11-14-01 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 14, 2001. The Administrator pointed out that most salary scales for the various positions increased by between 3% and 4%. .However, based on comparisons with other cities as described earlier, there are some larger increases in scales. He also pointed out that there are five steps to salary scales, and newer employees are moved through those steps typically on an annual basis. Once an employee reaches the top of his or her scale, increases are then based on inflationary increases to the salary scale based on comparisons with other cities. Fahey reported that he has reviewed the proposed increases with the City Administrator and is in agreement with them. He noted that 3% to 4% increases are in line with general industry, and also agreed with the step system which provides newer employees with larger increases as they move through their particular salary scale. Montour felt that basing salary scales on the comparisons as outlined by the City Administrator is fair. He asked if the City's benefit package was in line with what other cities provide. The City Administrator replied that it was and noted that the City's contribution toward the cost of health insurance is based on a comparison with all metro cities. He also noted that the costs to Little Canada employees for health insurance appears to be lower than that of other metro cities because of the willingness of Little Canada's employees to work with the City to keep those costs down. The City Administrator then began a review of capital improvements proposed for the year 2002 and began with a review of revenue sources for these improvements as outlined in the supplemental budget document. Next he reviewed proposed expenditures on a department by department basis. He noted that expenditures are only finalized for the upcoming budget year and future capita] improvements projected in the budget document are subject to continued review. The Administrator continued his review presenting the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Fund Ile noted that revenues for this fund come primarily from transfers from the closeouts of old bond issues and from the City's annual State Aid allotments. Another revenue source is the annual recycling fee that is collected fi'om Fra-Dor. The Administrator noted that in 2003 when the City's debt levy falls off, additional funds can be directed into this fund. The Administrator reported that the Debt Levy Committee will be making a presentation to the Council on November 28°i and will make some recommendations in this regard. The Administrator reviewed the street improvement projects as laid out in this document and pointed out that these are based on the City's pavement management program.