03-21-1990 CC MIN - SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes March 21, 1990 Page 4 e Shannon McCambridge, Personnel Consultant, indicated that cost containment is a significant issue for all cities and that currently, most employers are looking for ways of cutting back on the cost of insurance. Employers are finding that as insurance costs increase significantly, other steps must be taken in order to keep expenses at a reasonable level. These other options include adoption of wellness programs and increasing the deductibles for the insurance options. At this time, the Mayor and the City Council thanked the Employee Benefits Committee for their information and input. It was noted that this issue would be further discussed once the Legislative Session has concluded. Additionally, it was noted that the Employee's Committee may be requested to come back to discuss this issue with the Council at a later date. The City Council took a ten minute break at this time. 4. Review of Personnel Ordinance/Shannon McCambrid~e e Ms. McCambridge began her presentation by indicating that the entire Personnel Ordinance as proposed was reviewed by the City Council at its 1/29/90 meeting. At that meeting the singular issue which could not be decided related to sick time leave benefits. Shannon indicated that her attached memo, dated 3/14/90, discusses the City staff consensus on an appropriate revised sick time policy for the City of Elk River. At this time Shannon reviewed the proposed sick time policy with the City Council item by item. It was indicated that the major components of the sick time policy includes: l)no changes in who is eligible for the sick time benefits; 2)no change in how much sick time is received annually (12 days per year); and 3)that there will continue to be no maximum amount on how much sick time can be accumulated. Shannon indicated that the two areas of the current Elk River sick time policy that are proposed to be changed relate to how the sick time can be used and providing an economic benefit to employees when they leave the City of Elk River for unused sick time. Shannon noted that Item 3.5, Subd. B, indicates that sick time can be used by employees for injury or illness to themselves and to their dependents or other family members who live with the employee. Addi tionally, sick time can be used to take their dependents or other family members who live with them to medical appointments. Finally, sick time may also be used for unusual circumstances where a family member is seriously ill. e Regarding providing employees a benefit when they leave employment with the City for unused sick time, Shannon indicated that the staff is proposing that after an employee is with the City for two years, they shall receive 10% of their unused sick time, up to 120 days accumulated, as a cash payment to them when they leave employment with the City. It was noted that the maximum benefit that this would provide employees is payment in cash of twelve days of wages. It was noted that this is a tremendous incentive and benefit for all employees to continue to not abuse sick time and to continue to be a good