South West Illinois News

The city of Carbondale Non-Bargaining Unit Employees Personnel Board met May 25 to review employee vacation policy.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

Non-Bargaining Unit Employees Personnel Board Meeting

May 25, 2016

The City of Carbondale’s Non-Bargaining Unit Employees (NBUE) Personnel Board held a regular meeting on Wednesday, May, 2016, in Conference Room A of the Civic Center, 200 S. Illinois Avenue.

Mr. Bryant and Mr. Taylor chose not to run for re-election, leaving the Board without a Chair and Vice Chair.

Motion was made by Mr. Doherty and seconded by Mr. Vaught to call the meeting to order.

VOTE: Yes - Chamness, Doherty, Kemp, McCoy, Vaught, Welch. No - 0. Motion passed.

Motion was made by Mr. Doherty and seconded by Mr. Welch to nominate Mr. Chamness as Chair.

VOTE: Yes - Chamness, Doherty, Kemp, McCoy, Vaught, Welch. NO - 0 Motion passed.

The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m., by Chair Dave Chamness.

2. Roll Call

Present: David Chamness, Jeffrey Doherty, Corey Kemp, Sandy McCoy, Chuck Vaught, Harvey Welch

Absent: Amber Ronketto

Administrative Services Director/Human Resources Manager Deborah McCoy and City Attorney Jamie Snyder were also present.

3. Approval of Minutes

Motion was made by Mr. Welch and seconded by Mr. Doherty to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2016, meeting. VOTE: Yes - Chamness, Doherty, McCoy, Vaught, Welch. No – 0.

Abstained - Kemp. Motion passed.

4. Old/Unfinished Business

A. Vacation

Mr. Doherty reminded the Board that rewording of the vacation policy was requested in order to be in compliance with state law 820 ILCS 115/5. It was the consensus of the Board that the proposed policy change be presented to the City Council as soon as possible, employees be notified, and payouts be made.

B. Conversion to Sick Leave

Mr. Bryant indicated that Mr. Kimmel was asked to draft a proposal that would allow employees the option to convert excess vacation leave to sick leave, but the Board did not receive the proposal. The proposal was to be part of the new vacation policy, and not the existing Sick Leave Buy Back program.

City Attorney Snyder was asked to prepare a proposal.

C. Time Donation

The City Manager is not in support of such a policy and will issue a memo regarding such requests.

D. Employment Development

Mr. Doherty indicated that as long as there is an Administrative Policy that supports the NBUE rules, details could be covered administratively. There was discussion about whether or not reimbursing employees after grades are received would be a deterrent to employees pursuing educational development. It was suggested that there be an agreement allowing the City to deduct amounts owed to the City from the employee’s final pay check or checks. The Board suggested that there be an application that requires the employee to state how the course/coursework benefits the City.

Motion was made by Mr. Doherty and seconded by Mr. Welch to recommend to the City Manager that an Administrative Policy be developed describing the benefits available in Chapter 14, and an application be developed that employees would be required to submit for reimbursement.

VOTE: Yes – Chamness, Doherty, Kemp, Vaught, Welch (Ms. McCoy was not present during the vote).

No – 0. Motion passed.

E. Employee “Good Idea” Incentive Program

The Board agreed that the program was a good idea and recommended the Suggestion Award Program proposal be forwarded to the Employee Recognition Committee.

5. New Business

A. Election of Vice-Chair

Motion was made by Mr. Welch and seconded by Mr. Kemp to nominate Ms. McCoy as Vice Chair.

VOTE: Yes - Chamness, Doherty, Kemp, Vaught, Welch. No - 0 Motion passed.

6. Public Comments & Questions

The Board expressed its appreciation to Mr. Bryant for his leadership and generosity as Chair of the

NBUE Board.

The Board agreed to make an effort to meet on a quarterly basis.

7. Announcements

None

8. Adjournment

Motion was made by Ms. McCoy and seconded by Mr. Kemp to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.