The regular meeting of the Slater City Council was called to order by Mayor Rick Rewerts at 7:30 P.M. on June 25, 2007, at City Hall 105 Greene St., Slater, Iowa. The roll being called the following Council members were present as follows: Dave Cook, Louise O’Donnell, Gene Staples and Don Schick. Electronic – Mark Pritchard. Others in attendance were Public Works Director LaDonna Chriswell, Cherryl & Kevin Benning, John Walker, Fred Mason, Gary Halverson, Randy Kennedy, Bob Davis, Jim and Nancy Wilson.

Citizen Fred Mason spoke asking questions about the recent City Newsletter and rumors concerning city employee Mark Estrem’s resignation.

He suggested investigation of using Thorpe Well Company to take care of some of the utility plant management which would free up Public Works Director LaDonna Chriswell to do Mark Estrem’s former job.

Mr. Mason indicated that he had been told a rumor that a $10,000 wage increase was in the 2008 budget for one City employee. The Mayor clarified that the approved budget which goes into effect in July 1st does not support that rumor. He emphasized that no Council decision has been made one way or another about any salaries. He explained that a factor is placed in the annual budget when it is developed; however, additional action is required by resolution to set salaries and is based on the availability of funding and the administration of the annual budget.

Randy Kennedy asked a question related to engineering of the improvements on Highway 210 and was referred to the State Department of Transportation to air his concern. The City is not involved in those improvement specifications.

It was moved by O’Donnell and seconded by Pritchard to approve the payment of expenditures totaling $20,638.96 as follows:

• Story County Treasurer R38 Contract ROW & Costs inside City $19,443.96
• Slater Area Historical Assoc. Balance of 07 Economic Development Fds 1,120.00
• Reflections Slater First Queen Candidate Gift Certificate 10.00
• Sheri Davis Refund of pool pass #63 65.00
• TOTAL 20,638.96

The motion passed with the record vote as follows: Yes: O’Donnell, Pritchard, Cook, Staples, and Schick. No: None.

It was moved by Pritchard and seconded by Cook at 8:09 to go into closed session at the request of an employee. The closed session was under authority of Iowa Code Section 21.5(i) to conduct the employee’s annual evaluation. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Ayes: Pritchard, Cook, O’Donnell, and Staples. The Council Chambers was cleared.

At 10:08 p.m. it was moved by Staples and seconded by Pritchard to end the closed session. A brief recess was held and the Mayor reconvened the open session a 10:13.

LaDonna Chriswell was asked about the recruitment for the vacancy in public works. She indicated that she had advertised for an individual with a Grade I Water Operator’s License and a Grade I Wastewater License or the ability to achieve these credentials within a year.

She noted that she had two finalists for the position and desires additional guidance before she can make a recommendation regarding the final candidate.

Discussion was held regarding the salary for the vacant position in the public work department. LaDonna proposed a minimum of $15.00 per hour. She indicated that it takes six months in the position to be able to be eligible to take the test for a Grade I Water Operator’s Certificate. Currently the City facilities require a Grade II Water Operator’s license and a Grade One Wastewater Operator’s license for the lagoon. It was also noted that a Grade I Water Distribution System Certificate is required to do water main repairs.

The question was posed as to what credentials Mark Estrem held when he left employment after approximately nine years of service to the City. LaDonna indicated that he had successfully completed a Grade I Water Operator’s Certificate and a Grade II Water Distribution certificate. She further indicated that he had pursued, unsuccessfully, a Grade II Wastewater Operator’s license and a Pesticide License during that time. It was noted that with annual across the board percentage increases he left City employment being paid a wage of $16.44 per hour plus family insurance benefits of $1,087.92 per month. The City also paid up to $1,000 of the $1,500 family deductible. He was eligible for overtime at the discretion of the Public Works Director based on the needs of the City

It was noted that Mike Nelson currently holds a Water Operator I designation and is paid $14.12 hourly plus a family benefit package. He also is eligible for overtime.

Discussion continued about wanting a candidate that could achieve the current & future operating requirements of the City’s utilities. It was suggested that upon successful completion of the Water Operator’s License and the Wastewater Operator’s License a $1.00 per hour increase per certification could be added to the base pay. It is believed that this could possibly be achieved in the first year.

After considerable discussion a starting wage of $13.00 plus a $1.00 per hour increase for each certificate was suggested for use in continued negotiations.

A special Council meeting was set for June 27, 2007 to continue discussion of filling the public works position.

The Council agreed upon proposing for consideration in the Fiscal Year (07-08) Salary Resolution the following: LaDonna Chriswell base annual wage $47,218.50, Mike Nelson’s base $30,250.69 and Sue North’s annual wage (currently an exempt employee with no overtime) at $45,360 noting that a possible contract will be discussed in the future.

Sue North was asked to provide background on a payroll policy change. The current city pay period ends at midnight on Fridays. Pursuant to the current Employment Policies time sheets are due that "Friday evening". To allow department head review, the time sheets are typically turned in on Monday morning to prevent overtime for such review. The current Public Works Department workday is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

The interpretation of the current handbook indicates that the paychecks will be available the same Monday timesheets are generally being turned in and at no specified time. Often times this date falls on same date as the City Council meeting. Under the current staffing shortfall this is requiring the City Clerk, as the only staff trained to do payroll, to work Saturdays or Sundays to meet the short turnaround. In late May the paychecks were made available on Tuesday due to circumstances beyond the Staff’s control.

The Public Works Staff previously requested that the City offer direct deposit options. This has been under study and would require additional software estimated at $2,000 plus and more turn around than the current same day timeframe. A phase in to minimize the impact on employees has been under development for several months. The administrative staff repeatedly expressed concern about the existing timeframe. If an illness, software upgrade, seasonal surge in staff, Council meeting preparation, or schedule conflict exists, it puts the payroll staff at a disadvantage.

With new hires anticipated in the near future and since the month of July has three payrolls under the current system staff suggest that the paycheck release date be phased in so that the employees begin receiving their checks on the Friday following the close of the pay period.

It was moved by Schick and seconded by O’Donnell to amend the Employment Policies effective immediately with the payroll ending June 29^th to permit extended time for payroll preparation. The payroll staff will begin phasing in release of checks the Friday following the close of the June 29^th pay period. The motion passed with record vote as follows: Yes: Shick, O’Donnell, Cook, Staples, and Pritchard. No: None.

It was noted that Pool staff were hired this season with the understanding that checks would not be available until the following Friday. The Administrative team will work with staff regarding the change.

It was noted that one application of mosquito spray will be done before the 4^th of July even though it was not a line item in the 2008 budget. The Public Works Director agreed to reduce another service to fund approximately $460 needed. The spray is anticipated on June 29^th .

It was moved by Staples and seconded by O’Donnell to approve the liquor license for the Take Down Bar & Grill. The motion passed with the record vote as follows: Yes: Staples, O’Donnell, Cook, Schick and Pritchard. No: None.

It was moved by Staples and seconded by Schick to adjourn at 11:11 P.M., the motion carried and the meeting adjourned.