Administrative Brief
COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 30 NO. 09 March 13, 2008
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM NATALIE FISCHER
The Structure
The Employee Council (EC) is an advisory group whose purpose is to provide input to the City
Manager and management staff regarding general employee issues, suggestions or concerns.
The Council may make recommendations from time to time, suggesting improvements in City
policies and procedures. The Council also serves as a focus group for City management's ideas
or concerns and to communicate goals and plans to all employees.
The Employee Council is composed of twelve (12) members as follows:
Director of Human Resources (Chairperson)
11 Employees, both supervisory and non-supervisory
The EC is structured to have required representation from Fire, Police, Public Works, Utilities
and Parks and Recreation Departments. The additional six employees are selected from the
remaining departments. The selection process is based on votes received, diversity, and broad
departmental representation. Classified employees are given the opportunity to nominate
representatives on an annual basis to fill the vacant spots. The requirements for an EC member
are good listener, ability to communicate with other employees and the interest in doing what is
best for the City and its employees.
Employees serve a two-year term. A member may not serve consecutive terms and an interim is
appointed in the event a council member resigns or is no longer under the City’s employ prior to
his or her term expiration. The EC meets once per month for approximately 90 minutes to
discuss an agenda that is established by the HR Director. Minutes of each meeting are then sent
to all EC Members and provided to employees on the City intranet.
Projects and Accomplishments
The EC has been a source of valuable input and information, especially with some of the
changes affecting employees over the last 12 months such as the pay plan and the new
performance based merit increase structure. Last year the EC also created the Statement of
Organizational Values based on data and input that had been gathered from employees,
supervisors and the executive staff.
Current and future projects for the EC include an employee survey, wellness incentives and
performance evaluation form revisions.Personnel Manual or policy revisions are sent to EC on
an ongoing basis so members can get input and provide concerns or feedback prior to
implementation.
Results
The EC has been an effective mechanism to facilitate communication with a wide variety of
departments and employees through these selected ambassadors. All employees are
encouraged to contact their EC representative when concerns arise, questions about procedures
occur or suggestions are presented.
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The City of Salina values our employees as the most significant resource available to our city
government. We are committed to candid, open communication among city staff and believe an
on-going communication process is vital to a healthy, progressive and trusting attitude within our
municipal organization.
Current Employee Council Members
Kathy Burlew, Arts & Humanities Rita Stevenson, Computer Technology
Sue Cline, Development Services Trapper Buettgenbach, Engineering/Public Works
Cindy Beneke, Finance Josh Foley, Fire Dept.
Jane Garman, Municipal Court Tommy Highsmith, General Services/Sanitation
Dennis Arnold, Parks & Recreation Chad McCary, Police Department
Greg Griswell, Utilities Natalie Fischer, Human Resources Director
MONDAY'S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot attend
the meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage
City Manager