PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

 

January 26, 2006

 

A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners’ Personnel Committee was held on Thursday, January 26, 2006 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Chairperson Bernie LaJoie called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:        Bernie LaJoie, Chairman, Earl Kay and Ted Postula (4:38 pm)

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:         None

 

OTHERS PRESENT:            Judge Nicholas Lambros; Jeri Lou Wolski, Circuit Court Administrator; County Clerk Diane Cork; Public Defender Elizabeth Church; and Kelly Beaune, Recorder

 

Additions/Deletions to the Agenda

Chairman LaJoie called for additions or deletions to the agenda.  It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner LaJoie to approve the agenda as presented.   On a voice vote, the motion carried.

 

Public Comments

Chairman LaJoie called for public comments.  No public comments were offered.

 

Information Items

No additional items were received.

 

Agenda Items: Circuit Court

Circuit Court Judge Nicholas Lambros addressed the Committee regarding Policy No. 221, which the Board recently waived for a new position in the Sheriff’s Department.  Judge Lambros indicated that this is the third time he has addressed the Circuit Court Administrator wages, asking again for an exception to the policy, and to upgrade the Circuit Court Administrator to the top five-year level.  He also indicated that he would have not come back except for the recent exception; as the Board had been following the policy.  The change in the salary would cost approximately $6,000.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the change to the Finance Committee, to increase the wage level for the Circuit Court Administrator to the five-year level effective November 15, 2005; to coincide with the start date of the new Lieutenant position in the Sheriff’s Department.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

County Clerk staffing

County Clerk Diane Cork addressed the Committee of a recent resignation in her office effective February 10, 2006.  Ms. Cork indicated that the Controller’s Office sought a waiver from the Circuit Court Unit to waive the five-day posting requirement per AFSCME contract.  Which was received and the posting was waived.  She asked that she be able to re-fill the position as soon as possible, so that she may have a few days of training provided by the employee that is resigning.  The FY06 County Clerk’s budget will not have to be increased, due to costs savings in fringe benefit, which will cover the one-week of training.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, supported by Commissioner Postula, to accept the resignation of Denita Stevens, and to pay Ms. Stevens in full on February 10, 2006.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Commissioner Postula, supported by Commissioner Kay, moved it to allow County Clerk Diane Cork, to hire, as soon as possible, for training purposes with no additional funding needed.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

The Committee thanked the AFSCME Circuit Court Unit for expediting the waiver as quickly as they did, helping Ms. Cork, in seeking staff replacement.

 

Public Defender

Public Defender Elizabeth Church addressed the Committee regarding her upcoming medical leave.  She asked the Committee to increase the Public Defender staff to 40 hours per week during Ms. Church’s leave, with the possibility of some hours being accrued for later time off.  The office would also send out all prison cases during this time, as they are 100% reimbursed by the state.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay seconded by Commissioner Postula, to approve 40 hours per week for Marlene Murphy, Administrative Assistant and Julie Beck, Assistant Public Defender, during Ms. Church’s medical leave, with the possibility of accrued hours being used later as time off.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

Sheriff Department Job Descriptions

Job descriptions were provided for positions 1st Lieutenant/Jail Administrator and 2nd Lieutenant/Jail Administrator, to be approved by the Committee with copies provided to the Board of Commissioners.

 

It was moved by Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to accept and approve the position descriptions as presented.  On a voice vote, the motion CARRIED.

 

The Committee also discussed offices that are currently working 40 hours per week, as indicated in a memo previously received from Sharon Kennedy, she is seeking additional hours for the Equalization Department and an increase in pay for the Director position.  The Committee asked that Ms. Kennedy present this to the Finance Committee in February for full Board discussion.

 

Committee Comments

No additional comments

 

Chairman’s Comments

No additional comments.

 

Adjourn

Commissioner Kay, seconded by Commissioner Postula, moved it to adjourn the meeting.  On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.

 

Chairman LaJoie declared the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

 

____________________________________                            ____________________________________

Kelly J. Beaune, Recorder                                                                   Bernard LaJoie, Chairman