Laserfiche WebLink
City Administrator Ulrich stated if the Personnel Committee wants to keep COLA low and <br />distribute funds to address market efficiencies, staff can present that option at a future meeting. <br />Councilmember Backous stated the market is the City's market and if the City is retaining <br />employees, it is doing a good job. He noted Ramsey is unique and not the same as other cities in <br />all aspects. He stated he has previously done salary surveys and they do identify if there are <br />major discrepancies. <br />Chairperson Tossey stated he has yet to see an employee leave because of a 1 % or 2% <br />discrepancy. He stated the non -union positions are generally the highest paid positions in the <br />City, and he believes this is not the time to consider a raise for the City's highest paid employees. <br />Chairperson Tossey supported taking the time to do a market analysis and then consider <br />adjustments, if justified, on a case -by -case basis. <br />Councilmember Kuzma asked who is considered non -union. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated it is department heads and confidential employees who work <br />with union negotiations such as Human Resources Manager Lasher. <br />Human Resources Manager Lasher stated, typically staff members who attend Council meetings <br />would be non -union as well as liaisons to Boards and Commissions. She described the positions <br />comprised in the union groups and stated she will provide a list that identifies non -union <br />positions. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated support for a comparison study. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated if the unions get a percentage and the non -union do not, it will <br />be an issue. <br />Councilmember Backous stated the union is the union and those contracts were negotiated so he <br />does not find it to be a perception issue. <br />Chairperson Tossey stated handing out 2.5% increases to the City's highest paid employees <br />while asking residents to pay for roads is the perception issue he is concerned about. <br />Human Resources Manager Lasher stated it was clear that the Council wanted to focus on <br />retention and higher -level positions are specialized, leading the non -union groups. <br />Chairperson Tossey reviewed increases made within the Police Department and the issue of <br />whether salaries are equitable, which he is not buying, because the Council takes it up on a case - <br />by -case basis if there is a disparity. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated most non -union employees are exempt and do not qualify for <br />overtime and work extra hours. The union settlements were broken down into cost of living and <br />market rate adjustment. He stated staff will do additional research relating to market rates. <br />Personnel Committee / October 15, 2013 <br />Page 3 of 9 <br />