REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Amending the City’s Salary Resolution and Schedule of Pay to Increase Salaries for Pay Plan Category A (Communication Officers Association) Effective March 2, 2025
Report
BACKGROUND
The 2022-2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Communication Officers Association (COA), which represents Public Safety Dispatchers-in-Training, Public Safety Dispatchers, and Senior Public Safety Dispatchers, provides for a salary adjustment in 2025 based on market survey data of total compensation for comparable positions in twelve Bay Area cities at the rate of five percent (5%) above the survey average.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.1 Legislative Management - Goals and Policies, Goal 7.3D: Maintain a quality workforce, consistent with state and federal laws, City Charter, and adopted policies in order to assure that City services are provided in an effective, efficient, and high-quality manner.
The proposed increases are in accordance with the provisions of the MOU between the City of Sunnyvale and the COA.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the environment.
DISCUSSION
Article 15, section 15.4, of the current MOU with COA specifies that salary adjustments will be based upon an annual market survey of compensation for twelve Bay Area cities (Alameda, Concord, Fremont, Hayward, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Richmond, San Jose, San Leandro, San Mateo, and Santa Clara). The survey formula provides that Sunnyvale Public Safety Dispatcher positions will receive 5% above the survey average on compensation. The survey is conducted during the first fifteen days of January, and the salary adjustments are effective the first full pay period following Council approval each year during the term of the MOU.
Based on the COA MOU requirements, and the 2025 compensation survey results (Attachment 1), it is recommended that the Schedule of Pay of the Salary Resolution be amended to adopt new pay rates for COA represented positions with an increase of 5.72%, effective March 2, 2025.
As these terms and conditions have been negotiated with COA and the City Council approved the MOU. This action is recommended to remain compliant with the agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The COA represents twenty budgeted positions. The FY 2024/25 Budget includes assumptions on increases in total compensation, which include salaries, benefits, and retirement. Adjustments in salary also affect salary related benefits, including retirement. The total increase is estimated at $55,821 annually and $1,563,690 over twenty years. The 5.72% salary increase is greater than the 4% increase assumed in the FY 2024/25 Adopted Budget. It is unlikely that the Department of Public Safety will be able to absorb the cost in the current year. Staff will monitor the Department of Public Safety operating budget and return to Council at the end of the fiscal year with a proposed budget modification if the department will be overspent. The higher than planned ongoing increase will be incorporated into the FY 2025/26 Recommended Budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution amending the City’s Salary Resolution and Schedule of Pay to increase Salaries for Pay Plan Category A (Communication Officers Association) effective March 2, 2025.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
_X_ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
___ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: Michelle Ahlberg, Human Resources Manager
Reviewed by: Tina Murphy, Director, Human Resources Department
Reviewed by: Matthew Paulin, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 01/15/2025 COA Compensation Survey
2. Resolution Amending the Pay Schedule to Reflect Salary Increases for Pay Plan Category A (Communication Officers Association (COA))