11-06-2023 Council Work Session Minutes

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that there are no certificates of indebtedness outstanding. Councilmember Cavegn stated that he would only be in favor of using those aid dollars for one-time cost expenses, not capital. Councilmember Ruhland concurred with Councilmember Cavegn. General discussion was held on the incoming public safety aid funds. Catherine Decker, 614 Pine Street, asked of some transfers noted on the budget. Director Lynch advised she would look into the questions. Christopher Stowe, 425 Pine, inquired of the water treatment values and costs noted in the budget. He wanted to know where the differing numbers were coming from and also if houses to be served by the plant would be the only ones taxed. 4. Public Safety Quarterly Update Public Safety Director John Swenson provided a review of third quarter public safety statistics. Discussion was held on the possibility of introduction of a mental health professional to address an increase in calls which are not necessarily a public safety matter but a mental health matter. Director Swenson advised that one consideration which may be brought before Council would be a shared contract position with Centennial Lakes and Spring Lake Park police departments via a vendor, Canvas Health. Director Swenson also mentioned planning and preparedness for a large-scale emergency event. He suggested that the City work to better prepare staff and elected officials for a future emergency. He proposed further conversations about emergency planning as well as future training. Director Swenson also provided an update on staffing in police and fire. 5. Part-Time Fire Compensation Plan Human Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer advised that staff is proposing an adjustment to the part-time fire compensation plan based on direction from Council at the October work session to review similarly situated cities and to reevaluate the position description with the assistance of the City's compensation consultant. The results of the reevaluation of the position has resulted in a staff recommendation to regrade the position to grade 130 of the Lino Lakes compensation plan; the position is currently graded at 110. She added that a$53,340 budget impact will be seen in 2024 if Council would choose to adopt staff's recommendation to adjust the grade from 110 to 130. A formal request to adopt the change will be presented at the next regular meeting. Discussion was held on the change in grade and pay equity. Finance Director Hannah Lynch also asked that Council provide direction for budget reductions to balance the 2024 budget as the tax levy for 2024 cannot be further increased.