Adopt Resolution #20-064 to Authorize an Adjustment to the Hourly Wages for Temporary Seasonal Employees Working in the Public Works Department

The purpose of this case is to ask the City Council for authorization to adjust the hourly wages for temporary seasonal employees working in the Public Works Department. 

Background: The City employs temporary seasonal employees to work in the Public Works Department. It continues to be very challenging to fill seasonal temporary positions due to competing wages in the community, the minimum age requirement of 18 years of age and the increased pre-employment back grounding processes that have proven to be necessary.

In order to fulfill the City's seasonal recruiting needs, during the March 16, 2020, special City Council work session, the City Council discussed revising the hourly wage scale for Ramsey's temporary seasonal Parks, Streets, and Utilities employees as follows: $13.00 per hour to $15.00 per hour, depending on qualifications, to a cap of $15.00 per hour, as well as providing returning seasonal employees with a fifty cent per hour increase for each returning season to a cap of $15.00 per hour.   This is a change from the 2018/2019 wage scale of $11.00 per hour to $12.00 per hour. 

There is no additional 2020 funding required.  Staff will monitor  costs associated with the wage adjustment and will not go over the approved 2020 staffing budget.

Staff recommends adopting resolution #20-064.
 

Motion to adopt resolution #20-064 to do the following: 

1) Increase the wage scale for temporary seasonal Parks, Streets, and Utilities employees to $13.00 to $15.00 per hour, depending on qualifications; effective immediately; and
2) Provide returning employees a wage increase of fifty cents per hour, effective immediately, for each additional season worked, capping the range at $15.00 per hour.