County Personnel Administrators Association of California Fall Conference Wednesday, September 22, 2010 1:30 p.m. - Call to order and opening comments. David Devine welcomed members focus of the conference on structural, environmental, and behavioral issues impacting HR Approval of Agenda Motion by Allison Picard, King County, 2 nd Suzanne Mason, Napa approved - to delay meeting minutes delayed until Thursday, September 23. Secretary s Report Roster, email list, and seniority list distributed for members to update information. Treasurer s Report Balance of 8/31/10 - $37,276..99. Four Counties still owe dues. Motion by Michelle Schafer, Shasta County, 2 nd Allison Picard, King County to accept and approve Treasurer Report. Nominating Committee Don Turko presented slate of officers recommended by the nominating committee (Don Turko, Nancy Nittler, and Alison Picard) Slate of Officers: Michelle Schafer, President, Jeri Muth, Vice President, Donna Vaillancourt, Secretary, Ted Cwiek, Treasurer Presentation by Dr. Frank Benest Promoting Change in an Adaptive World Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. Introductions Regional Meeting Reports: Thursday, September 23, 2010 Don Turko reported that quarterly meetings are well attended (avg 25 participants). The August meeting was in San Mateo and the October 22 nd meeting to be held in Santa Clara. Alison Picard - reported that the June meeting had been postponed and the group met in September instead. Reported CPS provided training on classification and pay to approximately 30 attendees. The next meeting is scheduled for October. Nancy Nittler reported the group has met a couple of times and that Sacramento hosted. They have been sharing resources, being a resource to each other, and trying to help each other through the layoff process. Last meeting in June was cathartic and the group discussed layoffs and budget. Michelle Shaffer reported her group had experienced a great deal of turnover but hopes to organize meetings in the future. Ccurrently just emailing one another. Southern CA Conducts phone conferences four to five times a year and mostly discusses labor relations issues. Committee Reports Classification and Compensation Joanne Cox no report Preparing the Next Generation - Suzanne Mason reported the PNG committee is going strong. Regarding the coaching program she reported there was an identity crisis and discussed the name implies a focus on new, young entry into government as opposed to a leadership development focus. She advised that the committee brainstormed regarding how best to change the identity, create a tag line change, and followed up with a survey. At the next meeting scheduled for October 15 in conjunction with ICMA will integrate with other organizations and the efforts of the diversity committee. Donna Vaillancourt distributed information on the CSAC Institute classes and the upcoming ICMA and MMANC conferences in San Jose. Nancy commented on
her experience with the CSAC Institute and noted that the classes are practical and provide a great opportunity to expand knowledge of counties. She noted that the training is meaningful for participants. Retirement Alison Picard, PERS County representative, Ted Cwiek representative for 1937 Act Counties no report. Committee Appointments Classification and Compensation Debbie Owens/CPS happy to serve on the committee in any capacity. Labor Relations & Retirement soliciting additional representatives; members should advise Committee Chair(s) know if they wish to participate. Conference Location for Next Year After discussion, the majority agreed to stay in Lodi for the next year (for the next two meetings). Sacramento will be a fallback location if CPAAC is unable to secure a favorable contract with Wine & Roses. Conference Registration Fee Don Turko initiated a discussion on continuing the practice of waiving the conference fee for those county members who have paid dues. Motion made by Don Turko, Solano County to continue waiver of fees, motion amended by Tim Huntley, Tulare County to limit conference registration fee waiver to two members, seconded by Nancy Nittler, Placer County, motion carried. Roundtable Discussions 11:00 David Crane - Special Economic Advisor to the Governor for Jobs and Economic Growth presented information about the Governor s pension reform initiative. Breakout Sessions were conducted on the subjects of Healthcare Reform, Classification and Recruitment, Layoff Procedures, Retirement, and Labor Relations. Following the breakout sessions, members reported out on the discussions, as described below. Retirement - Instability of PERs system, no local gov t rep on board, minimum plan, single formula, normal cost should be the mandated minimum, public perception issues, creating reserves, CAO white paper
Classification, Compensation, and Recruitment: Recruitment discussion around random selection, impacts from the high number of applicants, and how to screen. Compensation - a perception that by surveying each other, we re fixing salaries which creates a problem and may be artificially increasing salaries. Compaction Issues salaries increasing in the rank and file but not at higher levels in the organizations which is creating issues. In addition, when counties increase salaries to address market issues and provide the ability to hire for jobs that are considered hot jobs, must live with the impacts of those higher salaries when the market takes a downturn and no longer supports the higher salaries. Also discussed broad vs. narrow classifications and the issues they cause issues during layoffs and the accompanying significant training, retraining issues. Reclassifications (Lake Co & San Mateo Co) require CAO review prior to going to HR, which reduces the number of requests. The group also discussed class consolidations, challenges as a result of restructuring, and the impact of overcompensation. Labor Relations - Seeking transparency at all levels of the organization and the community. In making the kinds of cuts counties are currently making, need to have a strategic plan identifying the end goal in mind. Important to seek employee re-engagement and the messaging should come from counties - not the unions Reported on some best practices: Marin County volunteer program embedded in the community, and is a source of new employees Going back to town hall meetings with the employees so they can get to know their leadership Also discussed challenges: Union difficulties; thousands of information requests; meeting delays; CAOs meeting directly with unions without communicating with HR; quality of and turnover in union reps; and working in the organizing model rather than representation model.
Benefits Reported on some best practices and issues: Pre funding retiree health via paying as you go. Employees contributing to benefits; establishing VEBAs Some interest in unblending active and early retirees - reduces GASB liability People getting laid off are the younger employees unintended consequence is an increase in healthcare costs Health care reform possibility that it will survive the next congress. Layoffs discussed protecting vital services by building special needs into local rules for layoffs (i.e., bilingual, special certificate) and how best to manage the communication process during layoffs such as determining when to tell employees, and the union. Reported that Santa Clara has layoff coordinators and San Joaquin conducts individual meetings with employees. Others invite the unions to sit in on meetings. Also discussed the use of severance agreements, waiver of rights to sue, Levine case (i.e., employees have a right to a pre-layoff hearing) and the practices for notification to employees of vulnerability to layoff. Following the breakout session reports, the member discussed topics for future meetings including picking a topic from each group such as: Communication with Labor Relations External Communications to the Public Also discussed sharing ideas with regional mentors to determine if further discussion/attention would helpful. It was suggested that at the next meeting, the Board consider having the proctor coordinate information/material requests from the discussion. Honorary Membership Request from Ron Komers for consideration of honorary membership, Motion from Nancy Nittler, Placer County, 2 nd by Barbara Olivier, Riverside County approved.
Approval of March 2009 Minutes Moved (Michelle Shaffer); Seconded (Ted Cwiek); Carried. Election of Officers Nancy Nittler communicated the nominating committee recommendations. David Devine reported that Jeri Muth has expressed a preference to remain as secretary rather than the Vice President. Therefore, he recommended an alternate slate of Michelle Schafer as President, Donna Vaillancourt as Vice President, Jeri Muth as Secretary, and Ted Cwiek as Treasurer. Discussion followed regarding by-laws and potential for individuals to stay in an assignment for longer than a year. Board will look at any needed revisions next year. Motion (Micki Callahan); Second (Mike McDougall); Carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Meeting called to order at 8:30 a.m. Friday, September 24, 2010 Presentation - Presentation - Legislative Update Eraina Ortega Directors Role in Complex Work Place Issues Mary Egan- Municipal Resource Group Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.