Agenda - Council - 03/12/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Kuzma asked when benefits would be available for new employees. Administrative Services Director Lasher said benefits are available on the first day of employment. Mayor Kuzma shared he liked the idea of offering an incentive for employees to give a three month notice of resignation as it can help with planning and succession for the role. City Administrator Hagen noted they can add 10% to the eligible sick leave severance. Councilmember Musgrove asked if there is a better metric they could use to figure out what this percentage should be. Administrative Services Director Lasher explained that the City of Champlin offers a 10%increase in severance to employees who are retiring. She shared that she called Champlin to ask about their logic in this and she was told that they do not want people to quit their jobs for the extra 10% severance just to go work for another city. She added that employees can sign up for their pension then later change their mind. She noted that Champlin's strategy seems to be a good one but it is not fool-proof. She added there are many cities who are at 15% severance regardless. Councilmember Woestehoff asked if some of these terms are in union contracts or if it is just in the City's policy. Administrative Services Director Lasher explained the current percentage and years of service required that are in the personnel policy nears what is in the union contracts. Mayor Kuzma stated he likes the 10%additional severance versus the 15%for the early resignation notice. Councilmember Specht asked if there is any kind of clause that could be added to this that would state the resigning employee could leave early if a replacement was found before the three months was up. City Administrator Hagen shared that Staff s thoughts around this is that it will mostly apply to people who are retiring versus someone who is going on to another employer. Administrative Services Director Lasher shared that in years past there have been employees who have resigned who are using vacation days in the resignation period which could extend this period and continue to allow the employee to qualify for City benefits. She noted the change would not allow this. Councilmember Musgrove added that this will also allow the employee to accrue more vacation time. She noted she is supportive of this language change. She asked about the benefit of the City Administrator extending application deadlines and unsolicited applications not being kept on file. Administrative Services Director Lasher explained the benefit of having a deadline is that they have timelines for every recruitment and lined up interview panels with many people within the City Council Work Session /February 26, 2024 Page 3 of 9