson investigator to be that above a lieutenant l~ut not higher than that of a captain and to restrict testing to those who have served a minimum time o~ two years as a fire lieutenant before being eligible to test.. Commissioner Szol seconded the motion~ The motion carried unanimously. Chief Gertz stated that the second item,concerned an employee that has been, assigned to the Fire Department as Technical Fire investigator, Aref Hass~an. Chief Gertz stated that Aref Hassan has been employed with ttle city for approximately 3~ years and he lias a four year degree in business.. He stated that Mr. Hassan has proved to be a valuali7.e employee to the City. Chief Gertz explained that Mr. Hassan was assigned under civil service the position of Code Enforcement Officer in the Building Inspection Division. He stated that his duties in this position were to enforce the City's weed and trash ordinance. Chief Gertz explained that the Fire Department had a need for a Building Inspector. He said Ordinance 884 allows for a technical inspector to be appointed to fill the position. Chief Gertz requested that Aref Hassan be assigned to the Fire Department permanently under Civil Service as a Fire Investigator. Chief Gertz stated that Mr. Hassan has inspected every commercial business in the city which has never been done before., Chief Gertz said he felt that Mr. Hassan would enhance the city as being a good employee. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES Page Five August 31, 1981 The Commissioners discussed the salary range. Chief Gertz stated that the salary range is normally that of a lieutenant._ He stated that the job is not sought after by the Fire Department employees because the salary is not that great for the number of days worked. Chairman Betts made a motion to put under Civil Service the position of Fire Inspector with the salary depending on the ~ob classification and duties th~t Chief Gertz submits to the Commission at a later date, Commissioner Skelton seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Stan Gertz asked the Commission to extend the Fi;~e Departntent~'s eligibility list. He explained that the eligibility list expired August 26~ 1981. He stated that he has remaining on the list two individuals who have been completely interviewed and three individ~uals who have nofi been betore the Oral Review Board or a background check made. Chie£ Gertz zequested that the Commission extend this eligibility list so that fihese potential employees won`t be lost. Commissioner Skelton made a motion tp extend the eligibility list to January 1, 1982 for the Fire Depart~ment for the position o~ fire fighter. The motion was seconded by Cos~nissioner Szol. The motion carried unanimously. Chairman Betts called a recess at 8;50 P,M. Chairman Betts called the meeting back to order at 8:55 P.M. with tHe same members present. AGEI~DA ITEM 5. DISCUSSION aF E1rIPZOXEE ~AY SCHEDUI.,ES Dennis Horvath explained to the CommisSipn that last yeax the Git~ had an unsuccessful charter election. He stated that the pay is based on the base salary and the Charter required a cost of 1~ving raise be given each year. He said that last year the staff prepared a proposed pay plan which was brought before the Commissfion and the City~ ~ouncil. He stated that the proposed plan was accepted last year by both. Dennis~ Ht~rvath stated tha~ this year the staff took the same pay plan and increased the salari:es approximately 5% and brought it liack before the Council~ He stated fihat the Council had problems with it. He said that the Council had a problem with determining the value of an employee and his classificafiion. He aaid the Council felt that ther~ were too many pay grades. Dennis Horvath said he felt the general feeling was that the Council wanted a grea~ex salary range and possibly only four pay grades~--professional, technical, skilled and labor. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES Page Six August 31, 1981 Commissioner Szol su.ggested that the City send someone to Austin to TrII~ to get the relative worth of one ~ob to another from studies that TML has made. He said he didn't feel the pay grades could be limited to four~ , Chairman Betts made a recommendation to the other Commission members that the Commission read the ~ob descriptions of each of the job classifications. Commissioner Szol suggested that the Commission have a work session with the Council to see what they were looking for. Chairman Betts requested that each of the Comarissi,aners.be given a list of all of the job requirements for each classification within the city for them to read and.that Ron McKinney set up a work session with the City Council or a committee appointed by the Mayor to discuss the pay schedule. Councilwoman Groves sa3d the Councfl felt like some of the prior3ties were completely out of context. Chairman Betts set September 8, 1981 at 7:30 P.M. to be a joint session w~th the CiCy Council or appointees by the Mayor for the discussion of the employee pay schedule. . ~ The regularly scheduled open meeting ad~ourned at 9;4U P.M, AGEI3DA ITEM 7. DISCUSSION OF APPEAT, HEARIHG ~~GS-81-1. Chairman Betts stated he was calling a closed meeting far Item 7 due to the sub3ect matter and by the authority of the Texas.~iyil ~tatute.s.:;6252 Sec~ (2)G of the Texas Open'Meeting Act. Chairman Betts stated Item 7 pertains to Grievance CS~81-1. He stated the grievance will have to be heard by September 2Q, 1981. The Commiss~ion set Tuesday, September 15, 1981 at 7:30 P,M. as the date for the appeal hearing., The closed meeting adjou ned at 9:55 P.M, BILL J. BETTS, Chairman Ron Mc inney, Civil Ser e Secretary ~