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210538Oro P to, city Clerk r � PRESENTED BY c 0 4- a ra 0 U Council File No. 210538 — Ordinance No. 12381 —By Frank L. Loss— An Ordinance amending Ordinanc N o. 6448 entitled: "An Adfninistratfve Ordinance fix', V the compensation rates of certain t E NO. positions and employments," 'JO anprc- 1 January 23, 1925, as;;k AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE N0. 6446 ENTITLED: "AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCE FIXING THE COMPENSATION RATES OF.CERTAIN CITY POSITIONS AND EMPLOYMENTS," APPROVED JANUARY 23, 1925, AS AMENDED. THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL DOES ORDAIN: Section 1. That Ordinance No. 6446, approved January 23, 1925, as amended, and =re particularly as amended by Ordinance No. 12329, be and the same is hereby further amended by amending the ', hourly rates specified under Section II, Group C, as set forth for-- - the following positions: Group C Building Inspector Electrical Inspector Elevator Inspector Gas Burner Inspector Heating and Piping Inspector Masonry Inspector Plasterer Inspector' Plumbing Inspector Plumbing Inspector -Water Dept.. Refrigeration Inspector Sheet Metal Inspector and substituting in lieu thereof the following: Group C Building Inspector Electrical Inspector Elevator Inspector Gas Burner Inspector Heating and Piping Inspector Masonry Inspector - Plasterer Inspector Plumbing Inspector Plumbing Inspector -Water Dept. Refrigeration - Inspector Sheet Metal Inspector Yeas Councilmen Nays - Dalglish Holland Loss Mortinson Peterson Rosen - Mr. President (Vavoulis) Attest: 1 r1 6-62 X22 City Clerk From and After ' May 1, 1962 $3.95 • 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.95 From and After Effective Date of this Ordinance $4.21 • 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 Passed by the Council Tn Favor %�roalnst Approved: o Mayor Orftf,'Oto. City Clerk r ORDINANCE COUNCIL FILE NO. 21053 PRESENTED BY ORDINANCE NO. / ;Z3 Y/ 2 Sec. 2. It is the intent of this Council by virtue of the provisions of this ordinance to establish a rate of pay for the positions covered by this ordinance more nearly comparable to pay of certain foremen positions in building trades in private industry. Sec. 3. This ordinance shall take effect on the first day of the first payroll period following thirty days after its passage, approval, and publication. Yeas Councilmen Nays Dalglish `Loss ` ,Mortinson Peterson " ✓ Rosen Mr. President, (Vavoulis) V/ Attest C��o ZV, 0 a2� el City Clerk I 6-62 X22 J P.% 111963 Passed by the Council Tn Favor IAgainst Appro JAN 111963 Mayor t The follov-4ng information is presented regarding the re- classification of building inspectors to the pay grade of foreman: First, I should like to point out that the Civil Service requirements differ greatly in comparing the journeyman tradesman with the building inspector. As an, example, the Civil Service minimum qualifications for an electrician journeyman are as follows: "Eighth grade education and possession of a certificate evidencing the completion of training as an apprentice electrician, or four years' experience as a journeyman electrician. Must possess a journeyman electrician's license issued by the State of Minnesota. " VS. Electrical Inspector's minimum Civil Service qualifications: "High School or Vocational School graduation and the possession of an official certificate evidencing the completion of an apprenticeship as an electrician, such as issued by the State of Minnesota, and three years' experience as a journeyman electrician; or high school or vocational school graduation and eleven years' ex- perience in electrical work, at least seven years of which must have been as a journeyman electrician. Must possess a journeyman electrician's license issued by the State of Minnesota. " A comparison of these two items alone would certainly indicate a higher calibre electrician. A proper Civil Service examination for electrical inspector would most certainly obtain only men who have ability to supervise, and be able to deal with the public. It is necessary for inspectors to readily read blue prints in great detail, as well as plans and specifications, and ascertain whether. they meet our code require- ments. The inspectors are on occasion subpoenaed to testify as expert witnesses in court regarding various ordinances. They are called upon to give written examinations to master contractors and journeyman tradesmen who wish to obtain certificates of competency. Substitute materials and equipment are often submitted on the job, and the in- spectors must approve or make suggestions as to changes necessary to meet code requirements. As inspectors, these people are required to advise not only the journeyman on the job, but also advise holders of master's certificates of competency, as well as engineers and architects, regarding interpretation of the various codes. Many r #2 Re: Re- classification of building inspectors to foreman pay grade (continued) times designs or conditions are at variance with existing ordinances, and the building inspectors are best qualified to recommend the most practical or reasonable solution. All people in the various industries depend upon these in- spectors for final decisions, and must feel confident the inspectors are qualified to make these determinations. The inspectors must of necessity know more than the journeymen whose work they inspect - -in fact, they must pass expert judgment upon the work of the masters in their trade. May I also point out that the inspectors have pressure from all sides - -from the contractors, who are highly interested in the economics of the project; from the journeyman, who is interested in getting the job done in the easiest possible manner; and from suppliers who may wish to substitute improper materials. The inspector is certainly considerably more qualified than the average journey- man, and in outside industry would hold a position of at least foreman, and in many instances that of superintendent. For these reasons, I feel these men should be placed in the foreman's classifi- cation. The true benefactors shall be the people of St. Paul, because it is upon the inspectors' diligence, experience and technical know -how that the public confidence and the safety of every building within the city rests. 12/10/62 The follov.`,ig information is presented regarding the re- classification of building ir_cpectors to the pay grade of foreman: First, I should like to point out that the Civil Service requirements differ greatly in comparing the journeyman tradesman with the building inspector. As an example, the Civil Service minimum qualifications for an electrician journeyman are as follows: "Eighth grade education and possession of a certificate evidencing the completion of training as an apprentice electrician, or four years' experience as a journeyman electrician. Must possess a journeyman electrician's license issued by the State of Minnesota. " VS. Electrical Inspector's minimum Civil Service qualifications: "High School or Vocational School graduation and the possession of an official certificate evidencing the completion of an apprenticeship as an electrician, such as issued by the State of Minnesota, and three years' experience as a journeyman electrician; or high school or vocational school graduation and eleven years' ex- perience in electrical work, at least seven years of which must have been as a journeyman electrician. Must possess a journeyman electrician's license issued by the State of Minnesota. " A comparison of these two items alone would certainly indicate a higher calibre electrician. A proper Civil Service examination for electrical inspector would most certainly obtain only men who have ability to supervise, and be able to deal with the public. It is necessary for inspectors to readily read blue prints in great detail, as well as plans and specifications, and ascertain' whether they meet our code require- ments. The inspectors are on occasion subpoenaed to testify as expert witnesses in court regarding various ordinances. They are called upon to give written examinations to master contractors and journeyman tradesmen who wish to obtain certificates of competency. Substitute materials and equipment are often submitted on the job, and the in- spectors must approve or make suggestions as to changes necessary to meet code requirements. As inspectors, these people are required to advise not only the journeyman on the job, but also advise holders of master's certificates of competency, as well as engineers and architects, regarding interpretation of the various codes. Many #2 Re: Re- classification of building inspectors to foreman pay grade (continued) times designs or conditions are at variance with existing ordinances, and the building inspectors are best qualified to recommend the most practical or reasonable solution. All people in the various industries depend upon these in- spectors for final decisions, and must feel confident the inspectors are qualified to make these determinations. The inspectors must of necessity know more than the journeymen whose work they inspect - -in fact, they must pass expert judgment upon the work of the masters in their trade. May I also point out that the inspectors have pressure from all sides - -from the contractors, who are highly interested in the economics of the project; from the journeyman, who is interested in getting the job done in the easiest possible manner; and from suppliers who may' wish to substitute improper materials. The inspector is certainly considerably more qualified than the average journey- man, and in outside industry would hold a position of at least foreman, and in many instances that of superintendent. For these reasons, I feel these men should be placed in the foreman's classifi- cation. The true benefactors shall be the people of St. Paul, because it is upon the inspectors' diligence, experience and technical know -how that the public confidence and the safety of every building within the city rests. 12/10/62 v ' C C.i _ Q . �l _._ w ;t =, � U � ST. PAUL RENTAL PROPE�PY A . 184 N. Miss. Blvd° r' . St. Paul 4, Minn. Jan. 10, 1963 To Mayor Vavoulis and the City Council: We noticed in the paper that a proposal has been made-to increase the wages of the City Building Ins ectors from $693.00 per month to $ 733.00 and then to ?5$.00 in June. We are opposed to this increase. The time has come to hold the line on wages. We have been told to fight inflation, and pet the Unions and the various levels of government are the worst offenders when it comes to stopping inflation. It seems like the taxpayers of our city who have'to pay the billyare the forgotten people'in our eco- nomy. Taxes have gone up over 44po since 1940. During this same period of time the population of the city has been fairly static. It seems like all the city govern- ment thinks about is to spend more money with out any concern for the taxpayers. We have seen in the paper that if the City Building Inspectors are given this increase then the Engineers will be dissatisfied and will be requesting an increase too. All this does is start a vicious circle. One group after another will be asking for an increase. Therefore the way to keep everybody happy is to hold the line on wage increases. Up to the present time inspector's salaries have been tied in with what the tradesmen are getting. If these increasesare granted, the inspectors will be paid more than the tradesmen which is a dangerous pre- cedent. Actually the inspectors should receive less than the tradesmen because they receive many benefits that the tradesmen don't get. For instance they have steady work the year round whereas the tradesmen are lucky if they can average 10 months of work per year.,Also the inspec- tors get vacations with pay, sick leave, and severance pay-that the tradesmen don't get. This increase will make the wages of the inspec- tors out of proportion with the wages of other technical help who need more education and training. Before you Bass on this increase we feel that you should check on the duties and responsibilities of the inspectors and whether the amount of work that they do warrants an increase at this time. St. Paul„ R1 ripe =s(J� -Zoi. (n January 10, 1963 The Honorable Mayor Vavoulis and - - ,; - members of-the Saint Paul City Council Gentlemen: - We note with interest and concern the proposal to increase the' salaries k - of city building-inspectors in•an era when runaway inflation is an ever mounting,problem. Both unions and business have been -the target of presi- dential criticism when they have called for increases in wages or prices.- _ We respectfully- submit that, in an age so-burdened with economic problems, the time has come for a re- examination of aims and purpose_ in government.' We therefore wish to go on record as opposing an increase in expenditures $+ oVany kind, until such time as we have' exhausted all possible avenues to increased efficiency, and reduced operating costs in government*'- Yours respectfully, _ UNITED CITIZENS LEAGUE • .. - . -._ _. � ' � - -'� -• - =_ ..- ter-? ` -- - -- _ x ._: � _ -- _ ... _:-`. _._ r. _ - _ _ t ... r By William Schilli g - President - AA CITY. OF SAINT PAULA IIii'II, January 11, 1963 To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council St. Paul, Minnesota Gtiatlemen: Regarding the proposed ordinance increasing the wage rate of the building inspect- ors to that of foreman, may I reiterate that the pay differential between the new inspectors' rate and any other classification should not be a point of issue, but should be handled on its own merits, as is the pay differential necessary between journeyman tradesman and as foreman or inspector. In the past I have attempted to include professional engineers in the civil service qualifications for inspector, and in each instance this has been blocked by one method or another by the Civil Service Department. The City Council has established the policy of keeping the pay of city employees commensurate with that of employees of private industry in this metropolitan area. This same philosophy has governed my action in the current building in- spectors' pay increase. St. Paul building inspectors inspect work that ie�super- vised by foremen and masters in their trade, as well as construction superintend - ents, and pass judgment on this work. As an example of the work ou;r bull4i4o inspectors are doing, I have a letter from one of our larger realtors in St. Paul. This is addressed to Mr. Williams of the Jacobs Company, which conducted our last wage survey: "Dgar Mr. Williams: "As a member of the Chamber of Commerce committee which instituted your "company's wage survey of St. Paul City employees, I am familiar with the thorough job you are doing in gathering wage data from private industry. This information is offered with the purpose of assisting you in one area where the source of comparable wage data may be limited. "'The City Elevator Inspector's job is unique in St. Paul. Operating several office and industrial buildings, we are quite familiar with the present inspectoiilfs capabilities and reeponeibilities. His advice and technical knowledge is invalua- ble to the owners and managers of elevatored buildings. Our office has receutiy #2 To Mayor and City Council 1/11/63 installed new automatic elevators in a downtown office building and has con- verted another building to automatic operation. In this process I have been able to observe the inspector working closely with Otis Elevator Company's employees. "My own evaluation of the inspector's job would rate the wage higher than that of the Otis foreman and installers in the Twin Cities, but less than the Otis 'trouble shooter' engineers from their Chicago office. The inspector's responsibility is much greater than the former group, and his technical knowledge has equalled that of the latter group on many occasions. A college degree is not a prerequisite for either group of Otis employees. Foremen and installers receive $4. 30 per hour plus fringe benefits, in- cluding two weeks paid vacation and six paid holidays, which benefits total 35� per hour. The Chicago personnel work on a salary basis and receive 2510 to 3010 more than the local group. "We hope this information will be helpful. "Very truly yours, ........ " Statements have been made that St. Paul building inspectors will be the highest paid building inspectors in the nation. This is incorrect. As an example, building inspectors in 1962, in St. Paul, received for only the last half of the year $4. 00 per hour. However, two years before that, San Francisco, Calif. building inspectors were receiving over $4. 50 per hour, and even a southern city, New Orleans, Louisiana, paid $4. 10 per hour. Statements have been made in these Council Chambers that next June the building inspectors will receive a $25. 00 per month increase. This is incorrect. The raise for inspectors will be less than one -half this amount. Attached to this latter is further information which has been previously presented, and I believe provides additional justification that the inspectors should be classified as foreman. Yours very truly, rank L. Loss Commissioner The following information is presented regarding the re- classification of building inspectors to the pay grade of foreman: First, I should like to point out that the Civil Service requirements differ greatly in comparing the journeyman tradesman with the building inspector. As an example, the Civil Service minimum qualifications for an electrician journeyman are as follows: "Eighth grade education and possession of a certificate evidencing the completion of training as an apprentice electrician, or four years' experience as a journeyman electrician. Must possess a journeyman electrician's license issued by the State of Minnesota. " VS. Electrical Inspector's minimum Civil Service qualifications: "High School or Vocational School graduation and the possession of an official certificate evidencing the completion of an apprenticeship as an electrician, such as issued by the State of Minnesota, and three years' experience as a journeyman electrician; or high school or vocational school graduation and eleven years' ex- perience in electrical work, at least seven years of which must have been as a journeyman electrician. Must possess a journeyman electrician's license issued by the State of Minnesota. " A comparison of these two items alone would certainly indicate a higher calibre electrician. A proper Civil Service examination for electrical inspector would most certainly obtain only men who have ability to supervise, and be able to deal with the public. It is necessary for inspectors to readily read blue prints in great detail, as well as plans and specifications, and ascertain whether they meet our code require- ments. The inspectors are on occasion subpoenaed to testify as expert witnesses in court regarding various ordinances. They are called upon to give written examinations to master contractors and journeyman tradesmen who wish to obtain certificates of competency. Substitute materials and equipment are often submitted on the job, and the in- spectors must approve or make suggestions as to changes necessary to meet code requirements. As inspectors, these people are required to advise not only the journeyman on the job, but also advise holders of master's certificates of competency, as well as engineers and architects, regarding interpretation of the various codes. Many #2 Re: Re- classification of building inspectors to foreman pay grade (continued) times designs or conditions are at variance with existing ordinances, and the building inspectors are best qualified to recommend the most practical or reasonable solution. All people in the various industries depend upon these in- spectors for final decisions, and must feel confident the inspectors are qualified to make these determinations. The inspectors must of necessity know more than the journeymen whose work they inspect - -in fact, they must pass expert judgment upon the work of the masters in their trade. May I also point out that the inspectors have pressure from all sides - -from the contractors, who are highly interested in the economics of the project; from the journeyman, who is interested in getting the job done in the easiest possible manner; and from suppliers who may wish to substitute improper materials. The inspector is certainly considerably more qualified than the average journey- man, and in outside industry would hold a position of at least foreman, and in many instances that of superintendent. For these reasons, I feel these men should be placed in the foreman's classifi- cation. The true benefactors shall be the people of St. Paul, because it is upon the inspectors' diligence, experience and technical know -how that the public confidence and the safety of every building within the city rests. 12/10/62 is t 2n Laid over to 3rd and app Adopt r Nays Yeas Nays :��alglish Dalglish Holland �Loas �ortinson orti Pete rs on e/P tars \ \Rosen osen Mr.. President Vavoulis r. President Vavoulis 2.0538 s S_�IJiIL+WIiLL Y I