Personnel Sub Committee Regular Meeting April 22, 2013-Approved

BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Personnel Sub-Committee – Minutes of Regular Meeting
Monday, April 22, 2013
6:00 P.M. – Simsbury Town Offices – Main Meeting Room

1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m.  Committee Chair Lisa Heavner and Committee member Shannon Knall were present.  Director of Administrative Services, Tom Cooke and Deputy Director of Administrative Services, Sean Kimball were also in attendance.

2.  Pledge of Allegiance
All stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

3.  Public Audience
After the pledge of allegiance, Ms. Heavner offered the opportunity for public audience – no member of the public spoke.

4.  Approval of minutes of meeting on March 11, 2013
Ms. Knall moved for the approval of the minutes of the March 11, 2013 meeting.  Ms. Heavner seconded the motion and it passed (2-0).

5.  Discussion of Use of Town Vehicles by Town Employees
Sean Kimball presented and reviewed the current Town Vehicle Use Policy.  Mr. Kimball also summarized the policies of neighboring towns Avon and Farmington and explained that their list of town employees provided with vehicles was essentially the same as in Simsbury.  All of the employees who are provided with vehicles are considered “on-call” and the benefit is properly documented per IRS regulations.  Ms. Heavner said that the committee may want to look into revising and updating the policy in the future with the guidance of Town Counsel.

6.  Discussion of Factors for Consideration in Review of Unaffiliated Employee Compensation for Fiscal Year 2014
Tom Cooke presented a discussion outline regarding the factors to be included in assessing and evaluating compensation for non-bargaining unit (unaffiliated) employees.  Mr. Cooke reviewed the recent history of compensation including the Town’s Market Reference Range study and the revised performance review process.  Ms. Heavner asked whether the amount of grant money generated by an employee could be a factor for consideration.  Mr. Cooke responded that this would be difficult because some positions have the ability to generate more grant money than others.  Mr. Cooke also reviewed various compensation options including general wage increases, performance bonuses and payments in lieu of salary increases.  There would most likely be some level of concessions in conjunction with any potential wage increases, such as pension or insurance benefits, similar to the agreements reached with the bargaining units.  Mr. Cooke said the next step is to begin the formal performance review process.  Mr. Cooke asked if the committee was comfortable with the approach outlined and the committee members responded affirmatively.

7. Update on Wellness Program – Inclusion of Unaffiliated Employees
Mr. Cooke reviewed the wellness program offered through IHS which was included as part of the approved CSEA contracts approved by the Board of Selectmen last December.  The program will be beginning in June with the biometric screenings for those employees eligible to participate. The program is completely voluntary.  Employees are provided $100 for joining and will see a decrease in their insurance premium share percentage of 2% during each future year in which they meet certain health goals individually customized by IHS.  Ms. Heavner asked how the response has been from employees.  Mr. Cooke responded that the marketing for the program will be starting very soon but the bargaining committee members are excited and we anticipate a good response.  Ms. Knall asked whether mental health was a factor included in the evaluation.  Mr. Cooke responded that he would need to confirm but that he believed if it is a factor, it would be a minor one.  Ms. Heavner made a motion to allow unaffiliated employees to participate in the wellness program, Ms. Knall seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion passed (2-0).

8. Adjourn
Ms. Knall made a motion to adjourn at 6:35pm.  Ms. Heavner seconded the motion, all were in favor and the motion to adjourn passed (2-0).