09-13-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK SESSION DRAFT 3 - Fire Department – the mayor noted the proactive approach of moving to part time 88 duty crews and suggested that the City start with a two position base rather than 89 four; Director Swenson explained OSHA regulations that require a certain level of 90 staffing in order to perform certain functions; the mayor challenged Director 91 Swenson to work on possibilities, taking into consideration current cross trained 92 staff. Mayor Rafferty suggested that new police officers could perhaps be 93 required to be cross trained for a minimum of five years; he suggests management 94 staff work on ideas in that area; the council received an update on how the cross 95 trained concept has worked and concerns about services going forward; 96 - Adding Computers to E11 and E12 (vehicles) – Director Swenson explained the 97 benefit of having computers added; 98 - Building Inspections – a part time building inspector would change to full time, 99 taking on the half time duties that are currently covered by the fire inspector; the 100 average wait time for inspection has been brought down to within a week (from 101 12 working days); moving to some Zoom inspections has been a mixed bag; 102 - Woodridge Estates lighting - 15 lights and electrical line need to be replaced; staff 103 is proposing to spread the significant budget cost over four years; 104 - Salt Spreader – Director DeGardner noted that the City currently has one but it 105 would improve services to add another unit; 106 - Vehicle Washing – The mayor asked for a run down on what vehicles are washed 107 and also how that is accomplished; Director DeGardner explained that even the 108 large vehicles are power washed in house; the mayor asked staff to investigate the 109 best process for vehicle washing going forward; 110 - Civic Grounds Maintenance – Councilmember Cavegn said he is not in favor of 111 spending additional funds to add to current landscaping around City Hall because 112 he feels it is adequate now; Director DeGardner noted that they have ongoing 113 maintenance needs, i.e. replace winter kill and pay for mulch, and that is the bulk 114 of the budget request; 115 - Parks Maintenance Position – Director DeGardner explained that the current 116 staffing level goes back to 1997 but many responsibilities and park properties 117 have been added since then; Councilmember Stoesz asked for a comparison with 118 other cities and park service workers (withdrew his request later); Administrator 119 Cotton added that there have been increased phone calls, etc. indicating that 120 additional service to the parks is needed; 121 - Lois Lane – Director DeGardner explained this is a “next phase” for improving 122 the trail; long term expectation is lengthening; Mr. DeGardner noted also that the 123 other park project included in the budget is replacement of one of the Sunrise Park 124 hockey rinks; Mayor Rafferty suggested that this could be an item held for a year 125 or so; 126 - Resurfacing Basketball Courts – Mayor Rafferty asked about holding off for this 127 year and Mr. DeGardner said it’s a need for regular maintenance issue but it 128 probably wouldn’t be drastic if not done next year (to be discussed further); 129 - Park Lighting for Rinks – Mayor Rafferty asked about the status of having all self-130 operating lighting and Director DeGardner updated the council and noted that the 131