HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - September 1, 2021 H-01• CITY OF LODI AGENDA [TEM
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
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AGENDA TITLE: Adopt Resolution Approving Salary Adjustments for Engineering Classifications
MEETING DATE: September 1, 2021
SUBMITTED BY: Human Resources Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt resolution approving salary adjustments for engineering
classifications.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Public Works Department has experienced severe difficulty
attracting qualified engineering applicants for the positions of
Compliance Engineer, Associate Civil Engineer, Senior Civil
Engineer, Associate Traffic Engineer, and Senior Traffic Engineer.
Engineering positions within the Public Works Department are highly specialized and have become
difficult for the City of Lodi to recruit diverse and qualified applicants. Over the past 18 — 24 months the
City has been unsuccessful in hiring an Associate Civil Engineer or a Senior Traffic Engineer_ These
positions are highly competitive in the marketplace; incumbents and prospective applicants for these
positions and many others in the engineering field remain in high demand. Council approved an
additional Associate Civil Engineer position in the FY 2021122 budget to assist with pending projects and
the City has been unable to fill that position_
Research indicates the City's compensation for the Engineering positions are not competitive in the
market. Among our comparable agencies, Lodi salaries are approximately six to eight percent below
market (average) and approximately 17% to 20% below similar positions in some local agencies in San
Joaquin County. Previous efforts to recruit for several of the above positions have resulted in a small pool
of candidates at the entry level and no applicants for the Associate Civil, Senior Civil, or Senior Traffic
Engineer. Human Resources recently re -opened the Associate Civil Engineer, Associate Traffic
Engineer, and Senior Civil Engineer and have not received any applications. Additionally, surrounding
agencies have recently opened recruitments for similar engineering positions that pay substantially
higher wages. Increasing the salaries in Lodi will help to retain our current engineering staff and attract
qualified applicants for the current vacancies.
Staffing shortages are delaying projects in the Public Works Department and the Parks, Recreation, and
Cultural Services Department. The City is in jeopardy of losing thousands of dollars in grant funding if we
cannot complete projects within the required time periods. These projects require journey level
engineers and the work cannot be performed by junior or assistant level engineers. Some of the current
projects that require a Civil Engineer are listed below, with significant, large projects in the CIP over the
next few years:
• Fire Station 3 Generator/Security Fence/Concrete Driveway Improvements
• Storm Water Trash Collection Project 3
• Church Street Parking Lot Improvements
• Zupo Field Improvements
• Grape Bowl Turf Replacement
• 2022 Pavement Resurfacing Project
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Stephen Schwabauer, City Manager
It is critical that recruitments for these positions be initiated promptly, and that the recruitments attract a
broad pool of qualified candidates. To better position the City of Lodi to attract qualified Engineers, staff
recommends that the City Council approve adjustments to the aforementioned positions of eight and one-
half percent. Staff believes that this increase will make the City more competitive in the marketplace and
assist the City in attracting more qualified applicants. Additionally, Lodi City Mid -Management
Association (LCMMA) supports the salary adjustment for these positions.
Please refer to Attachment A for a listing of the proposed salary ranges.
Historically, the City has made adjustments to position salary ranges and employees' salaries when it has
become challenging to recruit and retain qualified applicants/employees. This request is consistent with
that approach,
FISCAL IMPACT: At top step, the aggregate difference in base pay for all recommended
salary adjustments is approximately $66,000 per year, if fully staffed.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: All additional costs will be absorbed within existing appropriations.
Adele Post, Human Resources Manager
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Andrew Keys, Deputy City Manager/Internal Services Director
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-251
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL
APPROVING SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR
SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATIONS WITHIN THE
ENGINEERING SERIES
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby approve
the salary adjustment for specific classifications within the Engineering series; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the new salary ranges for the Assistant Engineer,
Associate Civil Engineer, Compliance Engineer, Senior Civil Engineer, and Senior Traffic
Engineer are hereby approved and shall be as follows:
Classification
Step 0
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Assistant Engineer
$7,392.98
$7,762.63
$8,150.76
$8,558.30
$8,986.20
Associate Engineer
$8,132.27
$8,538.88
$8,965.82
$9,414.12
$9,884.82
Compliance Engineer
$8,132.27
$8,538.88
$8,965.82
$9,414.12
$9,884.82
Senior Civil Engineer
$9,175.56
$9,634.62
$10,116.25
$10,622.33
$11,152.89
Senior Traffic Engineer J
$9,175.56
$9,634.62
$10,116.25
$10,622.33
$11,152.89
Dated: September 1, 2021
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2021-251 was passed and adopted by the City Council
of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held September 1, 2021, by the following vote:
AYES. COUNCIL MEMBERS — Chandler, Hothi, Khan, Kuehne, and
Mayor Nakanishi
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
. C,u�'rrr.�-
JENNIF CUSMIR
City Clerk
2021-251