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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-24-minutes-hr-study-sessionCOMMISSIONERS’ MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX REGULAR MEETING HR STUDY SESSION TUESDAY 10:00 AM 11/24/2020 Board members present: Brett Wachsmith, Laura Osiadacz, Cory Wright Others: Tristen Lamb, Mark Cook, Judy Pless, Christopher Horner, Mandy Buchholz, Taylor Crouch, Lisa Young, Jeanne Killgore CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 10:03 AM. REQUEST TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING KCSO COMMAND STAFF PARTICIPATION IN THE TEAMSTERS RETIREE’S WELFARE TRUST HR Director Young presented a request from the Sheriff’s Office to authorize the KCSO command staff to participate in the Teamsters Retiree’s Welfare Trust. Director Young explained that the Retiree’s Welfare Trust is a program that Teamsters employees pay into in order to receive reduced cost healthcare upon retirement. The KCSO command staff would like to opt into the program as well. Director Young also noted that in order to participate, all command staff must elect to participate. Commissioner Wright asked what would happen if a new command staff employee was hired. Director Young answered that the new employee would also need to opt in for the program to continue for command staff. Commissioner Osiadacz moved to approve Resolution 2020-194 authorizing KCSO command staff to participate in the Teamsters Retiree’s Welfare Trust. Commission Wright seconded the motion. Motion was approved; 3:0. REQUEST TO APPROVE A LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING WITH TEAMSTERS LOCAL 760 (LINE) AMENDING ARTICLE 30 – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Director Young presented a request from the Sheriff to implement a requirement that Line Deputies live within Kittitas County limits. She noted that one current Line Deputy employee lives outside of Kittitas County, and he would be grandfathered into the new requirement until he elects to change is current residence. Commissioner Osiadacz moved to approve a Letter of Understanding with Teamsters Local 760 (Line) to amend Article 30 – Miscellaneous Provisions. Commissioner Wright seconded the motion. Motion was approved; 3:0. DISCUSSION/DECISION – PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD PAY STIPEND Director Young presented a request from the Public Health Department to provide a $500 monthly stipend to certain employees who have been put at higher risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Health Director Lamb stated that 12 of her staff and two other County employees have participated in COMMISSIONERS’ MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX REGULAR MEETING HR STUDY SESSION high-risk activities as part of their work with the Incident Management Team and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and will continue to work on the front lines during mass vaccination events. Money to fund the stipends would come from Public Health CARES funding which will be forfeited back to the government if unused in the coming days. Commissioner Osiadacz did not express support of the stipend, stating that participation in the EOC is voluntary and the County has already made significant efforts to compensate staff. She also inquired about using the remaining Public Health CARES funding for local businesses. Director Lamb responded that the Public Health CARES funds must be directly tied to COVID activities and may not be used for small business loans. She explained that the best way to get her CARES funding back into the community is through employees. Commissioner Wright noted his support of Commissioner Osiadacz’ comments and expressed concerns about using CARES funds for employees of the County when other community members have lost their jobs. The Board expressed their appreciation for the work that the Public Health Department and EOC members have done throughout the pandemic, but did not approve the stipend. EXECUTIVE SESSION – RCW 42.30.140(4)(B) THAT PORTION OF A MEETING DURING WHICH THE GOVERNING BODY IS PLANNING OR ADOPTING THE STRATEGY OR POSITION TO BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNING BODY DURING THE COURSE OF ANY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, PROFESSI ONAL NEGOTIATIONS, OR GRIEVANCE OR MEDIATION PROCEEDINGS, OR REVIEWING THE PROPOSALS MADE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS OR PROCEEDINGS WHILE IN PROGRESS. The Board entered executive session at 10:34 AM to discuss union negotiations with an anticipated length of ten minutes. Anticipated action: none. At 10:44 AM the Board extended executive session for an additional ten minutes. The Board exited executive session at 10:54. No action taken. The Board entered executive session at 11:00 AM to further discuss union negotiations with an anticipated length of twenty minutes. Anticipated action: direction to staff. The Board exited executive session at 11:20 AM. Action taken: direction to staff. OTHER BUSINESS Executive Session – RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) To discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency. The Board entered executive session at 11:24 AM to discussion potential litigation with an anticipated length of five minutes. Anticipated action: none. The Board exited executive session at 11:29 AM. No action taken. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 AM. COMMISSIONERS’ MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON WEBEX REGULAR MEETING HR STUDY SESSION KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Lisa Young, HR Director Brett Wachsmith, Chairman