Agenda - Council - 02/12/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

the summer and winter months. He explained that since that time, the supervisor has needed help and the employee that is proposed for reclassification has stepped up to handle the management of the seasonal employees which allows the supervisor to focus on the larger projects and other duties. He noted that this reclassification would simply provide the appropriate compensation to the employee already performing the lead duties. Councilmember Musgrove stated that there would be no change in the number of employees; this would be a change in status to increase salary. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that is somewhat correct but explained that the City has not been properly handling the situation. She stated that she is worried that if the City does not make the classification correct, there could be problems with the union contract. She stated that this position is required to come in outside of regular office hours to manage seasonal employees. She explained that this was placed on hold a few years ago and is now overdo. She agreed that there could be a liability in not making this reclassification. City Administrator Ulrich stated that this could be tested by the union as the person could be seen to be doing a job for which they are not being compensated for. Councilmember Heinrich stated that she is not in support of adding a new position but agreed that she wants to ensure that the employees are being compensated for the work that they are doing. Motion by Councilmember Heinrich, seconded by Councilmember Kuzma, to reconsider Adopting Resolution #19-036 to Approve Reclassifying a Parks Maintenance Worker to Lead Parks Maintenance Worker. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor LeTourneau, Councilmembers Heinrich, Kuzma, and Shryock. Voting No: Councilmember Musgrove. Absent: Councilmember Riley. Administrative Services Director Lasher reiterated that this is not adding a new position and would simply be properly compensating the employee for the duties they are performing. Councilmember Musgrove stated that she agrees that staff should be properly paid for their duties but does not feel that the Council should be pressured to vote in a certain manner in order to be in compliance with the union. Councilmember Shryock stated that when the decision was made to wait on this position it was based on the fact that they wanted to wait to see if the position was needed. Administrative Services Director Lasher agreed that was part of the process. She stated that four parks maintenance workers were considered for the position and therefore time was also allotted to determine whom would be best to fill the position. Councilmember Shryock stated that because the employee has been doing the job for some time, in some organizations there are instances when backpay is offered. She stated that the City is City Council / January 22, 2019 Page 7 of 10