HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-19-2016 Regular MeetingPublic Meeting Notice
Committee: Fairhope Personnel Board
Date & Time: Friday, February 19, 2016 at 7:15 a.m.
Place: Delchamps Room
161 North Section Street
Subject: Miscellaneous
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COUNTY OF BALDWIN
Personnel Board met at 7:15 a.m.
Delchamp's Room
161 N Section Street, Fairhope , AL 36532
Friday, February 19, 2016
Present were:
Members: Diane Thomas, Chairman; Lorenzo Howard , Jenny Erdoes, Rob Stankoski, and
Pandora Heathcoe , Human Resources Director.
Absent: Scherry Douglas and Kevin Boone, City Council Liaison
The meeting was called to order at 7: 15 a.m.
Minutes from the January 29 , 2015 meeting were approved by a first motion set forth by Jenny
Erdoes and second by Rob Stankoski.
Under old business, Diane Thomas, Chairman discussed with the Board that Lt. John Hamrick,
Fairhope Police Department was present at the previous meeting. He requested on behalf of
Chief Joseph Petties if the Personnel Board would review the application process and hiring
process of the Fairhope Police Department. Lorenzo Howard agreed that the Police Department
needs to be the best and their process should be consistent with that of other City Department
hiring practices. Chairman Thomas asked Lorenzo if he would join together with Jenny Erdoes
and Scherry Douglas to meet with Chief Petties to determine exactly what information he is
concerned with or what he wants the Personnel Board to specifically look over.
Chairman Thomas explained that her term was extended for one more year and it expires in
December 2016. She voiced her request that Lorenzo Howard agree to extend his one year term
another year so other new members could be found and added to the Board.
Diane briefed the Board on Mayor Kant 's request that the Board review the City 's Zero
Tolerance Drug and Alcohol Policy . She provided a copy of a letter to Mayor Kant to be
approved by the Board confirming their opinion that the existing City policy covers the best
practices for zero tolerance . The letter also mentions the City 's current ability for treatment and
counseling through the City 's medical insurance provider and how important it is to have that
coverage remain for the employees. A copy of this letter is attached to the minutes.
Under new business, Chairman Thomas stated the City currently allows law enforcement officers
and corrections to receive "comp time" in lieu of over time under Section 4.05 in the City 's
Rules , Policies and Procedures handbook . Mayor Kant has proposed an addendum to this
handbook section to allow other City hourly employees to receive "comp time." This issue was
submitted to Paul Myrick, HR counsel for the City of Fairhope, and he drafted a change to the
Handbook for review. Each member present had reviewed this draft; however, all had questions
if this policy covered all special events or just certain special events such as the Lighting of the
Trees , Christmas parade, Mardi Gras parades and Arts & Crafts. Chairman Thomas will meet
with Mayor Kant to clarify his objectives for the new ordinance and bring the information back
to the Board for further review and consideration. Any change would be an addendum to the
handbook and must be passed by the City Council since the handbook is an ordinance.
Lorenzo Howard brought up the previous subject of the City considering "early retirement
packages " for those employees with the highest years of service who have reached a higher rate
of pay . This cou ld possibly lower overtime costs due to employees being paid overtime at a
much lower rate of pay.
Pandora Heathcoe, City Human Resource Director, gave an update on the discipline process and
how she has begun working with the various departments on training. She has already met with
the Police Department and is in the process of scheduling the same training with all the other
department heads. She mentioned the next department head training she would like to focus on
is the EEOC process.
The next regularly scheduled Personnel Board meeting will be held Friday , March 18 , 2016 , at
7:15 AM in the Delchamps Room of City Hall.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 15 AM.
Respectfully submitted ,
Pandora Heathcoe
Acting Secretary
,.
February 19, 2016
Tim Kant, Mayor
City of Fairhope
161 Section Street
Fairhope , AL 36532
Dear Mayor Kant,
Per your request, the Personnel Board reviewed the City's No Tolerance Drug Policy at the
January meeting. It was the consensus of the Board that the Policy is comprehensive in scope
and protects the interest of the City and its emp loyees . A primary concern is that an employee
who is on the job and under the influence of legal or illegal drugs exposes the City, other
employees, and himself to increased, unacceptable risks .
That said, the Board is very sympathetic to any employee who has a substance abuse problem.
Provision has been made in this policy for an employee to proactively seek help for this medical
condition before he/s he has failed a drug screen. The Board fe lt that it was important to
education emp loyees on a regular basis about the help provided through their insurance plans and
the availability of medical leave if necessary. We know that Pandora Heathcoe had made this
infonnation a regular part of her employee benefits education .
Drug abuse/addiction is a serious problem in our society as a whole , and it is to be expected that
some of the City employees will have difficulty with this issue. The Board believes that the
City's No Tolerance Drug policy is a balanced one. It sends the clear message that drug abuse
will not be tolerated in the work place but offers help to any employee who seeks it.
Thank yo u for this opportunity to review the policy and offer our opinion on this important
matter.
Sincerely yours ,
Diane Thomas, Chairman Personnel Board
cc: Jack Burrell , Council President