05-07-2012 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 7, 2012 APPROVED 81 employees to "buy"vacation time, whereby they pay the cost of additional time off spread 82 throughout the year. Some concern was expressed about continuing the practice of 83 paying for unused sick time especially in light of the payments representing taxpayer 84 money. 85 The council discussed the city tuition reimbursement policy. It was suggested that an 86 eighty percent reimbursement rate seems high and perhaps a 50/50 city/employee 87 payment plan would be more of an incentive. A council member noted his awareness of a 88 federally imposed limit on what can be reimbursed and he suggested that staff research 89 that figure. It was also suggested that reimbursement be provided for graduate level 90 education only. The council did not concur with the concept of offering reimbursement 91 to graduate level and up only since organizations normally include individuals with all 92 levels of education and they all merit the incentive. It was suggested that language be 93 added that clarifies that the city assistance should be paid back if the employee leaves 94 within a certain period of time. As for the changes proposed,the council concurred with 95 the proposed health care, cell phone policy and Personal Time Off policy. They'd like to 96 see some revisions based on discussion within the tuition reimbursement policy. 97 Administrator Karlson noted he would be further reviewing the computer use policy. 98 5. Police Department Organizational Assessment—Chief Swenson distributed 99 department organizational charts indicating the organization before the proposed changes 100 and after. He clarified that Administrator Karlson prepared an organizational review in 101 2011 but that included only the two front office positions within the police department. 102 Chief Swenson noted the recent resignation of the Volunteer Coordinator and that 103 addressing that vacancy and the duties of that position became part of his reorganization 104 proposal. The recommendations included in his report include some restructuring within 105 the department but without additional hiring. It includes the elimination of one 106 elementary school officer assignment but with the understanding that the department will 107 have a conversation about how the department can continue to have a positive role in the 108 schools. He reviewed the budget implications(savings). When he was asked who 109 would be filling in for the responsibility of seeking grant funds, Chief Swenson explained 110 that everyone in his department has that responsibility. The mayor cautioned the Chief on 111 the prospect of adding a captain position to a department that has sometimes been viewed 112 as"top heavy". Chief Swenson pointed out a comparison to other departments that 113 indicates the department structure would be appropriate. 114 The council concurred that they will consider the department restructuring at the next 115 council meeting. 116 6. Charter Commission Communications - City Clerk Bartell noted that the 117 Charter Commission Chair has sent two email communications that are included in the 118 packet. She provided the council with additional information from Chair Lyden that 119 explains the commission's intent as far as the tax exempt zone motion of the commission. 120 They are not forwarding the motion as a charter amendment proposal. The mayor noted 3