minhhs 02-22-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Director Gelsomino spoke about the importance of the ordinance in terms of the City being a leader, supporting employees and recruiting. She spoke of her own personal experience as well. Councilmember Litten noted that the Committee has received an estimate from the administration that the benefit will cost the City approximately $32,000 annually. Councilmember Rader expressed support for the ordinance to attract a new diverse set of employees to public service. He suggested that the language be modified to make it gender neutral. Councilmember Litten expressed support for amending the ordinance as suggested. Councilmember Kepple expressed support for the ordinance. She stated that finances would be the only reason to oppose it and that the financial impact does not seem that significant given the information from Director Dillinger. She pointed out that the City plans to spend twice the amount on tennis court repairs in 2022 as is projected by this ordinance. She expressed support for Councilmember Rader's point regarding gender-neutral language. She suggested that language referring to hospital employees be stricken since it I not relevant. She questioned whether the ordinance includes informal kinship care arrangements. Councilmember Litten added that the cost of the benefit is less than the cost of fireworks for one year and less than the cost of overtime pay on that day. Councilmember Litten and Director Dillinger discussed how this may impact collective bargaining in the future. Councilmember Litten asked if the City is aware of employees who might have sought this benefit. Mayor George suggested that Clerk Bach might have something to share on the topic. Clerk Bach discussed her experience having her most recent child shortly after this ordinance was first introduced. She said that she would have sought out the benefit had it been available, and she was confident that other colleagues would have as well. In response to questions, Director Dillinger clarified that the policy would apply to all employees including those in collective bargaining units. In the absence of any reference to this leave in the collective bargaining agreements, those employees will be permitted to rely on City policy to use the benefit. Councilmember Bullock asked for additional information on the potential budgetary impact and questioned why the City would not withhold this benefit from the unions until negotiation time. Director Dillinger replied that most employees who have taken time off for parental leave under FMLA are union employees. She noted that the policy change would have a negligible impact if it were to exclude bargaining-unit employees. She noted that these benefits can help the City to recruit and retain employees. She noted that the Fire Department does not have any female employees and that dispatchers are difficult to find and to keep. 2