HR Focus
Winter/Spring 2010 -- Contents
Articles of Interest aka News You Should Use
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TMHRA archives HTML versions of previous newsletters.
| Winter 2008 | ||
| Spring 2008 | Summer 2008 | Fall 2008 |
| Winter 2009 | Spring 2009 | Summer/Fall 2009 |
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
What a great gathering for the TxPELRA and Civil Service Workshops on February 9-12, 2010, in San Antonio! If you missed them, there was a wealth of information in the outstanding presentations. The workshops’ handouts and PowerPoint presentations are on the TML Web site (click on “Training,” and on the left you will see a tab labeled “Event Handouts/Readings”). Labor relations, civil service, meet and confer, and collective bargaining are hot topics, and the outcome of federal and state laws currently under consideration will certainly impact not only our municipalities, but also our profession. We cannot sit back and be reticent on these issues. Our TxPELRA Committee is gearing up for campaigns to be proactive in contacting our congressmen, senators, and legislators, testifying before our State Legislature, and proposing bills that are at least fair and balanced toward our cities. If you are interested in joining this effort, please contact Dick Hodapp, assistant human resource director in Fort Worth and our TxPELRA Committee chair, or any TMHRA Board member. Opposing forces are formidable, so we must be vigilant and let our collective voices be heard.
Likewise, TMHRA is an active participant in advising the TMRS Board of Directors in the operation and direction of TMRS. Jim Parrish, deputy city manager in McKinney, is TMHRA’s representative on the TMRS Advisory Committee. Bonita Hall, director of HR in Pearland, is the alternate. Last year, a TMHRA TMRS Committee was organized, and Barry Robinson, director of HR in Greenville, was appointed chair. This committee is active in developing TMHRA legislative proposals regarding retirement, which will be presented to the TMRS Board for their consideration and support in the State Legislature session in 2011. This is a very important committee due to the changes in TMRS and increasing interest rates member cities are incurring every year.
Our newly established TMHRA awards program for Rising Star, HR Management Professional of the Year, and Innovation in Municipal HR Management (Organization) is off to an excellent start. Under the leadership of Tadd Phillips, director of human resources in McKinney and TMHRA Board member, a selection committee of TMHRA members will be making recommendations to the Board of Directors for selection in these three categories. I thank those nominators for outstanding nominations. The awards, along with the Lifetime Achievement Award, will be presented at our Annual Conference (formerly Mid-Year) in Dallas in May.
There are many opportunities for every member to be involved in TMHRA. We have the following committees that welcome those who are willing to contribute their time: Newsletter, Program, Nominating, Technology, New Member, TML Salary Survey, Sponsorship, Legislative, Civil Service, TxPELRA, TMRS, and Awards. If you have an interest in participating in any of those committees, please contact any Board member or me. I solicit your involvement in any aspect of the association’s operation.
For the remainder of this year, we are planning outstanding educational opportunities for our members. The TMHRA Annual Conference will be held May 5-7, 2010, at the DoubleTree Dallas Campbell Centre. Our Employment Law Seminar will be held August 31-September 2, 2010, at the Hilton Bella Harbor in Rockwall.
Please get involved in TMHRA. It’s your association. I solicit your input and participation in shaping the direction we are going. I look forward to meeting each of you at our Annual Conference and Employment Law Seminar.
Don Byrne, PHR, IPMA-CP
Director of Human Resources, Odessa
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Texas Municipal Human Resources Association
Annual Conference
May 5-7, 2010
DoubleTree Dallas Campbell Centre
8250 North Central Expressway, Dallas
This conference will provide timely information to address the growing needs of human resources professionals, as well as any other professional charged with the task of providing guidance for a human resources department. As the need to optimize productivity while decreasing liability becomes more important, the types of information delivered through these seminars become increasingly more useful to those who are serious about maintaining effective organizations. This year, we are fortunate to have several well-known experts to address the following vital topics:
- Martial Arts for the Mind: Stress Management Skills for Health and Peak Performance
- Internal Investigations: Avoiding Going from Bad to Worse
- Complex Dynamics of Communication
- Dealing with Social Media in the Workplace
- Leading Change
- Relevant Roundtable Discussions on topics such as Federal Collective Bargaining
The program is sponsored by the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association (TMHRA), an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League (TML).
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
city managers
assistant city managers
compensation managers
human resource managers
risk managers
personnel professionals
police chiefs
attorneys
city secretaries
fire chiefs
any person dealing with employee relations
| 2010 | ||
| SEMINARS | DATE | LOCATION |
| TMHRA Annual Conference | May 5-7 | DoubleTree Campbell Center, Dallas |
| Employment Law | September 16-17 | Hilton Bella Harbor, Rockwall |
| TML Annual Conference | October 26-29 | Corpus Christi |
| 2011 | ||
| SEMINARS | DATE | LOCATION |
| TXPELRA/Civil Service | February 9-11 | Crowne Plaza Downtown, Dallas |
| TMHRA Nuts and Bolts | April 1 | Marriott Austin North, Round Rock |
| TMHRA Annual Conference | May 25-27 | Moody Gardens, Galveston |
| Employment Law | August 31-September 2 | Crowne Plaza, San Antonio |
| TML Annual Conference | October 11-14 | Houston |
If you have questions, you may contact TML staff at 512-231-7400 or tmhra@tml.org.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!!!
WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS
INTRODUCING…New Members to TMHRA
TMHRA will provide you with opportunities to participate in planning educational sessions and all the other activities sponsored by our organization. As a member, you will also have access to TMHRA e-Solutions – a great way to get advice or feedback from your colleagues.
The following human resource professionals have chosen to join our great organization, and the Board has unanimously approved their applications. Our newest members (October-April) are:
Carvan E. Adkins, Partner, Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla & Elam, L.L.P.
Catherine Almond, Benefits Specialist, City of Friendswood
Polly J. Balzen-Krenek, City Secretary, City of Bertram
Barbara Bigham, City Secretary, City of South Houston
Becky Bowery, Personnel Records Technician, City of Pearland
Tanya L. Cantrell, HR Director, City of Bastrop
Martha Castillo, Deputy Director for HR, City of McAllen
Laurie Chalmers, Human Resources Generalist, City of Rowlett
Lilly Clarke, Human Resources Support Specialist, City of Garland
Rhonda Clegg, City Secretary, City of Bay City
Cristy Daniell, CPA, Assistant City Manager, City of Belton
Krisa Dela Cruz, Director of Operations, Strategic Government Resources, Inc.
Shawn Eddy, Assistant City Manager, City of Alamo Heights
Arcelia L. Felix, City Secretary, City of Mercedes
Carol Flynt, Director Human Resources, City of Baytown
Yesenia Garza, Benefits Coordinator, City of Pearland
Jackie Gaines, Human Resource Director, City of Converse
Theresa Gill, Assistant City Secretary, City of Granite Shoals
Melanie Glaze, Human Resources Assistant II, City of Pearland
Lidia Gonzales, Human Resources Director, City of Brownsville
Sandra Graves, Human Resources Coordinator, City of Burnet
Yvonne Griffin, Finance Director, City of Balcones Heights
Pat L. Hollins, HR Specialist, City of Marlin
Leisa Hutcheson, Director of Human Resources, City of Lubbock
Lorie Lucas, Human Resources, City of Cuero
Jennifer MacWhirter, Office Administrator, City of Bullard
Sofia Martinez, Human Resources Assistant II, City of Pasadena
Melanie A. McManus, Administrative Assistant/ Human Resources Manager, City of Saginaw
Kara L. McQuatters, HR Specialist, City of Odessa
Heather Merrill, Human Resources Generalist, City of Brownwood
Missy Miller, Accounting Supervisor/ Human Resources and Benefits, City of Humble
Laure Morgan, City Secretary/Office Manager, City of Hemphill
Olga Oberwetter, City Secretary/ Human Resources Director, City of La Feria
Sunny K. Philip, City Manager, City of La Feria
Ronda Reichie, City Secretary/Human Resources Manager, City of Granite Shoals
Tera Roberts, Human Resources Administrative Services Supervisor, City of Garland
Tina M. Smith, Human Resources Coordinator, City of South Houston
Kristiana Spencer, Human Resources Assistant, City of Kyle
Shirley Stuart, City Secretary, City of Eastland
John C. Washburn, Finance Director, City of Cuero
Mark Washington, Director of Human Resources, City of Austin
Cara Leahy White, Associate, Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla & Elam, L.L.P.
Trena White, Senior Human Resources Assistant, City of Pasadena
Lori Wilkerson, Sr. Human Resource Spec, City of Odessa
Bob Willbanks, Sergeant, Town of Westover Hills
Samantha Woodmancy, Human Resources Analyst, City of Garland
Stephanie Young, Human Resources Manager, City of Midland
We appreciate your interest in helping TMHRA remain a tremendous professional resource throughout the State of Texas.
Welcome to the TMHRA team!
TMHRA Sponsors
2009-2010 SPONSORS
TMHRA is grateful for the continued support of our sponsors. The sponsorships allow us to keep all events reasonably priced and affordable for all members. Thank you to the following sponsors for their support and contributions throughout the year:
GOLD SPONSORS
Affion Public
CIGNA Healthcare
City of Irving
City of Rockwall
Holmes Murphy & Associates
ICMA Retirement Corporation
IPS Advisors, Inc.
Lynn Pham & Ross, LLP
MetLife
Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Smith & Associates Consulting
The Waters Consulting Group, Inc.
TML Intergovernmental Employee Benefits Pool
United Healthcare
SILVER SPONSORS
Denton, Navarro, Rocha & Bernal, P.C.
Neogov
PARS
PeopleAdmin, Inc.
Texas Municipal Retirement System
BRONZE SPONSORS
Aetna
Public Sector Personnel Consultants
Standard Insurance Company
ARTICLES OF INTEREST aka NEWS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF
TMRS Ad-Hoc Committee
By Barry Robinson, Committee Chair
Many cities are struggling to afford their TMRS contribution rate due to the recent changes in actuarial accounting methods for annually repeating COLA and updated service credit benefits. Under the existing statute, cities have very limited options to address the issue. TMRS has offered the current 8-year phase-in program and extended the amortization period from 25 to 30 years. Still, many cities are faced with a fully funded rate that may not be sustainable. The TMHRA Board authorized the formation of an ad-hoc committee to review the situation and determine if other options could be offered to participating cities. It was agreed that the purpose of the committee will be to seek either legislative or policy changes at TMRS that will provide benefit flexibility to member cities. Also, the committee will coordinate with similar initiatives currently being sponsored by TML and GFOAT. The committee has met twice and reached a general agreement on the following recommendations, which have been endorsed by the TMHRA Board. These will also be presented to the TML Legislative Committee on TMRS, which is currently reviewing options.
- Support legislation combining the MAF and CSARF.
- Support legislation adding additional flexible COLA options that are not retroactive to the retiree’s date of retirement.
- Support legislation that would allow cities to adopt two-tier plans for new hires.
Health Care Reform: Benefit Plan Considerations for Employers – AON Consulting
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPAC”) was signed into law on March 23, 2010, and the related Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (“HCER”), which modifies certain provisions of PPAC, was signed into law on March 30, 2010. These two statutes, referred to as the “Health Care Reform Law,” make sweeping changes to existing law governing employer-sponsored group health plans, individual health coverage, and governmental health programs. The new provisions affect insured and self-insured employer health plans.
The Health Care Reform Law provisions generally are added to the Public Health Service Act and are incorporated by reference into the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Certain changes are also made to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Since the Health Care Reform Law implicates a number of different statutes, various governmental agencies will have authority to issue guidance.
The Health Care Reform Law clearly is not the final word; there are many significant, as yet unanswered, questions regarding various provisions of the Health Care Reform Law (including effective dates, definitions, etc.). Moreover, there will be many related technical and substantive changes, regulations, and judicial interpretations, as well as official guidance regarding its wide-ranging implications. Nevertheless, certain provisions of the Health Care Reform Law take effect in the near future, and employers need to understand now what changes may impact their benefit plans and when these changes take effect.
For further information, check with your broker and/or health insurance provider.
Ha Ha Very Funny – Munck Carter, LLP
Do you think it would be a hoot to post a bogus help-wanted ad on a social networking site and watch your unsuspecting former employer be inundated with e-mails and calls from eager applicants? Well, don’t try it in Texas or any other state that prosecutes for “online harassment.” Since September 1, 2009, the Lone Star state has a statute that creates a third-degree felony offense if a person uses the name or persona of another person to create a Web page on or to post one or more messages on a commercial social networking site: (1) without obtaining the other person’s consent; and (2) with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person. An unhappy former employee in Houston who tried the aforementioned stunt is out on $5,000 bond and is in a heap of trouble.
Federal Collective Bargaining - NPELRA
Shortly after returning from Congressional recess, Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced S.3194, the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2009. The Reid bill appears identical to prior versions of the legislation. Based on the re-introduction of the bill in the Senate and comments by several public sector unions, NPELRA believes Congress may take up the bill in the imminent future. We will be watching carefully and will keep you posted on developments.
NEWSLETTER INPUT NEEDED!!!
This is YOUR newsletter, and we want to ensure that it provides you with a valuable source of information from TMHRA. If you have any ideas, articles, or information you would like to see included in future newsletters, please submit them to the Newsletter Committee. The 2009-2010 Newsletter Committee Chair is:
Miguel Ozuna
Newsletter Chair
Director of Human Resources
City of Cedar Park
600 N. Bell Blvd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613-2206
512-401-5254 (phone)
512-401-5255 (fax)
miguel.ozona@cedarparktx.us