PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
January 15, 2008

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Steff called the January 15, 2008 meeting of the COG Personnel Committee to order at 12:00 Noon in the COG Forum Room with the following individuals in attendance:

Committee:  Ms. Shoemaker; Messrs. Filippelli, Heinsohn, Moyer, Troxell, Wilson

Others:  Mr. Steff, COG Executive Director; Mussi, Code Director; Mses. Allen, Library Director; Prosek, Recording Secretary

CITIZEN COMMENTS

No members of the public were present.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion was made by Mr. Filippelli and seconded by Ms. Shoemaker to accept the minutes of the November 13, 2007 Personnel Committee meeting as presented.  Vote in favor of the motion was unanimous.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Mr. Steff reported that the Committee members should elect a Chair and Vice Chair for 2008.  He stated that during 2007, Mr. Wilson served as the Chair and Mr. Fryer was Vice Chair.

Mr. Filippelli moved to nominate Mr. Wilson as Chair.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Moyer and unanimously approved.

Mr. Moyer moved to nominate Mr. Filippelli as Vice Chair.  This motion was seconded by Ms. Shoemaker and unanimously approved.

Mr. Wilson thanked the Committee for its vote of confidence and commended the efforts of Mr. Steff and Ms. Prosek in approaching employee policies in a progressive manner.  He noted that the excellent retention rate for COG employees speaks to that philosophy.

For the benefit of the new Committee members, Mr. Wilson proceeded with introductions of the Agency Directors.

MEETING DATES, TIME, AND LOCATION

Mr. Wilson reported that the Committee should choose the time, location, and dates for its 2008 meetings.  He said that during 2007, the Committee met on the second Tuesday of the month at 12:00 Noon in the COG Forum Room. 

The Personnel Committee unanimously agreed to continue meeting on the second Tuesday of the month in the COG Forum Room at 12:00 Noon.

GRIEVANCE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE

Mr. Wilson stated that the COG's Personnel Policy establishes a Grievance Resolution Committee comprised of three representatives of the Personnel Committee (one of whom is the Chair), and two representatives of the affected agency board.  He said that the Committee should appoint two individuals to the Committee.  Mr. Wilson said that in 2007, the Personnel Committee’s three representatives were Messrs. Filippelli, Killian, and himself.

It was the consensus of the Committee that Messrs. Filippelli, Heinsohn, and Wilson should serve as the Personnel Committee’s representatives to the Grievance Resolution Committee.  

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

Mr. Wilson said that the COG’s policy on sexual harassment requires the Personnel Committee to review informal sexual harassment complaints.  He said that in 2007, Ms. Dauler and Mr. Fryer were the designated individuals for this process.

It was the consensus of the Committee that Ms. Shoemaker and Mr. Troxell should serve as the elected officials who are designated to receive sexual harassment complaints, should an employee select that reporting option. 

POSITION UPGRADE

Mr. Steff reported that the COG’s Position Classification Plan assigns the Personnel Committee with the responsibility for considering revisions to job descriptions that involve a significant change in duties and a salary adjustment.  Mr. Steff referred members to a proposal from Ms. Allen to upgrade the position of the Computer Systems Administrator for Schlow Library from Pay Band B-2-1 to Pay Band C-5-1. 

Ms. Allen reported this position was developed prior to the implementation of the Regional Technology Coalition that currently serves the COG through an agreement with Borough IT staff.  She added that everything in the library is automated and time sensitive.  She then reviewed the current and proposed salaries.

Mr. Filippelli noted that the bump in salary for the individual is relatively small.

Mr. Steff stated that he supports the proposed upgrade; however, because of its high degree of technical responsibility, the position could be assigned to Pay Band C-5-2. He added that both he and Ms. Prosek feel that a higher rating may be warranted and would like to conduct a salary survey for the position.

In response to a question from Mr. Heinsohn, Ms. Allen explained the relationship Schlow has with the state library system and Schlow’s designation as a district library serving 4 counties and 16 branch libraries.  She noted that the library’s Computer Systems Administrator provides support for all the libraries in the district as a consultant for major projects.

In response to a question from Mr. Moyer, Ms. Allen stated that the new part-time assistant working under the Administrator is paid through state funding for the district library.

In response to a question from Mr. Troxell, Ms. Allen stated that although the University’s internship program is excellent, the library needs continuity in the position and someone who can be there for an indefinite period of time.

The Committee agreed that if the survey results indicate that an additional adjustment is needed, it could be addressed through the draft 2009 budget process.

Motion was made by Mr. Moyer and seconded by Mr. Filippelli that the Personnel Committee approve the revised job description for the Computer Systems Administrator dated January 2008. Vote in favor was unanimous.

MERIT PLAN SUMMARY

Mr. Steff referred members to an enclosure that summarizes merit adjustments made on January 1, 2008 for COG full-time employees, and achievement awards given to employees for extraordinary performance during 2007.

Ms. Prosek confirmed that merit adjustments of 0.5% indicate that the employee meets the expectations of the job.  She noted that probationary employees do not receive merit adjustments until they have completed one year of service.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST – AUTOPORT RESTAURANT

Mr. Steff reviewed the history of the issue by reporting that recently the wife of Code Director Greg Mussi purchased the Autoport Restaurant and approximately $50,000 in renovations is proposed for the building.

Mr. Steff stated that to address the potential appearance of a conflict of interest, he has retained the services of Keystone Inspection Services as an independent third party inspection agency to conduct, in conjunction with the CRCA staff, plan review and inspection services.

Mr. Filippelli suggested that the process developed for this project be used as a template for future work at the Autoport and other projects where COG employees have a vested interest.  He voiced concern that including in the process a Code inspector that is supervised by Mr. Mussi makes it impossible for the inspector to be an independent actor.  He suggested removing all Code staff from the inspection process.

Mr. Filippelli received confirmation that Mr. Steff, as a certified building official, could sign off on the permit.

Ms. Shoemaker noted that Mr. Steff may find it necessary to have access to building professionals if he has questions.  She also questioned the time commitment this would pose for him.

Mr. Steff replied that the estimated time for this project was manageable and supported a process that would ensure the public’s perception that our inspections program is as fair and equitable as it can be.

Motion was made by Mr. Filippelli and seconded by Mr. Troxell that the Personnel Committee recommends the use of Keystone Inspections Services as a third party inspector for the Autoport Restaurant with all permits to be signed by Jim Steff as the building official and Rick Hampton as the building inspector. 

Mr. Troxell questioned how future conflicts of interest will be handled.

Mr. Mussi shared that his wife has owned a daycare facility for many years and fire inspections have been performed by Code staff.

Ms. Allen reminded members that the new Code of Conduct Policy is already in place leaving the procedures to be worked out each time individual issues are presented.

Vote in favor of the motion on the table was unanimous.

Mr. Steff agreed to report the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to the Code Committee to keep them in the loop.

FUTURE COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

Mr. Steff referred the Committee to the list of potential agenda items to be considered in 2008.  The Committee had nothing more to add.

Ms. Prosek agreed to prepare a notebook of personnel policies for the newest Committee members.

ADJOURNMENT

The January 15, 2008 meeting of the Personnel Committee was adjourned at 1:15 PM.

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Cathleen M. Prosek
                                                                                                Recording Secretary