09-22-1982
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
Merit Board Meeting
September 22, 1982
Mr. Jack Kropp called the meeting of the Merit Board to order at 7:00 P.M.
in the conference area of the Community Center.
ROLL CALL
Jack Kropp
Terry Edgell
Betty Billups
Michael Avery
Robert Bates
Present
Present
Present
Present
Excused
Also present:
City Manager Joseph Mitchell and City Clerk Nancy Blazi
Approval of minutes 7-28-82. Mr. Edgell called attention to the fact
that there appeared to be a typographical error in the third paragraph
from the bottom of page one. The first October 1982 should be changed
to October 1981. The correction was made as noted.
Mr. Edgell motioned to accept the minutes of July 28, 1982, seconded
by Mr. Avery. Motion CARRIED 4-0. There was no meeting in August, 1982.
Mr. Mitchell reviewed the organization chart with the board members
and explained the Council-Manager system. He also pointed out the various
areas of responsibilities of the different departments and the different
advisory boards. Copies of personnel action forms and a sample of a
salary listing for a department which also shows title, grade and
department. Mr. Mitchell noted that he believed there have been
about 40 changes in grades during the past year. These changes have
come about through merit increases, promotions, resignations, etc.
Most changes are made through supervisory recommendations to City Manager
and decisions are made after a review of the recommendation and the
budget status. All personnel changes are handled through personnel
action forms.
Mrs. Blazi reviewed the Merit Ordinance and the section of the Charter
that established the Merit Board. The City has established a Personnel
Guide Book that supplements the Merit Ordinance. The Merit Ordinance
can only be changed by Ordinance and those sections set by charter
can only be changed by a charter referendum. However, the pergonnel
Guide book may be updated by Resolution as recommended by the Merit
Board and approved by the City Council. The addition of a code of
conduct to the Personnel Guide and the union contracts was also discussed.
Presently, until the contracts are ratified, the City does not have
specific rules of conduct. Grievances for bargaining unit members
will be handled through the regular union procedures. Grievances for
non bargaining unit members will still be handled by the Merit Board.
The City presently has three (3) bargaining units: Police Benevolent
Association, Public Employees Association (General Employees) and
Public Employees Association (Supervisors). Hopefully, the Merit Board
will continue to review and recommend improvements in personnel policies.
There are specific responsibilities noted in the Merit Ordinance for
the Merit Board and the presence of unions will not substantially change
these responsibilities.
Mr. Mitchell informed the Board that he has authorized Nancy Blazi to
be Assistant Personnel Officer.
The wage table and job descriptions were discussed. Mr. Mitchell noted
that the present table was not truly adequate and work still needs to
be done to upgrade this table and to correct some of the discrepancies
in the different salary levels for a more equitable pay scale. In the
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Merit Board Meeting 9/22/82
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the future it is hoped the City will have established a longevity
table.
Mr. Mitchell clarified his authorization of Nancy Blazi as the
Assistant Personnel Officer. One of her primary duties is to deal
with union contracts, and to act a liaison between the board and the
City Manager. If in the future there is something critically important
before the Board, naturally the City Manager would attend that specific
meeting. However, for most meetings, Mrs. Blazi will act for the
Personnel Dept.
There was a discussion about the pay scale and the monetary difference
between each step and grade level. In the budget for 1982-83 money
has been allocated for merit increases however the procedure for
obtaining a merit increase still needs to be clarified and made part
of personnel policy. At the present time there are no guidelines
for employees or supervisors. Mr. Avery brought up some suggestions
regarding what neighboring municipalities consider standard procedures
for receiving merit increases and promotions. The aim is to base this
type of personnel action solely on an employee's. performance. It would
be beneficial to the City and the employees to avoid what appears to be
automatic merit or pay increases except where they deal with a cost
of living increase granted by the City Council. If certain standards
and criteria are set and an employee meets the requirements, then it
would be extremely difficult if not impossible for that employee to
receive some percentage merit increase. The percentage of merit increase
does not necessarily have to be the same for each employee.
Mr. Edgell talked about job descriptions and the different grade levels
for each job. Mr. Mitchell acknowledged that there were disparities
in the present system and it will require a lot of review and study to
determine how we can upgrade and improve the present system.
There was also a discussion about wage increases that would be tied in
with additional schooling and different classifications such as the
type required in the Water Dept. Mr. Copeland pointed out that many
employees cover different jobs and it is hard to put them in a specific
classification.
It was suggested that information be obtained from other municipalities
concerning policies for merit increases, promotions, schooling, grade
levels, etc.
Mr. Mitchell told the board members that certain proposals that have
been made to minor changes in the Merit Ordinance can be reviewed at
a later date. He also asked that the board begin working on updating
the system and clarifying procedures for different kinds of personnel
action.
Mr. Edgell motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Avery.
The meeting was adjourned.
Minutes submitted by:
Nancy Blazi