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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, December 9, 2013 Page 11 future meetings address those issues. Mr. Trudgeon asked Department Heads to come forward and offer their input on this program. Public Works Director Duane Schwartz advised that the program was a good tool to recognize and hopefully show appreciation for employees who continue to put out day after day with ongoing excellence. While having used the tool sparingly to-date, Mr. Schwartz advised that there are generally a few people in the depart- ment who consistently go above and beyond year after year, whether specific to a special project or an unusual event or storm that indicates an employee stepping above their typical duties and showing extra initiative outside their normal job. Mr. Schwartz spoke in support of the program and continuing to have that tool available to recognize those exceptional employees. Fire Chief Tim O'Neill concurred completely with the comments of Public Works Director Schwartz, advising that the Fire Department used the tool similarly. While not based on department goals, Chief O'Neill advised that it allowed the department to recognize those employees saving budget dollars within their 24/7 operation. As an example, Chief O'Neill noted one salaried employee who often came in on holidays or weekends of their own free will to address plumbing is- sues at one of the stations versus the department having to call an outside plumb- er. Chief O'Neill noted that such a merit award system allowed for an extra tool in the employee tool box to award such extra work and recognize an employee's efforts to save City budget dollars. Parks & Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke advised that his department also used the program sparingly, but did so for individuals or teams having gone above and beyond their duties, or putting in extra hours to finish a project, or for documented exception customer service. Mr. Brokke also spoke in support of continuing to have this valuable tool available. Police Chief Mathwig advised that, over the last three (3) years serving as Police Chief, he had use the merit award program to its fullest extent, and concurred with previous comments. In the Police Department, Chief Mathwig noted that they were built for emergencies; and he used the program to provide some additional value to hold up lead and management staff and show appreciation to them. Chief Mathwig noted that this tool allows the department to capitalize on that intrinsic motivation that is desirable in all employees; and allows the department to show that appreciation. Finance Director Miller referenced the previous comments of Interim City Man- ager Trudgeon, and spoke in support of the values from an organizational stand- point. Mr. Miller noted that, the merit pay program, in concert with the City's compensation plan policy at 98% of peer city averages, is complemented that for employees, and was important to the overall organization. While noting that eve- ry employee and position was important or they would not continue to be present,