07-13-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION DRAFT 2 2. Compensation Study Presentation – Human Resources Manager Bartholomew 44 introduced Saddo Abboud of Keystone Compensation Group, LLC, who presented the 45 results of a compensation study for the City. Mr. Abboud noted that he has been doing 46 this type of work for thirty years and has spent the past several months working on t he 47 City’s report. Mr. Abboud reviewed his written report (on file). He highlighted: 48 49 - Page 9, “excluded” instead of “included”; 50 - The objectives of the study point to the reason for the study. 51 - Important factors are considered in looking at each job; 52 - Pay equity is required by the State of Minnesota; 53 - Competiveness within the market (attract and retain employees, compliant with the law); 54 - Comparison with the private sector is not considered; 55 - How the City (staff) set strategy for study, definitions to be used, collected data; 56 - Strategy included identifying the market, positioning within the chosen market, and how 57 you will establish pay (years of service/step pay); administration of program; 58 - The current compensation program compared to a new program; 59 - Positions established within grades and step system for grades; 60 - The human resources manager would be trained to work within the new system rather 61 than having pay outside person whenever there’s a new job; 62 - The current rates of pay are 97% within the market and therefore considered 63 competitive; the maximums do lag the market by 6% and the minimums 8% below market; 64 - How current employees would transition into the new grade schedule and the budget 65 impact. 66 67 Councilmember Stoesz asked about the ability to establish an appropriate salary level for 68 an intern or someone doing duties but learning. Mr. Abboud explained that this schedule 69 would relate to permanent employees and assumes an employee would the requirements of 70 the job upon starting. 71 72 Mayor Rafferty asked about how benefits are considered within the realm of a 73 compensation study. Mr. Abboud explained why it’s not regular or really possible to 74 include benefits in this type of study. 75 76 Councilmember Stoesz asked about the value of a closed versus open system of 77 knowledge about what everyone is being paid. Mr. Abboud replied that it’s basically 78 open for government because the information is public data; for the private sector it is 79 much different. 80 81 Moving ahead, the council will anticipate that staff will present information using the study 82 probably as part of budget discussions. 83 3. Reducing Water Demand Due to Manganese Levels - Public Services Director 84 DeGardner and Utilities Supervisor Williams reported that manganese levels continue to 85 be monitored and communication efforts with the public also continue. Mr. DeGardner 86 noted water treatment discussions recently and a report coming forward on that subject. 87