2013-12-12 Minutes Salary Commission

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Salary Commission December 12, 2013 Ms.Nitahara referenced the first column of the tiered salary schedules. The "A-9" description relates to a"Safety Administrator" and band positions. She stated that we no longer have these positions in the salary executive pay plan and are able to delete the grade levels and make adjustments (SEE ATT. J). Ms.Nitahara mentioned that the Commissioners would not need to meet as often to discuss what needs to be done for a specific position because with the tiered salary schedule, you can give everyone an across-the-board increase or step movement. Also,the Administration can ask the Commission to give a certain department head a higher salary pay range. Again, there is flexibility with a tiered salary schedule. Chair Lundkvist stated that all of the information presented today will be taken under consideration by the subcommittee and Commission, and thanked Ms. Nitahara for her presentation. Ms. Toriano also thanked Ms.Nitahara. Ms. Toriano mentioned that with Ms.Nitahara's assistance,they had done some research in looking at the salary schedule and framework of the exempt salaries, which has been 20 years in the making. When the subcommittee is formed, she would like to go over what the framework was and how that criteria was established and, hopefully, address some of the shortcomings that the salary schedule had presented when it was implemented. (At this time, Commissioner Brian De Lima stepped in.) Ms. Stroh wanted a clearer picture regarding the inconsistencies in the salary schedule concerning the positions and asked whether this was a step plan put in place or was it because of who the mayor was at that time. Ms. Toriano replied that there is only x-number of positions that can be allocated to the salary schedule,which hasn't changed over time. Exempt positions are typically the directors and deputy directors as well as the mayor and his managing director and deputy managing director. Ms. Stroh inquired whether the collective bargaining process drives the pay scale. Ms. Toriano stated that she thinks the collective bargaining influences how commissions visit the compensation schedule for the exempt positions. Historically,when there is an increase for collective bargaining,the schedule is revisited because of the exempts or leadership group—what are we going to do about them? Ms. Stroh responded that she wants a clearer picture on the step plan and the salary schedule, and when the subcommittee meets, they would have a broader perspective of the inconsistencies. Page 6