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Mounds View City Council August 23, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 8 a full-time seasonal basis. He stated, if that employee then took unemployment,which is paid by the City, dollar for dollar, until the next season, the City would pay again for the three months that the employee is off work. He stated it would benefit the City to have full-time salaried employees. Mr. Hammerschmidt stated this person would be supervising five to seven people on the crew, and would qualify as salaried personnel. He stated the majority of hours would be during the summer, with 2,000 hours during the eight to nine-month season. He stated if they did not have to pay the employee at an overtime rate, they could afford that position at the stated salary. He added this position was covered under the 44 percent agreement in the City's contract, and there would be no extra cost to the City or to the golf course. Finance Director Kessel explained the salary range would be 20 percent less than that stated, and would be approximately$22,400 to $28,000. Council Member Marty inquired regarding the number of hours worked in this position during the summer. Mr. Hammerschmidt stated the position would require at least 50 hours per week. He stated this person would additionally be responsible for many of the same things he was, such as checking for vandalism at night, making sure the pumps were on, and other duties in his absence. He stated it would be difficult to find a qualified and responsible person for a seasonal position. Council Member Stigney stated he believed they could have a full-time seasonal exempt position, which would not require an hourly rate. Mr. Hammerschmidt stated he was not aware of this. He stated,however, a full-time seasonal exempt position would still require compensation for time off. Mayor Coughlin stated, as a businessman who has employees himself, he could see the wisdom of this proposal, especially in regard to the massive amount of overtime they would have to pay out on an hourly basis. He stated it would be beneficial to utilize a salaried position, with compensation time during the off season. He stated this would provide they could keep a good employee for several seasons at a lower cost. Council Member Marty inquired if they could advertise the position to start at the low end of the $22,000 to $28,000 range. Mr. Hammerschmidt stated he had advertised the position in the Superintendent Magazine at the $24,000 to $28,000 range, for informational purposes. He stated of 500 golf courses in the state, and 1,500 possible employees who would be qualified for the position, they had received four responses. He stated the city of New Brighton had hired the same position the previous year, and their low-end salary was $32,000. Mayor Coughlin stated, as an employer in the State of Minnesota,with virtually zero unemployment statistically, it was his observation that it was exceedingly difficult to find high quality people to apply,much less accept a position. He stated if they could hire someone at$28,000,they would still be paying $4,000 less than the city of New Brighton. Mr.Hammerschmidt stated they would be winning in two ways by hiring a full-time employee,who they would pay slightly more. He stated you never really know when the season is going to end. He explained that last year, they played every month except for January. He stated this position 8 C:\ADMIN\MINUTES\CC\8-23-99.CC