HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017.06.15 Special Minutes
MINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
McCall City Hall -- Legion Hall
June 15, 2017
Call to Order and Roll Call
Business Agenda
Adjournment
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Aymon called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 9:05 a.m.
Mayor Aymon, Council Member Giles, Council Member Swanson, and Council Member
Witte (via Phone) all answered roll call. Council Member Scott was absent
City staff members present were Nate Coyle, City Manager; BessieJo Wagner, City Clerk; Linda
Stokes, City Treasurer; Michelle Groenevelt, Community Development Director; Kurt Wolf,
Parks and Recreation Director; Jay Scherer, Airport Manager; Eric McCormick, Golf Course
Superintendent; Traci Malvich, Human Resources Manager; Nathan Stewart, Public Works
Director
BUSINESS AGENDA
BDPA Salary Presentation of the Internal Equity and External Competitiveness Study
Bonnie Brazier and Andrea Fogleman Consultants from BDPA presented to the Council. The
consultants covered how the salary schedule was developed and how the schedule applies to the
current staff including compensating for years of services. The consultants also provided
administrative guidelines and recommended that market adjustment happens at least every two
years; however, annually is more ideal. They stated that costs associated with turnover needs to be
considered when hiring so paying market value should see a lower turnover rate. Personnel was
identified, at the last council meeting, as a top priority.
The consultants recommended that the council codify or pass by resolution the City’s pay
philosophy. This makes it clear what the priority is going forward. They again reiterated the
recommended market annual adjustment and a performance adjustment as well.
The council wanted to know if the market ever went backward. The consultants responded stating
that typically the market would maintain and would not go backward.
Staff stated that a market adjustment and a 3% merit pool for the 2018 budget would be about a
$200,000 adjustment. It was suggested that going forward, staff and Council should look at
personnel right along with capital needs when developing the budget. It was stated that health care
costs are conservatively looking like an 18% increase which equated to about $198,000.
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Staff will look at possible ways to make this possible within the budget for FY2018
Council Member Giles was in favor of making it happen. City Manager Nate Coyle felt that it is
doable with an impact. Council Member Witte wants employees to come up to market but does
not feel $400,000 is doable in one year. She also did not think that a 20% increase a year in health
care was sustainable.
Council Member Swanson asked if the market or the performance increase was more preferable.
Community Development Director Michelle Groenevelt felt a survey to employees could be
beneficial. There was much discussion regarding the types of responses that might be received
from such a survey and were anticipated to be highly variable.
Council Member Swanson would like to fund the market adjustment as soon as possible. He felt
that $400,000 could be difficult in one year. Council Member Swanson also wondered if there
would be a pool of money available for individuals taking on more work and filling in for vacant
positions, He also commented that a 1% merit increase for everyone was not very motivating for
staff.
There was some discussion around developing a policy around vacant positions and whether
people taking on increased workload should be addressed.
Council Member Swanson felt that the market adjustment was a priority.
Public Works Director Nathan Stewart stated that the market adjust must happen.
There was discussion on how market increases needed to happen to stay competitive.
Human Resources Manager Traci Malvich stated that without a market increase and with only
performance related increases can cause a compression effect at the top of the salary scale.
Mayor Aymon asked for a health care plan that may have options for the level of care people may
want or need that could save money. She reiterated that it is imperative to retain employees so a
market adjustment is needed. There was some discussion about bonuses vs merit increases. It was
stated that wages and bonuses are taxed at a different rate.
Mayor Aymon would like to see the options for funding the market adjustment and some health
care plan options and would like for the staff to have an option when selecting health care. There
was discussion regarding the complications of plans with options. There was also discussion about
the costs of employee only coverage being passed on to the employee; there were concerns that
when health care goes up, and even with a pay increase, employees do not see any increase in their
take home pay. It was also noted that there was no real incentive for employees to choose a lesser,
cheaper health care plan. There was some addition discussion as to what was driving up the cost
of health care. Council Member Giles expressed concern that options could cost the city more and
would prefer to stay with the current options and look for the best option.
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June 15, 2017
Community Development Director Michelle Groenevelt felt that the cost of housing should be
considered along with retention and recruitment.
Council Member Witte stated that from the work the consultants did she understood that the benefit
package was 3%above market so it would make sense to look to bring that to market value. It was
clarified that the benefits are comparable; however the City just pays 3% more than the market.
There was some discussion around a sick leave incentive health care plan that could help with the
premiums.
Council Member Giles felt that the $400,000 impact should not be problem and felt that the the
adjustment could happen.
There was some additional discussion around a resolution or some kind of policy adoption to
protect the plan for employees going forward. Council Member Swanson was not afraid of the
price tag and felt it was important to bring staff up to market. Council Member Witte agreed that
employees are the city's biggest asset and agrees with the idea of a resolution.
Michelle Groenevelt thanked the Council for their commitment to employees.
Council Member Swanson stated that the challenge was to appease the community and take care
of staff It was sometimes a wrestle with public perception and the need to get the work done.
City Manager Recruitment Strategy
a. Council Decision and direction on City Manager Recruitment
Strategy
Human Resources Manager Traci Malvich presented to council the options of either an in-house
recruitment or an outside recruitment to fill the City Manager vacancy. Manager Malvich and City
Manager Nate Coyle covered some different strategies and funding in a competitive manner.
Advertising vs recruitment and a hybrid process was discussed.
The general consensus of the Council was to move forward with an outside recruiter. Manager
Malvich will put together some options for the Council.
ADJOURNMENT
Without further business, Mayor Aymon adjourned the meeting at 10:45 a.m.
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June 15, 2017