Personnel & Safety Committee
2007 Meeting Minutes

February 27, 2007 Meeting Minutes  

Members present: Chairman Joe Wielinski, Debby Curry and Bill May. Other council members present: Maridee Curry, Mayor Wielinski. Staff members present: Chief Daryl McNutt, Finance Director Michael Nolte, Public Works Director Mark Weber, Zoning/Building Clerk Barbara Knisely, Police Lieutenant Tom Keel and Village Administrator Dennis Recker.  

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Joe Wielinski at 7:15 P.M. Debby Curry moved to approve the October 3, 2006 meeting minutes, motion seconded by Bill May. Motion carried 3-0.   

The Chair recognized the Village Administrator, who provided details on the Village’s Draft Comprehensive Safety Policy and Plan. The Committee was given a copy of the Plan to circulate among themselves and was asked to request the solicitor at the March 6, 2007 Council meeting to prepare legislation to approve the Village’s Comprehensive Safety Policy & Plan at the March 20, 2007 Council meeting. The Committee verbally concurred with this plan and Chairman Wielinski made a motion to adjourn, motion seconded by Bill May. Motion passed 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 P.M.

March 6, 2007  Meeting Minutes

Members present: Chairman Joe Wielinski, Debby Curry, and William May. Other Council members present: Ryan Grant, Herb Little. Staff present: Police Chief Ed Kaplan, Village Administrator Dennis Recker.  

The meeting was called to order at 8:05 P.M. Bill May made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2007 Committee meeting.  Debby Curry seconded. Motion to  approve the minutes passed. 3-0  

The Chairman recognized Chief Kaplan who outlined his intentions to post internally the vacant position of Police Sergeant.  Before doing so he wants to review with the Personnel Committee the job description and make some changes to the educational /experience qualifications for the position.  

The basic changes made pertained to a minimum of five years of patrolman experience, adding the Lieutenant position to the Sergeant’s position chain of command and supervisor channel and remove range officers duties. After a brief working session the adjusted document was approved by the Committee.  Chief Kaplan  indicated he would get the changes reviewed and the new document would be provided to all applicants for the position.  Bill May asked in related business if the changes on village’s education reimbursement policy had been made and the Administrator answered that they had been implemented.  With no further business Debby Curry made the motion to adjourn, Bill May seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 P.M.

May 22, 2007  Meeting Minutes

Members present: Chairman Joe Wielinski, Debby Curry, and Bill May. Others present:

Maridee Curry, Herb Little, Police Chief Ed Kaplan, Fire Chief Daryl McNutt, Public Works Director Mark Weber, Village Administrator Dennis  Recker, Rob Casaletta, Marvene Farthing and Ellen Tipping.  

Chairman Wielinski called the meeting to order at 7:45 P.M.   Bill May moved to approve the March 6, 2007 Minutes, seconded by Debby Curry. Motion carried, 3-0.  

The Chairman introduced the first item of business, recommended language amending the Personnel  Handbook, Chapter 400 “Employee Benefit Programs”, specifically section 8 ”sick leave”.  The Administrator informed the Committee that the new language would in no way affect the way that sick leave is accrued or used but that it would better define unauthorized use of sick leave, misuse of sick leave and patterns of sick leave abuse. The new language would offer Department Heads a better regulation for enforcement to curtail such misuse or abuse of sick leave use. The Committee wanted the language in C-7 which states, “continued pattern of maintaining zero or near zero sick leave balances” changed to read “continued pattern of maintaining less than 40 hours of sick leave balance in any 80 hour pay period”.  This standard would not apply to an employee with a substantiated illness or need for the sick leave.   The Committee decided to recommend that Council authorize the Solicitor to prepare legislation adopting this amendment language.  

After discussion on a Village EMS Soft Billing Policy the Committee requested the Administration to begin gathering more information on the subject and report back when ready.  

Fire Chief Daryl McNutt reported on the May 4, 2007 Bid opening for personnel protective   equipment (PPE) and the fill station and breathing air compressor equipment.  The Fire Chief, Daryl McNutt recommended the Village accept the PPE bid of $1, 080.00 per set from Warren Fire Equipment which would not have upsize charges that many others bids included.  He also recommended accepting the bid for a Mako breathing air compressor, SCUBA/SCBA fill station and a carbon monoxide monitor totaling $30,885.00 from First Line Fire Equipment.  The Committee decided to recommend that Council authorize the Solicitor to prepare legislation authorizing the Administrator and Fire Chief to enter into purchase agreements with Warren Fire Equipment and First Line Fire Equipment.  

A report was given to the Committee on the two hour parking limit in the Village’s downtown business area.  The survey results with only 24% of the businesses responding did show extensive support (8 out of 9) for keeping and enforcing the two hour parking limit.  The Administrator passed around a letter (see attached) from the Chamber President Josh Torres recommending the two hour parking regulation be retained and enforced.  The Committee decided to report that the Police Department will step up its enforcement of the two hour parking limit in the Village’s downtown business area.   

The Chairman brought up for discussion the perception that local zoning code enforcement was being undertaken too aggressively. Councilwoman Maridee Curry agreed with his concern and asked that this item be scheduled for a Committee’s review in the future.  

With no further business Debby Curry made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Bill May. Motion carried. 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 P.M.

June 12, 2007 Meeting Minutes  

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

Members present: Chairman Joe Wielinski, Bill May.   Others present: Fire Chief Daryl McNutt, Deputy Fire Chief Marty Fuller, and Administrator Dennis Recker.  

Bill May moved to approve the minutes of the May 22, 2007 meeting, seconded by Joe Wielinski. Motion carried. 2-0.   (Debby Curry entered the meeting at 6:35 P.M. )  

The Chairman recognized Chief McNutt who turned the floor over to Deputy Chief Marty Fuller; he explained the assessment process used to screen the Billing Services. Deputy Chief Fuller concluded by asking the Committee to recommend that Council authorize the Administrator to contract  with Medicount Management to provide EMS Billing Services for the Village.  After a series of questions and comments Joe Wielinski moved to recommend that Council initiate an EMS hospital run Insurance Billing Program, seconded by Debby Curry. Motion carried. 3-0.  

Joe Wielinski then moved to recommend that Council authorize the Administrator to enter into a contract with Medicount Management for one year to provide EMS Billing Services, seconded by Debby Curry. Motion carried. 3-0.  

With no further business Bill May moved to adjourn, seconded by Debby Curry. Motion carried. 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.

August 7, 2007  Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Joe Wielinski at 8:00 P.M.  

Members present: Joe Wielinski and Debby Curry. Bill May was on vacation. Others present: Solicitor Phil Davis, Police Chief Ed Kaplan, Fire Chief Daryl McNutt, Mayor Stan Wielinski, Administrator Dennis Recker and residents Michelle Tippie and Jim Grove.  

Chairman Wielinski moved to approve the minutes of June 12, 2007 . Motion was seconded by Debby Curry. Motion Carried.  

The first item of business Ms. Tippie and Mr. Grove expressed a need for a curfew in the Village of Whitehouse . Discussion took place with the Committee recommending  Police Chief Kaplan be assigned the task of contacting other local Police Departments that have a curfew program.  He is to report back at a future Personnel Committee meeting. The Committee will take no further action until Police Chief Kaplan reports back to them on his findings.  

A discussion on an interim plan to ensure essential core tasks of the Finance Director are completed during the time this position remains vacant.  The Administrator will fill the Finance Directors position on an interim basis.  The Tax Commissioner Connie Busch and Account  Clerk Robin Day will assist with this position and will receive a lump sum pay augmentation of  $276.00 (Tax Commissioner) and $254.00 (Account Clerk) per pay period for the added work they will do.  This additional pay will be funded through funds budgeted for the vacant Finance Director Position salary.  The Committee discussed options available to the Village to permanently fill the Finance Director’s position. The Committee and Mayor decided to advertise the position in The Mirror, Bowling Green Sentinel, online with the Ohio Finance Officer Association and The Ohio Municipal league.   The online options are free to member communities and are a good way to connect with municipal finance practitioners.  The Committee adopted a time as follows:  

      1. The deadline to apply was set for August 30, 2007 . 

      2.  All applications will be screened by the Mayor and Personnel Committee.

      3. The Personnel Committee will select candidates for first round interviews with the Mayor and Council.

      4. The goal is to make a hiring decision and have the selected Finance Director in the job by early to mid-October.  

The Committee reviewed the current description and pay scale for the Finance Director’s position. Minor changes were made to the description and pay scale.  

The final item of business was a proposed selection process to be used in filling an upcoming vacancy on Life Squad Nine.  The Committee endorsed Fire Chief McNutt proposal.  

With no further business to discuss the Chairman moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Debby Curry. Motion carried. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:59 P.M.

September 4, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Members present: Chairman Joe Wielinski, Debby Curry, and Bill May.  Others present: Ryan Grant, Maridee Curry, Herb Little, Mayor Stan Wielinski, and Administrator Dennis Recker.  

The meeting was called to order at 7:50 P.M. by the Chairman Joe Wielinski.  Debby Curry made a motion to approve the August 7, 2006 Committee meeting minutes, seconded by Bill May and approved by a 3 aye – 0 vote.  

Bill May made a motion to adjourn into an executive session to review Finance Director’s applications, motion seconded by Debby Curry. Motion carried 3-0.  

Chairman Joe Wielinski reconvened the Personnel & Safety Services Committee with no further business Chairman Wielinski made the  motion to adjourn the meeting. Debby Curry seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.  

Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M.

September 18, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Members present: Chairman Joe Wielinski, Debby Curry and Bill May. Others present: Maridee Curry, Ryan Grant, Herb Little, Administrator Dennis Recker, Public Services Director Mark Weber, Police Chief Edward Kaplan and Bob Bayus.  

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Wielinski at 8:10 PM . Motion by Bill May second by Debby Curry to accept the minutes of September 4, 2007 .  Motion approved.  

Police Chief Edward Kaplan presented the results of a traffic study conducted by the Lucas County Engineer’s Office to establish a speed limit on Dutch Rd. The Committee voted 2-1 to recommend to the Village Council that a 50 mph speed limit be established for the portion of Dutch Road which is in the Whitehouse Corporation limits from our eastern boundary to a point at which both sides of Dutch Road are in the corporation limits at the Community of Christ Lutheran Church at which point the posted speed limit will reduce to 35 mph.  

Bob Bayus, Finzel Road resident, requested that the Committee consider legislation which would prohibit the use of a truck deceleration device known as a “jake brake”. The committee agreed 3-0 to refer the matter to Solicitor Davis for review.  

Chief Kaplan reported to the Committee the results of a survey of other communities regarding curfews. The Committee recommended that Solicitor Davis prepare legislation for review by the Committee at a future meeting.  

The Committee discussed a proposal to create one way traffic on Gilead St. and Lucas St .  The Committee voted 3-0 to recommend to the Village Council that Lucas St. from Providence St. to Gilead St. be declared as a one way street westbound and that Gilead St. remain two way. The Committee also agreed to make Gilead St. a stop intersection at Lucas St .  

Also discussed:  Speed limits on Waterville St.  

Motion to adjourn by Joe Wielinski, second by Debby Curry, motion approved and adjourned at 8:55 PM .

October 16, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Members present: Chairman Joe Wielinski, Debby Curry and Bill May. Others present: Mayor Wielinski, Maridee Curry Herb Little, Police Chief Ed Kaplan, Solicitor Philip Davis and Administrator Dennis Recker.  

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Joe Wielinski at 6:30 P.M. , motion by Bill May to approve the September 18, 2007 minutes, seconded by Debby Curry. Motion carried.  

The first business item was a Committee review of a draft curfew ordinance for the Village of Whitehouse , Ohio .  Most of the ordinance was found to be acceptable to the Committee but section G which establishes a penalty provision for parents, guardian or legal custodians met with some opposition.  The Committee referred this legislation to the Police Chief who was asked to investigate how other communities with curfew regulations dealt with parental liability under the law.   

The second item of business was a progress report on the Finance Director search from the Administrator. Background checks were completed on the Mayor’s first choice candidate.  Reference checks were nearly complete and an appointment with Council confirmation is expected to occur at the November 6, 2007 Council meeting.  

The final business item was a Committee review of a village wide engine brake ordinance.  The Village Solicitor reviewed the legislation with the Committee.  Chairman Wielinski proposed that the Committee recommend the Engine Brake Legislation for passage to Council. The stated intent was unanimously agreed upon by the Committee.  

With no further business before the Committee Bill May moved to adjourn, motion seconded by Debby curry. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6: 57 P.M.

November 6, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Committee members present: Chairman Joe Wielinski, Debby Curry and Bill May.  Also present: Maridee Curry, Ryan Grant, Mayor Stan Wielinski, Police Chief Ed Kaplan, Solicitor Phil Davis, Administrator Dennis Recker and Public Works Director Mark Weber.  

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Joe Wielinski at 6:30 P.M. Motion by Debby Curry, seconded by Bill May to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2007 meeting. Motion approved.  

The Committee discussed the speed limit study provided by Lucas County for Dutch Road . The study recommended that the speed limit be posted at 50 MPH for that portion of Dutch Road that is in the joint jurisdiction of the Village and the County. Motion by Bill May, seconded by Debby Curry to recommend to the Village Council that the study be accepted and the speed limit be posted at 50 MPH. Approved 3-0.  

The Committee considered proposed curfew legislation for the Village as recommended by Police Chief Edward Kaplan. Motion by Bill May, seconded by Debby Curry, to recommend to the Village Council that they adopt the curfew legislation including the parental controls section. The Police Chief stated that he would require all charges based on parental clause to be brought to him for review before charges are filed. Approved 3-0.  

The Committee met the Mayor’s selection for the Finance Director position, Jordan Daugherty. Mr. Daugherty is scheduled to be appointed to the position at the November 6, 2007 Council meeting.  

Motion by Bill May, seconded by Debby Curry to adjourn at 6:52 PM .  Motion approved and adjourned.