HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-05-18-SWS It,
,,-A DEN HILLS
Request for Special City Council Work Session
A special meeting may be called by the Mayor or by any two Councilmembers.
Reason for meeting: 1. Compensation Study Discussion
2. TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Public Forum Dipussion
Requested Date: 11/05/18
Requested time: 5:30 pm
Open meeting X Closed meeting
Signature of person(s)making request:
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Mayor or Council Member Date
Council Member Date
-This section to be completed by City staff-
Date received: L'a-11 V
Date meeting to be held: 11/05/18
Time of meeting: 5:30 pm
Location: City Hall
All necessary posti g and notices have been completed.
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Si ature of City Clerk Date
City of Arden Hills•1245 West Highway 96•Arden Hills Minnesota 55112
Phone 651.792.7800•Fax 651.634.5137 •www.cityofardenhills.ore
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Approved:
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
5:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the Special City
Council Work Session at 5:30 p.m.
Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Dave McClung,
Fran Holmes and Steve Scott
Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault, Finance Director Gayle Bauman, and
Communications Coordinator Dawn Skelly
1. AGENDA ITEMS
A. Compensation Study Discussion
Finance Director Gayle Bauman noted that a compensation study was completed and the
Financial Planning and Analysis Committee (FPAC) was directed to take the lead on the project.
The main areas that were reported on were Pay Plans, Paid Time Off, Life, Disability and
Retirement, and Health and Dental. The City does have a step system in place and it was
determined that pay is competitive in the market and no major changes are needed in the pay
levels. There were recommendations with the step structure. Currently there is a flat percentage
increase in the step structure and the recommendation is taking the minimum to maximum range,
dividing it by the number of steps and give an even amount for each step. The other suggestion is
to shorten the timeline of the non-union pay schedule. It currently takes seven years to go from
minimum to maximum, as compared to three years for union employees. Public Works
maintenance wages have some room for wage growth but any adjustments considered should be
accompanied by a harmonization with the City non-union step structure. No changes are being
recommended by the FPAC at this time.
Finance Director Bauman said The PTO program is competitive at middle market and no
changes are being recommended at this time. For life insurance, the City paid coverage is
$20,000. This is a little on the low side but within the $10,000 to $50,000 range. The City does
pay for short and long term disability for employees. Employees are taxed on these amounts so
ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 5, 2018 2
benefits received are non-taxable. The City does offer a deferred compensation plan but this is all
employee funded, no City contribution is made. No changes are recommended in those areas.
Finance Director Bauman stated that Health and Dental was discussed the most by the FPAC.
The information was received from the benefits consultant in early November and they committee
has met twice since that time. The study noted that single healthcare insurance premiums are paid
entirely by the cities surveyed. Larger jurisdictions used a flat dollar amount for many years for
benefits and that amount can be used like a cafeteria plan to cover the premium for whatever the
employee chooses. Arden Hills has been paying 100% of single, a portion of family and a
contribution to the HSA plans. Cities with HSA's usually contribute a portion of that dollar
amount to the HSA with the rest going to premium. Single coverage is normally provided at no
cost to the employee. Family coverage is where the limits or target come into play. In the survey
a range of$1,075 to $1,205 is what cities that were surveyed paid in 2018. NFP brought options to
change to Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medica, Preferred One and PEIP. The committee narrowed it
down to our current plan and PEIP. The PEIP program offers three different plans: Advantage,
Value and HSA plans. The Advantage and Value plan premiums are a bit more expensive but
have different benefits and lower out of pocket maximums. There is a significant price difference
in the PEIP HSA plan versus the current plan but it is more limited in care options, higher
deductibles and higher max out of pocket.
Finance Director Bauman discussed the premium breakdown charts provided. She stated that
the committee would like to get away from the percentage based premium payments and go to a
flat based amount. The union contract states that the employer will contribute the same
contribution as approved for non-union employees.
Councilmember Brenda Holden noted that several surrounding counties and cities are in the
PEIP plan, and having that large of a group minimizes the premium fluctuations.
Finance Director Bauman said the City could look at just the HSA plan. If an employee wanted
to take the Value or Advantage plan the employee would pay the difference in cost. After picking
the plan the employee would choose the network, either HealthPartners, Blue Cross Blue Shield
or Preferred One, and then choose a primary clinic. Primary care clinics are listed at different
levels, 1-4. One is the least expensive, four is the most expensive. The chart provided was based
on level 2.
After discussion, the Council was in agreement with the FPAC recommendation to change to the
PEIP insurance plan.
Finance Director Bauman questioned how the city contribution would be handled for union
employees since they City was going to a flat amount. She recommended raising the contribution
to include the HSA contribution.
After discussion, the Council decided to raise the union employee's contribution to $1,025 and
discuss further at the next union negotiations.
ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 5, 2018 3
B. TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Public Forum Discussion
City Administrator Dave Perrault asked for questions and comments on the slides prepared for
the upcoming public forum.
The Council reviewed the slides and made changes to them, the wording of the presentation, and
the feedback form.
2. COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS
None
ADJOURN
Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session at 7:49 p.m.
Jol e Trauba David Grant
Deputy Clerk Mayor