Approve Updated Procedure to Recruit and On-board Public Works Maintenance Workers

The purpose of this case is to provide the City Council with information related to the City's Public Works Maintenance Worker positions, current obstacles to recruiting and proposed changes to recruiting and training of employees.  It is important to note that all of the City's Public Works Maintenance Workers (except supervisors) are members of the AFSCME union and any changes to the terms and conditions of their employment must be negotiated.  

As the City Council is aware, recruiting and retaining employees is critically important and especially difficult at this time. The Utilities Division is especially challenged, with two of the usual four employees no longer with us and one more needed in 2023.   Note that the most recent resignation was as a result of the employee leaving after just 11 months to return to a trucking position, which required a Commercial Drivers' License. In 2022 alone, five CDL employees have left the City's employment.  While not the same position, for purposes of general information, staff spot checked the earnings of some local CDL jobs and found:

Over the Road Truck Driver’s - Annual Income Locally

• Big Lake, MN: $70,782.00 annually / $36.30 hourly
• Anoka, MN: $71,442.00 annually / $36.64 hourly
• Elk River, MN: $71,784.00 annually / $36.81 hourly
• Nowthen, MN: $71,928.00 annually / $36.89 hourly
• Blaine, MN: $73,039.00 annually / $37.46 hourly
• Coon Rapids, MN: $73,339.00 annually / $37.61 hourly
• Andover, MN: $73,877.00 annually / $37.89 hourly
• Minneapolis, MN: $75,453.00 annually / $38.69 hourly

Our Public Works Maintenance Workers currently top out at $63,398 annually  or $30.48 per hour.  (The 2023 pay scale does include a market rate adjustment of an additional 2.5% over the 3% COLA in 2023 -- see attached.)

Utilities Maintenance Workers require additional training and certification over that of Parks and Streets workers:

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must obtain a Minnesota Department of Health Class D Water License within 18 months of hire
• Must obtain a Minnesota Pollution Control Class SD Sewer License within 2 years of hire and must continue to upgrade the license up to system requirements
  • Tend to be on-call much more than other divisions due to the nature of the calls

 Staff will provide the City Council with background regarding what other cities are doing to handle the types of challenges that Ramsey is encountering and will be seeking feedback regarding changes to our recruiting and hiring process.  This discussion will include possible changes to the CDL requirements: 

• When must the employee have a CDL (within 6 months of hire or an alterative timeframe)?
• How will they obtain their CDL if they don't have one already?  Possibilities include in-house training which has not been done previously but may be an option, or outside classroom training at a cost of approximately $3,000 to $5000? 
• Equipment use or rental for behind the wheel test?
• Possible reimbursement of costs?

 Additionally, staff would like to discuss starting pay (see attached survey) and  consideration of a separate pay scale from that of the Parks and Streets Maintenance Workers, and more. 

Up to 15 minutes.

To be determined.

Based on discussion.

Based on discussion.