09-12-2016 Council Meeting Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION September 12, 2016 APPROVED 46 Camp Ripley, canine training, etc. She added that there are some cases where the 47 department would not spend the budgeted travel/tuition funds because there was not 48 adequate staff time available. 49 50 Council Member Manthey noted the contractual services line and asked what's included 51 and why it has increased. Mr. Karlson noted several organization and activities included. 52 53 Mr. Karlson noted that each line item has been reviewed and there may be some give but 54 staff has given the best estimate they are able. 55 56 Mayor Reinert recalled that the council included a dollar specific annual budget amount 57 for fire equipment replacement and that calls for an updated schedule for equipment 58 replacement. He confirmed that the process for equipment replacement stills calls for 59 staff to come forward to the council with purchase plans each year. 60 61 Council Member Maher said she's trying to discover how each department determines its 62 line item requests such as for public safety training; does it follow best case scenario? 63 Ms. Karlson said you first look at mandatory training and develop base figures. 64 65 Mayor Reinert asked why fire salaries are climbing and Mr. Karlson said there are step 66 adjustments and cost of living included. The stipend is the hourly bump that officers 67 receive for their fire service. 68 69 Council Member Manthey asked about the PERA line item increase. Ms. Cotton 70 remarked that there was an error in the budget last year whereby PERA was not included 71 for the stipends and that is corrected. 72 73 Mayor Reinert called for a discussion of the three year versus four year replacement of 74 squad cars. Deputy McCarthy responded that the replacement schedule is the council's 75 prerogative; it's always been three years for her memory. Mayor Reinert said his memory 76 is that the council previously directed a four year schedule. This year there are five cars 77 being requested and some of the cars being replaced will be moved to the fire division. 78 Ms. Cotton explained that if the council directed no purchase of cars this year, there 79 would still be no impact on the budget because the debt service for the cars wouldn't 80 show up until 2018. Council Member Rafferty asked what the vehicles generally sell for 81 after three years and Deputy McCarthy explained that each car is reviewed at the time and 82 what will happen with it is determined for each. There has been no sale of an SUV to 83 this point so for that type of body style there is no sales history; staff does anticipate those 84 will hold their value better. 85 86 Mayor Reinert asked where revenue from sales would show up in the budget. Ms. Cotton 87 said proceeds go back into the related fund — where the vehicle purchase was funded — 88 they are revolving funds. 89 2