PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
				  MEETING MINUTES

				   April 1, 2002

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners' Personnel Committee was held on 
Monday, April 1, 2002 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Chairman 
Hopper called the meeting to order at 4:28 p.m. with a quorum present.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Aaron Hopper, Chairman, and Bernard LaJoie

MEMBERS ABSENT:	Ted Postula

OTHERS PRESENT:	Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Hon. Nicholas Lambros, Circuit 
		Court, Hon. Michael MacDonald, District Court, Barbara Fortin, 
		Enforcement Officer and AFSCME Local 1552 President, Lisa Wilcox, 
		Office Manager and AFSCME Local 1552 Chapter Chairperson


Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Chairman Hopper called for additions or deletions to the agenda.  Hearing none, the agenda was declared 
approved as presented.

Agenda Items: Court Administrator Wages
Judge Lambros reported that the Circuit Court and District Court Administrators were of the opinion that 
they should be paid the same as the Probate Court Administrator / Juvenile Officer.  He discussed the 
responsibilities of the Court Administrators in some detail, adding that he did not believe the Probate 
Court Administrator / Juvenile Officer was doing as much work.  Judge MacDonald said the issues dates
back to the results of the wage study and reminded the Committee that an adjustment in the Probate Court 
Administrator / Juvenile Officer pay rate was supposed to be made upon the retirement of Mr. Roy.

Chairman Hopper reported the Board of Commissioners was considering a policy to address job 
classifications in a uniform manner.  He said the results of this effort should simplify the reclassification
process and provide for a uniform analysis of all positions.  When asked about a timetable for 
completion, the Chairman said he could not provide a date.

Public Comments
Barbara Fortin, Enforcement Officer and AFSCME Local 1552 President, asked the Committee to extend
voluntary recognition of the City/County Building Custodian as a member of the AFSCME Courthouse 
bargaining unit.  Controller Dolehanty concurred with the Union's request, adding that the omission of 
the position was probably an unintended oversight.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Chairman Hopper, to recommend that the 
Board of Commissioners extend voluntary recognition of the City/County Building Custodian as a 
member of the AFSCME Courthouse bargaining unit.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Agenda Items:  Consideration of New Employees
Controller Dolehanty recommended that Abbie Holland be hired to fill a part time animal shelter 
attendant position.  Dolehanty said his recommendation follows a candidate selection process that 
attracted 12 applicants, with five candidates selected for interviews.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Chairman Hopper, to recommend that the
Board of Commissioners offer the part time animal shelter attendant position to Abbie Holland.  
On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Dolehanty presented the Committee with a scheduling problem encountered when attempting to schedule 
a 20-hour workweek for all three shelter attendants.  An additional one and one half hours per week 
would allow opening the shelter to the public one additional day each week, thereby meeting a goal set in 
November.  Dolehanty also stated the weekend animal control officer works only 16 hour per week 
instead of the 20 budgeted, leaving four hours available each week.  He asked that the Committee 
consider using a portion of that time of offset the additional time needed at the shelter.

It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Chairman Hopper, to recommend allowing 
the County Controller to adjust the hours of animal shelter attendants to allow up to 25 hours per 
week, with additional hours to be offered first to the most senior animal shelter attendant, and that 
any adjustment fall within total hours budgeted for the animal control department.  On a voice 
vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Assistant Public Defender Status
Controller Dolehanty reported that Assistant Public Defender Elizabeth recently accepted a new position 
with the Sault Tribe.  In her attempts to recruit a new employee, Public Defender Elizabeth Church noted 
top candidates are asking for a wage higher than the starting rate established for the position.  She asked 
that the Committee consider allowing her to start the position at the three-year level of the assigned pay 
grade.  Committee members discussed the situation and decided to postpone any response pending final 
approval of the draft personnel policy.

Collective Bargaining Matters
Controller Dolehanty reported the next collective bargaining session was scheduled for April 10 
beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Public Comments
There were no public comments.

Committee Comments
There were no additional Committee member comments.

Chairperson's Comments
Chairman Hopper had no addition comments.

Adjourn
It was moved by Commissioner LaJoie, supported by Chairman Hopper, to adjourn the meeting. 
On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

Chairman Hopper declared the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.






__________________________________			________________________________
Timothy J. Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder			Aaron Hopper, Committee Chairman