Approved by the Board:  July 22, 2008

 

MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING

 

LANSING BOARD OF WATER AND LIGHT

 

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Monday, July 21, 2008

 

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The Board of Commissioners met at the Executive Offices of 1232 Haco Drive, Lansing, Michigan.

 

Present:           Commissioners Robert Cochran, Tony DeLuca, Joseph Graves, Semone James, Peter Kramer, Frank Lain, Julee Rodocker and Sandra Zerkle.

 

Absent:            None

 

The Secretary declared a quorum present.

 

Chairperson James called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

THE CHAIR ANNOUNCED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO SPEAK TO THE BOARD ON ANY AGENDA SUBJECT AND ANYONE WISHING TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER NOT ON THE AGENDA MAY DO SO IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT.

 

There were no public comments.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

None.

 

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Resolution 2008-7-1

Salary Management System

Fiscal Year 2008-2009

 

Whereas, the Human Resource Department, in conjunction with Paul Reagan of Dorey, Reagan & Associates, has conducted a review and analysis of the Lansing Board of Water & Light’s current direct compensation design and administrative processes for its Non-Bargaining Salary Management System; and

 

Whereas, the Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Department, with the concurrence of the General Manager has recommended to the Human Resources Committee that the Board of Commissioners modify the current salary structure so as to eliminate the lower tier of the current two-tiered base pay caps resulting in single minimum/ maximum pay ranges for each grade level and that the new range maximum level be equal to the current pay range Control Points (50th percentile of the labor market + 10% ); and

 

Whereas, the proposed salary structure change is designed to provide competitive base pay packages that will enhance potential employee attraction, improve equity for recent hires, and maintain cost management capabilities; and

 

Whereas, the Board of Water & Light is currently in the process of implementing a new SAP Human Resources Management and Payroll System and the proposed salary structure changes are considered “best practices” under SAP.  Therefore, adoption of staff’s recommendations will save time and money in implementation because no special configuration would be required; and  

 

Whereas, the Human Resource Department has completed its annual review of the Lansing Board of Water & Light’s skill family ranges for non-bargaining employees for the purpose of maintaining salary ranges in line with comparable positions in the labor marketplace; and

 

Whereas, the Board of Commissioners approved the Board of Water and Light’s Fiscal Year 2009 Operating Budget, on May 27, 2008, that reflected merit increases for non-bargaining unit employees of 2%; and

 

Whereas, the Board of Commissioners has been advised as to these recommendations.

 

RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners approve modification of the current salary structure to eliminate the two-tier base pay caps, and set the pay range maximum equal to the current pay range Control Point; and

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners adopt the recommended adjustments to the non-bargaining unit skill family ranges; and

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Manager is authorized to develop all procedures necessary for implementation of the new salary structure and skill family ranges.

 

Motion by Commissioner Cochran, seconded by Commissioner Graves, to approve the Salary Management System for Fiscal Year 2008-2009.

 

Action:  Carried unanimously.

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

Moved by Commissioner Lain, seconded by Commissioner Zerkle to go into closed session to discuss a privileged document received from Melissa Jackson, Attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. as protected by the Open Meetings Act exemption MCL 15.268(h).  (2:06 p.m.)  The roll was called.

 

Yeas:  Commissioners Cochran, DeLuca, Graves, James, Kramer, Lain, Rodocker and Zerkle.

Nays:  None.

Absent:  None.

 

Carried unanimously.

 

Moved by Commissioner Lain, seconded by Commissioner Cochran that the Special Board meeting return to open session.

 

Carried unanimously.

 

The Special Board meeting reconvened in open session at 3:00 p.m.

 

On motion by Commissioner James, seconded by Commissioner Kramer, to authorize the Board’s attorney to proceed in accordance with the attorney’s recommendation made in closed session.

 

Action:  Carried unanimously.

 

The Special Board meeting took a meeting break at 3:05 p.m. and resumed at 3:12 p.m.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

Resolution 2008-7-2

Engagement letter from C.L. Moore & Associates, P.C.

 

 

RESOLVED, that the Lansing Board of Water & Light accept the engagement letter as presented by Charles Moore of C.L. Moore & Associates, P.C. which includes, Auditing Process Services Fees in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per annum and for a term not to exceed August 1, 2010.

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, in accordance with the engagement letter Charles L. Moore shall perform directorship responsibilities until a date not to exceed July 18, 2009, or until the Board of Commissioners appoint a Director of Internal Audit, whichever occurs first. 

 

…………….

 

Motion by Commissioner Lain, seconded by Commissioner Graves, to approve the Engagement Letter from C.L. Moore & Associates, P.C.

 

Action:  Carried unanimously.

 

MANAGER’S REMARKS

 

None.

 

COMMISSIONERS’ REMARKS

 

Commissioner Cochran advised that he is scheduled to attend a demonstration plant in Madison, Pennsylvania Wisconsin to see how a plasma plant operates in making biofuels diesel for a variety of uses.

 

Commissioners Lain and James both thanked Commissioner Graves for his service to the Board of Water and Light (BWL).

 

Commissioner Graves noted that his will miss dealing with the BWL in a direct manner and advised that his time as a Commissioner has been both challenging and rewarding. 

 

EXCUSED ABSENCE

 

None.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Jim Dravenstat-Moceri, Assistant Business Manager for IBEW Local 352 expressed appreciation to Commissioner Graves for the work he has done as a Commissioner.

 

The Special Board meeting took a meeting break at 3:22 p.m. and resumed at 3:32 p.m.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Moved by Commissioner Graves, seconded by Commissioner Kramer to go into closed session to discuss a privileged document received from Brandie Erken, General Counsel as protected by the Open Meetings Act exemption MCL 15.268(h).  (3:35 p.m.)  The roll was called.

 

Yeas:  Commissioners Cochran, DeLuca, Graves, James, Kramer, Lain, Rodocker and Zerkle.

Nays:  None.

Absent:  None.

 

Carried unanimously.

 

Moved by Commissioner Cochran, seconded by Commissioner DeLuca that the Special Board meeting return to open session.

 

Carried unanimously.

 

The Special Board meeting reconvened in open session at 3:55 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

On motion by the Board of Commissioners, the meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.

 

 

/s/ Rhonda Jones, Corporate Secretary

Filed with Lansing City Clerk

July 22, 2008