11-05-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 5, 2012 APPROVED 89 Council Member Roeser noted that the aluminum can recycling program will be 90 commencing soon and will support a recreation center. He ensured that staff is prepared 91 to receive that revenue. 92 93 Mr. Rolek reviewed the preliminary levy amount set by the council in September. When 94 that preliminary budget was set,the council still had some issues to discuss including 95 outsourcing possibilities and personnel issues as far as replacing positions. He did 96 receive a communication from Council Member Stoesz with several suggestions; staff 97 has responded to some. Public Services Director DeGardner distributed information 98 comparing neighborhood park services provided by city staff and services contracted out. 99 From a monetary standpoint the in-house staff continues to make the most sense. There 100 are many shared services between public works functions that are performed by park 101 maintenance staff. Mr. DeGardner also provided a comparison of renting versus 102 purchasing for portable restroom services. Mr. DeGardner reported also on the 103 suggestion of combining cell phone uses and that there is the possibility of savings that 104 staff will continue to explore. Council Member Roeser thanked staff for the comparison 105 information but added that a more comprehensive approach that includes full outsourcing 106 versus fully staffed in-house could look different. Mr. DeGardner added that it's 107 particularly difficult to gauge the work when it varies greatly such as this day when public 108 works staff are providing voting booth transport; he is confident,however,that in house 109 is a better value. Mayor Reinert framed the discussion; it isn't an indication that any city 110 employees aren't doing a good job. It's a necessary discussion for elected officials to 111 have about efficiencies during difficult economic times. Council Member Stoesz added 112 that the weekly update that goes out to the council each Friday is a good way for staff to 113 communicate regularly with the council. 114 115 Mr. Rolek finally noted that the new agreement with Centennial Utilities will generate 116 about$50,000 and he received council approval to deposit that as a contingency item. 117 118 Administrator Karlson reviewed his report relating to personnel and indicated a new 119 change (a police officer has resigned). Therefore there are two police officer positions 120 open and Chief Swenson provided an update on the hiring process. The hiring process 121 began in July for one officer but since then, with a new resignation, he believes it would 122 be appropriate to select two individuals from the good pool that developed through the 123 hiring process. He asks that the council authorize the hiring of two officers and Chief 124 Swenson would then be bringing forward his recommendation to the council meeting. 125 Regarding the Records Technician position that is currently open in the department, Chief 126 Swenson explained that staff is in the process of reviewing more than 80 applications. 127 Council Member Rafferty initiated a discussion about the salary step system and how that 128 could impact hiring at the city. He asked that staff keep the council informed as they 129 consider placement on the step system. Administrator Karlson indicated that he would 130 send information on salary steps for all city positions to the council. 131 132 Administrator Karlson spoke about personnel in city hall where there have been 133 resignations along with planned retirements coming up. The vacant Planner position has 3