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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.a.5) Location for 2012 labor negotiations8.a.5 Central Contra Costa Sanitary District June 10, 2011 TO: BOARD OF DIRECTORS VIA: JAMES M. KELLY, GENERAL MANAGER l "/ FROM: RANDALL M. MUSGRAVES, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION CHRISTOPHER KO, PROVISIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER SUBJECT: LOCATIONS FOR NEGOTIATIONS On May 11, 2011, the Human Resources Committee discussed with staff where to hold the 2012 employee contract negotiations. Staff had prepared a memo for the Human Resources Committee, attached. At the Human resources Committee meeting, Local One President, David Rolley, commented that his preference is to hold the meetings on site, as it would reduce travel time. Mr. Nejedly stated he preferred the negotiations at the District. Chair Hockett recommended a neutral site and favored JFK University since the rooms would be free. Staff recommends holding negotiations off site at JFK University. Having the meetings off site allows a cooling down period of time for all involved. Often times, during caucus or breaks, other District employees not involved in negotiations are asked for their input, creating disruption. Also, employees often monitor the meetings to request immediate updates of the progress and issues. A neutral off site location minimizes the interruptions for all. Also attached, is a copy of the Human resources Committee Action Summary. Central Contra Costa Sanitary District February 8, 2011 TO: RANDALL M. MUSGRAVES, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION PA FROM: CHRISTOPHER KO, PROVISIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER SUBJECT: LOCATIONS FOR NEGOTIATIONS In the past, the District has used off -site facilities when engaging in negotiation sessions with the unions. Staff has obtained updated information to assist in the budgeting of 2012's negotiation costs. 1. John F. Kennedy University —100 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill The use of this facility is free. Lead time may be required to arrange for the use of this facility and may not always be available at the dates and time requested due to prior bookings. 2. Hyatt Summerfield Suites — 2611 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill The cost to use its conference rooms is $200 per room, per day. Since the District normally requires two rooms, the cost is $400 per day. Assuming negotiations require 20 sessions and the JKF facility is not available (worst case scenario), it will cost $8,000. Staff has also researched other facilities in the area, including the park district and Centre Concord, but those locations were not identified as ideal for negotiations due to the lack of multiple conference rooms, distance, or high cost. Summerfield Suites was the most economical option based on these criteria. An alternative option would be to book days at JFK University first and reserve available dates and use Hyatt Summerfield as a back -up to save costs. Please let me know if you have any questions. 0( 11 Central Contra Costa Sanitary District SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE ACTION SUMMARY Chair Hockett Member Nejedly Wednesday, May 11, 2011 3:30 p.m. Executive Conference Room 5019 Imhoff Place Martinez, California BOARD OF DIRECTORS: BARBARA D. HOCKETT President JAMES A. NEIEDLY President Pro Tem MICHAEL R. MCGILL MARIO M. MENESINI DAVID R. WILLIAMS PHONE: (925) 228 -9500 FAX.- (925) 676 -7211 www.centralsan.org PRESENT: Chair Hockett, Member Nejedly, Jim Kelly, Randy Musgraves, Christopher Ko, Elaine Boehme 1. Call Meeting to Order Chair Hockett called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. 2. Public Comments Local One President David Rolley commented on various items on the agenda (see below). He also commented on the Governor's budget, noting that some of the recommendations would tie the hands of the District during labor negotiations, for example prohibiting retroactive pension increases and credit for prior service. He recommended that the District be willing to address these issues sooner rather than later. MS /CG President Frank Favalora stated that employees are feeling pressured to retire due to uncertainty about future actions that would affect their pensions. He requested that labor negotiations begin early to address retirement pension issues. 3. Review Management response to Q&A regarding upcoming labor negotiations Director of Administration Randy Musgraves referred to the memorandum in the Committee packet, stating that due to the politically sensitive nature of the question, Committee review and input is being requested. Human Resources Committee May 11, 2011 Page 2 Member Nejedly asked to be informed whether any of the selected negotiators are due to retire, as he believes this may change their perspective during negotiations. COMMITTEE ACTION: Approved the response. 4. Review where to hold 2012 negotiation meetings Local One President David Rolley commented that his preference is to hold the meetings on site, as it would reduce costs and travel time. Member Nejedly stated his preference that the negotiation meetings be held on site, while Chair Hockett recommended that they be held at JFK. COMMITTEE ACTION: Reviewed the location options and recommended the Board review the options and provide direction to staff. 5. Review letter sent to three Pension Reform and Negotiations Consultants The Committee reviewed the letters and recommended that responses be taken to the Board for consideration. COMMITTEE ACTION: Reviewed the letters and directed staff to refer the evaluation of the responses to the Board. 6. Discuss Kaiser Rate Renewal (July 1, 2011 —June 30, 2012) Provisional Human Relations Manager Christopher Ko referred to his memorandum in the Committee packet, noting the proposed increase of 15.4% in Kaiser healthcare rates, and two options to reduce the increase slightly. He stated that staff recommends Option 2, outlined in the memorandum. Member Nejedly objected to the high increase and did not like either of the presented options. Chair Hockett concurred with Member Nejedly, but added that it appears that the District has little choice but to accept one of the two options. Member Nejedly requested that the matter to go the full Board for further discussion. COMMITTEE ACTION: Referred matter to Board for consideration. 7. Reports and Announcements a. Change of Life and Long -Term Disability Insurance Carrier Local One President David Rolley stated that he has no objection to the change, as long as the benefits are the same or better than those currently received by employees. Human Resources Committee May 11, 2011 Page 3 Mr. Ko noted that the lowest cost provider is Reliance, which has good financial ratings and references. A savings of $54, 000 will be achieved over three years. He confirmed the coverage and benefits will remain the same. b. Labor Relations Update Mr. Ko referred to his memorandum in the Committee packet and provided a brief update. *c. Human Resources Manager Recruitment Update Mr. Musgraves distributed a handout showing responses received to the RFQ for recruitment of a Human Resources Manager (attached). He stated that staff proposes to use Citygate Associates, who provided the lowest quote. d. Health Plan Open Enrollment (May 23, 2011 — June 17, 2011) Mr. Ko reminded the Committee of the upcoming open enrollment, noting that children up to age 26 may be added to employee healthcare plans. e. Summer Student Safety Picnic (July 20, 2011) Mr. Kelly announced the Summer Student Safety Picnic, which will be held in the gardens next to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility. District employee Paul Kelly will be barbecuing for attendees. COMMITTEE ACTION: Received the reports and announcements. 8. Discuss Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board decision Mr. Ko reviewed the facts surrounding the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board decision. The Committee requested staff to re- evaluate the ability to protect the District from future unemployment claims if the District loses the appeal. COMMITTEE ACTION: Discussed decision and directed staff to proceed with an appeal. *9. Discuss health benefit costs and options for Board Member health benefits Mr. Musgraves distributed a memorandum dated April 29, 2011 from Meyers Nave concerning the District's ability to establish healthcare expense accounts for reimbursement of healthcare expenses for Board Members (attached). He noted that the Board could opt to receive a cafeteria plan medical benefit, which would reimburse them for out -of- pocket medical and dental expenses, not to exceed $425 per month. This could be in addition to or in lieu of taking the District's healthcare coverage. Human Resources Committee May 11, 2011 Page 4 Member Nejedly stated that, in his case, he would prefer to take the cafeteria plan in lieu of the District's healthcare coverage. Mr. Musgraves noted that unused cafeteria plan benefit dollars are returned to the District's general fund at the end of each calendar year. Member Nejedly requested a report on how much money has been returned to the general fund in prior years. COMMITTEE ACTION: Directed staff to prepare a draft Resolution and appropriate Cafeteria Plan document changes for Board consideration, establishing the cafeteria plan benefit for Board Members and offering the option of taking the cafeteria plan medical benefit in lieu of District healthcare coverage. 10. Suggestions for future agenda items None. 11. Closed Session a. Conference with labor negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6: District Negotiators: Director of Administration Randall Musgraves, Provisional Human Resources Manager Christopher Ko, Secretary of the District Elaine Boehme Employee Organizations: Employees' Association, Public Employees Union, Local One; CCCSD Management Support/Confidential Group (MS /CG), Management Group b. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) — MS /CG Grievance on Behalf of Mark Greenawalt COMMITTEE ACTION: Held closed session on 11.b. only. 12. Report out of Closed Session The Secretary of the District reported that the Committee discussed Closed Session item 11.b. and provided direction to legal counsel. 13. Adjournment — at 4:55 p.m. * Attachment