05-06-85 Employment Committee MinutesMay 6, 1985 Employment Committee 3:00 P.M.
The committee met in the Conference Room at City Hall, present were Chairman
Grainger, members Ruiz and Schindler, Mayor McDowell, DPW Hammer and Clerk Halver.
Mayor McDowell reported that at last week's Sewer & Water Committee meeting, they
requested the Employment Committee to look into hiring an additional employee. He
stated that now is the time to decide if we should hire an extra man or a Water
Superintendent. Ruiz stated that he felt the two were not related and should be
considered separately. DPW Hammer stated that we are short of men, but that if a
Water Superintendent were hired, it would relieve the Working Foreman to return to
the water crew.
Another item to be considered is Fireman John Altenburg's health condition, he
suffers an inner ear infection which could prevent him from working for a period of
time of 4 weeks to a year, possibly longer. He has used all of his sick leave and
vacation time will be exhausted during the month. Mayor McDowell stated that if
John hasn't returned to work by the first of June, he would like to hire a temporary
fireman. C. Ruiz said this should go to the Safety Committee first and their
recommendation will be taken to the Employment Committee.
The final matter for discussion, the Mayor stated, was Finance Director Bill
Swanson's letter requesting transfer to another department. The letter was read by
Clerk Halver. Mayor McDowell stated that an opening existed in the garbage
department, Bill signed up for it and he is now working on the garbage crew. An
employee of the City Shop considered transfer to the garbage department, but after
talking with Mayor McDowell, did not pursue signing up. The shop employee is
currently under 2 week suspension with job title being reduced from foreman to shop
mechanic because of a recent shop incident. Meanwhile, a temporary employee has
been hired at the shop.
Because of the opening created in Finance Director position, Clerk Halver has
designed a job description to fill the needs of his office. Copies of this were
distributed and Halver stressed the need of hiring a skilled accountant to replace
the position. He stated that the price range is based on his assumption that one
or more state auditors or systems bureau personnel will apply for the job. Their
starting salary with a degree in accounting is $16,000. He has already had an
inquiry from one person who has a year's experience, present salary around $17,000.
He feels the position can be filled between $15,000-$18,000, with 6 month probation.
Halver requests that the position be advertised without stating salary. This will
also go through the Finance Committee. A job description does not exist for the
position of Finance Director.
Discussion returned to the Water Superintendent position. There was no discussion
of filling that position, but only of hiring an additional water department employee
at the recent committee meeting. C. Ruiz felt and others concurred that if
consideration was now being given to the hiring of a Superintendent, this must be
referred back to committee.
DPW explained some of the Water Department's problems, including repair work and the
large volume of paperwork. Discussion followed. Committee meetings will be
scheduled as soon as possible for discussion of the above questions. The meeting
adjourned at 3:35 P.M.
• Don Halver, City Clerk/Treasurer