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MINUTES OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AUGUST 17, 2020 MEETING HELD VIRTUALLY Present: Councilmembers Bullock, Kepple, Litten, Neff, O'Malley, Rader, Shachner Also Present: Assistant Law Director Swallow, Maria Shinn & Ken Kowalski of the Civil Service Commission, IT Manager Michael Coletta, Deputy Clerk Lascu and Clerk Bach taking minutes Call to Order: 6:37 p.m. Communication from the Civil Service Commission regarding recommendation for Council Members & Mayor Salaries. At the invitation of the Chair, Mr. Kowalski remarked on the recommendations of the Civil Service Commission. This is Mr. Kowalski's second term in the Commission, and he noted that this year's recommendation is like the previous recommendation. He concluded that the salaries of Lakewood's elected officials are less than those of similarly situated communities because it is politically unattractive for officials to raise their own salaries. To correct this, the Commission recommended a revised process whereby elected officials receive automatic increases through an administrative procedure, like that of other city employees. He remarked that the mayor's salary is particularly out of step with the City's neighboring communities,particularly since Lakewood's mayor serves also as Director of Public Safety. Some communities have a separate position for the Director of Public Safety. President O'Malley thanked the Commission for its service. He questioned the Commission's recommendation to revise the mechanism for salary increases, noting that the Commission's role in the process is relatively new and approved by voters in the Charter re-write a few years prior. He reminded everyone that Council went 34 years without a pay increase. Without a recommendation for an increase to consider this year, Council will go eight years without an increase. Mr. Kowalski replied that the Civil Service Commission had made recommendations to the Charter Commission regarding the process and the Charter Commission declined to act. He noted that because salaries can not be increased during current terms that the process is automatically behind the curve in a way in which an annual adjustment would not be. President O'Malley articulated that the current process allows Council to receive an increase by taking no action on Civil Service recommendations, which is different from Council voting for an increase. The Committee discussed the mayor's salary rank relative to other salaries within the City. Ms. Swallow noted that the chiefs and directors typically make at or above $100,000, which are competitive and appropriate salaries for the jobs. She also referenced collective bargaining agreements where sergeants, lieutenants and captains have potential to make over $100,000. 1