Consider a Resolution to Promote the Management Analyst and Hire an Intern

In an effort to align the City’s staffing with the needs of the community, the City Administrator is in support of promoting Mr. Patrick Brama, the current Management Analyst, to the position of Assistant to the City Administrator. It is important to note, this is not an Assistant City Administrator position which is a higher level position. However, the Assistant to the City Administrator goes well beyond the role of the Management Analyst. In addition, the City Administrator has determined that adding an Intern would complement this staffing change by transferring event specific work, such as Happy Days to the Intern, hence freeing Mr. Brama to work on tasks that better serve the City, as well as match his skill-set.

Since 2010, the City is down by 5 employees within Administrative Services and Community Development. Mr. Brama brings great utility to both of these departments and has proven to be well suited for working directly with the City Administrator. Among many other duties, Mr. Brama works well with the EDA and assists indirectly with the City’s other Boards and Commissions; as well as with city wide initiatives such as the Citizen Request Management program, strategic planning, communications and marketing.

Mr. Brama has demonstrated exemplary performance, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Planning & Community Development and a Master’s Degree in Public Institutions; thus he brings a unique skill-set to the City in a time that requires staff cross-functionality and adaptability. In short, while Mr. Brama is an asset to the City, he is working an average of at least 56-58 hours per week @ $20.70 per hour and is not eligible for overtime pay to complete necessary work. Lastly, he is working beyond his current job class and is not well-aligned with the City’s internal equity structure. The City recently approved an Economic Development Manager position, and this new position will alleviate some work in administration, but the City also is eliminating the contract position of Development Manager for the COR.

A draft Assistant to the City Administrator job description is attached. 

Alternative #1 Not promote the Management Analyst at this time/not recommended.

Pros:
This option would hold the associated personnel expenses steady in the short-term.

Cons:
This option would decrease the likelihood of retaining a high potential team player and the current opportunity to build the City’s talent base for long-term succession planning. This option also continues the internal equity disparity.

Alternative #2 Promote the Management Analyst without hiring an Intern/not recommended.

Pros: This option would only increase personnel expenses by the amount associated with the promotion vs. the additional expense of an Intern.

Cons: This option reduces the amount of time that Mr. Brama can spend working with the new Economic Development Manager; eliminates the possibility of some assistance to Human Resources; keeps Mr. Brama tied to things like Happy Days which are not a good use of his skill-set; and reduces the amount of time he can spend on city-wide marketing and communications. In addition, aside from lighter economic development responsibilities, this option does not reduce the unsustainable schedule (hours worked per week) causing significant burn-out.

Alternative #3 Revise the Management Analyst salary range to more closely match the market rate and authorize an early step change/not recommended.

Pros: This option reduces some of the internal equity differences.

Cons: This is not an effective approach to solving the situation.

To make a motion, which upon City Council approval, will authorize promoting Mr. Patrick Brama to the position of Assistant to the City Administrator, at step 1 of the wage scale/$27.91 per hour, and authorize hiring a part-time temporary Intern to work the equivalent of 20 to 30 hours per week at $11.00 per hour for 6-months.

The additional funding required to promote the Management Analyst (assuming a mid-March, 2013 effective date) is approximately $12,000 (85% General Fund/15% HRA).

The additional funding required to hire a part-time temporary Intern ranges from $6203 at 20 hours per week to $9305 at 30 hours per week.

The total budget impact for both changes would not exceed $18,203 to $21,305. The 2013 budget, through current projected savings to the General Fund, would satisfy these funding requirements.

Motion to approve a resolution, which confirms the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to authorize promoting Mr. Patrick Brama to the position of Assistant to the City Administrator, at step 1 of the wage scale/$27.91 per hour, and authorize hiring a part-time temporary Intern to work the equivalent 20-30 hours per week at $11.00 per hour for 6-months.

Or

Motion to approve a resolution, which confirms the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to authorize promoting Mr. Patrick Brama to the position of Assistant to the City Administrator, at step 1 of the wage scale/$27.91 per hour, without hiring an Intern. ………..

Or

Motion to approve a resolution, which confirms the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to deny the promotion of the Mr. Patrick Brama and hiring a part-time temporary Intern.