07/29/1986 City CouncilTHE FOLLOWING ARE INFORMAL MINUTES TAKEN BY TH.E.000NCIL ASSISTANT AT THE COUNCIL
DINNER WORK MEETING.
A dinner work meeting of
at 8:10 p.m. by Council
Restaurant in Edmonds.
PRESENT
Steve Dwyer
Laura Hall
Jo -Anne Jaech
Bill Kasper
John Nordquist
Lloyd Ostrom
Jack Wilson
COUNCIL
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
DINNER WORK MEETING
JULY 29, 1986
the Edmonds City Council was called to order
President Laura Hall at Anthony's. Homeport
STAFF PRESENT
Barbara Parsloe, Council Asst.
Council President Hall stated that the first order of business would
be to discuss the job description for Personnel Manager, especially
regarding that position's involvement in labor negotiations.
Councilmember Nordquist stated that the question should be resolved
quickly so that the position can be filled. He noted that there can
be pressure in the area of personnel and there is a need for a lead
person to be in charge. He said he felt that the personnel manager
needs to be knowledgeable in negotiations so that he knows what the
city attorney is talking about, but that the personnel manager should
not be in charge of the negotiations.
Councilmember Ostrom stated that he feels every city manager should
be a personnel manager for their own staff. This would relieve the
pressure on the personnel manager. He said that the City doesn't
need a "warm, fuzzy place" for employees. The personnel manager
position is an administrative function, which takes care of benefits,
paperwork and other business functions.
Council President Hall asked where employees should turn when they
need counseling. Councilmember Ostrom stated that the personnel
manager should be available to assist managers in solving personnel
problems, but that he doesn't do the actual managing.
Councilmember Wilson noted that the managers rely on the personnel
director for all sorts of things that they don't keep abreast of
individually. Benefits is just one example.
Council President Hall stated that it is most cost effective for the
personnel manager to, keep up-to-date on these issues, rather than all
managers spending time researching personnel management issues.
Councilmember Wilson said another example is the question of where an
employee can turn when they have a serious problem in their own
department.
Councilmember Jaech stated that the written policy is that the
employee should first bring a grievance to their supervisor, then to
the Community Services Director, and then to the Mayor.
Council President Hall said that in some cases when an employee
appeals a decision they have to return to the same body - the Mayor's
cabinet - which originally downgraded their position.
Councilmember Ostrom stated that the managers should be responsible
to hire, fire, promote and demote the employees in their
departments.
Councilmember Wilson stated that it is not possible to do away with
the position of personnel director. Councilmember Ostrom stated that
he was not advocating eliminating the position.
Councilmember Dwyer said that the personnel director is needed to
monitor personnel laws, manage benefits and do other functions.
Council President Hall stated that when a person has a grievance the
personnel director is usually involved in the grievance process.
Councilmember Ostrom stated that he would like further discussion
regarding the definition of the personnel director position, and
suggested that a discussion with the Mayor might be appropriate.
Councilmember Jaech stated that in her opinion the personnel director
position should not be upgraded. The personnel director does a
variety of tasks to coordinate, research and support the City on
personnel matters, but he does not have the responsibility for
managing personnel, except those in his or her department. The
contract and the manual outline a grievance procedure. She stated
that she feels the position should not be expanded, but should remain
an E5.
Councilmember Nordquist asked Councilmember Jaech if she wants to
change the name of the position. Councilmember Jaech responded that
she felt the title Personnel Manager is appropriate because the
person is a manager of his or her own department.
Council President Hall reminded the Council that the major question
before them was labor negotiations.
Councilmember Jaech stated that she does not want the person to do
labor negotiations. The Council can hire a professional negotiator
if it needs one. This person will help gather materials and provide
support to the negotiator.
Councilmember Ostrom reviewed the history of the position, and that
it had originated as a part time position, and that prior to that
personnel functions had been performed by the MAA.
Councilmember Nordquist said that Pat LeMay was originally hired in
what was then defined as a temporary position, which was to end at
the end of the year. Councilmember Kasper said that there were
reasons why the position had continued past that point, including
training and job classification.
Council President Hall said that the Mayor wants to advertise the
position, so the Council should act to wrap up its discussion. She
requested clarification on the Council position regarding
negotiation.
Councilmember Nordquist stated that the personnel manager should be
knowledgeable of labor negotiations, but should not be orchestrating
the negotiations.
Councilmember Dwyer stated that the personnel manager should provide
information and support for city negotiations.
Council President Hall stated that the personnel director position
should remain at grade E5.
Councilmember Wilson stated that he felt that the city should go
outside to fill the position, rather than promoting from current
staff.
Councilmember Nordquist questioned whether the experience and
education requirements on page 2 of the job description are too
rigid. He felt that seven or eight years of experience might
substitute for a Bachelors Degree, particularly if the candidate had
a two year degree in Business.
Councilmember Kasper and Councilmember Dwyer felt that the
requirement for a Bachelors Degree should remain.
Councilmember Jaech asked what the salary range for the position is,
and stated that if it is over $30,000, it may be appropriate to
consider expanding the experience requirements.
Councilmember Dwyer said he would like to discuss at what level the
Council should stop confirming appointments. He said he does not
feel it necessary to review appointments below an 8 or 9, and asked
what other cities do.
Councilmember Jaech stated that she felt it important for the Council
to confirm the appointment of any staff person who will work closely
with the Council.
Council President Hall noted that the next item for discussion was
the Parks and Recreation Director.
Councilmember Jaech said that parks and recreation is a city amenity,
which we all need, but that in these tight budget times it is
important to get better budget data. She stated that the City is in
effect subsidizing the Park and Rec programs and we nerd to ask how
much subsidy we can afford. For example, she pointed out that of
$96,000 recently spent on temporary help, $35,000 was for Parks and
Rec. She said she would like data on how much revenue had been
returned from Parks and Rec programs, and would like to explore
alternatives. She said that privatization can be applied to many
Parks and Rec programs and would like to find out what this would
cost, and what it might offer.
Councilmember Dwyer said that he was concerned that the Parks and Rec
manager should not take. his three-week vacation around the 4th of
July, since this is a peak service period for that department. He
also felt that better maintenance of the park facilities is
critical.
Council President Hall asked whether any Council member wanted to
amend the written job description. No one suggested any changes, and
the meeting was adjourned.
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