04-17-2008 ERMU MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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ELK RIVER MUNICIPAL UTILITIES REGULAR MEETING OF THE UTILITIES COMMISSION HELD AT UTILITIES CONFERENCE ROOM April 17,2008 Members Present: Jerry Talde,President;John Dietz,Vice Chair;Jerry Gumphrey,Trustee Staff Present: Bryan Adams,General Manager; Glenn Sundeen,Line Superintendent; David Berg,Water Superintendent; Theresa Slominski,Finance Director/Office Manager; Troy Adams,Engineering Manager; Judy McSpadden,Recording Clerk; Wade Lovelette,Line Foreman; Mark Fuchs,Lead Lineman; Scott Thoreson,Lead Lineman;Richard Cline,Water Operator; Angela Hauge,Water Operator Others present: Lori Johnson,City Administrator; Steve McDonald,Abdo,Eick&Meyers LLP; Jerry Olsen,Country Crossings Homeowners Association 1. Call meeting to order April 17,2008 President Jerry Talde called the April 17,2008,meeting to order. Due to the employees present regarding the compensation request, 6.2 was addressed at this time. 6.2 Review compensation request from ER1VIU employees(under separate cover) Bryan Adams reviewed the 2008 Employee Compensation request including the following: • 3.66%to keep up with the metro average wage scale. • Bonus pay for lineman acting as lead lineman during work and after hours. • Discontinuing the Vision Eyewear program through Outlook Vision. Commissioners asked for input from employees. Mark Fuchs informed of the need for documentation on the bonus pay. John Dietz directed staff to survey surrounding businesses on office positions as he does not necessarily agree with the percent increase for the lineman wage applied across the board to all employees. Jerry Gumphrey questioned how often bonus pay occurs. Staff responded it is infrequent and not a large dollar item. John Dietz stated that is seemed over the last number of years the compensation increase request was done along with some other request for an additional benefit or increase in a current benefit.He asked it the linemen felt they would be bringing any future items to the commission or if they felt they had a good benefit package as it is. Staff responded that they weren't aware of any other benefits out there now that they should consider. One benefit change that may be presented in the future would be an increase to the Health Care Savings Plan contribution rates of the employees(this would not be a company expense.) John Dietz requested that staff bring in an expert to educate the commission on the practices and implementation of comparable worth requirements. A motion was made by Jerry Gumphrey to approve a pay increase of 3.66%to staff,to approve the language presented for the bonus pay policy,and to discontinue the Outlook Vision cost-