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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/2/2021 - City Council - Minutes - SpecialCity Council Special Meeting MINUTES Thursday, September 2, 2021, 2:00 PM Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia 24153 1.Call to Order A.Roll Call A special meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was called to order at 2:00 p.m., there being present the following members to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor (participated remotely); James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Council members: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and John E. Saunders; with James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor, presiding; together with James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Crystal Williams, Assistant to the City Manager; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; and Mike Stevens, Director of Communications. The Pledge of Allegiance was observed. Mr. Light noted that Mayor Turk had requested to participate remotely. On behalf of Mayor Turk, Mr. Light read her statement as follows: "In accordance with Section 2.2-3708.2 1(B) of the Code of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Remote Participation Policy of the City of Salem, I hereby request to participate remotely for a personal matter, specifically being that I am out of town." Randy Foley motioned to accept the remote participation of Mayor Turk. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Wallace Abstain: Turk 2.New Business A.Discussion Items Discuss and consider salaries for certain full-time, non-exempt positions. Vice-Mayor Wallace stated that the purpose for today's meeting was to discuss salaries for certain full-time, non-exempt positions. Mr. Taliaferro gave some background on this agenda item. He stated that Council members are aware of the issues both nationally and locally with hiring currently. There is a shortage of labor and potential employees on the market. He continued to say that we are struggling to hire and retain employees. City Manager Taliaferro continued that today they would like to put a proposal in front of Council for their consideration to give $2 per hour raises to front line personnel, which are the non- exempt employees in the City. He commented that this would help to both retain the people that we have and also to recruit. Right now, one of the issues that we have within the Water Department and the Street Department is that we have such a shortage of people that we are not able to run full crews. The other problem is that when we only have a few people working, they have to carry the full load. By raising wages, we will be more competitive with our neighbors, which have been taking similar actions. Mr. Taliaferro continued that in January 2023 the minimum wage will be $15 per hour and the City has some employees that will be affected by this. This potential raise will help with this transition as well. Mr. Taliaferro stated that staff's recommendation is that this action be effective for the September 5th pay period which is the Sunday of the next pay period. He stated that if Council moves forward with this, the other potential problem that will have to be dealt with is that there will be a number of employees suddenly making $2 more per hour and this will cause compression at the different levels in the organization. Other positions will also need to be addressed at some point. Staff felt that the immediate need is to get help out in the crews. The compression issues can be addressed later. City Manager Taliaferro said that one recommendation they would like to put before Council is that this is a good opportunity for a Comp and Class Study. Right now, pay is inconsistent. This process would allow the City to see where wages need to be and to see if we can become more competitive. One last item that Staff would like to present is that there are some employees that are at the top of the pay scale, and they would also like to give a $2,000 bonus to those employees that are topped out. For those that are not, they would get a net amount of $2,000 between a raise and a bonus. He opened the floor for questions. Mr. Light added for further clarification that in the current budget development process Council implemented a pay structure change for public safety sworn personnel and for certain line crews in the Electric Department. This proposal excludes those positions. Mr. Taliaferro stated that Staff is currently evaluating the exempt/non-exempt status in a few cases, so the final list of non-exempt employees is not quite final. Mr. Foley questioned if people could be added to the list that they have. Mr. Light responded that an estimated highest cost had been projected and that in reality the actual cost should be lower. William Jones motioned to approve a $2 per hour raise for certain non-exempt, full- time employees. Mr. Foley amended the motion to include a Comp & Class study and a $2,000 bonus for employees that have reached the top of the Pay Scale. A vote was taken to accept the amendment to the motion: Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace. Mr. Wallace commented that he would like to see the City plan an event of appreciation for employees in the near future. The Councilmen and Mayor Foley all expressed appreciation to the employees for their hard work. Mayor Turk thanked Staff for the hard work in putting together this proposal and she thanked employees for all that they do. Mr. Light called the roll on approval of the amended motion. John Saunders seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Jones, Saunders, Turk, Wallace 3.Adjournment T he meeting was adjourned at 2:11 p.m.