06-09-14 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 27, 2014 DRAFT 45 new firefighters needing new equipment doesn't take into consideration personnel that 46 join who already have equipment. 47 48 Council Member Roeser suggested that the cost of staying with the CFD and adding a 49 new station actually could have resulted in the higher costs. He also noted that there will 50 be savings also when the city can stop subsidizing the other cities in CFD and as well 51 there is the possibility of utilizing land that the city already owns for a new station. If a 52 new station were to locate on the city land, that is being looked at as well for ball fields so 53 it would be beneficial to have a fire station and perhaps a police substation near the 54 athletic facilities. The mayor added that the new station proposed in the report would be 55 larger than originally anticipated and therefore has the potential for community meeting 56 space. Regarding the costs of a fire department, the day to day costs would not go up not 57 considering the bonding for a new station which would have been necessary at any rate. 58 59 Council Kusterman asked if the options are presented in order of the consultant's 60 recommendation and the response was that there was no priority presented. 61 62 (Dave Unmacht was excused from the conversation due to another commitment.) 63 64 Administrator Karlson noted that a two-year window for implementation exists (from 65 January 2014) and that means that the council will have to move soon on its decisions. 66 Mr. Karlson reviewed the next steps that would begin implementation of the council's 67 preferred option. 68 69 The council discussed recruitment ideas. The mayor noted that there may be an option to 70 offer a five year vesting period for pensions as compared to the current ten. Council 71 Member Stoesz suggested keeping an open mind about incentives that could draw 72 personnel. 73 74 The council discussed the structure of the firefighter pension program. Those pensions 75 aren't necessarily portable from one fire department to another but that's a change being 76 explored. The mayor noted that, based on what he's heard from the other cities, a 77 legislative change doesn't appear to be on the horizon; this city will put forward a good 78 and sustainable pension option he is certain. Administrator Karlson noted that Springsted 79 will be providing additional information on pension options. It was clarified that pension 80 funds are invested by the State Investment Board. 81 82 The council discussed the action they will consider at this point. Administrator Karlson 83 explained that the council should consider moving forward on one of the two preferred 84 options since time is important and there is a two-year deadline. Mayor Reinert said he 85 is leaning toward the Public Safety Department model — he likes the possibility of 86 administrative savings — but there is a right and wrong way to do that. Council Member 87 Rafferty suggested that he'd like more time to study the report; he'd be okay with 88 accepting the report as an action. Administrator Karlson remarked that staff is at a point 89 where it's important to know the council's decision on the type of department; staff's 2