03-25-1985 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO COUNCIL. MEETING HELD MARCH 15, 1985 PAGE 9 SALARY S BENEFIT REVIEW FOR CITY EMPLOYEES CY SMYTHE Cy Smythe w.s present. Smythe asked for Counci 1 direction concerning the salary and benef it review for City Employee-. Smythe explained that ever since the arbitration came via the police to establish longevity programs for police it was consistent with the majority of the Cities in the area. Smythe stated that the City has never established a basis for which they want. to pay anybody. Smythe stated that the City should make such definitive decision for two reasons: 1) So the employees and the Council know the basis on which they will pay employees; 2) Because the legislature passed the comparable worth act which indicates that the City has to do a job evaluation study and measure the market in order to make salary decisions. Smythe stated that the City should decide how they wish to pay their employees based on comparison with a relavent group of comparable Cities. Councilmember L. Adams asked if the comparable worth study has to be done with other public institutions or could comparisions be made through the private sector where there is market pressure to determ=.ne wages. Smythe stated that the comparable worth act does not specify public or private. Smythe stated that the Council should decide what cities thFy would like to be compared with and then Smythe can make a recommendation based on the results of th(, study. Smythe stated that the City is currently participating in a comparable worth study with Control Data but such study results will not be available until approximately December, 1985. Smythe suggested that the City not pay City employees the same longevity as granted to the police because longevity is a method of payment which has been adjudged by arbitrators as unique to police and fire employees. Acting Mayor Frahm stated that the new City Administrator should he involved with the creation of salary policy. Smythe also noted that other cities do not offer longevity to their employees (other than police and fire). Smythe stated that the unskilled/semi-skilled public works employees are overpaid compared with the market. Smythe stated that unskilled/semi-skilled public works employee receives approximately $9-11/hr when the market dictates $6/hr. Smythe stated that the City is competitive with the private sector as far as clerical help is concerned. Smythe stated that a study could be done with 6-7 comparable cities i-1 the western suburbs. Councilmember Grabek asked for a comparable worth study with 6-7 surrounding cities ir, the western suburbs for Council's information and the new City Administrator.