06-27-2023 Work SessionCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
June 27, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Council Member Whalen called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Bartholomew
Room.
Council Members
Present:
Council Members
Absent:
Sean Hayford Oleary; Sharon Christensen; and Ben Whalen
Mary Supple, Mayor; Simon Trautmann
Staff Present:
Guests:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Dustin Leslie, City Clerk; Sack Thongvanh,
Assistant City Manager; Chris Swanson, Management Analyst; Jay
Henthorne, Police Chief; Mike Flaherty, Deputy Chief; Jamie Haefner,
Human Resources Manager
Laura Linehan, Baker Tilly; Lexi Scholten, Baker Tilly
ITEM #1 COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION STUDY PRESENTATION
Assistant City Manager Thongvanh introduced the consultants from Baker Tilly. Human
Resources Manager Haefner spoke about the consultant vetting process and the process going
forward.
Ms. Linehan gave a presentation about the Compensation and Classification Study. The
presentation included: consulting team overview and qualifications, project overview, project timeline,
and how city staff would be involved in the process.
Council Member Hayford Oleary spoke about how some employees may be worried about
participating and asked if there was any risk to them in reclassification. Ms. Linehan stated that Baker
Tilly never recommends pay decreases. She further stated that in some cases they would recommend
a freeze so the market could catch up but never a decrease.
Council Member Whalen asked if the study would look at equity and report disparities within
the organization. Ms. Linehan stated that could be part of the study. Council Member Whalen also
asked if this study would analyze whether or not employees across the enterprise were making a
livable wage. Human Resources Manager Haefner stated the study looked at the market and how it
compared to wages being paid by the city. She further stated that the city could study livable wages
internally.
City Council Work Session Minutes
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Council Member Whalen asked how increases resulting from the study would fit into the
budget and if the city would need a multi-year plan to implement. Ms. Linehan stated they would not
recommend a multi-year plan since the market is constantly changing and waiting could leave the city
behind.
Council Member Christensen asked how the results would figure in with union negotiations.
Ms. Linehan stated staff could use the results to make recommendations to the unions.
Council Member Hayford Oleary and City Manager Rodriguez discussed current policies in
adjusting employee wages.
Council Member Whalen asked if the results of this study would be included in the next
budget. City Manager Rodriguez stated the 2024 budget was being formulated with possible
increases from the results of the study.
ADJOURNMENT
Ben Whalen adjourned the work session at 5:57 pm
Date Approved: July 11, 2023
Ben Whalen
Council Member
Dustin Leslie Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager