Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991 12-11 CCM Special Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL SESSION DECEMBER 11, 1991 CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special session and was called to order by Mayor Paulson at 8:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Todd Paulson, Councilmembers Celia Scott, Jerry Pedlar, Dave Rosene and Philip Cohen. Also present were City Manager Gerald Splinter, City Attorney Charlie LeFevere and Personnel Coordinator Geralyn Barone (present at 8:30 p.m.). Mayor Paulson stated the purpose of the meeting was to determine whether or not to enter into Executive Session to discuss labor relations matters and staff salaries. Councilmember Cohen requested the City Attorney to review his December 9, 1991, letter regarding the open meeting law. The City Attorney reviewed the letter stating the current open meeting law could be construed to allow the Council to enter into Executive Session regarding labor relations matters if related to contracts with public employees and its relationship to staff administrative salaries. Councilmember Cohen expressed reservations about entering into an Executive Session as he had been sued over noncompliance with the open meeting law when he had previously been Mayor of Brooklyn Center and it was not a pleasurable experience. He stated he was in favor of treating management and supervisory employees in an equal manner to other employees because he believed it was fair and would be in compliance with the pay equity act, PELRA law and human rights act. Councilmember Cohen also believed there was a potential for age discrimination if retiring department heads were treated differentially from other personnel for salary increases. Mayor Paulson wanted to discuss the salary relationships under the current policy versus possibly some other policies regarding executive and department head and supervisory salaries. Councilmember Cohen commented during review of the City Attorneys December 9, 1991, letter he stated it was not completely clear this could be an acceptable Executive Session under the law. He noted he had been involved in a law suit regarding this type of matter about 15 years ago and it was not the type of experience he cared to repeat. 12 -11 -91 -1- Councilmember Scott remembered the consternation of the open meeting lawsuit Councilmember Cohen referred to and didn't believe the discussion of nonorganized salaries fit under the open meeting law. Councilmember Cohen stated the issue Mayor Paulson wanted to discuss was the freezing f administrative salaries and/or lesser g / salaries for administrative supervisory personnel. He stated he didn't believe it was necessary to hold an Executive Session to discuss our policy regarding that matter. Mayor Paulson stated he believed Council could go into Executive Session for these type policy matters but he was willing to continue in the open meeting and he would want to go into Executive Session if he believed during the open meeting that staff input limits or hinders Council policy discussion of this matter. Councilmember Rosene expressed concern over going into an Executive Session without a secretary to handle the recording and take custody of the recording tapes. Councilmember Pedlar stated his preference for a performance pay and evaluation system and the review of those systems by the Financial Task Force and /or a professional consultant. At the request of Councilmember Cohen, Personnel Coordinator Barone reviewed the implementation process for comp worth legislation and reviewed the major features of the pay plan. She also reviewed some of the requirements of the comparable worth law as it related to treating various classes of employees on a consistent basis to maintain the compliance with the comparable worth law. Mayor Paulson stated this process boils down to equitable treatment and pay for performance. Councilmember Cohen commented he believed in addition to those elements the market factor had to be addressed along with comparable worth. Councilmember Pedlar stated he had reviewed the market pay ranges in the Stanton Survey. He noted he did not have enough information to make judgements that Brooklyn Center's pay ranges were proper when compared to Brooklyn Center's Executive Pay Plan but he el' b ieved a review view b the Financial Task Force and/or y / r a consultant could clarify that situation. Councilmember Cohen suggested a professional consulting analysis of the executive pay plan to resolve the questions of whether or not the Brooklyn Center pay ranges were proper. Mayor Paulson said his review of the Stanton Survey revealed the executives were over paid and the lower level employees were underpaid and the part time employees should receive benefits. 12 -11 -91 -2- Councilmembers Scott, Cohen and Pedlar stated they didn't believe their review of the Stanton Survey indicated the pay ranges in the current Brooklyn Center plan were out of line. Councilmember Cohen stated he would be comfortable with a professional analysis of the pay plan similar to the one done in the late 1970s. Councilmember Pedlar suggested the Council conduct this type of study by such a consultant as Haye and Associates. He noted the consultant could review our executive pay plan position by position and compare it with similar communities and job descriptions with care given to making sure the jobs in other communities were parallel or similar to those in Brooklyn Center. Councilmember Scott stated the study should take into account the experience level and employment term of the various incumbents in Brooklyn Center and in other communities. There was a motion by Councilmember Pedlar and seconded by Councilmember Cohen directing staff to prepare a 1992 pay plan resolution to facilitate the Council's review of the salary process which would accomplish the following: 1. Keep the 1991 Executive Salary Pay Plan pay ranges at the 1991 levels. 2. Provide for an increase in the compensation levels of all personnel on the Executive Salary plan of 2.90 on each bi- weekly pay period and $20.00 per month additional heath insurance employer contribution. 3. Salary level and pay ranges are to be the subject of a consultant review of job comparisons, salaries and salary ranges. The motion passed unanimously. There was a motion by Councilmember Cohen and seconded by Councilmember Pedlar directing staff to prepare a Request for Proposals for a professional study of the Executive Pay Plan and salaries and performance review system. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Rosene commented it appeared there was compression between the salary levels of department head salaries and the personnel they supervise. He state compression appeared to be alive and well in Brooklyn Center. Members of the City Council requested the City Manager to inform the city staff that these actions should not be interpreted negatively as the City Council believes the staff has performed well. 12 -11 -91 -3- ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember Pedlar and seconded by Councilmember Cohen to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council adjourned at 10:17 p.m. 12 -11 -91 -4-