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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,January 13,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> Crosby added that the Highway 12 area has been horrible for a long time.He told the young people in the <br /> audience to stay off of Highway 12, drive carefully, and drive sober. He mentioned NDSU won its eighth <br /> national title. The Vikings blew it,but he is still a loyal fan. <br /> Walsh wished everyone a Happy New Year and a Happy New Decade. The Council had a great 2019. <br /> He thanked Staff for their work. <br /> CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT <br /> 19. REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO COMPREHENSIVELY REVIEW CITY OF ORONO <br /> PERSONNEL POLICY FOR UPDATES <br /> Rief said the current employee handbook was adopted in February 2009. When it was completed it was <br /> not sectioned nor done as well as he'd like.He would like to look at changes in the employee policies that <br /> might need to be made from a legal standpoint and also look at the union contracts,make sure there's <br /> nothing that conflicts,and put the handbook in a better format and more readable for the employees.After <br /> the revision,when the City adopts something,he will not have to re-adopt the whole book. Instead,he can <br /> just refer to the policy number and revise it. <br /> Walsh asked if Rief would be reviewing it with Mattick or by himself. <br /> Rief stated it would be reviewed by the leadership team and Mattick. It would be broken down into <br /> sections, and if there are any changes in a section,those would be brought forward. Currently there are <br /> barely page numbers in it;there are different sections,but they are not labeled. For instance,he cannot <br /> refer to a specific Code;he has to say, "page 35, line number 14," making it difficult to provide <br /> information to an employee if they are talking on the phone. The new document would have sections <br /> such as "Benefits"or"How to Deal With a Grievance." <br /> Johnson said it is difficult to know from Rief's request the scope of the project. He feels part of his job is <br /> to align the Council and the Mayor's priorities and Staff It's hard to know from his vantage point what <br /> the City's priorities are and which ones the resources are getting put to. This is an example of something <br /> that needs to be done,but he knows there are other priorities such as employee reviews. He asked if this <br /> request would push that priority back. <br /> Rief stated it would not. As far as performance reviews,the new system is in place, everybody is <br /> conducting the employee reviews with that system, and he will be able to provide the City Council with a <br /> report the first part of February. Outside of completing the first set of reviews,that project is pretty much <br /> complete. <br /> Seals noted she agrees the request probably needs to be done but it is not like the wheels are falling off <br /> the bus. Until she can get an update on the performance reviews,she does not want to distract Rief <br /> because she thinks part of the Council's job is to help keep Rief focused. <br /> Walsh, Seals, and Crosby suggested approving the request with the caveat that it take place after the <br /> performance reviews are done. <br /> Johnson indicated that is what he was bringing up. <br /> Page 6 of 7 <br />