02-23-2022 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 23, 2022 The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Torkelson. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. CONSIDER WAGE SCALE INCREASE FOR PUBLIC WORKS APPRENTICE POSITION The City Administrator reported that the City established an apprentice program in 2017 to train individuals who are interested in a public works career, and also to fill the staffing needs of the Public Works and Parks Departments. He stated staff felt some positions wages were falling behind the market, and the compensation study that was discussed at the workshop tonight showed that is the case. He stated the Public Works Apprentice wage scale is one position that staff knows is too low, and it has become more apparent as the job market has changed in the last year. The City Administrator stated that staff feels the Public Works Apprentice wage scale recommended in the compensation study will better match where the job market is today, and recommends that this scale be adopted and made effective immediately for this position. He noted that a contingency fund was established in 2022 in order to be able to start addressing some of the wages that are below market. Fischer introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOL UTION NO. 2022-2-31— APPROVE AMENDING THE WA GE SCALE FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS APPRENTICE POSITIONAS PRESENTED The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Miller. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. 2022-2024 ORGANIZED COLLECTION & RECYCLING SERVICES CONTRACT The City Administrator reported that City Staff has been meeting with the three existing haulers over the last year to work on a new organized collection contract. He explained the consortium of haulers submitted an initial proposal for a 3.5% annual price adjustment which would result in a rate increase of 17.5% over the next five years. He stated the City Council subcommittee directed staff to negotiate with the consortium and felt that unless a better option was provided, the City may be forced to issue a Request for Proposals for a single -hauler contract. The City Administrator reported that the haulers responded with a 2% annual price adjustment with a shorter 3-year contract from 2022-2024. He noted the haulers also included a clause to extend the contract an additional two years if mutually agreed. He stated that the City Council agreed that this proposal is reasonable given the current labor related issues we are experiencing. He explained that the total increase for the contract extension will result in a 2% increase in 2022, and a 6% cumulative increase over the next three years. Torkelson asked if the contract was different from what the subcommittee had reviewed. The City Administrator stated that initially staff considered adding townhomes into the contract, but that will involve an amendment to the City Code, so that has not been included at this time. Keis noted that he received a call from a townhome association last year asking to join the city's organized trash and recycling collection program. 3