SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

A Special Council Meeting was held on August 13, 2003, at 4:32 p.m., with Council President McGlumphy presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Speed, and Mr. Salters. Mr. Ruane was absent.

Council staff members present were Mr. DePrima, Mr. Szyjka (Human Resources Director), Mrs. Green, and Mayor Hutchison.

Agenda Additions/Deletions

Mr. Carey requested the addition to the executive session, in accordance with 29 Del. C. 10004(b)(9), to allow for further discussion regarding the performance evaluations and qualifications of City Manager department heads.

Mrs. Williams requested the addition of item #4 - Failure to Allow for Opportunity for Public Comment - Utility Committee and Council Meetings of August 11, 2003. (Note by the City Clerk: It was Mrs. Williams’ understanding that when the agenda addition item was requested, it was for discussion during the executive session. During the executive session, Mrs. Williams began discussing this item, at which time members were advised that it did not qualify for executive session discussion. Council President McGlumphy suggested that Mrs. Williams meet with the City Clerk to discuss this matter. There was no further discussion on this item.)

Mr. Speed moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.

Mr. Carey moved to adjourn into executive session for personnel matters, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.

Meeting adjourned at 4:36 p.m. and reconvened at 5:50 p.m.

Executive Session Action - Employee Disciplinary/Dismissal - Evaluation of Director of Planning and Inspections

Members of Council reviewed information during an executive session held immediately preceding this meeting regarding the evaluation of the Director of Planning and Inspections, Mr. Jorgenson.

Mr. Carey moved to authorize the Human Resources Director to take action as discussed in executive session with regards to item #1 on the personnel matter (Director of Planning and Inspections). The motion was seconded by Mrs. Williams and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Ruane absent).

Reconsideration - Market Pay Corrections - City Manager Department Heads

In the spring of 2002, City Council commissioned Public Administration Service (PAS) to perform a compensation and classification study of the City’s workforce. The City Manager, Human Resources Director, and several City Council members established a working group to evaluate the pay plan that was recommended by PAS. The working group evaluated the benchmark positions and market comparisons and compared the recommendations to other published information, such as the Municipal Year Book and the Kent County Salary Study. The working group recognized that there should be flexibility to allow management to appropriately place employees within the ranges based on experience, expertise, and market conditions.

The working group made recommendations including to grant “market pay corrections” as needed for department heads on July 1, 2003 after considering the recommendations of the City Manager.

During an executive session held on August 11, 2003, Mr. DePrima provided members with responses to concerns of Mr. Speed regarding the minimum education requirements, experience, and evaluations of the City Manager department heads he had proposed for market pay corrections (see attachment to executive session minutes). During the Regular Council Meeting of August 11, 2003, the committee’s recommendation (see July 28, 2003 Regular Council Meeting Minutes) to approve the proposed market pay corrections for City Manager department heads was defeated due to the lack of a second on the motion. As a result of this action, Mr. DePrima requested reconsideration.

Members of Council reviewed information during an executive session held immediately preceding this meeting regarding the education requirements, experience, and evaluations of the City Manager department heads.

Mr. Speed moved for approval of the following salaries for City Manager department heads: 1) Electric Department Director - $80,424; 2) Human Resources Director - $57,893; 3) Information Services Director - $73,591 plus two (2) weeks added vacation; 4) Public Works Director - $79,500; 5) Parks and Recreation Director - $59,558; and 6) Library Director - $50,940. The motion was seconded by Mr. Carey and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Ruane absent).

Mr. Carey moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Speed and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 5:56 P.M.

                                                                                    JANICE C. GREEN

                                                                                    CITY CLERK

All orders, ordinances, and resolutions adopted by City Council during their Special Council Meeting of August 13, 2003, are hereby approved.

                                                                                    JAMES L. HUTCHISON

                                                                                    MAYOR

WPM/jg

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