04-03-2017 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 3, 2017 APPROVED 171 172 Administrator Karlson reviewed the history of the benefit (included in a handout). 173 Historically the benefit was granted through mediation. Non -union employees also 174 received the benefit to be fair. 175 176 Council Member Rafferty remarked that, putting aside the union employees, he doesn't 177 see it's appropriate to grant this to directors. That level of employee is getting paid at a 178 higher salary and it's tied to getting their job done. 179 180 Administrator Karlson suggested that he fears that type of change would send a message 181 of unfairness to some employees. 182 183 Council Member Manthey suggested that the matter be discussed as policy and not 184 opinion. Without the factual information, it's hard for him to consider the subject matter. 185 186 Mayor Reinert noted that he seconded having the discussion on the agenda. He doesn't 187 feel that having a discussion when there are questions is a bad idea. He wanted more 188 information because he didn't recall hearing of this practice for the employees. 189 190 Council Member Maher suggested it isn't an unusual practice. 191 192 The council concurred that the matter should be discussed, and questioned openly, but 193 with the information they need to properly review it. Administrator Karlson asked what 194 additional information the council would need. 195 196 Council Member Manthey asked if there is a policy on now the comp time can be used. 197 Administrator Karlson replied that there is not a restriction; where he worked previously 198 there was a restriction of eight hours per pay period. It was clarified that there is not a 199 payment attached to the comp time and it disappears if not used within the year it's 200 earned. 201 11. Review Regular Agenda 202 203 EDA Meeting — Community Development Director Grochala explained that the EDA 204 will be asked to transfer the land that is being considered for sale to the American Legion. 205 The land title would be transferred to the city since the EDA actually holds the property. 206 The action would move the title to the city for three lots. The council could then take 207 action later on the agenda to approve second reading of the ordinance providing for the 208 actual land sale. 209 210 Item 4A, Police Division Staffing Study — Director Swenson explained that he had 211 requested funding for a professional staffing study but that was not included in the 212 approved city budget. He therefore looked at the use of forfeiture monies as a funding 213 source and he has verified that is a legal use of those funds. He proposes to hire 214 Springsted for a study, as outlined in the staff report. Mayor Reinert asked for more