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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-12/04/2017 (2) HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE December 4, 2017 5:00 p.m. Harold E. Getty Council Chambers Members present: Chairperson Welper, Morrissey, Powers, Amos, and Schmitt. Mr. Powers participated via telephone. Mr. Jacobs arrived at 5:13 p.m. Absent: Lind. Moved by Schmitt, seconded by Amos that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice-vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Moved by Amos, seconded by Powers that request from the Police Chief for authorization to appoint one (1) Police Officer recruits from the current Civil Service list, be approved. Voice- vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Mr. Schmitt requested an overview of the item. Dan Trelka, Chief of Police, explained that the vacancy is due to a retirement. Moved by Morrissey, seconded by Amos that the request the Police Chief for authorization to start the Civil Service process to fill the position of Property Evidence Coordinator and permission to appoint an individual from this list, be approved. Voice-vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Moved by Morrissey, seconded by Amos to add the following sentence, "Should the current Property Evidence Technician be promoted to the Property Evidence Coordinator position, it is authorized to start the civil service process to fill the Property Evidence Technician position with permission to appoint a qualified person from that list." Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, commented that since the Property Evidence Technician position has not yet gone through the internal committee, and no paperwork has been provided, it would not be appropriate to start the process. Dan Trelka commented that it is the council's prerogative and council has the authority to move forward in any fashion they choose. Mr. Welper questioned if there is a civil service list started for the Property Evidence Coordinator position. Dan Trelka explained that there is not currently a list, but that he would like to start the process as soon as possible and begin interviewing candidates. Mr. Schmitt questioned if the positions are anything that have been looked at as a model from Black Hawk County and Cedar Falls. Dan Trelka explained that he has explored combining the positions with Black Hawk County and Cedar Falls and they are not interested. Mr. Schmitt commented that the process of one position triggering the other does not make loizical sense. December 4, 2017 Page 2 Mr. Amos commented that he is hearing that approving the motion would circumvent the current process and questioned the long term effect this will have on the current process. Mr. Welper questioned if Mr. Morrissey's motion is just for this single event or a change in the future process. Mr. Morrissey explained it is just for this particular position. Mr. Amos questioned the harm of circumventing the process. Lance Dunn explained that ultimately it is a matter of whether or not council would like to be inconsistent with following the hiring process. Mr. Welper questioned if this would create a precedent. Lance Dunn explained that it could set a precedent. Dan Trelka commented that he believes the hiring process is cumbersome. Mr. Schmitt questioned why the process is not being followed. Dan Trelka explained that the process has been followed for the Property Evidence Coordinator position however if the normal process is followed for the Property Evidence Technician position, it would probably not come before this committee until February. Mr. Morrissey commented that if the Coordinator position is not filled right away, there is a potential of losing criminal cases due to the backlog. Mr. Welper questioned if a timeline has been set to address the Technician position if the current Technician is promoted to the Coordinator position. Lance Dunn commented that he has not seen paperwork on the second position and the retirement date for the retiring employee is December 31. Mr. Schmitt commented that he is not in favor of circumventing the hiring process. Mr. Morrissey commented that a phrase could be added to the motion that would state that this does not set a precedent. Mr. Welper updated Mr. Jacobs on the motion on the table. Mr. Schmitt questioned how it would be possible for the employee to take vacation prior to retirement. Dan Trelka explained that the paperwork for the Coordinator position was submitted in August after learning of the employee's plan to retire. The City was faced with a decision as to whether to let him take his earned time off, or give him a huge pay out when he retires. Mr. Schmitt commented that in essence,the City now has to pay the equivalent of three people to Ret the work done. December 4, 2017 Page 3 Mr. Welper questioned if the position could be included in the Personnel Requisition meeting tomorrow morning. Lance Dunn explained that it could be included if the paperwork is put together. Dan Trelka explained he could have the necessary paperwork by this evening. Mr. Welper questioned Mr. Morrissey would agree to add the position to the Personnel Requisition Committee meeting tomorrow, in order to follow the normal procedure. Mr. Morrissey commented that the committee would need to recommend approving the position to move forward to Human Resources Committee. Mr. Welper explained that regardless of the Personal Requisition Committee's recommendation, the Human Resource Committee would still make the final decision and he would prefer to not deviate from the process. Mr. Morrissey commented that he would agree to Mr. Welper's suggestion. Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Amos to withdrew the motion. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Amos seconded by Schmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 5:22 p.m. Voice-vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried. VIAAAKIiul- Itelley Felchle City Clerk 6