Present: Chairman Rackow, Alderpersons Seiser, Sowieja, Moore

Excused: Ald. Molski

Also Present: Mayor Wescott, C/T Schlice, Clerk Zdroik, Directors Gardner, Schrader, Van Alstine; Alderpersons Sevenich, Walther, Filipiak, Barr, Nealis, Phillips; Mayoral Assistant Molepske, Fire Chief Barnes, Police Captain Daubert, Personnel Specialist Jakusz, Barbara Martin (Journal), Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette)

1. Consideration of Reclassification Requests (Water and Sewage Department, Community Development Department, Administrative Services).

Chairman Rackow informed the Committee that the reclassification requests for the Water and Sewage Department are going back to the Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners for more consultation. Therefore, the reclassification requests are withdrawn.

The Chairman explained the process per City Administrative Policy 2.05, where requests for reclassification are to be submitted to the Personnel Office by May 15 for bargaining unit positions and July 1 for non-represented positions. All the reclassification requests before the Committee tonight are for non-represented positions. The role of the Personnel Committee is to accept or reject the recommendation. He added that if the Committee rejects a recommendation, it is a good idea to suggest what might be done differently.

Personnel Specialist Jakusz said the reclassification requests are for the Confidential Secretary (Administrative Services), Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator, Transit Manager, and Operations Supervisor (Transit). She added that the levy impact, as reported, remains the same.

Chairman Rackow recalled the last time the Committee dealt with reclassification, we went a little bit astray. Another problem that we get into is thinking of the individual who currently holds the position. What the Committee is dealing with is the reclassification of the job as described which is not connected to the individual involved.

Ald. Moore feels the information given to them is generic in nature. He would like to see the actual request from the department heads who requested the audit. The Alderman said he would like to see more information on the job duties of the individuals being reclassified than what the Committee was provided. He said he does not have enough information to base his decision on.

Ald. Nealis asked if it is wise to do this reclassifications at this time when the City is going into the union contracts? The Alderman added the raises range from 5% to 12% which he feels is excessive, especially in these tough economic times. He is also concerned about setting a precedent. He asked that this action be postponed to another time.

Personnel Specialist Jakusz said the Administrative Policy governing reclassification is open for both the represented and non-represented positions. The represented employees can do this through reclassification requests or through bargaining.

Chairman Rackow said the timing is set by the Administrative Policy which includes an annual evaluation of all non-represented employees. He is reluctant to propose any timing change.

Ald. Barr noted that the concerns expressed by Ald. Moore and Ald. Nealis are very valid. These concerns were thoroughly addressed by the Mayor, Department Heads, and the Personnel Specialist. The Committee's obligation is to either accept or reject the reclassification requests.

Mayor Wescott said he is sensitive to what Ald. Nealis and Ald. Moore said. He said he has always asked the Personnel Department to make sure that it is clearly spelled out at reclassification time that a lot of work goes into this process. The recommendations that have been approved by the Mayor are before the Personnel Committee tonight. Through the years, a lot of the reclassification requests did not make it to this level, the Mayor said. He added that if the reclassification request is justified, it will be considered, and if it is not, it stops. Alderpersons with questions should contact him, he added. The Personnel Department has files on these requests and he invites the alderpersons to come to his office to view the notes and he will explain to them how they arrived at these recommendations.

On the Mayor's reclassification request for the Administrative Services Confidential Secretary, he said that she was so busy doing City payroll that she could not do any work for him today.

A lot of discussion followed on the Management Pay Plan and the salaries of some individuals from neighboring communities.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Sowieja seconded, for approval of the reclassification request for the Administrative Services Confidential Secretary/Payroll Coordinator.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Sowieja seconded, to approve the reclassification request for the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

Ald. Sowieja moved, Chairman Rackow seconded, to approve the reclassification request for the Transit Manager.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried.

Ald. Sowieja moved, Ald. Seiser seconded, for approval of the reclassification request for the Operations Supervisor in the Transit Department.

Ayes, all; nays, none. Motion carried

2. Adjournment - 7:45 P.M.

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