REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: TJ MILLER, Interim Director
Personnel Services Department
BY: Stephanie Hernandez, Principal Labor Relations Analyst
Personnel Services Department
VANESSA PERALES, Human Resources Manager
Personnel Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Adopt the Second Amendment to Fiscal Year 2024 Salary Resolution No. 2023-183, amending Exhibit 3, Unit 3, Non-Supervisory White Collar (FCEA), to adjust the A Step of the Emergency Services Dispatcher II classification from $5,405 to $5,410 monthly and amending Exhibit 13-1, Unit 13, Exempt Supervisory and Professional (CFPEA) by increasing the Chief Surveyor monthly salary step plan range from $9,861 - $11,966 to $11,353 - $13,800 (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council adopt the Second Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 Salary Resolution No. 2023-183, to adjust the A Step of the Emergency Services Dispatcher (ESD) I classification by $5 monthly, effective September 25, 2023 and to increase the Chief Surveyor monthly salary step plan range from $9,861 - $11,966 to $11,353 - $13,800, effective September 11, 2023.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
These changes are minor “housekeeping” items to actions previously approved by the City Council.
As contemplated in the Side Letter of Agreement between the City and FCEA effectuated in August 2023 regarding step placement upon flex promotion from ESD I to ESD II, Council is asked to approve an adjustment to the A Step of the salary range for the ESD II classification from $5,405 to $5,410 monthly, effective September 25, 2023. An adjustment to the ESD II A Step would address an inequity between ESD Is who flex promote to ESD II within 12 months and ESD Is who flex promote after 12 months, and ensure that all probationary ESD Is who are hired at A Step and flex promote to ESD II within the 18-month probationary period are placed at the ESD II A Step upon flex promotion.
The Chief Surveyor classification requires a land surveyor license which can be challenging to recruit and retain qualified applicants. Increasing the monthly salary range by approximately 15.32% from $9,861- $11,966 to $11,353- $13,800 will offer an equitable wage consistent with the salary increase for the Licensed Professional Engineer classification and when competing with other agencies for licensed talent.
In order to adjust the A Step of the ESD II salary range and increase the monthly salary range for Chief Surveyor, it is necessary for Council to approve the Second Amendment to Fiscal Year Salary Resolution No. 2023-183.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Fresno City Employees Association (FCEA), upon meeting requisite criteria employees receive a step progression from A Step to B Step at 12 months in their respective job classification. Pursuant to Salary Resolution Section 2.H., employees who promote “from one class to another having a higher salary range, shall be adjusted to the lowest step in the salary range of the new class, which is at least three and one-half percent (3.5%) higher than the rate received in the employee’s former class.” The ESD job specification provides up to 18 months for an ESD I to flex promote to ESD II. ESD Is who are not promoted within 12 months are progressed to the B Step for the classification in accordance with the MOU with FCEA. Consistent with the Salary Resolution to provide at least a 3.5% increase upon promotion, ESD Is at A Step who receive a flex promotion within 12 months are placed at ESD II A Step, while ESD Is at B Step who receive a flex promotion after 12 months are placed at ESD II B Step, ahead of ESD IIs who flex promoted within 12 months. The Salary Resolution requirement to provide a minimum increase upon promotion and the current salary range spread between the ESD I and ESD II classifications causes an inequity between ESD Is who are flex promoted within 12 months and ESD Is flex promoted after 12 months.
Once the issue was identified, in order to expeditiously remedy the inequity the City and FCEA entered into a Side Letter of Agreement, effective August 31, 2023, which allows for ESD Is at either A Step or B Step of the classification who flex promote to ESD II to be placed at the A Step of the higher classification. Additionally, the side letter requires the City to present to Council for consideration an adjustment of $5 to the ESD II A Step within 60 days, which would eliminate the inequity and need for the Side Letter provision. Contingent upon Council approval of the adjustment to ESD II A Step, the Side Letter section regarding step placement upon flex promotion would be void and thereafter incumbents in the ESD I classification receiving a flex promotion to the ESD II classification would receive a step placement pursuant to the Salary Resolution.
Amending Exhibit 13-1, Unit 13, Exempt Supervisory and Professional (CFPEA) to increase the monthly salary step plan for Chief Surveyor is necessary to recruit and retain qualified licensed talent. The recommended monthly salary increase from $9,861- $11,966 to $11,353- $13,800 will offer an equitable and competitive wage with the Licensed Professional Engineer classification and with other local and state agencies in recruiting and retaining qualified licensed land surveyors.
The City provided notice to the respective bargaining units and has concluded its meet and confer obligation.
The City Attorney’s Office has approved the Second Amendment to Fiscal Year 2024 Salary Resolution No. 2023-183 as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 this item does not qualify as a “project” and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not implicated because this item does not involve public contracting or bidding with the City of Fresno.
FISCAL IMPACT
Amending Exhibit 3 for the Emergency Services Dispatcher II will not require additional appropriations. Costs associated with amending Exhibit 13-1 will not result in additional appropriations for the remaining FY 2024.
Attachments:
Resolution: Second Amendment to FY24 Salary Resolution No. 2023-183
Salary Tables: Second Amendment to FY24 Salary Resolution No. 2023-183 - Redline
Salary Tables: Second Amendment to FY24 Salary Resolution No. 2023-183 - Final