HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd2021-002 Sponsored by: Regis
Introduction Date: January 25, 2021
Public Hearing Date: February 8, 2021
Enactment Date: February 8, 2021
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2021-002
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AMENDING PORTIONS OF SEWARD CITY CODE
CHAPTER 3 - PERSONNEL TO ADJUST THE PAY SCALE CAP AND
ANNUAL LEAVE ACCRUAL RATE AS A RESULT OF THE
CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY CONDUCTED BY
GOVHR USA, LLC
WHEREAS, the City identified the need for a compensation study in order to align
employee wages with current market rates in the State of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, GovHR USA, LLC completed the study at the end of 2020; and
WHEREAS, in order to incentivize retention amongst long-term employees, additional
tiers of annual leave accrual are recommended; and
WHEREAS, the current pay scale ends at step J, and the new pay scale adjusted by the
wage study now ends at step P which will provide for greater employee longevity; and
WHEREAS, on December 23, 2020, the Seward Public Employees Association (SPEA)
reviewed, voted, and ratified the adjusted pay scale and annual leave accruals.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA HEREBY ORDAINS that:
Section 1. Seward City Code Title 3 - Personnel is hereby amended to read as follows:
(Deletions are ; Additions are italicized, underlined, and
bolded.)
3.15.030. - Entrance pay rate.
The entrance pay rate shall normally be the minimum rate in the pay range prescribed for the
class. A department head, subject to the approval of the city manager, may make an
appointment above the entrance pay rate only when there are no available candidates at the
entrance rate, or in recognition of exceptional qualifications. In no instance shall an
appointment be made above step "E E,"
***
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2021-002
3.15.035.-Step increases.
A new employee, after serving a six-month probationary period of satisfactory performance,
shall receive a step increase. An employee who has transferred to a new position and who must
serve a promotional probationary period as defined in section 3.25.035, shall receive a
probationary step increase upon successful completion of the promotional probationary period.
A probationary step increase is a special, one time only, step increase. For an employee to
receive further step increases up to step I P, he/she must continue to demonstrate satisfactory
service of a progressively greater value. Step increases are not automatic based upon longevity
and are awarded only where the department head feels the employee has demonstrated service
of a progressively greater value, progressively greater responsibility, and performed beyond
what normally would be expected for the city during the past year. Satisfactory performance
alone shall not be grounds for a step increase.
***
3.45.015.-Annual leave accrual rate.
(a) Annual leave shall accrue at the following rates for full-time personnel based upon
continuous length of service:
(1) For personnel with less than three years of service, the accrual rate shall be 13 1/3 hours
per month of service or 160 hours per year;
(2) For personnel with three to six years of service, the accrual rate shall be 16 2/3 hours per
month of service or 200 hours per year; and
(3) For personnel with six to ten years of service er-mere, the accrual rate shall be 20 hours per
month of service or 240 hours per year-; and
(4) For personnel with ten to fourteen years of service, the accrual rate shall he 25.275
hours per month of service or 303.33 hours per year; and
(5) For personnel with fifteen years of service or more, the accrual rate .~hall he 28.925
hours per month of service or 347.1 hours per year.
***
Section 2.Adjusted annual leave accrual will begin February 28,2021.
Section 3.This ordinance shall take effect ten(10)days following its enactment.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
this 8th day of February, 2021.
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2021-002
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THE CITY F SEWARD, ALASKA
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AYES: Osenga, Seese, McClure, DeMoss, Baclaan, Terry
NOES: Casagranda
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Brenda J. Ballou, C
LCity Clerk
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AGENDA STATEMENT
Meeting Date: January 25, 2021
Through: Norm Regis, Interim City Manager
From: Sam Hickok, Acting Finance Director
Agenda Item: Accept the proposed annual leave accrual rates as a result of the
classification and compensation study and amending related sections of
City Code.
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
The City identified the need for a compensation study in order to align City employees' wages
with the current state market rates. GovHR USA, LLC conducted and completed the study in
2020.
As a result of the wage study, certain sections of City Code need to be amended to reflect the
changes.
3.15.030. - Entrance pay rate. The new pay scale no longer has a range for each position. All
positions were placed in a single grade level. As a result, department heads can no longer hire
potential employees at a higher range based on experience and qualifications. In order to have
the ability to offer qualified employees a competitive wage, it is recommended to allow
department heads the flexibility of offering up to a step E instead of C now that position ranges
are eliminated.
3.15.035. - Step increases. The pay scale was extended to step P from step J to account for the
removal of position ranges as well as incentive for longevity.
3.45.015. - Annual leave accrual rate. Current annual leave accrual rates cap out after 6 years of
service. In order to incentivize retention for employees with years of service greater than 6 years
(25% of our current employees), two new tiers of accrual are introduced:
• EmpIoyees with 10-15 years of service - 25.275 hours per month of service or 303.3 hours
per year.
• Employees with 15 years of service or more - 28.925 hours per month of service or 347.1
hours per year.
The SPEA voted and ratified the new compensation plan and annual leave schedule at their
December 23, 2020 meeting.
INTENT:
The intent of this action is to accept the annual leave accrual rates and amend City Code to reflect
changes proposed by wage study.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No NIA
1. Comprehensive Plan (document source here): X
2. Strategic Plan (document source here): x
3. Other(list): L Lx
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes X No
FISCAL NOTE:
Funding for the additional tiers of annual leave accrual were appropriated through RES 2021-004,
so no additional appropriation is necessary. New annual leave accrual rates will be factored into
future budgets. Estimated cost for 2020: $70,424. This amount was included in the total cost of
implementation approved through RES 2021-004.
Approved by Finance Department:
RECOMMENDATION:
Council approve Resolution 2021 amending City Code to reflect changes brought forth
by the classification and compensation study conducted GovHR USA, LLC.