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Mounds View City Council September 13, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 32 Community Initiatives for Summit Academy, OIC, and previously worked for two years with the City of Minneapolis as Assistant to the City Council Vice President, which is one of the Council Members. She has a Masters degree from Hamline University, and also worked as a research assistant for the Minnesota Senate. I found Ms. Reed to be confident and articulate, with a career interest in city government, hence her interest in the position, and I feel that she will make an excellent addition to the City staff. I also contacted several of her references, some of which are familiar to me, and found them to be enthusiastic about her and her abilities. Ms. Reed and I have discussed employment terms, and reached agreement on the following items today. Her starting pay would be at Step 2, which is $39,397 of the pay plan for this position, with an adjustment to Step 3, which is $42,966, in six months, pending a satisfactory performance evaluation. Succeeding Steps would proceed annually. She will also be granted five days of vacation banked, and six days of sick leave banked, upon starting. These two conditions in the Step 2 start reflect an acknowledgement of Ms. Reed's current work history and pay level, and a level currently commensurate with this position is the position Step 4. All of the personnel policies would apply normally. Her start work date would be October 4. These terms are conditional upon Council approval, only after which she will notify her employer. I think the Council will be as equally pleased as I am with Ms. Reed and her abilities. Her work suggests a strong commitment to community issues, and the ability to work with the public in a forthright manner in addressing the work before her. I again recommend her strongly for the position and ask approval of her hiring with the conditions outlined above." Council Member Marty noted the starting pay would be Step 2, at $39,397. He inquired if Ms. Reed would be taking a pay cut to accept this position. City Administrator Whiting stated that Ms. Reed has an interest in city government administration, and views this position as gaining a foothold into the profession, so that she can pursue it as a career. He stated for that reason she is willing to consider less than what she is presently earning, however, at some point, the money does become an issue. He stated he had looked at starting at Step 2, with the normal process through the Steps. He stated he had also discussed the pay plan adjustment at the first of the year, pending Council approval, which helped make the offer a bit more attractive. City Administrator Whiting explained in regard to the days of vacation and sick leave, he had found quite often when hiring administrative staff, that they are currently receiving something either in excess of that, or are looking for that. He stated if Ms. Reed does not get sick, this would not present a problem, and the five days of vacation is budgeted, and he did not think this would represent a burden to the City. Council Member Marty stated he knew another of the candidates, and found that individual to be quite capable as well. He stated if City Administrator Whiting felt this to be his best choice, he would be in favor of that. . Council Member Stigney inquired regarding the Step 5 salary at this level.