12-05-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 5, 2011 APPROVED 181 �-' 182 8. City Hall Office Reconfiguration—Administrator Karlson explained his plans to 183 better utilize vacant office space as well as cubicle space at city hall. There is a need to 184 purchase some new office furniture to make the best use of space. The cost would be in 185 the range of$10,000 and could be funded from the current budget. The council 186 concurred with planned changes. 187 188 9. Massage Therapy Licensing—City Clerk Bartell recalled that the council heard from 189 a business owner in the area who came to Open Mike and asked that the council discuss 190 licensing of massage therapy businesses in the city. Some basic research indicates that 191 the state does regulate the activity on a minimal level. Some cities have decided to add 192 regulations to their ordinances, and it seems for safety and law enforcement reasons. 193 Based on this basic research, the clerk is asking if the council would like staff to pursue 194 additional information on this type of licensing. Police Chief Swenson indicated that if 195 there is a prostitution problem in the city, his department would work on that problem at 196 the criminal level so this type of license wouldn't change that approach. He doesn't 197 suspect that those looking to conduct illegal activity would necessarily seek a license but, 198 if licensing is desired, there should be discussion about enforcement/inspections. There is 199 a health aspect also. 200 201 A council member recalled that the individual who came to open mike clearly wanted the 202 council to understand the value of licensing the activity, from a business and community 203 aspect. 204 205 The Mayor suggested that the matter be referred to the Planning and Zoning Board with a 206 suggestion to consider the need for this type of license as well as other business type 207 licenses. 208 209 10. Year End Recognition—The Mayor noted that employees of the city haven't 210 received raises recently and he's had a discussion with the Administrator about a possible 211 monetary bonus to employees to recognize their contributions. Administrator Karlson 212 explained that while a bonus isn't possible, recognition is possible as part of a plan. He 213 has included a resolution in the council packet with information on a proposal to provide 214 a recognition of$200 to employees. He noted an option for employees to avoid the 215 withholding tax and PERA deduction by putting the funds into their health savings 216 account or deferred compensation. The council discussed the possibility of increasing 217 the amount slightly in order that the end result would be closer to the $200 intended. 218 219 Most council members concurred with one member suggesting that he needs additional 220 time to review the idea especially in recognition of the sacrifices that the city taxpayers 221 themselves are facing. The matter will be on the December 12, 2011 council agenda. 222 223 11. Weekly Progress Report—Administrator Karlson reviewed the report. Regarding 224 the Early Childhood/Family Education Center Lease situation, staff noted that efforts are 5