03/04/1992 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 1 1 COUNCIL WORK SESSION MARCH 4, 1992 feels very strongly about the staff. Mayor Reinert explained that he understood that all the staff is very busy but as an elected official he must recognize that this has not been the best economic situation and the City Council must take a responsible position regarding salary increases. When times are better, the City Council can then take a closer look at salary increases. He noted that these are public sector positions, and the public does view City employees as being overpaid. Mayor Reinert explained that the staff needs to understand that the City Council has to take a responsible position regarding salary increases. Council Member Kuether noted that the public has a negative attitude toward government workers. Mr. Schumacher felt the City Council should look at the staff and their performance and then determine what they are worth. Council Member Kuether explained that the City Council should be looking at putting a freeze on everything. Mr. Schumacher referred to recent union contract settlements and noted that if support staff is treated differently than the union employees and receive less, moral issues arise. He also noted that he would feel bad if the non -union employees do not do well. Council Member Kuether said she understood Mr. Schumacher's point of view, however, she has to think of the tax payor's as well. Council Member Kuether noted that this is an election year and things may get temporarily better. However, she expressed concern regarding what will happen after the November election. Council Member Kuether said she supported a bonus rather than a raise and noted that this has nothing to do with the employee and expressed concern regarding base salaries getting too high. She also noted that maybe the City Council could do better for 1993 salaries. Council Member Elliott said she felt a bonus was a good idea, however she could see that this may not be well accepted by the employee. She noted that if a cost of living increase is not added to the base salaries it would be like asking the employee to pay the City. Council Member Neal said he would approve Mr. Schumacher's proposal. He noted that Mr. Schumacher should know what each employee deserved. Mr. Schumacher again expressed concern because union employees keep getting better contracts and he did not want to slight the non -union employees. Mayor Reinert said he knows that in the retail markets no one is giving salary increases, not even the cost of living. Council Member Elliott said that they probably get a bonus based on the PAGE 5