Western Kentucky University

Department of Facilities Management

 

Human Relations Council Minutes

22 February 2007

 

 

The Human Relations Council (HRC) met on Thursday, February 22, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in the DFM Conference Room, with Tom Riley, Director of Facilities Management conducting the meeting.

 

Those members present for the meeting are as follows:

 

            Robert Elrod-Auxiliary                        Robin Kennedty-Shulda-E&G BSA

            Kathy Price-Fiscal Services      Nathan Hale-Electric

            Nathan Brindley-Plumbing      Steve Keown-Zone Maintenance

            David Blankenship-Carpentry Joey Taylor-Grounds

            Dan Chaney-PDC                    Danny Eakles-Paint

            Daniel Jolly-HVAC

 

The first item brought before the council in Old Business was discussion of the Phase 2 Computer Training, with it being the consensus of the council to recommend this training be coordinated.  Director Riley requested this item be placed on next month’s agenda for further discussion purposes.

 

Discussion of Phase 1 Basic Computer Training for the Housing personnel was discussed, with Director Riley reporting there are no new developments to report, but he will follow-up with Pam West and Brian Kuster and report his findings at the March HRC Meeting.  He further requested this item be placed on next month’s agenda for additional discussion.

 

Director Riley reported he discussed the feasibility of maintaining day parking passes for vendors and contractors in the front office of DFM with P&T Director, Jennifer Tougas; Director Tougas advised this was agreeable with her.  Further discussion was held regarding this topic with it being noted the front office does not have any day parking passes for vendors or contractors, to date.  Director Riley will follow-up with P&T.

 

The next item for discussion in Old Business was an update on additional staffing requested by Director Riley.  Director Riley reported the first phase of the budget has been finalized and he is not certain as to how many positions we will get.  His original request was for twelve additional DFM staff members.  He further reported there is another budget meeting next week and he will find out at that time how much additional money DFM will receive for staffing needs.

 

Discussion on the PS1 electrical repair work was held, with Director Riley reporting he has discussed this topic with Manager Harrison.  Council member Hale reported they have scheduled this work, as well as several electrical jobs at Smith Stadium during Spring Break.

 

At this time much discussion was held regarding the Smith Stadium Ramp lights and top level lights, as well as problematic wiring of pole lights at Smith Stadium and other electrical lighting needs.  Director Riley reported PDC Director Ault is attempting to receive an ESPC Contract for PS1 in an effort to get funding for deferred maintenance, with the money received going toward electrical repairs. 

 

It was also reported we have re-lamped lights at PS1 and this job should be completed in the near future, if not already done so.

 

Discussion was held regarding problems with the electronic breaker at PS2, with it being reported when breaker has to be shut down, all memory is lost and then someone has to reset memory to each breaker, which is work intense.

 

PM Angueira’s last day is Friday, February 23, 2007.

 

The next item for discussion was placement of formal process of design projects, with Director Riley reporting he spoke with PDC Director Ault and will be developing an internal Commissioning Team to review project construction work.  This Team will be included on the design process, up front, and each shop will be represented on this Team.  Manager Jackson will oversee session to format internal Community Team.  Director Riley also reported the zone technicians who are currently in the new Zone Tech Program will assist in working with contractors.

 

The next item in Old Business was discussion on the Bucket Truck parking brake malfunction, with Director Riley reporting he discussed this with Manager Harrison, with Manager Harrison reporting employees should insure the parking brake is pulled all the way up.  Discussion was held regarding the knob on the parking brake is jostled and comes loose and this is when the parking brake does not function properly.  After discussion on how to best eliminate this problem, it was recommended to place a mark on where the knob should be situated, and also to place a label, where it would be visible to all drivers, reminding them to check the knob before moving the vehicle insuring the brake is tight.  Director Riley also recommended the Bucket Truck be included for a regular PM check.

 

The last item in Old Business was discussing if employees at South Campus, P&T employees, WKU Farm and the Old Mall employees have to purchase parking permits, with Director Riley reporting he discussed this with Director Tougas and she advised these employees do not have to purchase a parking permit. 

 

Parking issues were discussed, with Director Riley reporting employees can park at South Campus to avoid purchasing a parking permit, and ride the shuttle to campus, but this poses a problem for the BSAs who begin work at 4:00 a.m. as there is currently no shuttle service provided at that time.

 

In other business, Director Riley reported on the Central Scheduling Program, which is campus-wide, allowing us to see what classrooms are being utilized and which ones are vacant for cleaning purposes.  We are utilizing this program for the BSAs to clean classrooms during the summer.

 

Discussion was held regarding who had access to this program, with Director Riley reporting they could access this program through InfoView. 

 

At this time, discussion was held regarding why DFM employees are being evaluated differently than the rest of the campus; this appears highly unfair to the DFM employees, with Director Riley reporting Tony Glisson will be at the March Departmental Meeting to discuss this issue.  He further reported DFM will be conducting quarterly evaluations in lieu of annual evaluations, thus providing a more thorough way to evaluate an employee’s production and a fairer means to distribute raises.

 

Discussion was held regarding the status of the minimum wage increase, and how it will affect everyone, with Director Riley reporting this issue currently remains in the hands of the decision makers in Washington, D.C.

 

The last item brought for discussion was on the paperless Leave Balance, with Director Riley reporting HR sent a campus-wide email last week advising all Leave Balances would be done electronically, beginning in March.  He further reported this does not apply to DFM employees.

 

There being no further official business conducted, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Pat Butler

Administrative Assistant

 

xc:       HRC Members

            DFM Managers