HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-25-2023 Personnel Board Meeting MinutesCITY OF FAIRHOPE
Personnel Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. -May 25 th , 2023
161 N Section Street
Fairhope, AL 36532
Present were:
Members: Chairman Genie Frazier; Terry Ullrich; Jake O'Neil; HR Manager Cory Pierce; Water
Treatment Manager Tim Manuel; City Treasurer Kim Creech ; Safety Coordinator Donnie Grice,
Councilman Kevin Boone
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m .
Genie Frazier raised employees ' unused sick leave policy and retirement as discussed at the last
meeting. There was consensus to endorse the proposal stating unused sick leave will be
converted to retirement service credits, however not enough members were present for
quorum . Kevin Boone raised the point that a straw poll could be conducted to proceed with
making the recommendations . Genie reviewed the currently proposed policy : upon retirement
with under twenty years with the City, an employee only receives half of their sick time; with
over twenty years, an employee receives the entirety of their sick time. Upon further
discuss ion, it was agreed that a written draft would be helpful to clarify details of the policy
before proceeding. Genie asked Cory Pierce if he could have a written draft of the policy
provi ded to them, and he agreed.
The pay grades for the Water and Wastewater Construction & Maintenance Supervisor position
in the Water and Wastewater Department were reviewed . Cory recommended the pay grade
set -up to match the construction & maintenance supervisory roles from other departments,
such as the Gas Department, and everyone was in accordance .
Holiday schedules were then discussed . Jake proposed expanding the Christmas Eve holiday
from a half day to a full day. Tim Manuel agreed that this would be more efficient given much
of half day is consumed with getting going and then turning right back around to close . Genie
added that given enough advance notice, the departments could effectively communicate with
customers before any interrupted service. Cory pointed out that the effect of an extra holiday,
if pos itioned to follow a busy parade season , creates the perfect time for employees to rest
after a busy season . Jake confirmed that all surrounding municipalities include Christmas Eve as
a full holiday. Kim Creech added that pairing busy season with a holiday could result in less
overtime hours during those times thereby reducing the City's expenses, resulting in a win/win
solution. The Board's intention to recommend adding a full-day holiday for Christmas Eve and a
day for Mardi Gras (potentially Fat Tuesday) was agreed upon . Kim requested that any written
recommendation to the Council to add additional holidays to the schedule be comprehensive .
Jake proposed adding Juneteenth to the schedule. The total number of days as compared to
surrounding municipalities is considered . Genie confirmed that Baldwin County is the only
municipal employer on this side of the bay to offer the day, as well as the State. Kevin Boone
reported the history of Juneteenth as the day in 1865 that freedom finally came to more than
two hundred and fifty thousand enslaved black people when two thousand troops marched to
Galveston, TX and declared executive order. Terry Ullrich emphasized the importance of staying
competitive in today's job market and said he agreed . Kevin Boone advised he couldn't speak
for the whole Council but stated he also supported adding all three. Genie confirmed the
intention of the Board to recommend that all three proposed holidays be added to the
calendar .
Donnie Grice updated the Board with good news on workers' compensation claims. January 1st
through May 25 t h of last year, the City paid out $121,929 .09; within the same period this year,
the City has paid out $18,716 .21! Genie gave praise for such progress, and Donnie credited
accountability and the new relationship with Millennium as cause for improvements. Jake and
Genie acknowledged their appreciation for Donnie's work on safety.
Cory reported Mayor Sullivan announced our two new superintendents at the City Council
meeting on Monday: the new Superintendent for the Electric Department will be Ben
Patterson, and the new Superintendent for Water and Wastewater Department is Darrell
Morphy. The HR Department has just returned from a Cobbs Allen conference, and Corey found
their time there to be beneficial. Corey also reported that they had someone visit from the
company that owns Munis on May 9th and 10th to sit down and go over current procedure and
consider what could be done more effectively. The representative will provide a report to be
expected towards the end of the month.
The date for the upcoming hearing was confirmed . Final thoughts were provided by the Board .
A motion was made, and a second to adjourn .
With gratitude,
Jake O'Neil, Secretary
Personnel Board