06-01-2020 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APPROVED 45 2. Compensation Study Presentation — Human Resources Manager Bartholomew 46 introduced Saddo Abboud of Keystone Compensation Group, LLC, who presented the 47 results of a compensation study for the City. Mr. Abboud noted that he has been doing 48 this type of work for thirty years and has spent the past several months working on the 49 City's report. Mr. Abboud reviewed his written report (on file). He highlighted: 50 51 - Page 9, "excluded" instead of "included"; 52 - The objectives of the study point to the reason for the study. 53 - Important factors are considered in looking at each job; 54 - Pay equity is required by the State of Minnesota; 55 - Competiveness within the market (attract and retain employees, compliant with the 56 law); 57 - Comparison with the private sector is not considered; 58 - How the City (staff) set strategy for study, definitions to be used, collected data; 59 - Strategy included identifying the market, positioning within the chosen market, and how 60 you will establish pay (years of service/step pay); administration of program; 61 - The current compensation program compared to a new program; 62 - Positions established within grades and step system for grades; 63 - The human resources manager would be trained to work within the new system rather 64 than having pay outside person whenever there's a new job; 65 - The current rates of pay are 97% within the market and therefore considered 66 competitive; the maximums do lag the market by 6% and the minimums 8% below 67 market: 68 - How current employees would transition into the new grade schedule and the budget 69 impact. 70 71 Councilmember Stoesz asked about the ability to establish an appropriate salary level for 72 an intern or someone doing duties but learning. Mr. Abboud explained that this schedule 73 would relate to permanent employees and assumes an employee would the requirements 74 of the job upon starting. 75 76 Mayor Rafferty asked about how benefits are considered within the realm of a 77 compensation study. Mr. Abboud explained why it's not regular or really possible to 78 include benefits in this type of study. 79 80 Councilmember Stoesz asked about the value of a closed versus open system of 81 knowledge about what everyone is being paid. Mr. Abboud replied that it's basically 82 open for government because the information is public data; for the private sector it is 83 much different. 84 85 Moving ahead, the council will anticipate that staff will present information using the 86 study probably as part of budget discussions. 87 3. Reducing Water Demand Due to Manganese Levels - Public Services Director 88 DeGardner and Utilities Supervisor Williams reported that manganese levels continue to 2