Resolution adopting negotiated changes to the 2027-2028 LELS (Police Officer) Labor Agreement.

Adoption of the attached resolution.

The City recently completed negotiations with the LELS (Officers) union for a two-year labor agreement covering 2027 and 2028.

A primary component of the agreement is the return of Police Officer positions to the City’s organizational compensation plan at the PM2 grade. This placement was supported by a review of comparable jurisdictions, which indicated that current Police Officer wages were below the City’s established market-positioning target. Returning the positions to the compensation plan at the appropriate grade improves internal alignment with other public safety classifications, supports the City’s recruitment and retention efforts, and provides a consistent process for future wage adjustments.

Other substantive changes to the terms and conditions of employment for employees in the bargaining unit are summarized below:

Article 6. Sick

• Clarifies that employees do not accrue sick leave while on an unpaid leave of absence.

Article 7. Mn Paid Leave

• Adds a new article addressing employee eligibility for Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave.

Article 8. Leave of Absence

• Clarifies that time covered by Minnesota Paid Leave, short-term disability, long-term disability, or unpaid FMLA leave is considered an unpaid leave of absence. Employees will not accrue leave when unpaid time exceeds 64 hours in a pay period.Article 12. Vacation 
• Establishes a new vacation accrual schedule based on years of service, as shown below.

Years of Service	Vacation Time Hours per Pay Period	Vacation Hours Per  Year	Vacation  Time   Days per Year	Accumulate  Up To
0-3 Years	3.692	96	12 days	400 hours
4-5 Years	4.615	120	15 days	400 hours
6-10 years	5.231	136	17 days	400 hours
11-14 years	6.154	160	20 days	400 hours
15-20 years	6.462	168	21 days	400 hours
21 years	6.769	176	22 days	400 hours
22 years	7.077	184	23 days	400 hours
23 years	7.385	192	24 days	400 hours
24-29 years	7.692	200	25 days	400 hours
30 + years	9.231	240	30 days	400 hours

Article 14.  Overtime

• Increases the maximum compensatory time accumulation from 80 hours to 100 hours.
• Increases the maximum year-end compensatory time rollover from 40 hours to 50 hours.

Article 17.  Uniforms

• Increase the annual uniform allowance from $1,000 to $1,200/annually

Article 19.  Insurance

• Adds a “me-too” provision providing that, if non-represented employees receive more favorable employer contribution levels or health insurance cost-sharing arrangements, the same benefit will be extended to the bargaining unit.

Article 23.  Wages

• Returns Police Officer positions to the City compensation plan at the PM2 grade effective January 1, 2027. Before negotiating a separate wage schedule under the 2025-2026 agreement, Police Officers were assigned to the PM1 grade. The PM2 placement reflects the City's market review, supports competitive positioning among comparable jurisdictions, and is consistent with grade-placement adjustments made for other public safety classifications.
• Provides step placement within the PM2 grade in accordance with the negotiated agreement and the City's compensation structure.
• Provides that 2027 & 2028 wages will be consistent with adjustments approved for the City's overall compensation plan through the annual budget process.

Article 28.  Duration

• The agreement shall be effective as of January 1, 2027, and shall remain in full force and effect until December 31, 2028.