Agenda - Council - 04/08/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PCCASE# ~ DISCUSSION REGARDING fiRING FREEZE Givonna Reed Kone, Human Resources Manager Background At the March 25, 2008 City Council meeting, staffwas directed to bring forward the topic of a hiring freeze for discussion by the Personnel Committee. Specifically, staff was directed to bring forward criteria for evaluating whether or not vacant positions should be filled. In conducting the research for this topic. staff surveyed metro area cities to determine whether other cities have hiring :freezes in place or whether they are considering a hiring freeze. Most cities do not have a hiring freeze in place currently; however, most do conduct an analysis with each vacancy to determine whether there is a need to fill the vacancy. The survey responses are attached for your review. Staff also researched the State of Minnesota's hiring freezes of2002 and 2008, which were both enacted in response to budget shortages. The criteria currently being used by the State to evaluate vacancies are very similar to the criteria listed below. The State's hiring freeze is a complex issue and staffwill be prepared to discuss the State's process at the Personnel Committee meeting. Criteria used to Evaluate Vacancies When a position becomes vacant, the following analysis could be conducted to guide staff in determining whether or not a recommendation should be made to the City Administrator; and subsequently, to the City Council, to fill a vacant position. For the purposes of this discussion, only vacant positions that are determined to be "essential" or "critical" would be filled. 1. Is the position essential? Essential positions are those that provide core public health and safety services; emergency and disaster assistance; and preservation of the essential elements of the City's financial activities. 2. Is the position critical? Critical positions do not meet the definition of "essential", but they are positions that warrant additional consideration because they are, for example, a one-position job class or the duties cannot be reassigned or eliminated. The following questions may assist in determining whether or not a position is "critical": . Can the duties be re-engineered or automated? . Can the duties be reassigned temporarily or permanently? . Can the position remain unfilled temporarily or permanently?