03-09-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 9, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 42 of 43 (20. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR COMPENSATION STUDY, continued) Loftus noted the City did just lose its public works director due to compensation. Loftus stated the biggest issue is the disparity between the union and nonunion employees. Cornick stated he does not see the need to include the police department since it is pretty much controlled by the union. Loftus stated the market analysis would exclude the police department but that the job analysis needs to be done since the City needs to report on pay equity between men and women. Loftus stated the study will assign a number to a police officer position, and as long as the City is paying men and women the same amount for performing similar duties, the City is meeting the state requirement. Loftus stated the study will not have a lot to do with negotiation. Cornick asked how bound the City is to follow the results. Loftus stated if the state finds inequities, the City would be bound to that and the state may assess fees. As it relates to the compensation component, Loftus indicated she is in agreement that the union should be left out and that the results could possibly have repercussions. Loftus stated compensation studies are common in cities and employees are typically not excited about it since it could go either way. Cornick stated if the City goes ahead and commits to it, then the City should agree to rely on the information. Cornick stated the City cannot get the information and then ignore it. Printup stated he likes the information gathering through an independent study as opposed to the League of MN Cities because each city is providing the information and it could be manipulated; whereas, this independent study cannot be. Loftus indicated she is bringing this before the City Council now so they would have the results in time for budget discussions. Levang moved, Cornick seconded, to approve the advertisement of the Request for Proposals for the employee compensation study. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT, CONTINUED Loftus noted Staff has met with Kraus Anderson and that they are in the process of creating a punch list. Loftus stated following the recent improvements, the drainage in the parking lot appears to be much better. Loftus stated the City has received 18 applications for the community development position and that they will be interviewing some of the candidates on Monday. *21. ORONO POLICE GARAGE – PAY REQUEST NO. 6 Levang moved, Cornick seconded, to approve Pay Request No. 4 in an amount totaling $34,417.31 for the work performed on the Orono police garage. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0.