[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Meeting Minutes

LEGISLATIVE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MINUTES

Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 8:00 a.m.

Kent County Administration Building - Room 310

MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chair Rick Smoke; Commissioners Marvin Hiddema, Jim Talen, Jack Horton, Herschell Turner, Ken Kuipers, Bev Rekeny, and Tom Postmus

MEMBERS ABSENT: Chair Jerry Kooiman (excused)

ALSO PRESENT: County Administrator Daryl Delabbio; Assistant County Administrator Al Vanderberg; Executive Assistant to the Board Jim Day; Civil Counsel Sherry Farrens; Management Analysts Debbie Kauffman and Eileen Pierce; Human Community Service Coordinator Mary Swanson; Human Resources Director Frank Klus; Labor Counsel Tom Drenth; Sr. Human Resources Specialist Liz Hawkins; Chief Circuit Court Judge George Buth; Circuit Court Administrator Kim Foster; Court Services Manager George Doyle; Deputy Circuit Court Administrator David Drain; Director of Equalization David Jager; Director of Property Description and Mapping Matt Woolford; Deputy Director of Property Description and Mapping Sharon Bramble; Undersheriff Larry Stelma; Commissioner Elaine Buege; Student Representative Nick Van Wingerden; and Sr. Administrative Specialist Pam Van Keuren

Vice-Chair Smoke called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

  1. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

    The Committee and Chief Circuit Court Judge Buth reviewed the performance measurements for the Circuit Court, a copy of which is on file in the Board of Commissioner's Office.

  2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

    Mr. Kuipers moved to approve the November 14, 2000, minutes as written.

    Supported by Mr. Postmus.

    Motion carried.

  3. PUBLIC COMMENT

    None.

  4. BUREAU OF EQUALIZATION - CONSOLIDATION OF PROPERTY DESCRIPTION & MAPPING AND THE BUREAU OF EQUALIZATION

    Mr. Delabbio stated approval is requested to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to approve the consolidation of Property Description & Mapping with the Bureau of Equalization and the associated new classifications, conversions, and deletions to implement it. This request is proposed to go to the Board on December 14, 2000. A summary of the request follows:

    • The Administrator's Office is recommending consolidation of Property Description & Mapping with the Bureau of Equalization in order to provide more efficient administration of processes for ensuring that all Kent County taxing units comply with the tax mapping and property valuation requirements of the Michigan General Property Tax Act. The following positional changes are recommended:

    • Create the classification of Appraisal Division Manager (MPP 25) and convert the existing Deputy Director of Equalization classification (MPP 26) to Appraisal Division Manager

    • Create the classification of Property Description & Mapping Manager (MPP 25) and convert the existing Deputy Director of Property Description & Mapping (MPP 23) to Property Description & Mapping Manager

    • Create the classification of Equalization Deputy Director (MPP 27) and convert the existing Director of Property Description & Mapping (MPP 27) to Equalization Deputy Director

    • Consolidation combines administration of the property valuation process and the process of creating and maintaining property tax maps and property information records.

    • Consolidation will facilitate development and implementation of a common information management system, sharing of digital and other technologies, and integrated delivery of services to constituents.

    The annual cost is $5,474.33; $421 for FY2000. Funds are available in the Equalization and Property Description & Mapping 2000 and 2001 Budgets.

    Mr. Postmus moved to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to approve the consolidation of Property Description & Mapping with the Bureau of Equalization and the associated new classifications, conversions, and deletions to implement it.

    Supported by Mr. Hiddema.

    Mr. Hiddema asked what positions would increase and/or decrease in pay.

    Mr. Vanderberg replied that of the four management positions, two positions will remain at the same level, one position will increase and one position will decrease in the Management Pay Plan. The new director and deputy director of the combined Equalization Department will remain at the same classification. One former deputy director will go up two MPP classifications and one will go down one MPP classification. Both positions will be at the same level as managers under the reorganization. However, no one will receive a decrease in pay because of the ranges that are established under the MPP.

    Mr. Talen asked who was involved in the process of reorganizing the departments.

    Mr. Vanderberg stated a Property Description and Mapping workgroup was formed to look at the future role of PD&M and the use of GIS technology and how it will change some of the functions of the Property Description and Mapping department once REGIS is fully implemented. He said that the consolidation was planned by himself, Mr. Jager, and Mr. Woolford. A meeting was held with both department directors and employees from the departments to discuss the transition and merging of the departments.

    Mr. Kuipers asked to what extent, if any, would this reorganization or the creation of the various positions enhance constituents' ability to access the office by technology as opposed to being in person; and if it may result in offering extended office hours.

    Mr. Vanderberg replied deeds processing, which plays a big role in both Property Description and Equalization, will become more efficient once the two departments are combined, which will benefit local assessors, developers and residents. Altering the work hours has not been discussed, although new technology such as PTAS, REGIS, and the land records imaging system that are currently being implemented ultimately will give residents 24-hour access to the information.

    Mr. Hiddema asked when this consolidation would be effective.

    Mr. Vanderberg replied after the Board approves it on December 14, 2000.

    Motion carried.

  5. HUMAN RESOURCES - APPROVAL OF UAW LABOR AGREEMENT

    Mr. Delabbio stated approval is requested to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to approve a four-year labor agreement for the period of January 1, 2000, and ending December 31, 2003, between the County of Kent and the United Auto Workers Local 2600 representing a variety of classifications assigned to county departments and courts. This request is proposed to go to the Board on December 14, 2000. A summary of the request follows:

    • The Negotiating Committee recommends approval of a four-year labor contract with the UAW. Highlights of the proposed contract agreement are summarized on attachments to this request.

    • The salary and fringe benefit increases will result in a cost of approximately $13,897,047 for the length of the contract.

    • The contract affects 870 full-time employees and 104 part time employees.

    • The proposed contract has been ratified by the membership.

    The cost is $13,897,047 over the length of the contract.

    Mr. Hiddema moved to recommend to the Board of Commissioners to approve a four-year labor agreement for the period of January 1, 2000, and ending December 31, 2003, between the County of Kent and the United Auto Workers Local 2600 representing a variety of classifications assigned to county departments and courts.

    Supported by Ms. Rekeny.

    Mr. Hiddema asked how the retroactive pay would be handled.

    Mr. Klus replied the retroactive pay would be paid in one lump sum, the last pay period of the year based on straight time hours worked.

    Mr. Talen asked what the differences are between the settlement and what was offered in the earlier stages of the negotiations.

    Mr. Klus stated both parties compromised in areas where there was a need, but the biggest changes were sick leave and health care. Wage proposals were pretty consistent throughout the negotiations.

    Mr. Talen asked how they arrived at the 7-½ percent increase as stated in the summary of the proposed contract settlement.

    Mr. Klus explained that rather than retroactively applying the percentages, a lump sum figure was arrived at by taking what would have been the increase in 2000, and adding it to the January 1, 2001, wage increase. In addition, the general unit employees will receive a slightly higher increase. This is because the employees in the general unit, which have for the past 20-25 years had a lower pay schedule, will over the life of the contract be brought up to the level of these court unit pay schedules.

    Mr. Talen expressed his disappointment over the information that was provided by the UAW's bargaining representatives to the employees and feels the employees were not well served by bargaining representatives. This misinformation may have created some morale issues and hard feelings that may take a long time to remedy.

    Ms. Rekeny complimented Mr. Klus on the results of the contract and agrees that misinformation does do some damage. The County's bargaining team worked long and hard and it is nice to see it finally come to a closure.

    Mr. Postmus also complimented Mr. Klus and thanked him and the bargaining team as well and added the employees should be very happy with the outcome of the contract.

    Mr. Klus extended his thanks and appreciation to Labor Counsel Tom Drenth who spent a lot of time in negotiations and thanked the bargaining team members Kim Foster, Circuit Court; Dona Gillson, 63rd District Court; Lloyd Pitsch, Sheriff's Department; Phil Johnson, Airport; Dave Waichum, Fiscal Services; Bobby Peacock, Health Department; and Darius Quinn, Human Resourses.

    Ayes: Commissioners Hiddema, Postmus, Rekeny, Horton, Kuipers, and Turner

    Nays: Commissioner Talen

    Motion carried.

  6. MISCELLANEOUS

    None.

  7. ADJOURNMENT

    There being no further business, Vice-Chair Smoke adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m.