03-23-2020 Council Meeting Minutes

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COUNCIL MINUTES APPROVED 4o ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT 41 A) Consider Adoption of the Pandemic Response Plan — City Administrator Karlson 42 explained that staff is presenting this Plan and requesting council adoption. This document will 43 serve to guide the City through the current emergency and gives the council information on how 44 staff intends to proceed through a process of preparation and response on an escalating basis as 45 needed. He explained that department directors are preparing to escalate if necessary and the 46 council will be kept fully infonned moving forward. 47 Councilmember Lyden noted that Anoka County hasn't provided an update for a few days; he's 48 curious about those numbers. Public Safety Director Swenson noted that the number of confirmed 49 cases in the county is currently at six. 50 Councilmember Stoesz noted, with the Declaration of Emergency approved by the council last 51 week, he is struggling with also approving this more detailed plan. He pointed out that elected 52 officials are not experts and staff has done a good job in responding to this point. He feels that staff 53 was given authority to proceed with their actions by that declaration. Administrator Karlson 54 responded that policies are generally brought to the council for approval and added that the League 55 of Minnesota is recommending that cities have a plan such as this. Mr. Karlson said it is the 56 council's choice as to how they will approach adoption of this plan but staff will proceed to respond. 57 Councilmember Cavagn noted that he recognizes that staff brings policy forward for council 58 consideration and they do so having done the appropriate background work. 59 Councilmember Ruhland said he concurs with Cavegn but also understands the question that has 60 arisen about expertise. 61 Councilmember Lyden asked if how the council should act is a question of legal authority? 62 Administrator Karlson said he hasn't spoken to the City Attorney on this document specifically but 63 as he has explained, the plan represents recommendations on how staff would intend to proceed; 64 there's intent to keep the council fully involved in decisions going forward. 65 Councilmember Stoesz said his intent is not to hold up the plan so he will support moving forward 66 with the understanding of his comments. 67 Councilmember Ruhland moved to accept the Plan as presented. Councilmember Cavegn seconded 68 the motion. Motion carried: Yeas, 5; Nays none. 69 B) Consider Building Official Salary Increase, Karissa Bartholomew 70 i. Consider Resolution 20-32 Appointing an Interim Building Official and Approving a 71 Professional Service Contract for Building Official Services. 72 Administrator Karlson reviewed the written staff report. The City's building official, Patrick Moonen 73 has submitted his resignation. Mr. Karlson said that Mr. Moonen is an exceptional employee. He 74 stated that the City's salary for the building official position is below market and so staff is requesting 75 an increase to that salary. Mr. Karlson also noted that the City is in the process of conducting a 76 compensation study and he expects that there will be a recommendation to increase the salary as part of 77 that study. His point is that there is a quality individual in a very important and required city position. 78 The staff recommendation is to increase the position salary by $7,000 in the hopes of retaining Mr. 79 Moonen. If Mr. Moonen is not retained, the City will have to look at an outside contract for the 80 building official services. He pointed out the monthly cost of contracting for services is much higher in 81 comparison to the monthly salary of Mr. Moonen. 2