Members Attending: Ron Benson, Taft Bradley, David Cowan, Tarrus Crews, Deborah Davis-Williamson, Donna Henderson-Braden, Debra Louis, Minnie McCray, Bill Robillo, Della Sheffield, Stacy Taylor, David Thorpe, Martha Taylor (Substituting for Beverly Crockett)
Members Absent: Carol Boyd, Errol Edingbourgh, Anthony Smith, Tonia Wilks
Staff Attending: Mayor A C Wharton, Jr., Jim Huntzicker, CAO, Marcia Boyd, CAO Staff, Gwen McClain, Communications
The Mayor welcomed the Council and asked that there be a moment of silence for Gary Fama, Council member who passed away January 21. The Mayor spoke at his memorial service on February 2. The Council had many fond memories of Gary.
Martha Taylor, substituting for Beverly Crocket, was welcomed to the meeting.
The Mayor discussed the attempts to find revenue sources other than the property tax to help balance the budget. The budget process this year is expected to be difficult. Jim Huntzicker explained that much of the budget is mandated by the state such as maintaining a court house and jail. Documents are being prepared describing where we can and cannot cut. They both assured the Council that they will be working to protect the employees from any cuts. The Mayor asked that employees help get the message out about services provided by the County and other sources that could be tapped for revenue. Dottie Jones will be asked to prepare a summary of the legislative efforts the County is supporting in Nashville during the current legislative session. It was suggested this information also be posted on the intranet.
New Issues/Concerns:
- There was a question about the status of a wellness program for employees..
Response: The Wellness Committee headed by Catherine Green is becoming active again. The person working on the initiative on the I-Team had left employment in Shelby County Government, but this will provide an opportunity for the two groups to work together on the issue. A complete report will be presented at the next meeting.
- There was a question about providing Spanish language classes.
Response: The two classes offered recently were filled within four hours after posting the information by email. Since there is some training taking place in the County using self-taught software programs and contracting with educational institutions, an email will be sent to all elected officials, and administrators in the Mayor's administration to determine what is currently being offered and what the needs are. There will be a follow-up on this by the next meeting.
- An employee wanted to know what efforts are underway to help Spanish speaking citizens to learn the English language.
Response: Classes are being offered in the school system, in some religious organizations and there may be some assistance being offered by the City of Memphis. There will be a follow-up on the issue.
- An employee wanted to know if we are still on target for pay for performance to begin July 1.
Response: It is expected that this will be delayed one more year to begin with the 2009-10 evaluation cycle.
- An employee complained that there was actually less take-home pay on the paycheck in October after the 3% raise because of the increases in benefit payments.
Response: Administration recognizes this problem. It has been especially difficult for the retirees who do not get an adjustment increase yet have increased costs for benefits.
- An employee noted that the Federal government increased mileage in 2008 to $0.505 and the County is still at 42 cents.
Response: An increase payment for mileage will be considered in the upcoming budget.
- There was a concern that when an employee pays for their own gas and then gets reimbursed it shows up on the paycheck as increased salary and not as a reimbursement.
Response: This will be discussed with Finance to determine why.
- There was a suggestion that the employees accrued leave should be indicated on the paycheck like most other companies do. Other employees indicated they get the information by going online and reviewing their leave through Liquid Office.
Response: It was explained that employees at Corrections are not on Liquid Office and do not have the capability to check their leave this way. However, there are plans underway to start using Liquid Office at Corrections.
- Employees wanted to know the status of the 4-day work week.
Response: This is in the hands of HR and there will be a follow-up to determine the status.
- There were concerns that when offices move the public has no way of knowing where offices have relocated. The directory in the basement still indicates that the Register Office is in 160 N. Main.
Response: It will be investigated if information can be provided on the internet and the directory will be changed.
- An employee suggested that a sign be placed at the garage entrance to 160 N. Main that there is no public parking. This would alleviate the backup that sometimes occurs when the public enters, is denied parking and then has to maneuver back out of the garage.
Response: A solution to this will be investigated. The problem with a sign is that parking is reserved for visitors coming for meetings, etc.
- There was a concern that the Registers office did not leave a satellite office in 160 N. Main like the Assessors office has. Elderly citizens have difficulty getting to the east site and there are no direct bus routes to the site.
Response: This will be investigated.
Jim Huntzicker informed the Council that in the future departments will be temporarily moved in order to renovate the HVAC and make the building ADA compliant. This will be phased-in over a 3-5 year plan.'
- There are still complaints at the Health Department that employees are not allowed to smoke on the sidewalks.
Response: This will be investigated.