HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/1990 Adjourned Meeting •
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June 5, 1990
• CITY' OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
ADJOURNED MEETING
The City Council met in session on this date at 11:45 A:M. at the
Towne Plaza Restaurant in Yakima, Washington for the purpose of
I/ meeting with the Civil Service Commissioners regarding :personnel
functions. Mayor Pat Berndt, presiding, Council. members Clarence
Barnett, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn Buchanan, George Pechtel, Skip
Semon and Bernard Sims present. Personnel Chief Examiner
Alliston, Fire Chief Beeson, Police Chief Green, Deputy Personnel
Officer Smith, Assistant City Manager Stouder, Personnel Manager
Sutton, City Attorney Vanek, and Clerk " also present.
Police and Fire Civil Service Commissioners present were: Jessie
Cox, Russ Rennie, and Bill Wright and General Civil Service
Commissioners: Clay Gerstenberger and Phil Posada.
Mayor Berndt asked those present to introduce themselves and state
their reason for, attending the meeting. Following introductions,
Mr. Sutton presented a chart of the Personnel office functions.
He advised Council that he will soon ask for a name change to
reflect the human resource functions in the Division. Mr. Sutton
reviewed the information he distributed on human resources and
time spent on personnel functions. The majority of their time is
spent on labor relations,, health benefits, safety, workman's
compensation, and civil service. Mr. Sutton explained that
Personnel is understaffed by one position, which they hope to fill
by August. Cotincil' member Sims questioned the length of time to
fill positions, comparing it with the short time it takes in the
private sector. Mr. Sutton explained the time consuming steps
required through Civil Service in order to fill a position.
Deputy Personnel Officer Smith explained her duties, primarily
collective bargaining and health benefits administration. Council
member Sims asked about time spent labor negotiations and asked
if they could be set for specific limited times. Ms. Smith said
financial analogies are very sophisticated and time consuming
because of the "what ifs ". She said the Medical Plan has 8
distinct plans to administer which makes it complex. Mr. Sims
asked about contracting out services to simplify things. Assistant
City Manager Stouder stated that is currently done to some extent,
, which does relieve a lot of the work. Ms. Smith. stated some of
her work will be relieved•by additional clerical help. Mr. Sims
asked about the turn over of City positions. Staff replied that
I/ approximately 41% are _,promoted within the City. Mr. Sutton
explained the procedure of temporary, seasonal and part -time
employees, which are between 125 -150 people.
Commissioner Rennie asked about not being allowed to put jobs out
to bid because of Union bargaining. Mr. Stouder replied that new
functions can be contracted out as long;, as it doesn;t cause a
\ work force reduction. The Union bargaining impact was discussed
by staff and Commissioners. Mr. Sims suggested that the City is
very close to a "cafeteria plan" in health care which he feels is
the best 'manner to appeal to individual employee needs. Staff and
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JUNE 5, 1990
Commissioners feel this is a real - .possibility in the near future.
Chief Examiner Alliston stated her primary responsibilities are
testing, re- classification, civil service, affirmative action,
recruitment and various reports and projects. She reviewed the
necessary steps to hire an employee, from initial listing,
advertising, certification, testing, scoring, and selection,
adding up to approximately 37 hours per examination. The
extensive requirements are mandated by Civil Service Commission
rules and must be followed. Mr. Sims suggested a manpower plan
to utilize employee skills. Mr. Sims felt this is the most
informative `'and productive meeting he has attended this year,
however, he feels the personnel system needs to be simplified.
Career planning was also discussed; no definite conclusions were
reached. Ms. Alliston was commended for her excellent work. She
stated'reports have been lengthened greatly because of information
requested by the City Manager and Council. Mr. Sims felt the
answer was not in adding more people in Personnel, but in finding
ways to streamline the present workload. Mr. Sutton replied that
this is in progress with more work being computerized.
Commissioner Cox, addressing the issue of how Civil Service works
with staff, stated he feels things have worked well between the
Commission and Personnel. He feels expediency should not be the
number one factor, as too many mistakes occur when things are done
too fast. The'probation period was discussed and the importance
in Civil Service employment of both making wise decisions in the
beginning and correcting mistakes within the first six months.
Mr. Sutton congratulated Ms. Alliston and announced that she had
been married over the week -end and her name is now Welsh.
Mr. Posada stressed the importance of communication between staff,
Council and Commissioners. He agreed with Mr. Sims that this was
a very informative 'meeting. The consensus of the Council and
Commissioners was that understanding' is much greater when
communication is kept open. Mr. Sutton informed the Commissioners
that they would be put on the mailing list for Council packets.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 P.M.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY:',
NCIL BER DA E
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,lam/ jL,
�'.UNCIL M - BER DATE
ATTEST:
e C ivy C'_. Ca..tge_7o6/ •
CITY CLERK MAYOR
Minutes prepared by Lois Harris- Givens
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