02/09/1994 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 9, 1994 employees have worked for the City. This information was given to him. Council Member Bergeson explained that he saw the need to prepare a new management structure but was concerned that when comparing the old structure to the new structure it appeared that a person has less responsibility and appears to have been demoted. Council Member Kuether expressed the same concern. Mayor Reinert said he knew Council Member Bergeson and Kuether were referring to one particular employee and explained that he did not feel that this was a demotion. However, cities in the same position as Lino Lakes usually hire engineers to be Public Works Director. He said he did see a good future for this employee because of the gas franchise situation. Mayor Reinert said he could envision that this employee would become head of an entirely new department. Council Member Kuether said she would not vote for anything that would mean a demotion or decreased wages for any employee. She noted that this looks like a retaliation against the person who formed the Lino Lakes Management Union. Mr. Schumacher gave the City Council copies of the "Salary Survey" he has prepared using cities of similar size and stage of development. This Survey indicates no impact on salary or demotion for any employee. Mayor Reinert again referred to the employee previously discussed and noted that this employee was "spread to thin". Council Member Kuether said she had talked to this employee who agreed that re -organization was needed. However she felt that this employee needed to be "protected". Mr. Tesch noted that the Salary Survey is indicating that a higher salary is projected for this employee. Council Member Bergeson noted that if job positions are moving toward more professional requirements, the City Council should look at programs that would assist the current employees to further their education or take programs that would enrich the present position. It was noted that the City already provides for tuition in most cases where it is demonstrated that the program or class would benefit the employee. However, the class or program must be related to what the employee is doing. Council Member Bergeson asked if there is a potential future for this employee in the gas utility area, can this be recognized in the new organization chart without interfering with the union negotiations. It was determined that the organization chart can be updated at any time. PAGE 4 1 1 1