02-01-16 Special City Council MinutesSPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PRAIRIE CENTER
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
5:30 PM
CaII to Order.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Doug Schroeder and Jason
Warehime. Councilmember Tom Darkenwald arrived at 5:33 PM. Staff: Lori Johnson, City
Administrator, Adam Flaherty, Finance Director and Tami Loff, City Clerk.
1. Classification and Compensation Study.
City Administrator Johnson recapped information provided and approved thus far. She
distributed the 2015 and 2016 pay plan indicating possible placement for all employees on the
new pay plan.
CM Heidner said as he stated previously he has a hard time with approving the point values
without seeing the scoring for each position. City Administrator Johnson stated the scores were
determined using the nine factors in the SAFE system. She reiterated that Springsted does not
release this information intentionally; to eliminate potential manipulation. City Administrator
Johnson explained that she has not received the individual scoring data from Springsted, but
knows that each position was evaluated from the position description and questionnaire
reviewed by both the employee and supervisor. He questioned if this would be final if
approved. City Administrator explained that the point values were approved by the Council
previously; however, the appeal process will allow for employees to challenge their position's
point value. City Administrator explained the appeal process again stating the time period of the
appeal process; 10 day employee, 10 day Supervisor, 10 day Administration and then to
Springsted for analysis. The entire process could be a 45 -day process or it could be much
shorter based on supervisor and administrator review. City Administrator Johnson will provide
the Council with a copy of the appeal packet employees received. CM Heidner asked if this point
scale tops out at 812. City Administrator Johnson said she believes it goes higher, but she does
not know how high. City Administrator Johnson will find out the maximum point level of the
SAFE system from Springsted. CM Heidner questioned the cities used for the salary study
further questioning how many were Springsted clients. City Administrator Johnson stated she
will request that information from Springsted. He further questioned which out liers Springsted
took out. He stated his concern that some of the cities used have a higher tax base then the
City of Otsego and that some of the cities used don't not match us. City Administrator Johnson
will request from Springsted the analyzed salary survey data. City Administrator Johnson
questioned if the Council wanted to proceed tonight of if additional information is needed
before proceeding; she stated it is important that the City Council is comfortable with the
information before taking action. Council member Heidner said he is willing to move forward
tonight but more info is needed for the future.
CM Warehime, CM Schroeder and CM Darkenwald all stated they are comfortable with the plan
as presented.
City Administrator Johnson explained that Springsted will be training appropriate City staff on
the scoring system. A matrix of the values will be available at that time. There was discussion
on making sure enough appropriate city staff is trained on the implementing the new system.
City Administrator Johnson explained the possible placement for each of the groups of
employees on the new 2016 pay plan as indicated in the Pay Plan Implementation document.
She stated that it is important to treat all employees in a group the same. She stated that all
employees will be placed on at the minimum step of the pay plan or the step closest above their
current pay. She indicated that the employees at the top of their current pay plan are most
open for deviation from the possible placement listed and she could provide options if the
Council requested.
CM Darkenwald motioned to move the seven employees to the minimum with the
step as outlined on the pay plan implementation document dated February 1, 2016.
Seconded by CM Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
CM Heidner motioned for employees starting 2015 or later to receive their step
increase on their anniversary date if they have satisfactory performance. Seconded
by CM Darkenwald. All in favor. Motion carried.
CM Heidner motioned to approve the pay plan for the four employees outlined in
blue not at their top of current pay plan to step 2 as outlined on the pay plan
implementation document dated February 1, 2016. Seconded by CM Warehime. All
in favor. Motion carried.
CM Warehime motioned to approve the pay plan as presented for five employees
outlined in orange not at their top of current pay plan as outlined on the pay plan
implementation document dated February 1, 2016. Seconded by CM Schroeder. All
in favor. Motion carried.
City Administrator Johnson said there is one employee that is above the top of the pay plan
placement for the position. This is a new position added this year. There was discussion on the
possibility of adding additional responsibility to that position. City Administrator Johnson
suggested that the new position be reviewed in a year after the duties and responsibilities of
the position are better defined. The City Council concurred to review in one year. City
Administrator Johnson reviewed options to bring the pay in line with the pay plan.
CM Warehime motioned to approve HR Generalist/Deputy Clerk pay increases equal
to the annual percentage increase in the pay plan with one half as an increase in
base pay and one half as an increase that does not increase the base pay until the
pay of this employee falls within the pay for the pay range. Seconded by CM
Schroeder. All in favor. Motion carried.
CM Warehime motioned to approve the pay plan for the six employees at top of
current pay plan marked in orange with step forward as outlined on the pay plan
implementation document dated February 1, 2016. Seconded by CM Heidner. Motion
carried.
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There was discussion that the implementation of this pay plan cost not already included in the
2016 department budgets would be paid out of the Council Contingency budget allocation. City
Administrator Johnson indicated that she has five items to provide to the Council that were
requested during tonight's meeting. The Council concurred.
2. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor.
Motion carried. Adjourned at 6:34 PM.
ATTEST:
Tami Loff, City Clerk
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Mayor Jessica Stockamp