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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — AUGUST 15, 2011 5 Public Works Director Maurer stated in the Glenarden neighborhood, on the block between Forest and Skiles, there is some semblance of a private drain tile. The residents are asking the City to take over that private drainage system to ensure that it continues to function properly. He stated he would not recommend that the City assume responsibility for this drainage system when we know so little about it. Robert Ecker, 1408 Forest Lane, reported that three yards flooded in this area. He claimed that the home built at 1401 Skiles Lane built in 1985 impacted the drainage of the area. That home is currently abandoned. He added that it will be very difficult for the residents to address the drainage issues without the involvement of the owners of that home. B. Non -Union Wage Adjustment City Administrator Klaers explained that during the 2011 budget discussions, the Council agreed that money would be included in the Contingency Fund for employee wage adjustments and that the Council would discuss the details of "how much" after the Union contract was settled. The Council discussed this at their March 21St work session and agreed to a 1% increase retroactive to January 1, 2011, with further discussion about an additional 1% increase effective July 1, 2011, to be brought back to a work session this summer. Director of Finance and Administrative Services, Sue Iverson, reviewed her research regarding wage increases granted by surrounding cities and explained it was difficult to get an "apples to apples" comparison. She explained that in 2007 the City did a market study and reevaluated its pay ranges, however, at the time the Council did not set the benchmark where they wanted to due to costs, but planned to do so over a few years time. She further explained that an advantage of approving a 1% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) effective July 1, 2011, is that it provides a 1.5% increase for the employees overall for 2011 but raises the City's salary scale 2% overall for the year. The 1% increase on July 1 would only amount to an increase in the General Fund of $3,548. The total placed into contingency for 2011 was $20,211 and only $6,108 has been allocated so far in 2011. She stated that Staff is recommending the Council approve a 1% COLA increase effective July 1, 2011, for all regular non -union City employees. Staff is also looking for direction from the Council whether or not to place this item on the August 29th City Council agenda. Ms. Iverson added that Councilmember Holden, not present at this meeting, had contacted her earlier in the day to express her support for the 1% increase effective July 1, 2011. Councilmember Holmes stated she would support the increase. Mayor Grant stated that he would not support more than a .5% increase. Councilmember Tamble stated he would support the 1% increase primarily from the standpoint of equalizing the pay increase between union and non -union employees. He added that he would prefer to see wage adjustments done for all City employees at the same time. Councilmember Werner stated that he would support the proposed increase.