07-24-2023 City Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES DATE: TIME STARTED: TIME ENDED: MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: July 10, 2023 5:30 PM 6:23 PM Councilmembers Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland, Mayor Rafferty Councilmember Cavegn Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer; Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Planner Katie Larsen, Public Safety Director John Swenson; City Clerk Jolleen Chaika. 1.Retention Pay Increases for Part-Time Employees at the Rookery Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer requested Council consider a retention pay plan for part-time staff at The Rookery. She highlighted that the part-time pay plan for Rookery staff was established in 2022 and that the City has employed over 160 employees since starting in May 2022. She suggested a pay retention program to give incentive to keep current employees on the payroll. She also advised that staff continue to monitor neighboring community centers to ensure Lino Lakes remains competitive and that if needed, based on market conditions, staff will return to Council in the future to discuss potential adjustments. Based on market studies and current hiring trends, Manager Sawyer proposed a $0.50 hourly increase to part-time employees who have completed one year of service at the Rookery; these employees would eligible for future increases on their anniversary date. Employees will not be eligible for a retention wage increase once they have reached the position maximum. She added that this proposal would not impact the current budget. Discussion was held on the proposal. Mayor Rafferty inquired if staff is comfortable with the current maximum wages and asked how retention is thus far. Manager Sawyer responded that retention rates could be better and that she anticipates this proposal will assist with that. Administrator Cotton added that none of the current part-time staff at the Rookery are at the maximum wage levels yet; that factor is behind the logic of the proposed retention pay. Councilmember Stoesz Dale asked of applicant numbers for these positions. Manager Sawyer noted that aquatics staff turns over at a fairly high rate, mostly based upon school/college schedules and swim team schedules. She added that hiring for the part-time positions is always on-going. 2.Minnesota Public Safety Aid, John Swenson Chief Swenson spoke of the incoming aid that is coming from the state and noted that the receinved funding will be in the neighborhood of $900,000. The amount will be known by August 1, 2023 and funds will be dispursed by 12/26/23. He wants to begin the discussion for