COWM20090324
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – CITY OF MUSKEGO approved 4/14/2009
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:23 p.m. and led those present in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Johnson, Ald. Snead, Borgman, Werner, Schneider, Schaefer, Fielder, and Deputy
Clerk Blenski. Ald. Pavelko arrived at 6:35 p.m.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
Deputy Clerk Blenski stated that the meeting had been noticed in accordance with the
Open Meeting Law.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There were no issues with the agenda. Mayor stated that he moved the GIS/IS Status
report to the COW meeting scheduled for the end of April.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ald. Snead moved to approve minutes, of the March 10, 2009 meeting. Ald. Schneider
seconded; motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Salary Survey. (Mayor) The council commissioned the salary survey in the past – Mayor
was unsure of how long ago this was approved. Mayor reviewed the purpose of the
survey, which is to ensure to the taxpayer through the common council that our
employees are paid a similar wage to those in like positions in other local communities.
He noted that the comparison communities used were the same communities as those
used in the 2003 study. He stated that some of the positions are easier to compare than
others and that some of the comparisons are still being worked on to date. He used the
Library Director position as an example being that most Library Director job descriptions
are similar in like communities. However, there are positions within the city that do not
compare exactly to other community positions. Mayor Johnson reviewed the memo he
wrote and distributed to the council and department heads regarding the salary range
study dated March 20, 2009. (Attached to the minutes) Once the review of the memo
was completed, Mayor opened the floor up for any discussion of the survey as presented.
Mayor indicated that he did not expect any decisions to be done at this meeting and
hopes to make decisions at the next meeting. The survey is not complete at this point in
time, and Mayor will keep council informed with any other changes to the survey. Ald.
Schaefer requested the job descriptions (past and current) for the IS/GIS Director and
Community Development Director positions. Ald. Werner expressed concern regarding
the proposed increase for the Library Director position indicating that it is above the
market average and that the meeting of the Library Board is scheduled for tomorrow. Ald.
Fiedler wanted clarification of the survey results to date and the comparable communities.
Ald. Snead inquired on the impact of the study on the employees in the effected positions
and their current salary. Those employees whose salary is above the market average
could be redlined to future salary increases. Those employees below market average
Committee of the Whole Page 2
could have a possible future salary increase. Ald. Pavelko expressed his concern over
the state of the economy and the cost to the taxpayers. Some discussion continued and
Mayor answered questions as needed. No decisions were made at this meeting and the
salary survey will be on the agenda for the next COW meeting scheduled for April 14,
2009.
.
ADJOURNMENT
Ald. Snead moved to adjourn at 7:19 p.m. Seconded by Ald. Fiedler, motion carried
unanimously.
Claire Lederhaus
Executive Assistant