Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-28 MINUTES OF THE THIRTY-THIRD MEETING OF THE LOCAL OFFICERS COMPENSATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LIVONIA On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the above mee?ng was held at Livonia City Hall, 33000 Civic Center Drive, Livonia, Michigan, and was called to order by Glen W. Long, Jr. the ac?ng Chairperson at 5:38 p.m. Roll was called with the following result: MEMBERS PRESENT: John Murphy Michael Marihugh Glen W. Long, Jr. Martha Foley David Cash MEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY OFFICIALS PRESENT: David Varga, Chief of Staff Susan Nash, City Clerk Jeannine Laible, Human Resources Director OTHERS PRESENT: None On a mo?on by Murphy, seconded by Foley, unanimously adopted by, it was: #01-23 RESOLVED, that the minutes of the November 9, 2021, Local Officers Compensa?on Commission are hereby approved. On a mo?on by Foley, seconded by Marihugh, unanimously adopted, it was: #02-23 RESOLVED, that Glen W. Long, Jr., is elected to serve as the Chairperson of the Local Officers Compensa?on Commission for the year 2023. On a mo?on by Murphy, seconded by Foley, unanimously adopted, it was: #03-23 RESOLVED, that David Cash, is elected to serve as the Vice Chairperson of the Local Officers Compensa?on Commission for the year 2023. Chairperson Long noted the reference materials regarding salary and popula?on comparisons. Chairperson Long asked what percent increases were given to the employees. Ms. Laible stated the percentages nego?ated are 3% for 2024 and 2.5% for 2025. The Commissioners discussed the salary of the Office of the Mayor for 2024 and 2025. A 3% increase for 2024 and a 2.5% increase for 2025, in line with the union contracts, was presented. Minutes of the Local Officers Compensa?on Commission Page 2 Mee?ng of November 28, 2023 On a motion by Cash, seconded by Marihugh, unanimously adopted, it was: #04-23 RESOLVED, the Local Officers Compensation Commission hereby determines to change the salary for the Office of the Mayor from its current rate of $137,300.00, to a 3% increase for 2024 and a 2.5% increase for 2025, to the following paid on a bi-weekly basis: Effective January 1, 2024 $141,419.00 Effective January 1, 2025 $144,954.00 The Commissioners discussed the salary of the City Council President. A 3% increase for 2024 and a 2.5% increase for 2025 was proposed for discussion. On a motion by Foley, seconded by Marihugh, unanimously adopted, it was: #05-23 RESOLVED, the Local Officers Compensation Commission hereby determines to change the salary for the City Council President from its current rate of $19,958.00, to a 3% increase for 2024 and a 2.5% increase for 2025, to the following paid on a bi-weekly basis: Effective January 1, 2024 $20,556.00 Effective January 1, 2025 $21,070.00 The Commissioners discussed the salary of the City Council. A 3% increase for 2024 and a 2.5% increase for 2025 was proposed for discussion. On a motion by Foley, seconded by Marihugh, unanimously adopted, it was: #06-23 RESOLVED, the Local Officers Compensation Commission hereby determines to change the salary for the City Council members from its current rate of $18,144.00, to a 3% increase for 2024 and a 2.5% increase for 2025, to the following paid on a bi-weekly basis: Effective January 1, 2024 $18,688.00 Effective January 1, 2025 $19,155.00 The Commissioners discussed the salary of the City Clerk. A 3% increase for 2024 and a 2.5% increase for 2025 was proposed for discussion. The Commissioners noted the wage disparity between Livonia and its surrounding communi?es and how the City Clerk’s wages are significantly less. Chairperson Long asked Ms. Nash if there was a significant difference between the work the Livonia City Clerk does and that of the surrounding communi?es. Ms. Nash noted that a Township Clerk is elected to be on the board, essen?ally, they are also a council member. Addi?onally, Proposal 2, which passed last year, is going to put a lot of demand on the City Clerk. Minutes of the Local Officers Compensa?on Commission Page 3 Mee?ng of November 28, 2023 Chairperson Long referenced the minutes from 2021 where the commission had a similar conversation regarding the Clerk and Treasurer positions and recommending a higher increase. Commissioner Foley asked how the higher increase recommendation for the Clerk was received. Chairperson Long stated that the Council approved it, and he did not recall any mention of it. Commissioner Foley asked if the Commission still had a priority for closing the gap. Chairperson Long deferred to Mr. Varga regarding the City’s finances. Mr. Varga stated that they were tight, however, this will only affect two positions. He also noted that up until recently, the City Clerk and City Treasurer were the two lowest-paid department heads. The Commission reviewed the other department head salaries and noted that the Clerk and Treasurer are lagging. Chairperson Long asked who sets the Deputy Clerk and Deputy Treasurer’s salaries. Ms. Nash stated City Council. Chairperson Long suggested 5% for 2024. The Commission discussed the 5% increase for 2024 and Commissioner Foley recommended 5% for 2025 as well. The Commission noted that there is still work to be done, but this will help bridge the gap. Chairperson Long asked the Administration if 5% for 2024 and 5% for 2025 would cause undue hardship. Mr. Varga stated no. On a motion by Foley, seconded by Marihugh, unanimously adopted, it was: #07-23 RESOLVED, the Local Officers Compensation Commission hereby determines to change the salary for the City Clerk from its current rate of $97,274.00, to a 5% increase for 2024 and a 5% increase for 2025, to the following paid on a bi-weekly basis: Effective January 1, 2024 $102,137.00 Effective January 1, 2025 $107,243.00 The Commissioners discussed the salary of the City Treasurer. A 3% increase for 2024 and a 2.5% increase for 2025 was proposed for discussion. Chairperson Long noted in the last minutes of the LOCC that they recommended higher increases and kept the City Clerk and City Treasurers’ salaries in line with one another. Commissioner Cash stated that he would like to see the Commission recommend 5% for each year. Commissioner Murphy asked if there was a discrepancy in the workload between the Clerk and Treasurer. Ms. Nash stated she was not the Treasurer yet; however, the current Treasurer Minutes of the Local Officers Compensa?on Commission Page 4 Mee?ng of November 28, 2023 a?ends mee?ngs that are required and ensures they are available to the City Council to answer ques?ons. She noted that when tax bills go out, that department gets very busy. Mr. Varga also noted that the current Treasurer goes out and collects delinquent tax bills, unlike previous Treasurers. He stated that this posi?on is what you make it. There have been a lot of changes to that office in recent years that have either lowered or eliminated contracted work/systems. On a motion by Cash, seconded by Marihugh, unanimously adopted, it was: #08-23 RESOLVED, the Local Officers Compensation Commission hereby determines to change the salary for the City Treasurer from its current rate of $97,274.00, to a 5% increase for 2024 and a 5% increase for 2025, to the following paid on a bi-weekly basis: Effective January 1, 2024 $102,137.00 Effective January 1, 2025 $107,243.00 Ms. Laible brought forward a request for the City to have the flexibility for the City Clerk, Treasurer, and Mayor to receive a stipend that is comparable to the amount received by other department heads instead of a City-provided vehicle. Chairperson Long asked what that amount would be. Mr. Varga stated $350 a month. Mr. Varga noted that currently two-thirds of department heads have City owned vehicles and they are looking to move towards a stipend. Commissioner Cash asked if this would apply to Council Members. Mr. Varga stated no. Commissioner Foley asked who currently insures the vehicles. Mr. Varga stated the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority. Chairperson Long asked if that would go away with a stipend. Mr. Varga stated that was correct. The Commissioners discussed the cost savings to the City that this would bring. On a motion by Foley, seconded by Marihugh, unanimously adopted, it was: #09-23 RESOLVED, the Local Officers Compensation Commission hereby approves the City to have the flexibility to provide a stipend that is comparable to the amount received by other department heads instead of a City-provided vehicle to the Clerk, Treasurer, and Mayor. On a mo?on by Foley, seconded by Murphy, and unanimously adopted, the mee?ng was adjourned at 6:34 p.m. Glen W. Long, Jr., Chairperson