Agenda - Council - 04/14/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that while the department would love to have the starting wage at $13, staff is aware of the budget conscious climate and therefore is hoping to get to $12. Councilmember Menth asked how the work is accomplished if there are not enough temporary staff people. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that sometimes the full-time maintenance staff is taken off the higher purpose jobs to mow. He explained that the seasonal workers are very important in completing these jobs, so that the full-time maintenance/streets workers can focus on the jobs they are intended to focus on. Councilmember Menth stated that it appears a lot of time is wasted training new people and using higher paid staff people on lower paying jobs. He asked if it would then make sense to begin the starting wage at $13. Administrative Services Director Lasher confirmed that would definitely help. She stated that staff always monitors the budget throughout the year. She suggested that perhaps the starting wage is set at $12, with discretion for staff to offer up to $13 if the candidate has appropriate experience. Councilmember Heinrich stated that she would be comfortable with that recommendation. Councilmember Musgrove asked if temporary seasonal employees are only paid hourly wages and not paid benefits. Administrative Services Director Lasher confirmed that the City pays the hourly wage and contributes for workman's compensation but does not have to pay benefits for those employees. Councilmember Musgrove stated that she would be willing to increase the hourly wage in order to retain the seasonal employees and allow the higher paid full-time employees the ability to focus on their responsibilities. Councilmember Specht asked if the City could contract or subcontract for mowing. Administrative Services Director Lasher replied that would have a much higher cost with less control. She stated that the City has tried that method in specific locations in the past, but it was not successful. Councilmember Specht stated that he would agree with the range of $12 to $13 for a starting wage in order to attempt to attract and retain seasonal employees and allow full-time employees to focus on their duties. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that it could also be helpful to apply the non- union COLA to this position as well, in order to keep the position in the competitive market range. City Council Work Session / March 16, 2020 Page 2 of 12