Special Meeting Minutes –March 15, 2023
The Churubusco Town Council met on March 15, 2023 following the regular Town Council meeting in the Scout Building. Members present were council members Devin Keener and Nathan Van Horn (Mark Pepple joined via Zoom); and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Others present were Teri Johnson and Brittany Murphy, Turtle Days; Eliza Gordner, Carson, LLP; numerous Town employees (Chad Fulkerson,. Tyler Fulkerson, John Forker, Scott Geist, Brandon Rittenhouse, and Justin Blake) Park Supervisor, Rick Krider; Sewer Supervisor, Bob Gray; and Town Marshal, Dustin Papenbrock.
President Keener opened the meeting and apologized to the employees present that the changes have taken so long to implement, but he was hoping that with Eliza present, they could finalize the changes within the document so a final version could be approved at the April 5 meeting.
New Business:
1. Personnel Manual discussion: Eliza Gordner, a partner from Carson LLP who specializes in human resources, was present to discuss proposed changes made within the policy manual. Several employees were present to voice their concerns with some of the changes including making the Town Marshal position an exempt position and inquiring why other department heads were exempt. Ms. Gordner explained what qualifies as an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Ms. Bartl stated the other department heads were exempt due to the requirement that special licensures be obtained. After discussing and hearing from several officers, the Council stated they would like to keep the Town Marshal position a non-exempt position at this time. A discussion concerning whether compensatory time could be accrued in lieu of being paid a holiday premium was also discussed. Ms. Gorner stated comp time could only be given in lieu of being paid overtime which occurs after an officer physically works more than 84 hours in a pay period, so it was her opinion that comp time could not be given instead of the holiday premium as the holiday premium was not overtime, but a fringe benefit given to employees.
The Council went through the proposed manual and made some minor changes to what was proposed. A final draft would be considered at the April 5 meeting.
Having no other business, President Keener adjourned the special meeting.
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Council President, Devin Keener Council Member, Mark Pepple Council Member, Nathan Van Horn
ATTEST:
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Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer
