03-25-1985 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD MARCH 25, 1985 PAGE 9 SAI�RY & BENEFIT REVIEW FOR CITY EMPLOYEES CY SMYTHE Cy Smythe was present. Smythe asked for Council direction concerning the salary and benefit review for City Employees . 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 CitX 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. Smythestated that the Cityshould 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 te 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 they would like to be compared with and then Smythe can make a recommendation based on the results of thF, 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 be involved with the creation of salary policy. Smythe also noted that other cities do not offer longevity to their employees (otherthan police andfire ) . 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 asfar as clerical help is concerned. Smythe stated that a study could be done with 6-7 comparable cities in the western suburbs. CouncilmemberGrabek askedfor a comparable worthstudy with 6-7 surrounding cities in. the western suburbs for Council ' s information and the new City Administrator.