HR Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2024-05-17
Time: 08:30

Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom

8:30 am Remotely via ZOOM:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94820907375?pwd=ZWdzWk5KTGp5K29vZ1dEd2dLaU9jQT09
Meeting ID: 948 2090 7375
Passcode: 616429



1. Adopt Agenda

2. Approve Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Review and approve minutes from 3.26.24 Meeting
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 2. Approve Minutes

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

3. Introductions
  Subject 3.1. Committee members introduce themselves to one another.
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 3. Introductions

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

4. Committee Overview
  Subject 4.1. Overview of the purpose of the HRPC as written in section 1.4 of the
 personnel policy manual.
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 4. Committee Overview

  Department Human Resources


  Type
  Recommended Action

5. Public Forum

6. Executive Session
  Subject 6.1. Articles 2.2, 10.3, 10.5 and 15.3 Grievance Resolution
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 6. Executive Session

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Personnel Policy Manual
  Subject 7.1. Final review, wrap-up, and circulation of Policy edits.
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 7. Personnel Policy Manual

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

8. Other Committee Business

9. Adjournment
  Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 9. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements

 The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious
 affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
 marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. The City
 is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities and employment opportunities. The programs
 and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special
 arrangements, auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to
 participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Burlington, should contact the office of the Title II
Burlington ADA Coordinator at 802-865-7000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled
event.

Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom

8:30 am Remotely via ZOOM:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94820907375?pwd=ZWdzWk5KTGp5K29vZ1dEd2dLaU9jQT09
Meeting ID: 948 2090 7375
Passcode: 616429



1. Adopt Agenda

2. Approve Minutes
  Subject 2.1. Review and approve minutes from 3.26.24 Meeting
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 2. Approve Minutes

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

3. Introductions
  Subject 3.1. Committee members introduce themselves to one another.
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 3. Introductions

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

4. Committee Overview
  Subject 4.1. Overview of the purpose of the HRPC as written in section 1.4 of the
 personnel policy manual.
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 4. Committee Overview

  Department Human Resources


  Type



 Page 1 of 5
  Recommended Action

5. Public Forum

6. Executive Session
  Subject 6.1. Articles 2.2, 10.3, 10.5 and 15.3 Grievance Resolution
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 6. Executive Session

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

7. Personnel Policy Manual
  Subject 7.1. Final review, wrap-up, and circulation of Policy edits.
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 7. Personnel Policy Manual

  Department Human Resources


  Type

  Recommended Action

8. Other Committee Business

9. Adjournment
  Subject 9.1. Motion to adjourn
  Meeting May 17, 2024 - HRPC 05/17/2024 - Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom


  Category 9. Adjournment

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements

 The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious
 affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
 marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. The City
 is also committed to providing proper access to services, facilities and employment opportunities. The programs
 and services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special
 arrangements, auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to
 participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Burlington, should contact the office of the Title II




 Page 2 of 5
Burlington ADA Coordinator at 802-865-7000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled
event.




 Page 3 of 5
  Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 8:30 AM, HR Conference Room, 200 Church St., Burlington,
 VT

 8:30 am, HR Conference Room, 200 Church St., Burlington, VT OR Remotely via ZOOM:
 Please click the link below to join the webinar:
 Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94820907375?pwd=ZWdzWk5KTGp5K29vZ1dEd2dLaU9jQT09
 Meeting ID: 948 2090 7375
 Passcode: 616429

Present:
City Councilor Sarah Carpenter, Committee Chair
City Councilor Zoraya Hightower
City Councilor Hannah King
Kerin Durfee, Director of Human Resources


Others:
Hayley McClenahan, Assistant City Attorney
Erik Ramakrishnan, Assistant City Attorney
Chapin Spencer, Director of DPW
Megan Moir, Manager, Assistant DPW Director – Water Resources
Damion Gilbert, AFSCME Council 1343
Jesse Greeno, AFSCME Council 1343
George Millette, AFSCME Council 1343
Meaghan Diffenderfer, HR Administrative Coordinator



 1. Adopt Agenda

SC Moves to adopt the agenda with the amendment to add item 4.4, discussion of water main break protocol
HK Seconds
Motion so moved and approved

 2. Approve Minutes
HK Moves to approve the minutes from the 2.16.24 meeting
SC adds the amendment to fix typo from “ZK” to “ZH”, Seconds
Motion so moved and approved

 2. Public Forum

No public forum.

MOTION by Councilor HK, to find that premature general public knowledge of labor relations and employee grievances would
clearly place the City at a substantial disadvantage because the City risks disclosing confidential personnel matters in public.
Seconded by SC.
So moved and approved.

MOTION by Councilor HK that based on the finding of substantial disadvantage, the Council enter into executive session to
hear the grievance under the provisions of 1 V.S.A. 313(a)(1)(B) and (D), to include: Assistant City Attorney Hayley
McClenehan, Assistant City Attorney Erik Ramakrishnan, Councilor Sarah Carpenter, Councilor Hannah King, Councilor
Zoraya Hightower, Kerin Durfee, Director of HR, Chapin Spencer Director of DPW, Megan Moir, Division Director, Water
Resources, Damian Gilbert, AFSCME Local 1343 President, Steward, Jesse Greeno, AFSCME Local 1343 Vice President,
Steward, and George Millette, AFSCME Local 1343 Steward

SC seconds.

All in favor
Motion so moved, committee enters executive session, 8:42 am



 Page 4 of 5
 4. Executive Session

4.1. Article 10.3a Grievance Resolution

The committee heard from the Union and Management regarding article 10.3.
Next Steps: Union and Management will work together on another letter/MOU to bring back to HRPC.


4.2. Articles 2.2, 10.3, 10.5 and 15.3 Grievance Resolution

The committee heard from the Union and Management regarding articles 2.2, 10.3, 10.5, and 15.3.
Next Steps: Management will review compensation to impacted employee, tabling article 2.2, and Management will write a
letter of apology to the impacted employee.


4.3. Article 7 Grievance Hearing
The grievance was withdrawn prior to the meeting, but the Committee heard from the Union and Management on the
circumstances leading to this grievance.

HK moves to end exec session
ZH seconds
So moved and approved, executive session ends, 10:00 am



 5. Other Committee Business
4.4. Water Main Break Protocol

Committee heard from Management and the Union about current water break protocols, highlighting the protocols on paper
vs. in practice at the last large water main break.
Next Steps: The committee will meet with counsel, will wait for the division director to investigate, and will connect with
Chair Barlow on the issue.

 6. Adjournment
ZH moves to adjourn the meeting.
HK Seconds.
Motion so moved and approved.
Meeting ends, 10:29 am.

 7. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements

 The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious
 affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital
 status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. The City is also
 committed to providing proper access to services, facilities and employment opportunities. The programs and
 services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special
 arrangements, auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to
 participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Burlington, should contact the office of the Title II
 Burlington ADA Coordinator at 802-865-7000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled
 event.




 Page 5 of 5

Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:30 AM, Remote via Zoom

 8:30 am Remotely via ZOOM:
 Please click the link below to join the webinar:
 Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94820907375?pwd=ZWdzWk5KTGp5K29vZ1dEd2dLaU9jQT09
 Meeting ID: 948 2090 7375
 Passcode: 616429

Present:
City Councilor Sarah Carpenter, Committee Chair (SC)
City Councilor Evan Litwin (EL)
City Councilor Marek Broderick (MB)
Kerin Durfee, Director of Human Resources (KD)

Others:
Erik Ramakrishnan, Assistant City Attorney
Chapin Spencer, Director of DPW
Damion Gilbert, AFSCME Council 1343
Jesse Greeno, AFSCME Council 1343
Meaghan Diffenderfer, HR Administrative Coordinator

Meeting called to order by SC, 8:33 am.



 1. Adopt Agenda

Councilor EL Moves to adopt the agenda.
Councilor MB Seconds.
Motion so moved and approved



 2. Approve Minutes
 Councilor MB Moves to approve the minutes from the 03.26.24 meeting.
 Councilor EL Seconds.
 Motion so moved and approved.


 3. Introductions

All on the call provided quick introductions to one another, as this was the first meeting with the new composition
of the Committee.


 4. Committee Overview
KD shares that the committee typically meets in person, but due to construction we are meeting virtually this
month. The Personnel Policy Manual on website for review by committee members. This committee meets to hear
grievances, mostly from AFSCME, and work on city policy. Some of the business that will be covered is left over
from the previous committee – KD is always here if there are any questions. There will be a fuller orientation of
what HR does by our Recruitment team member as well as a presentation on the full HR team.
 5. Public Forum

 None.

Motion by Councilor EL, second by Councilor MB, to find that premature general public knowledge of labor relations
and employee grievances would clearly place the City at a substantial disadvantage because the City risks
disclosing confidential personnel matters in public.

Motion by Councilor EL, second by Councilor MB, that based on the finding of substantial disadvantage, the Council
enter into executive session to hear the grievance under the provisions of 1 V.S.A. 313(a)(1)(B) and (D), to include
all currently present in the meeting (HRPC Meeting, Director of HR, Legal Counsel, Director of DPW,
Representatives from AFSCME Local 1343, and committee admin).

 6. Executive Session

 The committee entered executive session at 8:42 am.


 The committee heard from the union and management regarding a step 2 grievance on articles 2.2, 10.3, 10.5,
 and 15.3. Director Durfee will write a draft agreement to be presented to the attorney’s office for review, and
 presented to the Union no later than 5/31. Management also agreed to have an apology letter issued to the
 impacted party within 10 business days.


 The committee heard from the union and management regarding a separate step 2 grievance on articles 10.3 and
 10.5. The councilors entered a caucus with legal counsel and the Director of HR at 9:40, and came back at 9:49.
 The committee will deliberate on the grievance and issue a response within 7 business days.


 Councilor MB moves to leave executive session, Councilor EL seconds.
 All in favor, so moved.
 Executive sessions ends, 10:14 am.


 Councilor SC postponed item 7 (PPM review) to allow for the committee to deliberate on the grievances heard.

 8.Other Committee Business
 Councilors deliberated on the grievances heard during executive session.



 9. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 am.



 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious
affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital
status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. The City is also
committed to providing proper access to services, facilities and employment opportunities. The programs and
services of the City of Burlington are accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special
arrangements, auxiliary aid, service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to
participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Burlington, should contact the office of the Title II
Burlington ADA Coordinator at 802-865-7000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled
event.