Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/24/2023

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Administrative Services Director Lasher said yes and explained that the City has an extensive sick leave policy which has worked very well. She added that it would be difficult to make any revisions to this. She stated that anyone is an employee if they work more than 80 hours a year and they are not an independent contractor. She noted that all seasonal and part-time Staff will also get this ESST as long as they work 80 hours in a year. She reviewed what is considered a family member under this law. She added that there is also a rule within the law that if someone leaves their employment and has ESST left, it would be paid out to them; however, if they return to their position within 180 days, then they will get the ESST back. City Administrator Hagen reiterated that there is a lot of confusion surrounding this. Councilmember Olson asked if these ESST hours carry over as well. Administrative Services Director Lasher explained that 48 hours or more can be accrued in the first year and in the second year they could cap this at 80 hours,which is what the City would plan to do with this. Councilmember Olson asked how this compares to the regular sick leave. Administrative Services Director Lasher explained that full-time employees earn 12 days a year, or 96 hours a year, and the hours can be accrued up to 960 hours. Councilmember Riley applauded the decisions that have been made with this so far. He noted the odd nature of those who are considered employees, including City Councilmembers. He asked if this would be a time to reconsider this to see if they should be considered private contractors. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that she would not recommend that at this time. Finance Director Lund added that they have spoken with the League of Minnesota Cities and they were of the opinion that the Councilmembers also do not count. Councilmember Woestehoff stated that he was in agreement with this. He asked if an employee accrues all 960 hours if they would be paid out for this in full. Administrative Services Director Lasher said no and explained that there is a lot of detail that goes into this. She noted that some employee groups convert this time to vacation or the post- employment healthcare savings plan. Finance Director Lund stated that if someone has 960 hours left when they leave the City, they would get 40% severance. Councilmember Wpestehoff asked if they could look at flattening sick time payout to 80 hours to match the ESST. City Council Work Session/ October 24, 2023 Page 6 of 9