Agenda - Council - 11/28/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-38- other work areas and create more valuable employees. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses are offered for each of these software packages. Human Resources Manager Heryla stated that the costs and' length of class times vary. In reviewing different brochures from local community colleges or education centers, it appears they typically run between $125 and $300 for Microsoft courses and meet two or three evenings for four hours each night. She stated that staff would like further discussions with the Personnel Committee and direction on how to proceed pr/or to making a recommendation. Councilmember Anderson inquired if they would be proposing to pay the entire cost of the computer course and only one-half the cost on other courses. Human Resources Manger Heryla replied that .any course that is job specific would, be 100% reimbursed and anything post secondary is 50 % reimbursed. Councilmember Zimmerm,'m inquired if staff had done any research of other city's policies. Human Resources Manger Heryla replied no, but indicated that she would do so. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that it should be required that a staff member pass'the course in order to get reimbursed for the course. He also suggested that the City invest in some self: paced materials where an individual could use those materials to take a test. Councilmember Anderson stated that she is concerned as to why computer training would be treated differently than any other type of training. Councilmember Hendriksen rePlied that computer training is becoming a real baseline need that not everyone possesses and he sees the training as an incentive. Consensus of the Committee was to direct staff to put together wording that Would include reimbursement of computer training. Case #4: Authorize Hiring of Patrol Officer Human Resources Manager Heryla stated that on September 5, 2000, Staff received authorization to begin the process to hire a full-time patrol officer. The position was advertised in several locations including newspapers, other municipalities, and agencies/institutions representing diverse populations. Seventy-seven applications were received by the September 27 deadline and 21 applicams came in for panel interviews on October 4 and October 5. Following the first round of panel interviews, five individuals were contacted to return for second interviews on October 11'. Based on the panel's recormnendation following second interviews, staff would like Council authorization to offer a position to one of the five final candidates. There are several reasons why staff is requesting authorization to be able to make an immediate job offer to one of the five candidates. First, because of the tight job market, staff is concerned that if a Personnel Committee/October I0, 2000 Page 4 of 5 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I. I