Adopt Resolution #14-10-214 to Reclassify the IT Coordinator

The purpose of this case is to consider reclassifying the IT Coordinator.   

This reclassification is based on the City's public service needs, the IT Coordinator's performance, growth in duties including supervision, future retention, staff's strategic schedule of progression for this position, and the Strategic Plan.  

History:
When the previous IT Manager resigned his position in September 2012, staff proposed scaling back the position from an IT Manager to an IT Specialist and supplementing the work processes with assistance from Police Captain Katers and LOGIS, as needed. The attached minutes reflect the Personnel Committee's willingness to scale back this position as long as the change was temporary.  Mr. Jason Fredrickson was hired on October 12, 2012, as the IT Specialist.  On October 12, 2013, Mr. Fredrickson was reclassified to an IT Coordinator.  At this time, staff recommends the last stage of reclassification, bringing back the lead IT role as an IT Manager, as was the case from May 2004 through September 2012.  The progression of this position was part of the Strategic Planning process as identified under Strategic Imperative IV: An Effective Organization.

Expectations:
The City’s expectations of the IT Division and its IT Coordinator, Mr. Jason Fredrickson have only grown. The IT Division has evolved over the last few years from a break-and-fix shop into a hub of better practices, technological improvements, and efficiencies. The City’s IT staff are dedicated to maintaining City systems and improving functions with applicable technology. Notable projects include:  connection to the Anoka County Fiber system, which has not only reduced cost to the City, but has substantially improved internal City functions; the City’s new MiTel phone system, making staff more accessible to the public and each other via previously unavailable functions; intuitive backup server & software, which allows for faster backups, easy recovery and reduced downtime, as well as, reduced cost due to increased connection speeds and improved data compression.  Within the IT Division itself, Mr. Fredrickson has taken strides to improve and implement procedures within the IT Division to increase efficiencies and effectiveness. Such measures include: creating a comprehensive technology inventory and network map, designing a computer replacement plan, creating a new documentation standard, creating a computer imaging procedure, and organizing the entirety of the City network.  These projects used to be less efficient and time consuming, but now they’ve been streamlined. This means that anything from training in a new staff member to troubleshooting a complex issue takes considerably less time than it did just two years ago. 

Lastly, although reliance on Captain Jeff Katers has been greatly reduced, with the anticipated changes related to Captain Katers position, expected to be authorized by the City Council at the October 14, 2014 meeting, IT will no longer be able to call upon  Mr. Katers as a resource in IT.

Option #1: Reclassify the current IT Coordinator to IT Manager effective October 12, 2014, at $32.19 per hour and waive the 6-month probationary period. The pros to this option include 1) follow through with the previously identified staffing plan, 2) employee retention and public service, 3) positive staffing management practices, and 4) follow through with the Strategic Planning process as identified under Strategic Imperative IV: An Effective Organization. The cons to this option include a slight increase to personnel cost.
 
Option #2 Do not reclassify the IT Coordinator. This option is not recommended. The pros to this option include a minimal short term savings. The cons include 1) lack of follow through with the previously identified staffing plan, 2) possible employee turnover and disruption to public service, 3) and it is contrary to the Strategic Plan as identified under Strategic Imperative IV: An Effective Organization.

The additional funding required to reclassify this position is within the 2014 budget and would not exceed $1425 (wages only).  The 2015 funding has been accounted for in the preliminary 2015 budget and is estimated to be $6995 (wages only).

To make a motion, authorizing staff to move ahead with option #1 above to: Reclassify the current IT Coordinator to IT Manager at $32.19 per hour, effective October 12, 2014, and to waive the 6-month probationary period.

Motion to approve resolution #14-10-214 to Reclassify the current IT Coordinator to IT Manager at $32.19 per hour, effective October 12, 2014 and to waive the 6-month probationary period.