HomeMy WebLinkAbout10222024 City Council Work Session NotesWORK SESSION NOTES City Council Work Session
Called by: Sue McClure
Time: 5:30pm Date:10/22/24
Purpose: Wage Study and Hospital Enterprise Fund
Present: Kris Peck, Kat Sorensen, Jason
Bickling,
Jodi Kurtz, Sully Jusino,
Board Members Present:
Sue McClure, Kevin Finch, Randy Wells, Casie
Warner, John Osenga
Excused: Robert Barnwell, Julie Crites
Kat Sorensen asked the clerk to show presentation on screen.
First topic is 2025 Wage Study.
Current Situation — See presentation
Background on Methodology
Proposal — remove the lowest grade
Create a new grade for higher positions
Wage Increase — 8% (inflation and 2022 COLA)
Projected Impact
(Showed some examples)
Advantage of Competitive Pay Scale
Warner confirmed that the funds be funds on wage are contingent of 4% bed tax?
Wells — questioned the 1 % equate to?
Patrick Messmer — spoke on his time here as a police officer. And spoke on staffing in the police
department.
Shane Han - Public Works Dept — applaud admin and recognizing disparity and stated how we all feel
the pressure of the wages. These wages would provide a lot of relief of staff and community staying.
Karen Corrigan — admitted that she is frustrated that this was publish recently and couldn't really read
through it before meeting. Wants to make sure that council knows that this is because employees can
afford to live here. Spoke on the COLA. Hope that council approves this and for increase in pay. And
thinks of other ramifications (utility increase, medical rates increase). Feels that if we are city employees
we should be able to live comfortably.
Melissa Schutter — representing the Seward Chamber of Commerce and do appreciate what the City is
doing. The wage study is important and spoke on the Bed Tax fund support to the Seward Chamber of
Commerce. Spoke on how they lost employees as well. Asking to reconsider the cut that was made two
years ago.
Mark Adams — thanks for the presentation. Spoke on his time in Seward and is one of the police officers
looking for other employment outside of Seward due to the wages. Spoke on what he would have to do
to buy a home and what he was approved for on his salary. Very in favor of a wage increase. Also spoke
on the COLA.
Nancy Hubbart — stated her positions in the city. Spoke how the harbor position starts lower than the AP
position. It is very challenging. Spoke on employees who lost housing. Agreed that the city benefits are
really good but the banks look at the wages for housing loans.
Elijah Ballard — Public Works Dept — Spoke on training he has done recently in Fairbanks for his
position. And city starts positions at $24/hr. up in Fairbanks it's $34/hr. Spoke on the issues the Harbor
gets from customers they don't get compensated for it like they should. Spoke that we need to retain
good employees and that this will go through.
WORK SESSION NOTES City Council Work Session
Lisa Musik - Fire Dept — spoke on her position's wages. Stated how she works seasonal work as she can
work one day working that than 3 days at her year-round job. Stated that Admin do not get a lot of pay
for what they do.
Gregg Hass — spoke on behalf of the chamber. It has been fruitful and helpful in making things grow.
Investment has put more money back into the city. Spoke more on what they do for us.
Rhonda Hubbard — had questions, hourly? Medical benefits - city offers a generous package.
Questioned the insurance options we have. Can employee choose a different option for a cheaper rates.
Spoke on the COLA as well. Spoke on revisiting the 6kw on the electric bill.
Alan Nickell — spoke on what Hubbard stated regarding the benefit package. Spoke on the retirement
system. If they can opt out of the insurance can that value be given in their wage? Silver/Gold/Platinum
plan. Spoke on what Corrigan mentioned, COLA Freeze, and insurance hikes. They lost money to stay
here. Referred to Kat the COLA is higher her than in the other areas of the KPB. We have always had
lower rate even though we have the higher cost of living. Reference numbers off of Relator.com.
Sorensen — wages study utilities revenue, increase in bed tax and splitting of 1%
Wells — Thanked everyone. Would hate to cut their medical to increase their pay. But the more people
that opt out of insurance the ones that do receive the insurance.
Finch — Spoke on Airbnb and housing and agree with Randy on the COLA Freeze.
Recess
Hospital Enterprise Fund
Sully Jusino — Spoke on the laydown
HealthCare Enterprise Account — Hospital and Emergency Room
History of Healthcare Fund (1/2 million) pg. 3 - 8300 mature in 2026
SGH — move to contracted Providence the pers positions were terminated. Pers evaluation and
incur a debt (carried till 2026).
Finch — how much are we getting back yearly? How do we know what they are spending the money on
since we only get a yearly report and not a quarterly report.
The debt services what ties to them.
Contract revenue must go to debt payment only.
Wells — spoke on the hospital revenue.
Spoke on the relationship and the contract we have with Providence. — read the clause in the
contract
Wells — requested in having a detailed work session after all this is completed.
Sully spoke on if we move forward on the budget cycle and keep the half of that percent on the general
fund need to take action in the hospital fund.
Sorensen thanked everyone.
Rhonda Hubbard — agrees with Randy on the WS for hospital
Ref to pg. 4 on estimated cash balance. Payment of bond for 2026
WORK SESSION NOTES City Council Work Session
1% going to continue on in sales tax — it will stay in general fund.
Warner — thanked everyone and looked at next step of pay scale. Adopted through Resolutions.
What about the 4% increase of bed tax?
Sorensen - tentative plan to bring to Nov 12 meeting with Resolutions.
McClure — fire fighter position — council recommendation
Wage Study — council recommendation
Bed Tax — council recommendation
McClure — Monday October 28th WS at 5:30 include Final 2 pieces of budget enterprise dept and budget
of Electric. Then 7p Council meeting
Finch — remind everyone to get out and vote.
Wells — Monday — ceremonial swearing in for Council seats for 2 Council Members
End 6:58pm