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City of Centerville <br />City Council Meeting Minutes <br />January 8, 2025 <br />Administrator Statz explained that a Memorandum of Understanding was less robust than a contract. He <br />explained that with the retirement of Public Works Director/Building Official Palzer, there was <br />rearrangement of duties and responsibilities of staff. He stated that an Organizational Chart has Mr. <br />Peterson taking a more Leadership role in terms of the day-to-day operations and Mr. Schmitz taking on <br />the role of Building Official so the two staff members have moved up in the responsibility realm and Staff <br />felt that those positions qualified for a pay grade adjustment with Council previously voting to approve <br />those positions and explained that this agreement is with the Union notifying them of the positions/pay <br />proposing and obtaining whether they are in alignment with the pay grades, position descriptions and <br />willingness to adding to the existing contract. He stated that it is acknowledgement until the expiration <br />of the existing contract where negotiations will commence again. City Attorney Glaser concurred. <br /> <br />Council Member Kubat asked if the Memorandum of Understanding would be signed by the Union as the <br />Memorandum of Understanding contained in the packet did not have a signature block for them. <br />Administrator Statz stated that it would be added upon approval by Council. <br /> <br />Motion by Council Member Koski, seconded by Council Member Mosher to Approve the <br />Memorandum of Understanding – New Positions – UOE Local 49 as submitted with the additional <br />of a signature block for the Union. <br /> <br />Council Member Mosher asked if there was a plan for the remaining Union Members as they grow in their <br />positions. Administrator Statz stated that at this time, there will be a Public Works Foreman position that <br />Mr. Peterson is moving into, and it was felt that the position would remain static with the potential for <br />someone else to move into that position upon availability. He stated that he felt the same with the Building <br />Official/Public Works Technician position but that it was slightly different and unique to find an individual <br />that may be willing to have both responsibilities. Administrator Statz stated that he did not anticipate <br />adding any additional higher-level pay grades within the Public Works Department. He stated that having <br />two in leadership positions and three Public Works Technicians was probably where the levels of staffing <br />would remain for a while. Council Member Kubat asked if the Public Works Foreman and Building <br />Official/Public Works Technician would report to the City Administrator. Administrator Statz stated that <br />it was slightly more complicated than that as with his departure there will need to be additional discussion <br />regarding this. He also stated that a structure would need to be developed regarding the Public Works <br />Director position. Council Member Koski stated that when the decisions were made, Council was unaware <br />that Administrator Statz would be departing, and that he was unsure of moving forward regarding the City <br />Administrator position. City Attorney Glaser stated that Council should consider this now as City <br />Administrator Statz will remain in his position for 60 days and if in the future there were modifications, <br />it would need to go back to the Union and that he would expect that they have been accommodating in the <br />past and will be in the future. Administrator Statz stated that this would probably look like this rather than <br />adding more responsibilities to the positions and what responsibilities the new Administrator would have <br />with rearrangement if needed in the future. He stated that he believed having the Memorandum of <br />Understanding in place was good as it could take a while for the City Administrator position to be filled. <br />Council member Kubat stated that he understood that this was ratification of Council’s previous decisions <br />and wanted to ensure all felt that this was the direction Council wanted to take. Council Member Mosher <br />wanted to ensure that certification and education processes continue for all Public Works Staff. Council <br />Member Kubat felt that discussions should take place with the new City Administrator to ensure the future <br />direction of the Public Works Department, staffing, etc. <br /> <br />All in favor. Motion carried. <br /> <br />Page 4 of 9 <br /> <br /> <br />