Discussion Regarding an Adjustment to the Wages for Temporary Seasonal Employees Working in the Public Works Department

The purpose of this discussion is review the City's wages for temporary Seasonal Maintenance Workers in the Public Works Department and to formalize the 2020 wage scale. This request, if approved, will not exceed the approved budget.

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. 

Minimum wage in Minnesota is $10.00 per hour. A recent wage study of metropolitan area cities shows the average starting hourly wage is approximately $12.81 for temporary seasonal Parks, Streets, and Utilities employees.  Staff is awaiting additional data from a few cities and will provide a hand-out at the work session detailing seasonal wages in the area. 

In order to fulfill the City's recruiting needs, staff recommends the starting hourly wage be increased from $11.00 to $12.00, with a fifty cent increase for each returning season, to a maximum of $14.00 per hour. This scale would apply to Ramsey's Temporary Seasonal Parks, Streets, and Utilities employees.

Proposed Scale:

Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4	Step 5
$    12.00	$    12.50	$    13.00	$    13.50	$    14.00

Going forward and in the interest of efficiency, the City Council may want to consider applying the approved non-union COLA to the seasonal wage scale.

Rink Attendants: In discussions with the Parks Lead Worker and Parks Supervisor, it appears that Rink Attendant wages may also need to be addressed. If so, Staff will bring this issue up at a future work session.
 

There is no additional 2020 funding required.

Colleen Lasher, Administrative Services Director

For the City Council, based on a consensus, to potentially direct Staff to bring a case forward at the next regular City Council meeting, authorizing an updated wage scale for seasonal employees working in the Public Works Department.