HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-13-minutes-staffing-actions-related-to-covid-1904/13/2020 MINUTES 1
COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS AUDITORIUM SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY 11:00 A.M. APRIL 13, 2020
Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Via Phone: Vice-
Chairman Laura Osiadacz and Commissioner Cory Wright.
Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Lisa Young, Human
Resource Director; Jerry Pettit, Auditor; Paul Sander, Lower
District Court Judge; Via Phone: Patti Johnson, Solid Waste
Director/Interim Maintenance Director/Project Manager; Mark Cook,
Public Works Director; Amy Cziske, Treasurer; Elishia Harvill, Chief
Administrator; Diana MacKenzie, Upper District Court Administrator;
Jesse Cox, Environmental Health Supervisor; Karen Bowman,
Administrative Supervisor; Dan Carlson, CDS Director; Nick
Henderson, Coroner; Greg Zempel, Prosecutor; Clay Myers, Sheriff;
and Val Barschaw, Clerk.
SPECIAL MEETING PLANNING UPDATE/COVID-19 COMMISSIONERS
At 11:00 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting to
consider Staffing actions related to COVID-19.
Lisa Young, Human Resources Director, explained that on April 15,
2020 some employees will have exhausted their FFCRA Emergency Paid
Sick Leave. She asked the Board for direction regarding employees in
on-essential positions (those not deemed essential by the Governor’s
Order and therefore unable to work or telework) once their Federal
leave bank is exhausted, as well as for those who are performing
essential work on a part-time basis who may run out of Federal leave
before the Order is lifted. There was discussion on the various
options along with the pro’s and con’s for each one.
Judy Pless, Budget & Finance Manager, said she had prepared a budget
analysis and options for the Board’s consideration including
utilizing the Rainy Day fund for payment of salaries through the
Governor’s current Order through May 4, 2020. Greg Zempel,
Prosecutor felt the time was now to use a portion of the Rainy Day
Fund and the County can build it back up in the future. Jerry
Pettit, Auditor, spoke in favor of using a portion of the Rainy Day
Fund. He noted the County would still be obligated to reimburse
unemployment payout for employees who apply if they are laid off and
how all departments should begin looking at their budgets and
different ways to be creative. Val Barschaw, Clerk questioned what
the Board’s priorities of financial versus the County employees
health and safety and the Stay at Home order. Amy Cziske, Treasurer,
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commented on the inequity of employees who are working from both
home and in person at the Courthouse and those who are not working
and being paid. There was mention of consideration of extra pay for
those who have been working through the COVID-19 crisis.
Commissioner Wright moved to authorize non-essential and essential
employees who are not able to work their specific hours through May
4, 2020, to be able to utilize their leave banks or the choice of
being laid-off, and extend medical benefits through May 31, 2020 as
allowed through UHC. Commissioner Osiadacz seconded.
Commissioner Wright felt there were a lot of unanswered questions,
long term impacts to the County once the Health Orders are lifted.
He was in favor of preserving the Rainy Day fund. He didn’t want to
see any employee having a lapse in medical so that’s why he wanted
to ensure their coverage is through the end of May. Chairman
Wachsmith agreed there was a lot of uncertainty, but he felt it was
time to use a portion of the Rainy Day Fund and then allow for time
to re-evaluate any possible layoffs or other options at a later
time. Commissioner Osiadacz explained how it was a difficult
decision to make, and she wanted to ensure it’s fair and equitable
to all employees and in the best interest of Kittitas County.
Motion died 1-2 (Chairman Wachsmith and Commissioner Osiadacz
opposed the motion).
Chairman Wachsmith moved to approve Option #5 provided by the Human
Resource Director, to provide County Emergency Paid Leave at full
pay through May 4, 2020 from the Rainy Day Fund. Commissioner
Osiadacz seconded. Motion carried 2-1 (Commissioner Wright opposed
the motion).
RESOLUTION 2020-079 AMEND. PERSONNEL POLICY HUMAN RESOURCE
Chairman Wachsmith moved to approve Resolution No. 2020-079,
Approving Emergency Temporary Amendments to the Kittitas County
Personnel Policy, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioner Osiadacz seconded. Motion carried 2-1 (Commissioner
Wright opposed the motion).
Meeting adjourned at 11:51 a.m.
KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLERK OF THE BOARD KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Julie Kjorsvik Brett Wachsmith, Chairman