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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-0111 SPECIALMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL ~ETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL January 11, 1972 A special meeting of the Ashland City Council was called to order on the above date at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Charles McKeen. Councilman Roberrs was absent; all other Council members were present. The meeting was a closed personnel session for the purpose of discussing (1) the proposed salary ranges and job descriptions recommended by the classification study recently completed by the League of Oregon Cities through the State Personnel Division; and (2) the City Administrator's presentation of salary recommendations and a report on negotiations with the Ashland Employees Association. Almquist reviewed some history of position classifications in Ashland, noting that the present plan adopted in 196S had not been properly maintained. He stated that the only major change in classifications in the proposed plan would be in the Police Department, although some spot changes in other areas would be made. The purpose of the position classification plan would be to establish uniform job descriptions and establish salary relationships between positions within a department and between departments. The City was limited by the wage-price guidelines established by Presi- dent Nixon under the Phase II program. The City Administrator then reviewed the method used for arriving at the base figure allowed by the wage guidelines, which would be limited to 5.S% of total wages and fringe benefits. This did not include the Parks Department, contractual agreements (such as the City Administrator or City Attorney), and the hospital. Almquist listed computations used, and presented supporting data from the League of Oregon Cities. It was pointed out that merit and longevity raises were not included in the proposed plan, since they were not subject to the wage-price guidelines. The plan provided employees with an average increase of approximately 6%. It was noted that certain fringe benefits would increase with salaries (i.e., retirement, the salary continuance plan) and would have to be included in the limitations. There would be no increase in the hospital and life insurance plan. The plan proposed to bring all employees up to the average wage being paid in other Oregon cities, while proposing to discontinue the utility discount. (This was felt to be somewhat unfair, since those employees with higher salaries usually had all- electric homes, thus obtaining a greater utility discount, and making it an inequitable fringe benefit.~ Almquist noted that the Employees Association, through a group composed of representatives from each department, wished their consensus of opinion to keep the utility dis count to be passed on to the Council. Their position was that the Association originated this benefit and realized it was unique; that no employees had complained about the inequities; and that they did not wish to lose any benefit. Almquist stated that, in order to implement the pl~l, the equivalent amount from the utility discount would need to be applied to the proposed salary increases, or the proposed increases would need to be reduced by about ten percent. Some discussion ensued among the members of the Council concerning the utility discount, relative to employees living outside the City limits. The general feeling was that these employees living outside the City would be getting greater increases if the discount were dropped in lieu of greater salary increases, since they were presently ineligible for such discounts. -1- ~ecial Meeting A~hland City Council January 11, 1972 The council was in agreement with the reclassification of job titles, particularly those in the Police Department, and wanted to implement these as soon as possible. Almquist suggested that an Ordinance be prepared implementing the change in all job descriptions, but that the corresponding salary plan be implemented on July 1, 1972. Nelson pointed out that studies showed Ashland to be well above average in fringe benefits. He suggested that, in raising salaries, the utility discount benefit could be discontinued to bring our benefits in line with other Oregon cities. Almquist then detailed the new range numbers and steps involved, pointing out that the proposed plan was arithmetically correct and involved a more equitable rate structure. He then displayed a tabulation concerning the implementation of the proposed salary plan and how it would affect each employee. Almquist informed the Council that, to establish a base rate for benchmark positions such as patrolman and fireman, salaries in ten independent cities in Ashland's popula- tion class (over 10,000 in a non-metropolitan area) were studied. It was found that the average rate of pay was S% more than in Ashland. Assuming other cities would provide a cost-of-living increase, an additional 2-1/2% was added. Salaries in other departments were then related with these benchmark positions. He again pointed out that merit and longevity raises were in addition to such increases. Some discussion ensued regarding the lower classifications. McCannon felt that some entry-level classification should be retained. Nelson stated that step increases for the lower brackets could be increased and provided more liberally. He noted that, in some cases, persons may have previously been held at the "C" level for a few years. Almquist presented a survey made of all electric utilities in Oregon, and noted Ashland's relative position. The proposed plan would rectify the inequities. Almquist stated that journeyman lineman was a certified trade by the State of Oregon, with established prevailing wages. A benchmark position of lineman was therefore used, and other salaries based on progression between positions. Roble felt the Electric Department had been doing a commendable job. The new plan would bring all employees in the City into line with prevailing rates, and generally there would not be radical salary increases, but an opportunity for future growth provided. This was necessary in order to implement the proposed plan, while also abiding by the wage-price guidelines. After some discussion, Conklin moved that the proper Ordinance be drawn up for the following council meeting adopting the classification plan of September 17, 1971; McCannon seconded. Soderberg stated that she wanted a chance to review the contents of each job description prior to placing the Ordinance on the agenda. On roll call, passed unanimously. -2- pecial Meeting Ashland City Council January 11, 1972 Conklin then moved that the City Administrator be given the dis cretion to make a determination concerning the utility discount after consulting with the employees, provided the ceiling of $59,600 was maintained; Willstatter seconded. Almquist stated that a proposed Memorandum of Understanding would be brought back to the Council for ratification. On roll call, passed unanimously. Roble moved to adjou~; Conklin seconded; on voice vote, passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m., subject to the call of the Mayor. Respectfully submitted, Joseph r,q. Butler City Recorder /nck