04-13-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES DRAFT 2 ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT 40 A) Consider Adoption of the Pandemic Response Plan – City Administrator Karlson 41 explained that staff is presenting this Plan and requesting council adoption. This document will serve 42 to guide the City through the current emergency and gives the council information on how staff 43 intends to proceed through a process of preparation and response on an escalating basis as needed. 44 He explained that department directors are preparing to escalate if necessary and the council will be 45 kept fully informed moving forward. 46 Councilmember Lyden noted that Anoka County hasn’t provided an update for a few days; he’s 47 curious about those numbers. Public Safety Director Swenson noted that the number of confirmed 48 cases in the county is currently at six. 49 Councilmember Stoesz noted, with the Declaration of Emergency approved by the council last week, 50 he is struggling with also approving this more detailed plan. He pointed out that elected officials are 51 not experts and staff has done a good job in responding to this point. He feels that staff was given 52 authority to proceed with their actions by that declaration. Administrator Karlson responded that 53 policies are generally brought to the council for approval and added that the League of Minnesota is 54 recommending that cities have a plan such as this. Mr. Karlson said it is the council’s choice as to 55 how they will approach adoption of this p lan but staff will proceed to respond. 56 Councilmember Cavagn noted that he recognizes that staff brings policy forward for council 57 consideration and they do so having done the appropriate background work. 58 Councilmember Ruhland said he concurs with Cavegn but also understands the question that has 59 arisen about expertise. 60 Councilmember Lyden asked if how the council should act is a question of legal authority? 61 Administrator Karlson said he hasn’t spoken to the City Attorney on this document specifically but 62 as he has explained, the plan represents recommendations on how staff would intend to proceed; 63 there’s intent to keep the council fully involved in decisions going forward. 64 Councilmember Stoesz said his intent is not to hold up the plan so he will support moving forward 65 with the understanding of his comments. 66 Councilmember Ruhland moved to accept the Plan as presented. Councilmember Cavegn seconded the 67 motion. Motion carried: Yeas, 5; Nays none. 68 B) Consider Building Official Salary Increase, Karissa Bartholomew 69 i. Consider Resolution 20-32 Appointing an Interim Building Official and Approving a 70 Professional Service Contract for Building Official Services. 71 Administrator Karlson reviewed the written staff report. The City’s building official, Patr ick Moonen 72 has submitted his resignation. Mr. Kar lson said that Mr. Moonen is an exceptional employee. He 73 stated that the City’s salary for the building official position is below market and so staff is requesting an 74 increase to that salary. Mr. Karlso n also noted that the City is in the process of conducting a 75 compensation study and he expects that there will be a recommendation to increase the salary as part of 76 that study. His point is that there is a quality individual in a very important and requir ed city position. 77 The staff recommendation is to increase the position salary by $7,000 in the hopes of retaining Mr. 78 Moonen. If Mr. Moonen is not retained, the City will have to look at an outside contract for the 79 building official services. He pointed out the monthly cost of contracting for services is much higher in 80 comparison to the monthly salary of Mr. Moonen. 81