HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-2006 Council Compensation Committee Minutes MINUTES
City Clerk Hooper called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Present:
Council Compensation Committee Members: Ken Schwartz,
Bob Walters, Jan Marx, Rebecca Ellis, Pierre Rademaker
City Staff: Audrey Hooper, Monica Irons, Rachael Hendricks, Julie
O’Connor
Committee Member Walters and Committee Member Marx nominated Pierre
Rademaker to serve as Chairperson; motion carried 5:0.
Chairperson Rademaker called for public comment. There was none.
The committee reviewed and briefly discussed the history of Council
Compensation.
Chairperson Rademaker asked if there has been a change in Council responsibility.
City Clerk Hooper responded that there has been a slight increase in the number of
hours worked per week, noting that the past survey indicated 23 hours per week
while the current estimate indicates 28 hours per week.
Chairperson Rademaker also asked if the time estimated included attending
subcommittee meetings to which City Clerk Hooper indicated that it did not. She
did state, however, that it was estimated in the past survey that Council attended an
average of 41 “other” meetings per month with the current survey reflecting
approximately the same number.
Committee Member Ellis requested additional information regarding the cafeteria
plan. Human Resources Director Irons explained what the cafeteria plan covered
COUNCIL COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE
Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 3:00 p.m.
Planning Conference Room
Council Compensation Committee
April 5, 2006
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(dental/vision mandatory with an option for medical) and indicated that the
benefits had been extended to Council in 2004 to allow Council the opportunity to
have their cafeteria plan reviewed each year with management employees.
Chairperson Rademaker asked what the retirement was linked to in which Human
Resources Director Irons responded that it was the same for Council as for all non-
safety employees (2.7% at 55).
Committee Member Marx questioned if City Staff received the reimbursement for
medical expenses if they chose not to take the insurance coverage. Human
Resources Director Irons reported that City employees do, however, Council does
not.
Committee Member Schwartz asked if there was anything mandated by the State to
affect the work schedule or the compensation of the Council. City Clerk Hooper
responded that she was not aware of anything. Committee Member Schwartz also
asked if, as a Charter City, the Council received better pay to which City Clerk
Hooper responded yes, and indicated that general law cities in approximate size of
35,000 – 50,000 citizens could receive a maximum salary of $400 per month per
Government Code § 36516. Mr. Schwartz also noted that there was only one other
Charter City listed on the survey and wondered why the salary for the Council was
so low in that city. City Clerk Hooper responded that increases in salaries for
Council in that particular Charter City must be taken to the public for a vote.
Chairperson Rademaker indicated that he was in favor of an increase because he
thought it would allow for a broader scope of people who could afford to hold the
position. He said someone serving on the Council could be limited due to time
constraints if they have another business.
Committee Member Marx felt the current compensation was adequate.
Chairperson Rademaker indicated that the Council Compensation is close to the
average of the other cities surveyed, but said the population for San Luis Obispo
was low because it did not include the day population which includes Cal Poly.
Council Compensation Committee
April 5, 2006
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Human Resources Director Irons responded that the count with Cal Poly brings the
daytime City population to approximately 80,000 – 85,000.
Chairperson Rademaker pointed out that the annual City budget is a good gauge
for a comparison with other cities.
Committee Member Schwartz agreed with Committee Member Marx that nothing
suggests a major change.
Chairperson Rademaker asked for results from the last review of Council
Compensation two years ago. City Clerk Hooper responded that the only change
for Council at that time related to the cafeteria plan.
Committee Member Marx said she was willing to suggest raising the compensation
to $1,000 for Council and $1,200 for the Mayor.
In response to Chairperson Rademaker, City Clerk Hooper provided a recap of
expenditures as outlined in the Council Compensation agenda packet.
Committee Member Marx said that the budget for expenditures was sufficient and
allowed enough money for Council Members to attend League conferences.
Chairperson Rademaker made a point that Professional Development funds can be
very useful as they allow Council members an opportunity to visit other cities
facing similar issues.
On motion of Committee Member Marx and seconded by Committee Member
Walters, the Committee recommended raising the Council and Mayor
compensation by $100 per month; motion carried 5:0.
Committee Member Walters suggested that, in recognition of their service, this
seems to be an appropriate amount.
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April 5, 2006
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In response to Committee Member Schwartz, Committee Member Marx clarified
that her motion was to raise compensation for Council to $1,000 and Mayor to
$1,200 per month.
At this time, the Committee reviewed compensation for Planning Commissioners
(PC) and Architectural Review Commissioners (ARC).
Chairperson Rademaker asked if similar committees for other cities have
approximately the same level of duties and time commitment. City Clerk Hooper
responded that she did not believe a survey was done for these committees.
Chairperson Rademaker said that ARC meetings begin at 5:00 p.m. and last
approximately three or four hours.
Committee Member Marx said that PC meetings could last anywhere from one to
four hours, depending on the complexity of the subject at hand. She indicated that
this issue was discussed by the Compensation Committee two years ago and
resulted in doubling the stipend for both the PC and ARC to $50 per meeting.
(Clerk's note: This amount was actually established by Resolution No. 9189 in
2001. No adjustment was made in 2004.)
Committee Member Schwartz pointed out that the survey indicated that with the
exception of one, most cities with a high level of architectural awareness don’t
compensate its members.
On motion of Committee Member Schwartz and seconded by Committee Member
Walters, the Committee recommended to not change the current compensation for
the PC or ARC at this time; motion carried 5:0.
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
________________________
Audrey Hooper, City Clerk
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