Minutes
Bismarck, ND
Members Present:
Hon. M. Richard Geiger, Chair
Hon. Gail Hagerty
Hon. Carol Ronning
Kapsner
Rodney Olson
Gladys Schmitt
Ted Smith
Members Absent:
Hon. John T. Paulson
Jeanne Walstad
Others Present
Mike Sandal, Staff
Renee Barnaby, Scribe
Chair Geiger called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The first item on the agenda was the approval
of the Minutes of the last meeting.
It was moved by Judge Hagerty, seconded by Rod Olson, to approve the minutes of September
21, 2007 meeting. The motion carried.
Policy 103
At the last meeting, the Board directed Policy 103 be sent out to employees for comment. The
proposed changes provide opportunity for managers to offer a higher starting salary in those
situations where we have been unsuccessful in recruiting candidates at entry level. A few comments
were received.
It was moved by Rod Olson, seconded by Gladys Schmitt, to withdraw the proposed revisions
to Policy 103.
Rod Olson commented that after speaking with Sally Holewa, they decided it would be best to
withdraw the proposal.
Chair Geiger called for a roll call vote. A "yes" vote would indicate the member was in favor
of the motion to withdraw.
Gladys Schmitt - yes
Judge Hagerty - yes
Justice Kapsner - yes
Rod Olson - yes
Ted Smith - yes
Chair Geiger - yesThe motion carried. The proposed policy revisions to policy 103 are withdrawn.
Policy 106
At the September meeting, the Board directed Policy 106 be sent out to employees for comment.
The proposed changes provide for a vice chair if the chair has to recuse himself due to a potential
conflict. No comments were received.
It was moved by Judge Hagerty, seconded by Rod Olson, to forward the proposed changes to
Policy 106 to the Supreme Court for consideration. The motion carried.
Policy 102
Mike Sandal said the draft changes to Policy 102 stem from situations where employees who, upon
termination of employment, extend their termination date by using accrued annual leave. The
proposal provides that employees, upon identification of a termination date, would be paid for all
of their unused leave rather than using the leave and extending the termination date. Mr. Sandal
explained the pros and cons to the situation and discussed them with the Board.
Because Jeanne Walstad was unable to attend the meeting, Mr. Sandal distributed her comments to
the Board for review.
After further discussion, it was moved by Rod Olson, seconded by Gladys Schmitt, to accept the
modifications to Policy 102 and distribute to employees for comment. Chair Geiger called for
a roll call vote. A "yes" vote would indicate the member was in favor of the motion:
Ted Smith - yes
Justice Kapsner - yes
Judge Hagerty - yes
Rod Olson - yes
Gladys Schmitt - yes
Chair Geiger - yes
The motion carried.
Election Results
Mike Sandal announced the election results to the Personnel Policy Board for three-year terms
beginning January 1, 2008. Judge Paulson will serve his second term as a district judge
representative and Jerrold Arneson was elected to serve as the supreme court employee
representative, replacing Jeanne Walstad. Chair Geiger has also been reappointed to the Board by
the Administrative Council for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2008.
Other
Mike Sandal said as a point of information, there was a recent bill in Washington, House Resolution
1585, which has been passed by Congress, and will now go to the President for his review and
signature. The bill expands the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide for 12 weeks of leave
to a spouse, son, daughter, or parent of any person who has been called to active duty in the armed
forces. It also provides for an additional 26 weeks of FMLA leave to a spouse, son, daughter, or
nearest blood relative that would be caring for a service member who was injured as a result of
service in the armed forces. During this time, the employer would continue paying health insurance.
Mr. Sandal will keep the Court advised on the status of the bill so appropriate steps can be taken to update our policy, if necessary. If the bill is signed and someone requests leave before our policy
is updated, the leave will not be denied.
Meeting adjourned.