City Council Minutes 10-29-1983
I
MINUT S
SPECIAL MEETING - MONT CELLO CITY COUNCIL
October 29, 1983 - 8:00 A.M.
Members Present: Arve Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Dan Blonigen,
Ken Maus, and Jack Maxwell.
Members Absent: None.
A special meeting of the City C uncil was duly held on Saturday,
October 29, 1983, at 8:00 A.M. 'n the City Hall. Members present
were Grimsmo, Fair, Maus, Maxwe 1, and Blonigen. Members absent,
none. Also present was City Ad inistrator Eidem.
I
Eidem initiated discussion expl
this special meeting was to dev
1984 salaries for nonunion pers
that he would be provided with
salaries for the next year. He
opinion, various alternatives t
one method might be to provide
that would be assigned for basi
figure, percentage or dollars,
Councilmember Blonigen stated t
for the employees in 1984. He
Works Department was highly ine
the length of coffee breaks and
the Public Works Director and S
that with respect to coffee bre
instructed to take their breaks
eye so as to avoid undue critic
had not received any of the com
received. Blonigen countered b
not complain to the Mayor since
workers. Councilmember Fair as
supporting his accusations of t
stated that he did not need to
it occur himself, and when he w
comings and goings at the City
the allegations, but Blonigen a
agreement, and that he and Eide
on other occasions.
I
- 1 -
that the sole purpose of
salary strategy for establishing
nnel. Eidem explained that he hoped
uidelines for establishing employee
stated that there were, in his
ey could pursue. He indicated that
percentage or a gross dollar figure
salary adjustments and another
hat could be utilized to award merit.
.at he felt no raise was warranted
tated that he thought the Public
ficient, and he had complaints about
the amount of travel being done by
reet Superintendent. Eidem stated
ks, the maintenance people were
at the garage rather than in the public
sm. Mayor Grimsmo indicated that he
laints that Blonigen claimed he had
saying that people probably would
the Mayor tended to defend the City
ed if Blonigen could supply documentation
e alleged inefficiencies. Blonigen
upply documentation, that he watched
sn't home he had his wife observe the
arage. Eidem started to disagree with
knowledged that there was this dis-
had talked about these differences
I
Council Minutes - 10/29/83
The Mayor requested the ion be turned toward the projected
percentage of inflation st year and in the coming year.
Eidem reported that the Wall Str et Journal had stated that
inflation for 1983 was currently at 3.9% and the economic fore-
casters for major firms in the U.S. were projecting anywhere from
4.5% to 6% cost of living increase for 1984. Councilmember Maus
indicated that since the City ga e salary increases of 7% to 7.25%
in 1983, when the inflation fact r was only 3.9% to date, the
City should adjust for that over accommodation this year and keep
the salary adjustments more in line with the exact rate of inflation.
When asked by the Mayor what his position was, Maxwell indicated
that this being his first year n the Council, he didn't even know
the current level of salaries. Eidem read through a list of the
current salaries. Mayor Grimsm indicated that it might be best
to survey the individual Council members to determine what ideas
they had in terms of a percenta e increase. He suggested that
depending on the range an acceptable average might be arrived at.
He indicated that he thought 5% was appropriate. Councilmember
Fair indicated that she had ori inally thought 6% would be appropriate,
but in light of some of the con ersation she now felt 5% would be
appropriate. Both Blonigen and Maxwell felt that no increase was
appropriate. Maus indicated th t based on the actual cost of
living projections, he felt tha somewhere in the 3% to 4% range
would be adequate.
I
Eidem stated that before a fina determination was made, he would
like some points specifically a dressed and clarified. He indicated
that if it was the consensus of the Council that the City was, indeed,
run inefficiently then it is th manager that should be approached.
He stated that he thought the 0 erations ran fairly well and that
the inefficiencies were not as ignificant as alleged, but admitted
that his particular theory of m nagement (theory Y & z) may differ
substantially from any other th ory of management Councilmember
Blonigen may advocate. He went on to state that if his method of
management was not producing th desired results and that was an
opinion that was unanimous with the Council, then it would be in
the Council's best interest to ook for a manager who would do
precisely what they wished. Di ecting the conversation back to the
salary topic specifically, Eide requested that the ceiling that
is set by the Council be an act al ceiling as opposed to an artificial
ceiling. He informed the Counc'l that the $360 annual insurance
escrow that had been approved f r each employee at an earlier Council
meeting had been omitted due to a ruling of the Attorney General.
I
- 2 -
I
Council Minutes - 10/29/83
He explained that this benefit, even though approved by the Council,
could not be provided for the e ployee. He finally requested
clarification as to whether or ot he should include himself in
the salary increase pool or if he should plan to negotiate
separately. Councilmember Maus indicated that he should exclude
himself to avoid any accusations that increases were lessened
for other employees so that he c uld give himself a greater increase.
I
Mayor Grimsmo again asked for ev
appropriate increase. He did in
work and, as such, he would call
based on tenure and performance
Councilmember Fair indicated tha
range. Blonigen maintained his
warranted. When asked if he fel
also did not deserve an increase
thought the office personnel wer
didn't seem fair to grant an inc
an increase to the others since
did not warrant an increase. Ma
Ci ty employees as, such were over
and himself, and that he would n
for his employees in the upcomin
3 and a fraction percent to 4% s
by Maxwell, seconded by Maus, to
1984 by 3%. Voting in favor: M
Voting in opposition: Blonigen.
the meeting was adjourned by the
I
- 3 -
rybody's determination of an
icate that averaging would not
for a motion. He stated that
e still favored the 5% range.
she still preferred the 5%
osition that no increase was
that office and clerical staff
Blonigen responded that he
doing a fine job but that it
ease to some employees but not
heir operation, in his opinion,
well stated that he felt the
aid in comparison to his employees
t be proposing much of an increase
year. Maus indicated that the
ill seemed appropriate. Motion
increase employee salaries for
xwell, Maus, Fair, Grimsmo.
There being no further business,
Mayor.
nl" 'l ,/:' I,'
:' . .,: 'I" ,
"! /1----/ '1
f;.~~~._( I ' 'L
~ \.. \",--,,~I.-
T as A. Eidem
City Administrator