Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale Non-Bargaining Unit Employees Personnel Board met Dec. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m., by Chair Dave Chamness.

2. Roll Call

Present: Amber Ronketto, Chuck Vaught, Christina Kuhns, Jarin Dunnigan and David Chamness

Absent: Arnold Taylor and Harvey Welch

Also present: Tara Brown and Stan Reno

3. Approval of Minutes

Motion was made by Chuck Vaught and second by Christina Kuhns to approve the minutes with noted corrections from the October 26, 2017 meeting. VOTE: All in favor - Motion passed.

4. Old/Unfinished Business

A. Sick Leave Conversion

The Board discussed the options to convert sick leave and would like to invite the City Manager, Jeff Davis and Colin Day from Nationwide to the next meeting. Amber Ronketto noted that nonbargaining employees that are former officers currently have a VEBA account and can reactivate the accounts at the 50% payout rate but would rather receive payout at 100% as payed out to officers at retirement. Tara Brown stated that the Board must look at the options of how the conversion will benefit all non-bargaining employees. The Board discussed the sick and vacation buy back options as VEBA contributions and all employees would have to participate. The Board would have to present a proposal to the City Manager in reference to options for sick and vacation leave buyout to roll into a VEBA or deferred tax comp program. Tara Brown stated that there is a difference with Tier 1 and Tier 2 options for buyout and the board would have to discuss the pros and cons with Jeff Davis. The Board noted that this would benefit all parties because of pension and payout by the City. Chuck Vaught questioned if there was a regulation by IRS in reference to Individuals making contributions into their accounts. Jarin Dunnigan noted that because VEBA was established by the employer that only the employer can make contributions to the VEBA accounts. The Board discussed the VEBA and conversion questions for discussion at the next meeting:

1. Sick Leave (Retirement Payout)

a. 100 % conversion

i. Sick Leave Benefit Option

ii. Benefit employees to save on health cost

iii. Recruiting tool plus with Pension/IMRF

b. Difference in cash payout, 100% VEBA or 100% Deferred Comp.

i. Benefits the City and Employee

1. How much would it cost

ii. Benefit Pension/Medicare at retirement

2. Sick Leave Payout/Vacation Payout Annually

a. Paid into VEBA at 100% of current rate for Retirement

i. Sec. 13-3.11 Conversion, buyout or VEBA

B. Policy recommendations on the Bereavement Policy, Incentive to Attend Training Courses Policy, Employee Incentive Policy and Comp Time – Fire Department will go to the City Council for approval.

C. Chuck Vaught questioned the previous discussion in reference to the Advance Resignation Notice for the Fire Department. Chuck noted that the Fire Chief should revisit this proposal and look into a longer span of time than the proposed 6 month required notification.

5. New Business

A. Jarin Dunnigan asked the Board to look at the pay differential and pay scales vs pay grades. The Board discussed the union employee receiving 3% increase and difference in pay within departments were non-bargaining employees do not receive an increase. The Board noted that there needs to be something set in place to establish that non-bargaining employees will receive a set raise. Jarin gave a brief overview of the difference between union and non-bargaining employee pay rate increases over a period of years. David Chamness noted that a Position Management Study (PAM) was completed in the 1990’s but was told by that the City Manager makes the decision to perform a Position Management Study. The Board noted that they would like to have a discussion on pay rate increases before the union negotiations began.

B. Dave Chamness noted some concerns with the Vacation Buy Back changes. Dave noted that timing is a concern when an employee receives vacation right before the payout in May. The Board will have to review the policy for revision or language changes. Tara Brown will provide the updated version of the Vacation Buy Back policy approved by Council.

6. Public Comments & Questions

7. Announcements

Next meeting will be held January 25, 2018 at 2:00 pm

8. Adjournment

Motion was made by Amber Ronketto and seconded by Chuck Vaught to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 3:46 p.m.

http://explorecarbondale.com/sites/default/files/Council%20Minutes/2018Council/2018-03-27%20Regular%20City%20Council%20Boards%20and%20Commissions%20Minutes.pdf