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Recreation Commission Meeting November 4, 2002 Mr. Gareau then asked about the status of the hiring of the new Recreation Commissioner. Mr. Jesse stated that there have been about 30 responses, with the interviews slated toward hiring the first part of the new year. Mr. Gareau received some information on the background check issue. The Personnel Director indicated to him that the City does not have a current written policy on background checks. The city has DMV and criminal checks on new full time employees. The criminal records checks are done on part-time employees that work with children or handle money. Additionally, during homecoming, anyone who works with the City’s equipment is checked with the DMV, but there are no checks done on contractors. Checks are conducted when the City receives a lease; ideally, the lease is received before the person begins employment. Checks may only be conducted on persons 18 years of age and older. Currently, tests are being conducted by a company called “Telecorp.” The Chief of Police recommends that all employees get their fingerprints taken. The issue of background checks for contractors was discussed by Mr. Gareau with the Law Department. Legislation was introduced to make that a requirement. Ms. Hayes stated that employees of schools are required to have fingerprint background checks. Mr. Jesse said that the background check procedure must be put into place in such a way to protect contractors and recipients of their services. There are contractors whose own employees must be checked. There is the issue of potential employees who fail the background checks – do we tell them why? Do we use an offense of ten years ago against them? These are issues for consideration. We must anticipate the consequences of the legislation, rather than coming in from the back side as a lawsuit, which is a lot more expensive to deal with. This issue will be presented to Council. What should apply to employees of the City versus individual contractors? How can we ask a contractor to have his employees go through a background check? Mr. Gareau concluded that the ultimate goal is that background checks be conducted before contracts are in place, requiring us to get a better handle on our contracts. A chart of Program Provider Agreements of Recreation Program Special Services compiled by Jason Frolo, Recreation Department Supervisor, indicating the in-house contractors, most of which are seasonal, was presented to Commission members. Ms. Hayes asked the length of time to get a fingerprint background check, which was unknown. Also, all employees should be checked, not just new hires. Mr. Kelley stated that while working in the construction business, there have been mandatory checks at multiple government levels. There was never a problem taking any kind of background check, including a fingerprint check. There is, however, a significant cost incurred, as much as $275.00 per employee. Mr. Gareau stated that background checks for employees in the bargaining units would be beyond this scope; however, with respect to contractors, we must have a standardized check in place for employees and contractors. One other issue addressed by Mr. Gareau was the dollar limit allowed to the Recreation Commissioner for contracts without Council approval. Legislation will be introduced at November’s Council Meeting. The ordinance as written now is for a $5,000 limit. That’s not a blank $5,000, but it must be approved by the Director of Law. Ms. Hayes asked if there was any information available regarding the liability issue for the contractors. Mr. Gareau said that the Page 3