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The Springfield City Council, shown above, meets Monday and will discuss proposals ranging from a new employee contract to an update on future efforts to clear snow from PVTA bus stops

(File photo)

SPRINGFIELD — The City Council on Monday will consider approval of a new contract for city building inspectors that includes pay raises and a requirement for khaki pants.

Monday's regular council meeting begins at 7 p.m., at the council chambers at City Hall.

As proposed, the 12 employees in the building inspectors union would receive a 2 percent pay raise retroactive to July 1, 2014, when the last contract expired, that will be followed by a 2 percent raise July 1, 2015, and a 2 percent raise effective July 1, 2016.

The weekly salary of the three senior inspectors will increase by an additional $25, effective June 30, 2016, under the proposed contract.

The current annual salary ranges from $51,093 to $62,795 for inspectors and from $53,777 to $66,447 for senior inspectors.

The building inspectors already have a residency requirement, built into their contract in 2013, that required that any union employee hired after July 1, 2012, must comply with the city's residency requirement.

Changes in the new contract include allowing employees to be evaluated up to twice a year, allowing the city to switch to a bi-weekly payroll system with 90 days notice, and a requirement that inspectors wear khaki pants as part of their uniform effective July 1, 2015.

In other action, Councilor Bud L. Williams said he hopes to receive an update from the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority regarding any collaborative plan with the city to clear snow from bus stops in future years after a winter season that was marked by many snow-clogged bus stops.

Williams is proposing that the PVTA be required by a home rule bill to clear the bus stops citywide. The bill is on the council agenda Monday, but Williams said he will ask that it be continued to allow more time for a collaborative plan.

PVTA Administrator Mary L. MacInnes asked for additional time, saying the PVTA does not own the bus stops and would face an extreme budget hardship to clear 700 bus stops in Springfield. She said she is seeking a collaborative plan with Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

Sarno said there was a temporary solution in the late winter when the Sheriff's Department and Roca provided laborers to help with snow removal, and the city provided funds for snow clearing along some major streets including bus stops.

Sarno said the city will continue to look at "any and all options" for the future, to address the bus stop issue, and was not certain if it will require legislation. Proper access is needed at bus stops, he said.

The home rule bill would need approval from the council, mayor, state Legislature and governor, and would affect just Springfield.