HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-26-Special MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MAY 26,2004
(1)Call to Order -The special meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order
by Mayor Oberman at 6:00 PM.
(2)Roll Call-The following members were present:Tony Oberman,Mayor,and
Council members Nicholas Gruber,JeffV.Mertz and Darlene Stanton.Council
members Bill Peard and Donald Bailey,Jr.were absent.
(3)Agenda Approval-Darlene Stanton moved to approve the agenda as written,Jeff
Mertz second.Roll call:Ayes:Stanton,Mertz,Gruber.Nays:None.Absent:Bailey,
Peard.Motion carried 3 -0 -2.
(4)Discussion:Proposed job descriptions and wage adjustments for non-represented
employees City Administrator Mark Arentsen began the discussion by indicating the
consultant would be adding more detail to the job descriptions,which originally listed
only four or five of the major activities per individual.Mark Arentsen continued with a
description of how the wage review occurred.
(1)10 Representative towns,five metro and five rural,were chosen as comparison
communities and then weighted to reflect a concentration toward either metro or rural.
The Wage Review Committee decided to go with a 60/40 split,metro vs.rural.
(2)The consultant indicated that communities which cannot afford the increase
recommended by the comparison sometimes use 95%,90%or even as low as 75%of the
recommended range for each employee.The decision to use 95%or 90%or some other
figure is based on city revenue stream and not work-related attributes of employees.
Future review of this program and positive budget changes might permit the city to look
at the 100%level of comparison.
(3)The cities chosen as comparison communities by the consulting were
originally all metro.The mayor indicated that Waukee couldn't really compete
financially with an all metro comparison.So the mix of metro/rural at 60/40 seemed the
best alternative.Commanche,De Witt,Hiawatha,Coralville,North Liberty,Eldridge
were the rural communities used.Commanche and possibly De Witt were removed from
the comparison.The wage comparison committee did not review the cost of living in the
various communities used in the comparison.
(4)The committee looked at positions and duties and not employees in
determining range.
Shortly after Mark Arentsen began a presentation on the recommended employee wage
adjustment policy,members of the non-represented employee group started asking
questions of the council members.The result ofthe conversation was:
(1)Employees will receive 30%lump sum payment of the difference between the
existing wage and the midpoint for their position for FY04 ending 6/30/04 unless the
employee is at or above the midpoint.
(2)Employees will receive 2.5%COLA and receive 2.5%Merit,if warranted,for
the FY05.It was suggested that merit would be potentially be set at 2.5%and valuations
would determine what percent of the merit would be awarded.Everyone is to be
evaluated to using the same method and procedure.
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(3)If funds are available the payment of an additional 30%lump sum payment of
the difference remaining between the employee's current salary and the midpoint would
be paid.
(4)It was suggested that closure and merit are not the same and should be treated
differently.Two or three years of 30%are to be treated as closure.Merit pay is different
and is awarded if employee meets certain criteria yet to be determined.
(5)Other benefits,such as increased holidays,increased vacation days for a first
year employee,personal days and longevity pay rate will not be adjusted.A committee
to review health,dental,life insurance will be created to determine alternative ways of
financing these benefits.Questions to be answered would include different plans such as
self funding,benefit cards,flex program,hiring an administrator,employee contribution,
(6)A formula will be used to maintain the integrity of the wage range.
(7)New hires will be treated differently and will be hired at a rate commensurate
with experience and knowledge.
Ed Butler of the Library Board of Trustees requested the City consider paying the FY04
adjustment from City operating expenses as it is not built into the Library budget.Mr.
Butler also suggested that the benefit side be added to the salary so that a 95%review of
salaries would be reasonable when 5%benefit were added.
(5)Motion:Describing components of non-represented employee wage determination
plan for use in preparing a resolution for consideration at the June 7 City Council
meeting Jeff Mertz moved to approve the motion with the inclusion of the people
discussed for the FY04.Nick Gruber second.Roll call:Ayes:Mertz,Gruber,Stanton.
Nays:None.Absent:Peard,Bailey.Motion carried 3 -0 -2.
At this time Mayor Oberman asked for a motion to adjourn.Darlene Stanton moved.
Jeff Mertz second.Ayes:All.Nays:None.Motion carried 3 -O.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:38 PM.
C.A.Paardekooper,Deputy Clerk
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T~Obernfan,Mayor
Marlc J.Arentse,ity Administrator/Cleric
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