2018.07.02 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for July 2, 2018 Page 5 of 8 Approve 2019 Salary Matrix and Mid -Term Salary Adjustments Each year the Finance Department compares Hugo's salary matrix to other metro area cities as well as to economic gauges, such as the Consumer Price Index. Based on the most recent analysis, the Finance Department had recommended adjusting the matrix by 3% and adding Pay Grades 13 and 14. Also, based on a recently completed employee evaluation, the City Administrator recommended moving the City Clerk to Pay Grade 8 Step 4 of the 2018 matrix. In addition, the Mayor and City Council conducted the annual performance evaluation of the City Administrator and recommended moving his position to Pay Grade 13 Step 5 of the 2019 matrix. Both pay grade adjustments will be effective for the pay period beginning 06/25/18. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the 2019 Salary Matrix and Mid -Term Salary Adjustments. Update on Local Assessor Search At its June 18, 2018 meeting, City Administrator Bryan Bear provided a recap of the City's search for a local assessor since the resignation of Dan Raboin. The City had 90 days to fill the position per State Statute. Bryan explained that if the City lets it lapse, it will automatically transfer to the County, and it is unclear in the Statute how the service would get transfer back to the City if the City so chooses. Staff had sent out another Request for Proposals (RFP) with a due date of June 29, 2018, and received no proposals. Bear talked about the meeting he had with the Washington County Assessor's Office regarding contracting services through them. Bear had provided Council a draft of the contract and stated it was important to note there was a six- month termination clause, meaning the City would be able to change to a local assessor in the future. Bear explained the County Board could vote to dissolve the local assessor offices, which was a topic of discussion in 2004-2005. At that time, the City of Hugo was opposed to it. There was not currently any effort underway to make this change. Other cities that still had local assessors currently were Scandia, May Township, Dellwood, Marine on St. Croix, and the City of Grant. The cost for the County services would be $77,501.23, which is very close to what the City has budgeted. Costs will typically increase 2-3 % per year. Another alternative would be to hire a full-time City employee, which would likely be more expensive. There are less than two months remaining on the 90 -day clock, and there was work that needed to be done, including the quintile review. Bear stated that staff was recommending contracting with the County for local assessment services to avoid triggering any State Statutes. County staff could be available to attend a meeting or workshop to have further discussions if the Council wished. Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron was in the audience, and the Mayor invited him to speak. Commissioner Miron talked about how he supported maintaining local control when he was on the Hugo City Council in 2004-2005. He talked about the relationship the City had with long-time Assessor Frank Langer and how it would be difficult to match, but he was confident the County Assessor's Office would provide the same community service the City experiences with its police force. The County was anxious to work with the City sooner than later due to work that needed to get done. The Commissioner assured the Council he would pay close attention to the contract and this service. The Council expressed optimism in the County's ability to provide a good service to the