Residents press council on pay-study payouts and neighborhood maintenance; staff says phase 2 update due at February work session

Several residents used public comment to press the council on employee compensation and on neighborhood maintenance and leadership vacancies.

Greg Fane, who identified himself as a resident of 1884 Connelly Drive and a labor leader, urged the council to accelerate pay adjustments from the city’s compensation/classification study and not to make employees wait until July for increases. He said some employees earning less than new hires were upset and asked the council to prioritize prompt action.

Another resident raised concerns about uneven distribution of recent city improvement dollars and alleged neglect of River Park, citing missing sidewalks, contaminated park water, long‑promised repairs and declining use of nearby schools. She told the council she had been promised sidewalks and expressed frustration with perceived ward-level favoritism in park investments.

Dr. Jeffrey Hemming (transcript lists as Japare Hemmick) thanked public works and East Point Power for storm response and said Connelly Drive sidewalk work is progressing. He also asked the council for clarity on the city’s leadership vacancies; he said residents have requested regular updates about which director and leadership positions remain unfilled.

In response, the city’s HR/administration representative (referred to in the transcript as Miss Jessie) said Phase 1 of the compensation work was implemented July 1, 2024, and the consultant is actively working on Phase 2. She said the council requested an update at the February work session and that staff will bring the consultant to present preliminary findings. Jessie explained Phase 1 used a hybrid approach giving credit for years of service and tenure and noted that a $20-per-hour starting wage adopted earlier contributed to pay compression the consultants are now addressing. She said Phase 2 will examine compression and step/tier models (including a possible police step system) and that staff aim to provide funding options and cost scenarios when they report to council next month.

Councilmembers and staff acknowledged residents’ concerns about sidewalks and parks and said specific maintenance and capital funding items are on the consent agenda or are being programmed for forthcoming work; they reaffirmed they will provide updates and follow up with residents.