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Mounds View City Council October 6, 2025 <br />Special Meeting Page 5 <br /> <br />sewer license. He talked about what a great opportunity the new employee was given the licensures <br />he had, along with his years of experience working in another city. He stated when the new <br />employee was hired, by no means was it looked at that the City does not value its current <br />employees. <br /> <br />Council Member Clark questioned how much it costs to hire a new employee. Human Resources <br />Director Ewald estimated new hires cost the City several thousand dollars due to the hiring <br />assessment, physical and drug testing that had to be completed. <br /> <br />Council Member Smith inquired what step Mr. Schnur’s position would be hired at if he were to <br />leave the City. Human Resources Director Ewald reported the City tries to bring new hires in at <br />Step 1, but pay rates are negotiated with each employee, noting there was an 18-month <br />probationary period. <br /> <br />Mayor Lindstrom stated he did not see how the City could advance the steps for these employees <br />given the policies that were in place. He reiterated that he had to trust staff and the recommendation <br />that was made for the recent hire. He explained he greatly valued the work of the existing <br />employees, and he would hate for this situation causing ripple effects for other staff members. He <br />indicated this was a more complicated topic than just this one employee because there would be <br />ripple effects. He commented on how the Council felt good about making changes to the step scale <br />several years ago. He reported he had to support the decisions that were made by the department <br />heads based on the recent hire given the experience that he had. <br /> <br />Mr. Schnur indicated he understood the new employee had the right qualifications for the position. <br />He stated it was disheartening that this new employee was getting paid more than the City’s current <br />employees. <br /> <br />Council Member Clark explained she understands where Mr. Schnur was coming from, but she <br />did not believe it would be right for the Council to go against the current policies that were in <br />place. <br /> <br />Council Member Gunn stated she has been with the City for 20+ years, and she knows almost all <br />the public works employees. She indicated she understood the situation and concerns that have <br />been raised by Mr. Schnur. She discussed how working in the private sector meant her wage <br />increases were not guaranteed but rather were performance based. She stated she did not support <br />the Council changing its current policy to allow for wage grievances. She apologized but noted <br />she would not be able to go along with the grievance. <br /> <br />MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Meehlhause. To Deny the Grievance Request. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause reported he had great respect for the public works staff but noted he <br />would have to follow the policy that was in place. He indicated the Council also has a fiduciary <br />responsibility to consider when it comes to property tax increases for wages and compensation. <br /> <br />Council Member Gunn reiterated that Step increases for coming for all four public works <br />employees in 2026.