HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.C.2. Amendment to Firefighter Personnel Handbook-Res. No. 7202 c.
City of Shakopee
MEMORANDUM etr
TO: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Kris Wilson, Assistant City Administrator
SUBJECT: Amendment to Personnel Handbook for Paid -on -Call Firefighters
DATE: June 28, 2012
Introduction
The Council is asked to consider Resolution No. 7202, a resolution amending the Personnel
Handbook for Paid -on -Call Firefighters of the City of Shakopee.
Background
In 2009 the City adopted a personnel handbook specifically for paid -on -call firefighters. The
handbook covers a variety of employment policies, procedures and benefits. Recently some
questions have arisen regarding when the City will and will not pay for firefighters to attend
college- credit classes or training and when the City will and will not pay employees for their
time spent attending such classes.
In order to clarify the policy and reduce the chances of any confusion in the future, the
following paragraph has been drafted to be added to the existing handbook language on
Training & Travel:
At the Chief's discretion, the City may also pay the course tuition for employees to take
college- credit courses when 1) the course is required training for the entire department;
or 2) federal, state or other grant dollars are available for individuals to take courses on
a voluntary basis. In the case of courses that are required training for the entire
department, employees shall be paid their regular hourly rate for the time spent in
class. In cases where the City has access to federal, state or grant funding for
employees to take courses on a voluntary basis, employees must secure the Fire Chief's
written approval prior to registering for the course and employees shall not be
compensated for the time spent in class.
This is largely consistent with the City's policy for full -time employees. While the City does
contribute City funds toward the cost of college- credit classes for full -time employees through
our tuition reimbursement program, it does not pay employees for the hours spent attending
those courses and prior approval from a supervisor is required.
Budget Impact
This handbook amendment reflects a clarification of existing policy and has no monetary or
budgetary impact.
Relationship to Vision
This is a housekeeping item.
Requested Action
If the Council concurs, it is asked to offer Resolution No. 7202, a resolution amending the
Personnel Handbook for Paid -on -Call Firefighters of the City of Shakopee, and move its
adoption.
RESOLUTION No. 7202
A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 6807,
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A PERSONNEL HANDBOOK FOR
PAID -ON -CALL FIREFIGHTERS OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 6807, a resolution adopting a Personnel Handbook for Paid -on -Call
Firefighters of the City of Shakopee, was adopted on September 16, 2008, and
WHEREAS, from time to time there is a need to modify such policies to best suit the needs of the
City and its employees.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE,
MINNESOTA, that Chapter VI, Section B of the Personnel Handbook for Paid -on -Call Firefighters of the
City of Shakopee is hereby amended to read as follows:
B. Seminars, Conferences and Schools. The City will pay for employees in good standing, who
have successfully completed their first year of training, listed in Section A above, to attend
seminars, conferences and schools that will contribute to the better performance of the
employee's job and the City's business, as determined by the Fire Chief. A conference or
seminar is a course that occurs in one continuous block of time. To qualify for payment, the
employee must secure the Fire Chief's written approval prior to registering for the seminar,
conference or school. Employees approved to attend such trainings shall be paid their regular
hourly rate for the actual class hours attended.
At the Chief's discretion, the City may also pay the course tuition for employees to take college -
credit courses when 1) the course is required training for the entire department; or 2) federal,
state or other grant dollars are available for individuals to take courses on a voluntary basis. In
the case of courses that are required training for the entire department, employees shall be paid
their regular hourly rate for the time spent in class. In cases where the City has access to
federal, state or grant funding for employees to take courses on a voluntary basis, employees
must secure the Fire Chief's written approval prior to registering for the course and employees
shall not be compensated for the time spent in class.
Adopted in regular session of the City Council of the City of Shakopee, Minnesota, held this 2 " day of
July, 2012.
Mayor of the City of Shakopee
ATTEST:
City Clerk