Personnel Sub-Committee Special Meeting Minutes - May 27, 2014-DRAFT
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Personnel Sub-Committee – Special Meeting
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
7:00 A.M. – Simsbury Town Offices – Main Meeting Room
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
DRAFT
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 a.m. Personnel Sub-Committee members Lisa Heavner (Chair), Sean Askham and Cheryl Cook were present. Director of Administrative Services Tom Cooke, Deputy Director of Administrative Services Sean Kimball and Library Director Lisa Karim were also in attendance.
2. Public Audience
No members of the public spoke at public audience.
3. Approval of minutes of meeting on April 28, 2014
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the draft minutes of the meeting of April 28, 2014. Ms. Cook seconded the motion. There were no revisions to the minutes and the motion passed unanimously.
4. Approval of new job descriptions for the Library, Planning Department, and Culture, Parks and Recreation
Teen Services Librarian position description
Mr. Cooke noted that all of the positions had been reviewed with the appropriate union representatives, stated that the Library was taking steps to increase customer service functions and asked Ms. Karim to address the proposed job description changes starting with the Teen Services Librarian position. Ms. Karim stated that the position was designed to provide a resource for teens in the library, an advocate for teen services and a position to help networking with other teen resources (such as the school library system). Ms. Karim gave examples of the new makers space program and a “next gen at work” seminar that are targeted at teens. She noted that many teens are currently using the library after school. She confirmed that the library was already offering SAT and ACT review programs.
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the Teen Services Librarian position job description. Ms. Cook seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Library Services Assistant – Children’s position description
With respect to the Library Services Assistant – Children’s position, Ms. Karim stated that this position would replace a Circulation Assistant position and noted that the move was possible because a Circulation Assistant employee was retiring. The new position will be at the same pay grade as the Circulation Assistant position. Ms. Karim added that the position would be “front-facing” and was intended to increase the resources available to library users. The Sub-Committee reviewed the proposed job description, including its educational requirements.
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the proposed Library Services Assistant – Children’s position description. Ms. Cook seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Administrative Secretary I – Library position description
Ms. Karim stated that, in accordance with the decisions made during the budget process, the Administrative Secretary I – Library position was being converted to part-time. She stated that after reviewing the current job description, which was created in 1989, she concluded that the same functions were appropriate, and that little change was necessary due to technological innovation. Mr. Kimball added that the position description had been updated to include current “required knowledge, skills and abilities” and “required physical and mental effort and environmental conditions” provisions.
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the proposed Administrative Secretary I – Library position description. Ms. Cook seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Assistant Town Planner position description
Mr. Kimball explained that the position is based on the existing Conservation, Inland Wetlands, Zoning Compliance Officer position which was created last year as a part of a reorganization of the Planning Department. He noted that the Personnel Sub-Committee and the Board of Selectmen had approved a job duties framework which was used to create the job description for the position at the time. With the retirement of Howard Beach, Director of Planning Hiram Peck reviewed the position and had minor suggested changes which were included in the draft before the Sub-Committee. Mr. Kimball noted that the recommendations included a proposed title change to Assistant Planning Director which would, among other things, help the Town to recruit for the position. Ms. Heavner noted that the position was also consistent with the Town’s goal of improving successorship planning. The Sub-Committee recommended some wording changes to the proposed description, including a provision that the Assistant
Town Planner would communicate with the Boards served by the position. It also asked about website coverage in the Planning Department. Finally it asked that it be alerted to which Boards and Commissions were being regularly served by the Assistant Town Planner.
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the proposed Assistant Town Planner position description. Ms. Cook seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Assistant Golf Course Superintendent position description
Mr. Kimball stated that Golf Course Superintendent Mike Wallace had proposed changes to the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent with the retirement of the incumbent. The proposed revisions updated educational and licensing requirements. The Sub-Committee reviewed the proposed changes.
Mr. Askham made a motion to approve the proposed Assistant Golf Course Superintendent position description. Ms. Cook seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
5. Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Askham made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Ms. Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Thomas F. Cooke