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SR-604-001 (13) . PE:KLB:po Council Meeting: May 10, 1988 ~tJC/ -OttJ/ Santa Monica, California MAY 10198' . &-& . TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: City Staff SUBJECT: Recommendation to Approve Underground utility Locator Salary Increase for INTRODUCTION This report identifies a pay disparity between the new position of Underground Utilities Locator and the class of Field Inspector, and recommends the realignment of these two positions as described below. BACKGROUND Due to new legislation obliging the City to mark all of its underground utilities within 48 hours of notification by public and private contractors, a new full time position of Underground utilities Locator was created in fiscal year 1987 IBB. After studying the duties of the position, it was agreed that the pay scale of this position be aligned to that of the Field Inspectors who perform similar type duties. Prior to filling the new vacant Underground Utilities Locator position, the Field Inspectors requested a compensation study of their classification. The Personnel Department conducted the study and found that our Field Inspectors were being compensated far below the mean of local cities. - 1 - ,,-~ MAY 1 0 lSBB As a result, d~ng MEA negotiations, Fi~ Inspectors were . offered and accepted a 20% equity adjustment to bring them back into parity with similar local cities. Due to the fact that the Underground Utility Locator position was vacant and the MEA representatives were not aware of the agreed upon salary alignment of the Underground Utility Locator position with that of Field Inspectors, the Underground Utility Locator position did not receive the equity adjustment that was given to the Field Inspector position in July, 1987. On January 4, 1988, the vacant Underground utility Locator position was filled. Since then, the salary inequity for this position has been brought to our attention. In order to correct this situation, the salary range of Underground Utility Locator position should be aligned with that of the Field Inspector, and the current incumbent should be reimbursed retroactively to January 4, 1988. BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT since January 4, 198B, the Underground Utility Locator position has been paid at the A-step of $1626jmonth. The current salary for this position is $l984jmonth. The 6 month financial impact through July, 198B is limited to $2,148 plus related PERS. - 2 - . . .. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the city Council approve the following~ 1. Upgrade the E-step salary of Underground Utilities Locator from $2007 to $2449; 2. Make January 4, ~988 the effective date of this upgrade and reimburse the incumbent accordingly. Prepared By: Karen L. Bancroft (dft.uulrpt) - 3 - -.'~-,. . . RESOLUTION NO. (City council Series) THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1: The following monthly salary level is hereby established for the indicated permanent classification, effective January 4, 1988: UNDERGROUND UTILITY LOCATOR $2449jMonth E-Step ($3413/Month with PERS) SECTION 2: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect. APPROVED AS TO FORM: ~M.~ ROBERT M. MYERS U City Attorney - 4 -