11/26/2012 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 5, 2012 DRAFT 89 Council Member Roeser noted that the aluminum can recycling program will be 90 commencing soon and will support a recreation center. He ensured that staff is prepared 91 to receive that revenue. 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 Mr. Rolek finally noted that the new agreement with Centennial Utilities will generate 116 about $50,000 and he received council approval to deposit that as a contingency item. 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 Administrator Karlson spoke about personnel in city hall where there have been 133 resignations along with planned retirements coming up. The vacant Planner position has Mr. Rolek reviewed the preliminary levy amount set by the council in September. When that preliminary budget was set, the council still had some issues to discuss including outsourcing possibilities and personnel issues as far as replacing positions. He did receive a communication from Council Member Stoesz with several suggestions; staff has responded to some. Public Services Director DeGardner distributed information comparing neighborhood park services provided by city staff and services contracted out. From a monetary standpoint the in -house staff continues to make the most sense. There are many shared services between public works functions that are performed by park maintenance staff. Mr. DeGardner also provided a comparison of renting versus purchasing for portable restroom services. Mr. DeGardner reported also on the suggestion of combining cell phone uses and that there is the possibility of savings that staff will continue to explore. Council Member Roeser thanked staff for the comparison information but added that a more comprehensive approach that includes full outsourcing versus fully staffed in -house could look different. Mr. DeGardner added that it's particularly difficult to gauge the work when it varies greatly such as this day when public works staff are providing voting booth transport; he is confident, however, that in house is a better value. Mayor Reinert framed the discussion; it isn't an indication that any city employees aren't doing a good job. It's a necessary discussion for elected officials to have about efficiencies during difficult economic times. Council Member Stoesz added that the weekly update that goes out to the council each Friday is a good way for staff to communicate regularly with the council. Administrator Karlson reviewed his report relating to personnel and indicated a new change (a police officer has resigned). Therefore there are two police officer positions open and Chief Swenson provided an update on the hiring process. The hiring process began in July for one officer but since then, with a new resignation, he believes it would be appropriate to select two individuals from the good pool that developed through the hiring process. He asks that the council authorize the hiring of two officers and Chief Swenson would then be bringing forward his recommendation to the council meeting. Regarding the Records Technician position that is currently open in the department, Chief Swenson explained that staff is in the process of reviewing more than 80 applications. Council Member Rafferty initiated a discussion about the salary step system and how that could impact hiring at the city. He asked that staff keep the council informed as they consider placement on the step system. Administrator Karlson indicated that he would send information on salary steps for all city positions to the council.