HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.09.92 Special Council Minutes
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MINUTES
COUNCIL MEETING
SPECIAL
NOVEMBER 9, 1992
1. Acting Mayor Galler called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M..
Members Present: Mayer, Orr, Rotty, Galler.
Members Absent: Kuchera.
Also Present: Administrator Thompson, Public Works Director Kaldunski, Assistant
City Engineer Matthys, Finance Director Henneke, Interim Solid Waste
Foreman Klotz.
2. The purpose of the meeting was to consider a 5 year Solid Waste Plan dated
November 6, 1992. Assistant Engineer Matthys presented an overview of the report
noting the following recommendations:
a) Change in Organizational Chart,
b) Change in Job Descriptions,
c) Leasing former Abe's Auto Body shop property,
d) Staffing level,
e) Equipment
f) 5 year budget projections.
3. The following questions/concerns were raised.
Cm. Orr:
Is Solid Waste proposed to be a separate department?
Not in the 5 year plan. It was considered.
Regarding the Part Time Specialist, what if Rosemount pulls it?
We can get by with .4 FTE. It would be addressed if it occurred.
What would this person do for Rosemount?
The same as for Farmington except the collection duties.
The position calls for a 60% split. Why is it listed as .4 FTE?
The position would be 30-35 hours a week.
What background would be required?
The County has had a number of internists who have done this type
of work.
Most of these functions are taken care of by the Assistant Engineer?
Yes. The Specialist and Leadman would take over most of the Solid
Waste duties I now handle.
How many people are collecting now?
Five.
How many people are managing?
Partially the Administrator, Public Works Director and Assistant
Engineer.
Why should it be under the Assistant Engineer?
You look at how much actual time is put into it. The Solid Waste
Specialist will do administrative work, not management.
Matthys:
Cm. Ratty:
Matthys:
Cm. Ratty:
Matthys:
Cm. Ratty:
Matthys:
Cm. Ratty:
Matthys:
Cm. Orr:
Matthys:
Cm. Mayer:
Matthys:
Cm. Mayer:
Matthys:
Cm. Mayer:
Matthys:
Council Minutes - Special - 11-9-92 - Page 2
What pay grades?
The salaries are listed in the back of the report. I'm not sure
of the actual grades.
I still don't know why you need so many people doing administrative
and management duties.
Adm. Thompson: It's not efficient to pay an Assistant Engineer when you can pay
someone $9.00 an hour.
Cm. Galler:
Henneke:
Cm. Mayer:
Cm. Mayer: The coordination was to evolve into a Foreman. The Foreman has
now been put in place. Why can't the Foreman do the work?
Matthys: The Foreman/Leadman does the day to day directing on the street
and collections. The Specialist will take care of the administrative
work. We still need 1.5 persons to fill the position.
Cm. Mayer: I would suggest splitting Engineering off as a separate department.
Cm. Orr: Would it save personnel?
I don't think so. We still need 5 FTE picking up garbage.
What truck does the Leadman operate?
The automated commercial collection truck.
The Leadman has other duties such as routine maintenance, responding
to complaints and transferring solid waste.
Cm. Galler: I can understand grandfathering in existing workers, but should
the City be looking at higher standards for new hirees, such as
high school diplomas and experience?
Matthys:
Cm. Galler:
Eng. Kaldunski:
Adm. Thompson:
Adm. Thompson:
read and write.
Cm. Galler:
The standards were written to reflect actual required skills. For
example, a high school diplomas does not ensure that a person can
Would it be more efficient to hire a full time specialist and have
the Leadman work under that position?
That
does
Department needs 5
management.
would mean
not need a
FTE on the
returning to where the City was before. The City
full time administrative position in Solid Waste.
street and approximately .5 FTE in administration
Adm. Thompson:
The
and
Cm. Galler:
Adm. Thompson:
Cm. Orr:
Cm. Galler:
Foreman Klotz:
Cm. Galler:
Why not have the .5 FTE administrative duties included in the Leadman
position and hire a part time person to work in collections?
It is difficult to find a person with interests and aptitudes in
actual collections and administration.
I would see the Part Time Specialist supporting Solid Waste, not
managing.
How much of the Foreman's time is spent on mechanics?
1~ to 2 hours per day.
What equivalent grade would the Operator II be rated at?
Adm. Thompson: It was rated the same as a Maintenance Worker II for the purpose
of the report. The salary committee would have to evaluate the
position and forward its recommendations to the Council.
Cm. Ratty:
Can we hire a specialist at $9/hour~
Council Minutes - Special - 11/9/92 - Page 3
Matthys:
Cm. Galler:
Adm. Thompson:
curve.
Cm. Galler:
Adm. Thompson:
Cm. Ratty:
Cm. Mayer:
Adm. Thompson:
40 hours per
Engineer and
Cm. Ratty:
Matthys:
Cm. Mayer:
Adm. Thompson:
Eng. Ka1dunski:
Cm. Ratty:
Eng. Kaldunski:
Ken Hanson, Jr.:
Adm. Thompson:
said the center
:291
There is a pool of workers available. There will be turnovers.
I agree. If the Assistant Engineer moves on, where will we get
someone to replace his with his knowledge of solid waste?
The same argument could be made for the City Administrator or the
Engineer. We could find someone, but there would be a learning
I would like to see the Specialist report to someone other than
the Assistant Engineer. Perhaps the Administrator?
The City tried that with the Coordinator. It was not very effective.
I like the proposed organizational chart. We can always change
it if it doesn't work out.
I don't feel you need a specialist. Hire a full time collection
worker and let existing personnel take care of administration.
We are not suggesting adding work. The proposed full time employee
in collections would replace a temporary position which is working
week. The Specialist would take over the work being done by the Assistant
Administrator.
What is the comparison between the present lease and Abe's Auto
Body shop?
Presently we pay $1,850 per month versus Abe's at $2,200 per month.
How long?
I don't believe we can go beyond a year at a time.
The building would give us 14,660 square feet with 3 acres of yard
space.
Isn't there anything available in Farmington?
Nothing comparable.
You could rent my building for $3,000 a month and buy it out for
$1.00 after 12 years.
It is a good building. The Citizen's Building Committee had considered
it but had dropped it because the Street and Utility Foreman had
posts posed a problem.
Cm. Ratty: I like the overall plan and the projected rates. The Hanson building
and combining the specialist with the part time administrative position
should be investigated. The position descriptions should also be updated.
Cm. Mayer: The report has done a good job of identifying options, but it is
only a starting point. I believe the report, if adopted, would
bring us back to where we were a year ago.
Adm. Thompson:
at this time.
Cm. Galler:
The City had a full time coordinator position which required much
greater skills and knowledge. We only need a part time specialist
Where are we at and what direction are we going?
Matthys: The Solid Waste Department routinely borrowed manpower from Streets
and Utilities until the temporary full time position was added.
This position should be converted to a permanent full time. The coordinator's position
was abolished and those duties were primarily taken over by the Assistant Engineer.
This is not an efficient use of the Assistant Engineer's time, nor is it what he was
Council Minutes - Special - 11/9/92 - Page 4
hired to do. The City should hire a part time person to assume those duties. Ben
Klotz was appointed as an interim foreman. The position should be made full time
and Mr. Klotz could apply. The Council has taken steps to improve the equipment,
but additional space for storage and maintenance is needed.
Could you return with the updated position description by the first
meeting in December along with a recommendation as to merging the
positions? I like the plan as presented.
I disagree with the part time specialist position. The.5 FTE should
be added on collections and have Ben do the grants.
I would probably not apply for the position if it involved grant
work.
Cm. Orr:
two part time
Cm. Mayer:
Ben notz:
Cm. Orr:
I would restate that it is the responsibility of the Council to
use its employees to the best of their abilities.
4. MOTION by Galler, second by Orr to approve the staff recommendations regarding
personnel with staff investigating the combination of the two part time positions
(Administrative and Solid Waste Specialist). VOTING FOR: Orr, Ratty, Galler.
AGAINST: Mayer. MOTION CARRIED.
5. The Council directed staff to explore the Hanson Building and Abe's Auto Body
Shop.
6. MOTION by Orr, second by Rotty to adjourn at 8:00 P.M.. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry Thompson
City Administrator
Approved
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