Employee Forum Minutes

August 12, 2004

HR Training Room

 

Member Present: Than Austin, Jonathan Bell, Felix Bloch, Danny Lloyd, Charles Bynum, Lisa Edwards, Amy Harvey, Dorice Johnson, Chelsea Laws, Mona Nazir, Will Quick, Iris Schwintzer, Jackie Thompson, Susie Whaley, Maryjean Williams

 

Member Not Present: Ann Brown, Maggie Burnett, Norman Clark, Deborah Squires, Wes Tilghman, Traval Watkins

 

Guest Present: Anissa Graham Davis

 

These minutes are complied from notes taken by Will Quick and Amy Harvey, thank you to both of them for their assistances.

 

•Notice was given to the upcoming Employee Wellness & Awareness Fair that will take place on August 20, 2004 at the Hargraves Center. The hours will be 9am till 2 pm.  This is an initiative the Forum has conceived, developed and executed.

 

Housekeeping Issues

•Communications and Employee Relations Committee:

1. Employee ID badges are not in production at this time.  Interest in having the badges has varied throughout the departments within the Town.

2. Suggestion for diversity speakers is open; Mary Jean is heading up this project.

3. The Public Works Director’s search committee has posted the job opening in 7 separate publications.  Two of which are gear toward distribution in the minority community (Triangle Tribune and The Carolinina).

 

Benefits Committee:

1. The proposal for the Employee Discount Card has been researched with the examples from at least one other municipality that has already implemented.  Opportunity for questions from the Forum was welcomed.  After discussion, it was agreed by the Forum to proceed and submit proposal to the Town Manager.

2. Forum members were asked to solicit ideas from co-workers regarding options for Supplemental Insurance. This should be submitted to Than before the September meeting so that he can compose a list.

 

Education Committee:

1. The Spanish classes have been cut from the budget. There is a request to find a Spanish speaking employee that would be willing to do peer teaching.  If there is any department that is currently offering classes and has room for additional, interested participants outside the department please make it known to Forum member so they can pass this onto their department.

2. Research on the Tuition Reimbursement program has revealed its usage has been low with only 11 pay outs last year.  There was some discussion on whether or not we should present a proposal requesting that some type of tiered system be put into place so that someone who wants to take a University (Degree program) class might be able to get more money than a Continuing Ed Class.  These two types of classes cost very greatly.  You could pay for several Cont. Ed. Classes verses only part of a Degree Program class. Also the fact that tuition has increased in the past years but the benefit has not.  Considering the tight budget for this year and the expectation of an even tighter fiscal year for 05/06, it was concluded no such request would be made at this time.  This issue could come back for further discussion as some point.

3. Drawing for computers was carried out.  The winners are the following employees:

Ben Farrell - Police Dept.

Van Bennett - Inspections Dept.

Nicole Dube – Police Dept.

John French – Police Dept.

Eugene Farrar – Public Works

Lisa Parker – Housing

Carl Moraven – Police Dept.

D. Yancy – Transportation

Paula Gibbs – Police Dept.

E. Lach – Transportation

4. The Lunch and Learn series is periodically ongoing.

 

Policy:

1. A suggestion to extend employer-paid insurance coverage for employees to one year was denied by the Town Manager.

2. A suggestion to amend the Leave Donation Policy to allow for donation of sick time as well as vacation was denied by the Town Manager.  According to Pam Eastwood’s memo, this issue had previously been researched and the results were not favorable for such an amendment.

3. Cell phone usage – nothing done, discussed.  The following departments contributed their policies: Fire, Transit, Police and HR.

4. The Adverse Weather Policy is being reviewed by a committee appointed by the Town Manager to work with HR. More information and communication forthcoming.

5. Jackie Thompson researched the possibility of employees purchasing Town equipment that has been taken out of service. Her findings indicated the state statutes prohibit such a transaction and these assets must be disposed of using some sort of equal, competitive means.

 

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:50 am.