Human Resources committee narrows background-check language, tables some budgetary elements

A Human Resources Committee report delivered to the Board on Sept. 15 summarized discussions from the committee’s Sept. 2 meeting about a proposed background-check policy for Parks & Recreation and other city departments. The committee approved changing policy language that initially referred to "contact with children" to instead say "contact with vulnerable individuals," which the committee said would include adult participants at the Godnick Adult Center and other programs.

Committee members discussed background-check waivers — the committee concluded that the term "waiver" was a misnomer for circumstances such as minor volunteers for whom criminal-record searches are not possible; a reference-check process was suggested as an alternative for those volunteers.

Members also debated whether independent contractors (for example, tradespeople) should always undergo background checks; the committee asked HR staff to research how peer municipalities handle contractors and to return with revised language that clarifies the definition and expectations for contractors, particularly when contractors would be left unsupervised with vulnerable individuals.

The committee voted to require periodic background checks every two years for employees who work with vulnerable populations but later agreed to hold broader application of that practice until budget discussions in October to resolve potential cost implications. The board was informed that further discussion and legal/administrative review will continue in committee.