Kane County Reporter

City of Geneva Committee of the Whole met Oct. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Alderpersons Present: Anaïs Bowring, Mike Bruno, Becky Hruby, Dean Kilburg, Brad Kosirog, Richard Marks, Amy Mayer, Martha Paschke, Robert Swanson

Alderpersons Present via Remote Access: Craig Maladra

Others Present: City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins, Assistant City Administrator Ben McCready, Deputy City Clerk Jeanne Fornari, Human Resources Manager Lauren Newton

1. Call to Order 

Mayor Burns called the meeting to order at 7:01pm noting all alderpersons were present. 

2. Introduce Human Resources Manager Lauren Newton 

Burns welcomed Newton to the City and she provided some background on her career. Newton stated she was excited to be with the City and looked forward to working with everyone.

3. Approve Special Committee of the Whole Minutes from October 9, 2023. Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Bruno VOICE VOTE: 10-0 Motion carried.

4. Consider Draft Resolution Appointing the Human Resources Manager as the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Authorized Agent for the City of Geneva. Moved by Ald. Bowring, seconded by Ald. Paschke. VOICE VOTE: 10-0 Motion carried.

5. Presentation and Discussion of Compensation and Classification Study Results and Recommendations. 

Assistant Admin/Dir. Of Admin. Services McCready introduced Rachel Skaggs, Senior Vice President with GovHR who presented their findings and recommendations. Skaggs provided an overview of the project including the scope of work, job evaluation process, proposed classification plan, compensation survey, proposed compensation plan (65th percentile plan), implementation options, and future administration of the plan. Skaggs noted that their recommendation of implementing the plan on the 65th percentile was based on the need for recruiting, data gathered that showed other comparable communities that were using the same range and higher, and the need to stay competitive with those communities. She noted that TriCom voted on implementing the 65th percentile model. Skaggs then reviewed the proposed costs, noting that the recommendation called for mid-fiscal year implementation.

Burns then took comments from alderpersons. On a question from Ald. Swanson, Skaggs further explained the criteria for the comparable communities as it related to debt structure, number of pay grades, and the number of positions moving up or down within Geneva’s proposed grades. Skaggs noted that 12-18 grades are ideal and that only a few positions were moving out of an existing pay grade.

On a question from Ald. Bruno, McCready reviewed the City’s current policy on the market and merit components of yearly evaluations, stating that he did not believe rates would get out of their control.

Ald. Mayer stated her concerns regarding some of the pay ranges for important infrastructure related positions and preferred a wider range in some of the classes. She asked about the possibility of obtaining wage information from ComEd as a comparison. Skaggs stated that unfortunately the private sector was usually not inclined to share that information. Mayer closed by asking that the proposed Grade 11 pay scale ranges be reconsidered. Skaggs noted that they would look at it.

On a question by Ald. Kilburg, Skaggs did not recommend hiring outside of the approved ranges due to the goal of maintaining internal equity in pay. Kilburg asked how many employees would be seeing increases. Using the 65th percentile proposal, McCready stated that 48% would see some type of increase.

On a question from Ald. Kosirog, Dawkins noted that currently, non-union wages for the current fiscal year total $6.4. million. Kosirog believed that some of the comparable communities were not similar in his opinion. Lastly, Kosirog asked if this plan is officially codified. McCready stated that while it is not codified, it becomes policy and approved yearly when the budget is approved. Dawkins added that this recommendation will have a resolution tied to it upon formal council approval.

Questions by Ald. Hruby regarding on how performance is compensated were answered by McCready who commented on the current market and merit system. Hruby also asked for comment regarding current recruiting and retention challenges and how the proposed scale would work to alleviate some of those challenges. McCready commented on the current open positions and the length of time they have remained open. He also commented on vacancies due to employees leaving for higher pay elsewhere. Hruby also expressed interest in looking into the elected officials’ pay rates. Dawkins stated that staff could bring information back at a later date.

Ald. Maladra and Marks complemented the firm on the study and its findings. Ald. Paschke expressed her interest in approving the 65th percentile ranges with the goal of moving to 70%.

6. Public Comment 

(none)

7. New Business 

Ald. Kilburg provided information on current elected official salaries as they relate to the neighboring cities and felt it was time to bring the pay in line with them.

Ald. Bowring asked and received consensus from the committee to promote “leave the leaves” as a voluntary program for residents to consider refraining from raking their leaves for collection as part of a conservation effort. She also suggested promoting the concept of residents’ refraining from mowing lawns through the month of May to help pollinators and the environment. Burns and Dawkins suggested policy discussions on both topics.

8. Adjournment 

On a motion by Ald. Kosirog, the meeting was adjourned at 8:56 pm by unanimous voice vote.

https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10232023-2242