HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/14/1986CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 14, 1986
5:15 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Seeber, Wright, and Budak. Also present Lichty,
Angel, Dowie, Miller, and Mayor McKinley
Jim Rodemeyer, Assistant City Personnel Director, presented a
proposal to employ seasonal workers in the Street, Sanitation and
Sewer Departments through Manpower Temporary Services. He stated
that currently seasonal workers are paid $1 less per hour than the
negotiate hourly wage of collective bargaining employees. Rates for
temporary employees beginning July 1, 1986, will be as follows:
Refuse collectors - $7.98 per hour; laborers in the Street/Sanitation
Department - $7.98 per hour: and truck drivers in the Street
Department - $8.25 per hour. Mr. Rodemeyer stated that in an effort
to be cost efficient within the current allocation for unemployment
and worker's compensation, he proposed using Manpower Temporary
Services. He pointed out that during the budgeting process for the
year beginning July 1, 1986, approximately $25,000 was cut from the
unemployment insurance line item. Manpower Temporary Services would
serve as the employer of the seasonal help and would absorb all cost
associated with unemployment claims, work compensation benefits,
taxes and administrative overhead for payroll preparation. The
projected savings to the City for their services would be
approximately $34,000. The difference paid to Manpower and the
hourly rate paid to the employees would reflect the administrative
costs to Manpower for undertaking this proposal. Mr. Rodemeyer
indicated that seasonal employees currently working for the City
would be guaranteed by Manpower Services the first opportunity for
seasonal employment with the City. Also any additional workers
needed would be hired from an employment pool established by the
City.
It was indicated that seasonal workers do not accrue benefits.
Councilperson Wright expressed that the use of Manpower should have
been brought up during the budgeting process for the FY 1987 budget.
Don Thorson, Superintendent of Streets, commented that the seasonal
workers that have worked the past few years know exactly what to do
and do not need constant supervision. The average length of service
of the current temporary employees is approximately three years. It
was also pointed out that the use of the same workers each year saves
on the wear and tear of the equipment.
Jim Rodemeyer indicated his willingness to look at another system for
seasonal workers if this one is defeated.
Councilman Seeber stated that he could not support the current
proposal.
It was also indicated that money is not available within the Street
Department for seasonal help until the new budget allocations begin-
ning July 1, 1986.
Councilman Dowie asked why it was necessary to increase the hourly
rate paid to seasonals each year. He stated that perhaps the City
should look at freezing the hourly rate of seasonal employees.
Councilperson Miller asked whether or not the seasonals currently
employed for the City will be qualified for highway substitution work
this summer.
It was a consensus of the Council that an alternative plan of funding
seasonal employees be reviewed by the Personnel Department and
brought back for their consideration.
It was moved by Wright, seconded by Dowie that the City Council Work
Session be adjourned. Motion carried.
Larry P. Burger
Clerk/Auditor