The City of Superior Common Council on April 8 approved the Carlson Detman Classification and Compensation Study Report, known as Pay Plan A, as amended to remove the plan's lowest pay step and to refer review of the appeals process to the Human Resources Committee.

Councilor Olsen proposed the amendment during debate, saying the change would move roughly 18 employees from step 1 to step 2 and cost about $23,000, an amount he said the finance department identified and that could be covered from contingency. "My vision ... was to make sure that we were doing the right thing for the employees of the city," Olsen said. "In eliminating step 1 ... it puts the approximately 18 people that are in step 1 into step 2. The cost of that is roughly $23,000 that I got from the finance department."

The amendment also asked that the current appeals process be reviewed and that the Human Resources Committee recommend an alternate, independent appeals process. Councilor Finsland said she supported the amendment but emphasized the appeals procedure should include a neutral third party: "I don't feel that the ... appeals process should be strictly internal to the city," she said. "I think we've got some abilities whether it's with Carlson Detman or with somebody local ... to give it a neutral third party look."

Councilor Sweeney spoke against adopting the salary plan as presented, saying the market definition used by the study was incomplete and did not include closer peer cities. "I am against the salary plan ... 1, it's not complete. It didn't take into all the factors. And number 2, I personally disagree with the definition of our market," Sweeney said.

When asked about whether Carlson Detman had committed to handling appeals, a staff member identified as Amy stated that the original contract did not include a committed appeals process handled by the consultant. "When we initially signed the contract with them, we did not sign anything that would commit them or us to an appeals process," Amy said.

The council approved the amended plan by roll call. Recorded votes on the final approval were: Councilor Herrick, yes; Councilor Dennis Dalbeck, yes; Councilor Esther Dalbeck, no; Councilor Olsen, yes; Councilor Fennessy, yes; Councilor Bender, yes; Councilor Sweeney, no; Councilor McDonald, yes; Councilor Manzolia, yes; Councilor Finsland, yes. The motion was adopted as amended.

Councilors and staff described the approved pay plan as a living document intended to improve recruitment and retention and to be adjusted over time. The Human Resources Committee will be asked to develop a proposal for an alternate appeals process and return recommendations to the council.