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Council advances personnel ordinance to raise pay grades for repair and mechanic roles after union MOU
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Summary
City staff told the employee relations committee they will increase pay grades for repair workers (13→14) and mechanics/body‑shop workers (15→16) under an MOU with the bargaining unit; council asked about step gaps, effects on current jobholders and budget coverage, and the changes were forwarded for final passage.
City staff presented amendments to the personnel ordinance to update job classifications and raise pay grades for several classifications, a change that city and union representatives said came from labor‑management committee talks and an MOU.
Director May told the employee relations committee the proposal would raise mechanics and body‑shop workers from a pay grade of 15 to 16, and repair workers from grade 13 to 14. Staff said the change aims to let crews complete more repairs in a single visit (for example, allowing repair workers to both fix a roadway pipe and do concrete patching without waiting for an outside mason) and to make mechanic pay more competitive for recruitment. (Director May)
Council questions focused on timing and equity: Councilwoman Meyer and others asked why the changes were handled outside recent contract negotiations and how current employees at the higher grades would be affected if lower‑grade positions are bumped up. Meyer noted there is no grade 12 in some departments, creating a larger step from grade 11 to 13 under the new structure and raised concern that this widens progression steps for some workers. (Councilwoman Meyer)
Staff and the mayor’s office responded that the bargaining unit proposed the change through the labor‑management committee, the bargaining unit signed an MOU in favor of the changes, and the law/administration team will file the MOU with CERB (Civil Service/State review) should the legislation pass. Staff said authorized position counts are shown in parentheses in the ordinance (for example, water repair division lists repair worker (6) as authorized positions; currently 5 are filled). (Director May)
On budget coverage, a council member asked whether the increases are in the current budget. Administration said the budget can accommodate the increases and that the ordinance would implement increases going forward rather than retroactively. (Council member / Director May)
What’s next: The personnel bill (26‑079) was moved to the council floor for final passage during the meeting; council later voted 8–0 to pass the personnel positions, pay grades and salaries ordinance.
Source: Director May presentation to Employee Relations committee, council questions, and subsequent floor vote.
