4.8. SR 06-29-1998
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City of Jj
Ell{ River
Item 4.8.
Memorandum
TO:
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING
& ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
SR
DATE: JUNE 29, 1998
SUBJECT: HIRING B & Z
SECRETARY /RECEPTIONIST
Approximately fifty applications were receive for the position of secretary/receptionist
for the Building and Zoning Department. This is not a new position, but rather it is the
result of combining two half time positions.
Four of the applicants were interviewed and an obvious choice for the job was made.
Staff is recommending that Deborah Long is hired for this position.
For approximately the past eight years, Deborah has worked in the Building Department
for the City of St. Louis Park as a secretary and, most recently, a customer service
representative. In addition to secretarial training, Deborah has completed various
Building Inspection Technology courses at North Hennepin Community College. She
comes highly recommended by her previous employers.
Due to her extensive experience in a similar position, staff recommends Deborah Long is
hired as a Building and Zoning Department Secretary/Receptionist at pay grade "5", with
a starting wage of $12.50 per hour. After a two week notice at her current place of
employment, her starting date with the city will be July 13, 1998. Deborah's six month
orientation period will end on January 12, 1999, but it is recommended that she receives
the normal January 1 st cost of living increase. Staff further recommends that she is
elevated to step "K" within pay grade 5 on July 1, 1999. She will then receive the regular
cost of living increases and step increases from there on out.
13065 Orono Parkway. P.O. Box 490. Elk River, MN 55330. TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425
A./ -'\(
( )!
City of ~
ElI< River
Item 4. 8.
Memorandum
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING A~))
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR 6'f<\....
DATE:
JUNE 29, 1998
SUBJECT:
PAY STEPS
A separate, but related issue to hiring Deborah Long as the Building and Zoning
Secretary/Receptionist, is the number of steps in the city pay plan. Hiring Deborah at
$12.50 per hour is within the pay range for the position and is in line with her experience
level. However, it is a higher hourly wage than several other secretaries at city hall who
have been in their positions for several years, including the Building and Zoning
Secretary. Deborah's proposed wage, although appropriate, may generate some concern
among the secretarial staff.
After reviewing many applications from people with secretarial experience and the
Minneapolis-Saint Paul MSA 1996 Wage Estimates, it is my opinion that the city's pay
ranges are appropriate. However, to get really top shelf qualified people we can not
continue to hire at the bottom of our ranges. It is now very much an "employee market".
I feel the real issue is the city has too many steps in our pay plan. A ten or twelve step
plan keeps employees from reaching the top of their pay plan for too long, if they are
hired at the entry level. This is in spite of the employee being fully competent after only
a few years. If there were not so many steps in the pay plans, any internal concern
regarding hiring Deborah Long at $12.50 would be less.
I certainly do not claim to have any expertise in the area of personnel and wages. I am
only passing on what I have observed. However, it is my opinion that the city pay steps
should be condensed. I urge the Council to pass this issue on to the Personnel
Committee. This may be an issue for the next budget process that is starting soon.
13065 Orono Parkway. P.O. Box 490. Elk River, MN 55330. TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425