HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-2022 Personnel Board Meeting MinutesCITY OF FAIRHOPE
Personnel Board Meeting
7:00 – June 23, 2022
161 N Section Street
Fairhope, AL 36532
Present were:
Members: Diane Thomas; Genie Frazier; Terry Ullrich; Jake O’Neil; Mayor Sherry Sullivan
Councilman Kevin Boone; Safety Coordinator Donnie Grice; City Clerk Lisa Hanks
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 a.m.
Minutes of the May 12th, 2022, meeting were approved as presented.
Lisa Hanks spoke about her work with Terry Ullrich on job titles and classifications. Diane stated
that the results of the Auburn Compensation Study were ready to be presented to the City
Council at the next meeting. Mayor Sherry Sullivan said this was true, but some of the
descriptions needed to be tweaked and that the compensations portion was complete. Mayor
Sullivan stated that there are thirty-one employees who needed to have an adjustment to their
pay, based on the Auburn Study. The total financial impact being $94,871.70 on an annual
basis. The mayor stated that once those pay adjustments have been implemented, five percent
across the board raises will be given throughout the City. Additionally, anyone who is a general
government employee that is making less than $15 per hour is to receive one dollar per hour
increases and anyone who is a utility employee making less than $18 is to receive one dollar per
hour increases, totaling twenty-three employees, which adds $12,040 to the payroll total for
the year.
Diane spoke about progress on “pay principles” that Genie Frazier, Tyler Garner and Terry have
been working on and rose some concerns about city employees being topped out in pay. Mayor
Sullivan stated that the Auburn Study pay ranges are very wide, which should prevent
employees from getting topped out on pay.
Diane brought up the new Benefits Coordinator position that is being considered within the
Personnel Board. Mayor Sullivan agreed that the plan is still to hire this person before the new
budget comes out. Diane did receive the description from Cory Pierce, but it was incomplete
and cannot be reviewed at this time.
Diane is planning to retire at the end of this year. Diane wanted to discuss changes and
opportunities for improvement in the Personnel Board . Genie was eager to hear about new
opportunities to help improve HR practices within the City. Mayor Sullivan mentioned that the
Personnel Handbook needed to be updated. She also mentioned that merit increases and
performance evaluations needed to be reviewed by the Board. There was a discussion about
replacing the Personnel Board Chairman.
Donnie Grice gave an update on the City Safety Manual. He said that it has been sent to
department heads within the City, and it is ready to be submitted to the City Council. Diane
asked about recent safety incidences within the City. Donnie stated that documentation is
being used more often. Mayor Sullivan stated that there has been a substantial decrease in
worker compensation expenses. Councilman Kevin Boone asked if accidents were categorized
based on accidental injuries or incidental injuries. Donnie stated that this is categorized as
preventable and nonpreventable. Lisa stated that most accidents within the City are
preventable.
Mayor Sullivan updated the Board on HR. She stated that the City is fully staffed, and payroll is
going well.
Final discussions were made about the plan to replace Diane as Personnel Board Chairman.
Mayor Sullivan mentioned she would promote the possibility of having Personnel Board
members attend a yearly leadership retreat. Final comments were made by Personnel Board
members.
A motion was made, and a second to adjourn.
With gratitude,
Jake O’Neil, Secretary
Personnel Board