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HomeMy WebLinkAbout307-21 RESOLUTION9RkA N5 aS
113 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville. AR 72701
(479) 575-8323
Resolution: 307-21
File Number: 2021-0914
WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS DIVISION EMPLOYEES RETENTION PAY
PLAN:
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A RETENTION PAY PLAN FOR WATER AND SEWER
OPERATIONS DIVISION EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE IN A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
CAPACITY
WHEREAS, the Water and Sewer Division currently faces recruitment and retention challenges which
impact the ability of the division to adequately respond to the City's utility needs; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the approval of retention pay in the amount of S3.00 per hour for
Water and Sewer Operations employees who serve the community in the job titles of Maintenance
Worker Ill, Maintenance Worker IV, Crew Leader, Field Supervisor and Warehouse Manager in the
interest of public safety; and
WHEREAS, the retention pay will become effective at the start of the pay period immediately
following approval by City Council and run until the 2022 Merit Staff Pay Plan is implemented.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville. Arkansas hereby approves the retention
pay plan for Water and Sewer Operations Division employees who serve in public health and safety
capacity as described above, effective at the start of the pay period immediately following approval of
this Resolution and expiring when the 2022 Merit Staff Pay Plan is implemented.
PASSED and APPROVED on 12/7/2021
Page 1 Printed on 1218121
Resolution: 307-21
File Number.2021-0914
Attest:
U Kara Pas on. City Clerk Treasurer
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Page 2 Printed on 1218121
113WestMountainStreet
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Fayetteville, AR 72701
° (479) 575-8323
Text File
File Number: 2021-0914
Agenda Date: 12/7/2021 Version: 1 Status: Passed
In Control: City Council Meeting File Type: Resolution
Agenda Number: CA
WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS DIVISION EMPLOYEES RETENTION PAY PLAN:
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A RETENTION PAY PLAN FOR WATER AND SEWER
OPERATIONS DIVISION EMPLOYEES WHO SERVE IN A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
CAPACITY
WHEREAS, the Water and Sewer Division currently faces recruitment and retention challenges which impact
the ability of the division to adequately respond to the City's utility needs; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the approval of retention pay in the amount of $3.00 per hour for Water and
Sewer Operations employees who serve the community in the job titles of Maintenance Worker 111,
Maintenance Worker IV, Crew Leader, Field Supervisor and Warehouse Manager in the interest of public
safety; and
WHEREAS, the retention pay will become effective at the start of the pay period immediately following
approval by City Council and run until the 2022 Merit Staff Pay Plan is implemented.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby approves the retention pay plan
for Water and Sewer Operations Division employees who serve in public health and safety capacity as
described above, effective at the start of the pay period immediately following approval of this Resolution and
expiring when the 2022 Merit Staff Pay Plan is implemented.
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 1 Printed on 121W021
Tim Nyander and Missy Cole
Submitted By
City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form
2021-0914
Legistar File ID
12/7/2021
City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only
N/A for Non -Agenda Item
11/17/2021 WATER SEWER (720)
Submitted Date Division / Department
Action Recommendation:
Staff recommends retention pay for Water and Sewer employees that serve in public health and safety capacity.
Budget Impact:
5400.xxx.xxxx-51xx.xx 5400 - Water & Sewer
Account Number
Fund
Project Number Project Title
Budgeted Item? Yes Current Budget $ 6,946,440.00
Funds Obligated $ 5,728,823.00
Current Balance 1,217,617.00
Does item have a cost? No Item Cost $ -
Budget Adjustment Attached? No Budget Adjustment $ -
Remaining Budget 1,217,617.00
V20210527
Purchase Order Number: Previous Ordinance or Resolution #
Change Order Number: Approval Date:
Original Contract Number:
Comments:
CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE
ARKANSAS
MEETING OF DECEMBER 7, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
THRU: Susan Norton, Chief of Staff
FROM: Tim Nyander, Utilities Director
Missy Cole, HR Director
DATE: November 17, 2021
CITY COUNCIL MEMO
SUBJECT: Staff recommends retention pay for Water and Sewer employees that serve
in public health and safety capacity.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends retention pay for Water and Sewer staff who serve the community in the job
titles of Maintenance Worker III, Maintenance Worker IV, Crew Leader, Field Supervisor and
Warehouse Manager in the interest of public safety. The pay will be equal to $3.00 / hour for all
worked hours. The rate will become effective with the start of the payperiod immediately
following approval by City Council and run until the 2022 Merit Staff Pay Plan is implemented in
2022.
BACKGROUND:
The Water and Sewer Division currently faces recruitment and retention challenges which
impact the ability of the division to adequately respond to the City's utility needs. These
positions are those that repair water and sewer pipe in our service area. Our current workforce
is working overtime night and day to continue providing our customers with safe and reliable
drinking water and sewer service. The focus of our proposal is to address an Emergency Safety
Issue. The emergency is that this Division will not be able to keep up this pace indefinitely. The
Maintenance Workers are putting in an average of 139 hours per 80-hour pay period. To put it in
perspective, that is equivalent to working 14-hour days 7 days a week. The crew leaders are
averaging 110 hours per period which is equivalent to 11-hour days 7 days a week. The safety
issue is that our employees are spending too much time on the job without a chance to fully rest
and recharge.
Currently, Water and Sewer has eleven Maintenance Worker vacancies and four Crew Leader
vacancies with a limited applicant pool. Other municipalities in the Northwest Arkansas region
have recently made adjustments to pay ranges for utilities positions and the City is currently
working with Johanson Group to conduct the biennial Merit Pay Plan survey. The $3.00 / hour
retention pay will be in effect until the impact of the 2022 Merit Pay Plan for these positions can
be determined and adjusted appropriately. By implementing this retention incentive, it will allow
the City to retain experienced staff and recruit new staff to fill the vacancies.
Mailing Address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701
BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT:
Funds are available in Water Distribution Salaries and Wages, Sewer Mains Maintenance
Salaries and Wages, Water & Sewer Connections Salaries and Wages and Operations and
Administration Salaries and Wages. If fully staffed, the incentive will cost an additional
$25,152.00 per month and will run until the 2022 pay plan is implemented for merit staff.
Attachments:
W & S Incentive Cost Monthly
# of
Employees Job Title
17 Maintenance Worker III
11 Maintenance Worker III (vacant)
2 Maintenace Worker IV
10 Crew Leader
2 Field Supervisor
1 Warehouse Manager
Total Monthly Additional
Monthly
Cost
$10,149.00
$6,567.00
$1,194.00
$5,970.00
$1,038.00
$234.00
$25,152.00
Received 11/30/21 2:51 PM
Submit Public Comment
This page is provided for efficient submission of public comment for City Council and Planning
Commission meetings. All submissions must be directly related to a specific agenda item for the
next meeting.
Please ensure your comments conform to the Rules of Order and Procedure.
RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Full Name* Employee
Address or Ward* Address
Ward
Locate Your Ward Number
Address* 2435 S Industrail Dr
Ex. 113 W Mountain St
Phone Number
Email
Meeting Body* City Council
Agenda Item Water and Sewer Retention Pay
Number/Subject Please click the link below to navigate to the Agenda Page
Locate City Council Agenda Item
Locate Planning Commission Agenda Item
Position
Comments Dear Council,
Please consider these thoughts.
I am addressing you with concerns about the Recruitment and Retention Pay for
Water & Sewer Construction Group.
I understand due to the pandemic and other factors our department is experiencing
employees leaving fewer people applying for open positions. We have been told
only select people will be considered Construction Group. This does not apply to all
Water & Sewer employees.
This raises questions:
• Who will be considered part of this elite group?
• Why does this position/person qualify?
• This does not apply to office staff, warehouse staff, meter staff who are all part of
this team and department. Why?
• Why are supervisors included?
• Whv rinPc this Nnt annly to tha antira taam?
• Why do we have to create a division within our department?
• Why do I or the next guy have to feel like my position is not as important as
another position.
• Should this only affect the Construction Group employees who have worked
extensive overtime hours instead of all the Construction Group?
We have been told if you are part of this Construction Group you will receive $3.00
per hour for every hour you work. This will apply to new hires and existing
construction staff. We have been told this is only until the job rate study is complete.
At the time of completion, the $3.00 per hour is subject to change. Could go up or
down.
This also raises questions:
• How do you expect to hire an employee and tell them the base pay is so much per
hour and you will receive an additional $3.00 per hour for each hour you work, but
this is subject to change in a few months, could go up or down. This is absurd and
unreasonable.
• What about the existing Construction Group, will these employees retain the $3.00
per hour from now on? These employees will not be happy if you take money away.
• Will the Construction Group positions have a $3.00 hour top out raise for each
position?
• What about the Construction Group staff that is topped out for the current position,
will these receive the $3.00 per hour incentive?
I agree with staff, something must be done to recruit and retain employees.
However, to split the team and create division is not the answer. To offer part of the
staff an incentive and not all is Not the answer. This is not right.
To justify this by saying the employees that remain employed on the Construction
Group qualify for this and not the rest of the employees is wrong. All of us are
feeling the effects of economic climate caused by the pandemic. The employees
that have set roots down in the city for many years, through good times and bad and
don't want to leave the city to work for the private sector feel punished. Some
employees have been offered other jobs and chose to stay in this department.
Again, this is not the answer. Many Water, Sewer and Meter jobs are not competitive
to other utilities. If the seasoned staff that is not part of this Construction Group
decide to seek employment elsewhere this will be devastating to the Water and
Sewer department. All Water Sewer and Meter jobs are vital and play a key role in
smooth safe operation of this division.
Suggestion take the money that is willing to be spent and split between all Water,
Sewer, and Meter employees.
Please consider these thoughts in your decision.
Please consider staff forward a plan that will include all Water, Sewer and Meter
employees.
Thank You
Attachments PDF preferred
Section from the RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY
COUNCIL Adopted 01/07/2020 by Resolution #01-20 & Amended 06/16/2020 by
Resolution #170-20:
Public Comments. Public comment at a City Council meeting shall be allowed for all members of the audience
who have signed up prior to the beginning of the agenda item they wish to address being opened for public
comment. Speakers shall be limited to a maximum of five (5) minutes to be broken into segments of three and two
minutes. Amendments may receive public comments only if approved by the City Council by unanimous consent or
majority vote. If public comment is allowed for an amendment, speakers will only be allowed to speak for three (3)
minutes. The City Council may allow both a speaker additional time and an unsigned -up person to speak by
unanimous consent or majority vote
Courtesy and Respect. All members of the public, all city staff and elected officials shall accord the utmost courtesy and
respect to each other at all times. All shall refrain from rude or derogatory remarks, reflections as to integrity, abusive
comments and statements about motives or personalities. Any member of the public who violates these standards shall
be ruled out of order by the Mayor, must immediately cease speaking and shall leave the podium.
Enter the text you want this field to display
Received 12/6/21 9:04 PM
Submit Public Comment
This page is provided for efficient submission of public comment for City Council and Planning
Commission meetings. All submissions must be directly related to a specific agenda item for the
next meeting.
Please ensure your comments conform to the Rules of Order and Procedure.
RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Full Name*
Address or Ward*
Fayetteville Employee
Locate Your Ward Number
Address
Ward
Address* 113 W Mountain St
Ex. 113 W Mountain St
Phone Number
Email
Meeting Body* City Council
Agenda Item Water and Sewer Retention Pay
Number/Subject Please click the link below to navigate to the Agenda Page
Locate City Council Agenda Item
Locate Planning Commission Agenda Item
Position Comment Only
Comments Council please consider,
The City Council Memo for the Water and Sewer retention pay states the pay will
equal to $3.00/ hour for all worked hours.
The memo states under Background:
The maintenance workers are working an average of 139 hours per 80-hour pay
period. Then it states that is equivalent to 14 hours a day for 7 days.
How can you compare 80-hour pay period (2 weeks) to a 7 day work week? This is
unacceptable.
How can you say this is equivalent to 14 hour days 7 days a week? 14x7 equals 98
not 139.
The memo also states the crew leaders are averaging 110 hours per pay period and
is equivalent to 11 hour days 7 days week.
How can you compare 80-hour pay period (2 weeks) to a 7 day work week? This is
preposterous.
How can you say this is equivalent to 11 hour days 7 days a week?
11x7 equals 77 not 110.
The memo does not state an average of hours the 2 Field Supervisors or the 1
Warehouse Manager work per 80-hour pay period. Why not?
On the last page of the City Council Memo it states the monthly cost.
It states the Warehouse Manager monthly cost is $234.00.
This is a full time position. 4 weeks in a month 40 hours a week. 4X40 equals 160
hours. 160 X $3.00 equals $480.00
The monthly cost does not add up as stated in the memo.
$480.00 monthly cost not $234.00 as stated in the memo.
I do not understand how you can identify hours worked per a 80-hour pay period
then in the next sentence compare it to 7 days a week?
I do not understand how the monthly cost of a single full time employee can be
$234.00, when its $480.00 with no overtime.
Please consider these thoughts.
Thank you.
Attachments .POF preferred
Section from the RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY
COUNCIL Adopted 01/07/2020 by Resolution #01-20 & Amended 06/16/2020 by
Resolution #170-20:
Public Comments. Public comment at a City Council meeting shall be allowed for all members of the audience
who have signed up prior to the beginning of the agenda item they wish to address being opened for public
comment. Speakers shall be limited to a maximum of five (5) minutes to be broken into segments of three and two
minutes. Amendments may receive public comments only if approved by the City Council by unanimous consent or
majority vote. If public comment is allowed for an amendment, speakers will only be allowed to speak for three (3)
minutes. The City Council may allow both a speaker additional time and an unsigned -up person to speak by
unanimous consent or majority vote
Courtesy and Respect. All members of the public, all city staff and elected officials shall accord the utmost courtesy and
respect to each other at all times. All shall refrain from rude or derogatory remarks, reflections as to integrity, abusive
comments and statements about motives or personalities. Any member of the public who violates these standards shall
be ruled out of order by the Mayor, must immediately cease speaking and shall leave the podium.
Enter the text you want this field to display
Received 12/6/21 9:08 PM
Submit Public Comment
This page is provided for efficient submission of public comment for City Council and Planning
Commission meetings. All submissions must be directly related to a specific agenda item for the
next meeting.
Please ensure your comments conform to the Rules of Order and Procedure.
RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Full Name*
Address or Ward*
Concerned Employee
Locate Your Ward Number
Address
Ward
Address* 113 W Mountain Street
Ex. 113 W Mountain St
Phone Number
Email
Meeting Body* City Council
Agenda Item CA Water & Sewer Operations Division Employees Retention Pay
Number/Subject Plan
Please click the link below to navigate to the Agenda Page
Locate City Council Agenda Item
Locate Planning Commission Agenda Item
Position
Comments This City Council item is concerning as it only applies to a select group of individuals
and not the Division as a whole. There are other positions in this Division (Meter
Reader for example) that are under paid and over worked also.
To give a select group of employees a $3 an hour raise is a slap in the face to the
other individuals that work in the Water, Sewer & Meter Division and will create a
moral issue. Every one that works for the City plays an important role and works
hard.
Water & Sewer Crews that work on water leaks or on call have been dealing with a
large number of water leaks for many years. Management hasn't been concerned or
questioned the amount of overtime hours that was worked in the past. Crews have
been allowed to work all the overtime they want. Employees have even calculated
how many hours of overtime they need to work each week to meet their personal
needs, not the needs of the City. Its common knowledge that when crews are
finished with a call they return to the Operations Center and remain on the clock for
several hours not performing any work. Everyone keeps saying we have a safety
issue, but looks like a misuse of time and tax payer dollars. We have one big water
leak and suddenly there is an issue. I think there are other issues that need to be
addressed like looking into our aging water lines. If I'm not mistaken, some of the
water lines date back to the 60's. We need to be proactive instead of reactive.
Maybe we need to spend more money on updating water lines instead of building
trails. I know I would much rather have clean, safe drinking water when I turn my
faucet.
If the City is having an issue with recruiting people to work for the Water & Sewer
Division, why can't the City look into offering a sign on bonus similar to the new
incentive implemented for the Police Department?
I feel the positions in the division need to be reviewed and paid more, ALL positions
need to be reviewed, not just the chosen few. Please consider retention pay for all
employees of the Water, Sewer & Meter Division.
Attachments PDF preferred
Section from the RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY
COUNCIL Adopted 01/07/2020 by Resolution #01-20 & Amended 06/16/2020 by
Resolution #170-20:
Public Comments. Public comment at a City Council meeting shall be allowed for all members of the audience
who have signed up prior to the beginning of the agenda item they wish to address being opened for public
comment. Speakers shall be limited to a maximum of five (5) minutes to be broken into segments of three and two
minutes. Amendments may receive public comments only if approved by the City Council by unanimous consent or
majority vote. If public comment is allowed for an amendment, speakers will only be allowed to speak for three (3)
minutes. The City Council may allow both a speaker additional time and an unsigned -up person to speak by
unanimous consent or majority vote
Courtesy and Respect. All members of the public, all city staff and elected officials shall accord the utmost courtesy and
respect to each other at all times. All shall refrain from rude or derogatory remarks, reflections as to integrity, abusive
comments and statements about motives or personalities. Any member of the public who violates these standards shall
be ruled out of order by the Mayor, must immediately cease speaking and shall leave the podium.
Enter the text you want this field to display
Received 12/7/21 12:17 PM
Submit Public Comment
This page is provided for efficient submission of public comment for City Council and Planning
Commission meetings. All submissions must be directly related to a specific agenda item for the
next meeting.
Please ensure your comments conform to the Rules of Order and Procedure.
RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Full Name* Employee
Address or Ward* Address
Ward
Locate Your Ward Number
Address* 113 W Mountain St
Ex. 113 W Mountain St
Phone Number
Email
Meeting Body* City Council
Agenda Item Retention Pay for Water and Sewer
Number/Subject Please click the link below to navigate to the Agenda Page
Locate City Council Agenda Item
Locate Planning Commission Agenda Item
Position Opposed
Comments CA Water & Sewer Operations Division Employees Retention Pay Plan
To city council
I agree something needs to be done, but I don't think the solution is to give a select
few $3 more per hour. Just to let it be known that all Water & Sewer employees are
not in the select few to be considered for the retention pay. There are employees
that work in other areas such as Pump and Tank, Leak Detection, Field Service
Rep's, just to name a few. Also, there is the Meter side of the division that has Meter
Readers, Meter Maintenance and Backflow.
If this item passes, there are a few people that will be getting this retention pay that
are long time employees. If these employees were going to leave the city to seek
outside employment, they would have been gone a long time ago.
The item that staff has brought to City Council recommends retention pay for Water
and Sewer employees that serve in a public health and safety capacity. The Division
as a whole plays a role in public health and safety. I feel that the Water, Sewer and
Meter Division as a whole plays a part in public health and safety and should be
recognized as such.
The Meter Division has experienced a 60 percent turn over this past year. They also
are feeling the impact of not being able to retain employees. This area has felt the
effects of being short staffed and working overtime also.
If the Water & Sewer Division is having a difficult time attracting people to apply for
their vacant positions, why isn't a sign on bonus being considered?
I don't see how raising some ones pay by $3 per hour is going to cut down on
overtime or burnout and entice people to come to work for the Water & Sewer
Division.
I agree the utilities department is underpaid. And all job descriptions need to be
rewrote and upgraded to the proper pay range.
Please consider these thoughts. We do not need division in our department.
Attachments PDF preferred
Section from the RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE OF THE FAYETTEVILLE CITY
COUNCIL Adopted 01/07/2020 by Resolution #01-20 & Amended 06/16/2020 by
Resolution #170-20:
Public Comments. Public comment at a City Council meeting shall be allowed for all members of the audience
who have signed up prior to the beginning of the agenda item they wish to address being opened for public
comment. Speakers shall be limited to a maximum of five (5) minutes to be broken into segments of three and two
minutes. Amendments may receive public comments only if approved by the City Council by unanimous consent or
majority vote. If public comment is allowed for an amendment, speakers will only be allowed to speak for three (3)
minutes. The City Council may allow both a speaker additional time and an unsigned -up person to speak by
unanimous consent or majority vote
Courtesy and Respect. All members of the public, all city staff and elected officials shall accord the utmost courtesy and
respect to each other at all times. All shall refrain from rude or derogatory remarks, reflections as to integrity, abusive
comments and statements about motives or personalities. Any member of the public who violates these standards shall
be ruled out of order by the Mayor, must immediately cease speaking and shall leave the podium.
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