Begin Discussions Regarding Proposed Updates to the Personnel Policy

The purpose of this discussion is to provide the City Council with information on proposed updates to the Personnel Policy and to seek feedback regarding any revisions the City Council would like to see included in the updated policy.    

The current Personnel Policy was adopted  March 13, 2018. Staff anticipates this discussion to be extensive, requiring more work sessions followed by formal adoption.  If necessary, time-sensitive updates will be adopted first in January, followed by other updates being vetted and adopted shortly thereafter.   

The content of the Personnel Policy includes the following broad categories.  Bolded and italicized sections either require updates or are suggested updates or clarifications by staff. The content listed in parenthesis provides an idea of the subjects to be addressed. Staff will provide information during the work-session, including, but not limited to the following bolded / italized topics.

Staff recommends that any Personnel Policy content that is also included in the City's current union contracts, such as Sick Leave Accruals, Holidays or Vacation Accrual Schedules, does not differ from the union contracts.  

SECTION 1           INTRODUCTION  (Scope / clarifications regarding Councilmembers as non-employees)                                                                                                              

SECTION 2           DEFINITIONS  (Pronouns)                                                                                                                   
SECTION 3           EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT, SELECTION, EMPLOYMENT & TERMINATION                                 
SECTION 4           BENEFITS   (Councilmembers eligible for health plan at their own cost, FSA to HSA)                                                                                                          
SECTION 5           CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION  (Schedule for all staff Salary Study, City Administrator authority to grant a Market Rate Adjustment, Exempt employee additional pay for non-exempt work, Punctuality, Severance Pay to include ESST)                                                

SECTION 6           LEAVE (ESST, Juneteenth, Extended Medical Leave,  Temporary Light Duty, Revise when Christmas Eve is observed, School Conference and Activities Leave)                                                                                 
SECTION 7           CONDUCT  (Appearance/Dress Code, Pronouns)                                                                                                         
SECTION 8           DISCIPLINE/GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES                   

SECTION 9           TRAVEL, TRAINING AND EDUCATION (Max for Meals, Conditional payment for certain licensure)                                                                     

SECTION 10         HEALTH AND SAFETY   (Workers Compensation/Employee responsibility to City)                                                                                  
SECTION 11         USE OF CITY PROPERTY (IT Policy, Telecommuting)                                                                                                 
SECTION 12         DRUG FREE WORKPLACE POLICY  (Updates)                                                                           
SECTION 13         ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE PERSONNEL POLICY                   

Scope
The scope of the Personnel Policy generally applies to all City employees, including probationary employees, elected officials, and appointed officials.  Certain provisions of the policy may be inapplicable to certain individuals, as listed in the policy. Employees included in a collective bargaining agreement entered into in accordance with the Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PELRA) shall be exempt from any provision of this policy that is inconsistent with such agreement.

Next Steps
After receiving initial feedback from the City Council this evening, the policy will be marked-up and reviewed by the following groups:  Management Team, Labor Management Committee and the City Attorney.   A final marked-up draft of the policy with all proposed updates will be provided prior to adoption.  

Attached:  Current Personnel Policy

This meeting:  Approximately 30 minutes
Additional meetings,  15 - 60 minutes

Not applicable.

Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Director
Brian Hagen, City Administrator

To progress toward an updated Personnel Policy, to be adopted by resolution in the coming weeks.