Agenda - Council - 03/24/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Case #2: On-Call (Volunteer) Fire Fighter Appointments Administrative Services Manager Waite Smith stated that there are currently several vacancies in the Fire Department and six people on the list of eligible candidates. The Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Administrative Services Manager interviewed and are recommending f6ur individuals for the Department. Motion by Mayor Gamee and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to recommend that Council authorize hiring as paid, on-call (volunteer) Firefighters, Dave Ameson, Nick Damyanovich, Chad Smith and Jerry Streich, contingent on passing the required physical examination, physical agility test, driver's license check and background check. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Garnet and Councilmember Beyer. Voting No: None. Case #3: Authorization to Engage Consultant to Develop Compensation Plan Administrative Services Manager Waite Smith stated that the minimum and maximum salary ranges for City of Ramsey employees appear to have fallen, over time, significantly below those in other metro area communities in Ramsey's population group. If Rarnsey's salaries are not competitive, the City has trouble attracting and retaining good quality employees. She reported that during recent labor negotiations, the AFSCME bargaining unit requested salary increases significantly above those typically being given right now in the metro area public sector. Part of the rationale for the request is that AFSCME members seem underpaid compared to the market. Ms. Waite Smith suggested that granting an extraordinary percentage pay increase across the board seems ill-advised since some positions may be below the market rate and others may be at or above the market rate. She pointed out it makes sense to examine the entire compensation plan so that any changes are integrated into a cohesive plan, especially in light of Minnesota's pay equity requirements. She explained the cost of bringing pay rates into better alignment with the market may require a phased, multi-year program that needs to be built into the annugI.City operating budget. She noted that analyzing market rates for salaries is not a quick or simple process. Information gathered must be up-to-date and comparison of position titles has to be expanded to compare position duties to ensure valid comparisons. She recommended that the City enter into an agreement with Labor Relations Associates, Inc. to develop a compensation plan. Motion by Mayor Gamec and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to recommend that City Council authorize the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with Labor Relations Associates, Inc. to develop a compensation plan for City of Ramsey employee positions at an estimated cost of $6,945, to be paid from the Professional Services line item of the Administrative Services budget. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamee and Councilmember Beyer. Voting No: None. 34 Personnel Committee/March 1 O, 1998 Page 2 of 3 I I I I I I I