HomeMy Public PortalAbout05.02.2023 Work Session MinutesMedina City Council Work Session Minutes 1
May 2, 2023
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
OF MAY 2, 2023
The City Council of Medina, Minnesota met in work session on May 2, 2023, at 5:30
p.m. at the Medina City Hall, 2052 County Road 24, Medina, MN.
I. Call to Order
Members present: Martin, Albers, Cavanaugh, DesLauriers, Reid (arrived 5:52)
Members absent: None
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, City Attorney Dave Anderson,
Public Works Director Steve Scherer, Planning Director Dusty Finke, Public Safety
Director Jason Nelson, City Clerk Caitlyn Walker, and Finance Director Erin Barnhart
II. Common Bond TIF Update and Fee Reduction Request
The City Council reviewed a fee reduction request for an affordable housing development
project by Common Bond. City Administrator Johnson explained the topic of discussion
tonight is the fee waiver request and that the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) request will be
reviewed at the June 6th Medina Economic Development Authority meeting. Finke
provided an overview of a previous discussion by the City Council discussing a potential
policy in which the City would utilize a formula in which the City would provide $2,300
of fee waivers per unit of housing that helps the City meet its affordable housing goals.
Finke explained the fee waivers would be funded by the City’s affordable housing fund.
Finke requested feedback from the Council on their interest in a resolution or letter of
support for the fee waivers for Common Bond. The City Council generally expressed
support for the fee waivers for Common Bond. Staff will present a resolution or letter of
support at an upcoming City Council meeting.
III. DDA Classification and Compensation Discussion
City Staff have been working with DDA Human Resources, Inc. to update the city staff
classification and compensation structure. Mark Goldberg of DDA Human Resources,
Inc. presented the study results. Goldberg explained that the study compared the wages of
City of Medina staff with the wages of similar positions in comparable cities. Goldberg
explained that roles can be above or below market in different cities for various reasons,
but the goal is to have all positions be in the market. Goldberg highlighted that benefits
impact employee’s total compensation and there are a lot of variances in benefits between
comparable cities. Goldberg explained that overall, the staff wages in Medina are very
competitive. Some positions are slightly above market, and some management positions
are slightly below market. He also noted that the market is expected to continue to change
throughout 2023.
The City Council questioned if the current job scoring structure is the best option.
Goldberg and Finance Director Barnhart explained that the city uses the Modified
Princeton classification system which is a very common structure in cities and counties.
Medina City Council Work Session Minutes 2
May 2, 2023
Currently, there is a compression of wages and positions in the top half of the structure.
An alternative structure could have the potential to alleviate some of the compression.
The Council questioned if the Police Department could be on a separate compensation
structure from the rest of the staff. The Council expressed wanting job hazards and other
safety risks to be considered in the compensation structure. Goldberg and Barnhart
explained that an additional structure could be possible, however, it does not solve the
compression issue because Police Officer wages still need to fit within the hierarchy of
wages in which supervisors earn higher wages than the positions they supervise. Barnhart
explained she is researching potential alternative structures.
The Council asked Goldberg for his recommendation for changes to position wages based
on the study. Goldberg recommended increasing the Patrol Officer position and all
positions above Patrol Officer in the structure by about five percent. He highly
encouraged that they do not change just a few positions because there can be issues when
reporting for pay equity. Council requested budget scenarios of Goldberg’s
recommendation and of the police union wage increase request. Staff will provide these
scenarios at an upcoming meeting.
IV. Adjournment
Albers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 p.m. on May 2, 2023. DesLauriers
seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
_________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________
Caitlyn Walker, City Clerk