Minutes - Council Work Session - 02/08/2022

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Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that the 2022 budget allows for two engineering interns at $15 an hour for 1,040 hours a year or six months of full-time work, with some benefits. She stated that interns are typically demanding higher wages so Staff is asking for the discretion to offer up to a maximum of$18 an hour as long as the budget is met. Councilmember Riley agreed that finding qualified candidates at $15.00 an hour will be difficult to find given that McDonalds is offering that rate. He asked if an intern could be set at 90% of wage with no benefits could be offered that would keep up with inflation and market rate. Administrative Services Director Lasher replied that is a great point. She questioned which level of Engineering Tech the 90%wage would be set for,that would have to be determined. She stated that is an interesting idea. She asked if Council would be interested in tacking on the COLA because this has been revisited many times. She gave the example that this year Staff received a 3% COLA and if they were able to be factored in for temporary wages it may help with reducing the frequency of these discussions. Councilmember Specht commented that more information would be needed as he was unfamiliar with the engineering field and details regarding pay. He added that he liked the concept of a percentage of wages but wasn't sure about what percentage. Councilmember Musgrove asked if the interns are designated for,or aspiring to, any of the specific job titles when they come in and if that could be used as a basis for 90% of the wage. She gave the permitting permission as an example. She also asked the age group of the interns. Administrative Services Director Lasher replied when recruiting for interns they require someone who is either pursuing a college degree or a recent graduate. She stated that in either case there are adult learners but typically they are around early 20's. Councilmember Musgrove stated the point of the question is that if a salary that was offered that would go along with their desired aspect of the field and they are younger, they may already get insurance from their parents and would want a higher wage. Administrative Services Director replied that this does not cover medical insurance. Councilmember Specht commented that the wage offered interns should match the amount of input and expectations to avoid animosity from the staff who are full time employees. City Administrator Ulrich asked if the concept of taking the percentage of paying a starting wage for a two-year technical worker and figured it out so that the amount is around $18.00 an hour. The consensus of the Council was to offer around $18.00 an hour. 2.04: Discuss Board and Commission Interview Process Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that this was discussed at a prior Work Session, which she was not able to attend. She stated it was her understanding that the recruitment process City Council Work Session/February 8, 2022 Page 5 of 12