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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/03/1975 Council Minutes1 1 �_7.3 DECEMBER 3, 1975 The Special Meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Mayor Bohjanen. Council members present: Marier, McLean and Zelinka. Absent: Jaworski. Mayor Bohjanen announced the purpose of this meeting was for the review of the position of Public Works Supervisor and was a follow up of the meeting held earlier this year. Mayor Bohjanen asked if anyone had any questions of Mr. Volk. Mr. Zelinka said that he had none. He asked Mr. Volk to review his status - what has he accomplished? Mr. Volk said the work done involved snow plowing, patching streets, flooding hockey rinks, park upkeep during summer months. The first storm work was started at about 3:30 A.M. The crews ran into problems because of the soft slush and soft ground underneath the snow. (Mr. Jaworski arrived at 8:05 P.M.) Mr. Volk said about 90% of the patching was done before the bad weather. Flooding on the Hockey rinks had started last Friday. The well at Sunrise is down around 215 feet and should be in by Friday of this week. Mr. Volk said one of the snow plows had been damaged on one of the streets during the last storm. Mayor Bohjanen asked if the street had been repaired, and Mr. Volk said that it had been. Mr. Zelinka asked Mr. Volk if he thought the work efficiency had gone up or down and Mr. Volk felt that it had definitely gone up. Mr. Zelinka asked if he had problems getting help especially part -time people and Mr. Volk said, Yes, most of the part -time peopole are busy during the summer months and late fall and have their slack period in the winter months. It is not always possible to get part -time people to help with the road work in the summer months. Mr. Jaworski asked if he had ever been told he couldn't hire extra help? Mr. Volk said that he had not. Mr. Jaworski asked'if he had ever contacted the unemployment office and Mr. Volk said, No. Mr. McLean said that the had been instructed to make a list of people who are available for part -time work, is that list available? Mr. Volk said, Yes. Mr. McLean asked if this list provides enough help? Mr. Volk said that so many of them are not available in the summer months. Mr. Marier asked how many people he had on the payroll this past summer and Mr. Volk said 5. Mr. Marier asked how many man hours per week? Or per month? Mr. Volk said he didn't know off hand. Mr. Marier asked what the cost of the pay- roll for the Road Department was per month and Mr. Volk said rom a low of about $600.00 to possibly $1,200.00 per month. He would have to check records for an accurate figure. Mr. Cartier asked Mr. Marier if Mr. Volk had been asked to bring those records with him? If he had not bben told that such information would be required, then this line of questions are unfair. Mr. Cartier said that he felt that Mr. Volk was doing a good job. He had only been here a little over a year and had taken over the job with no -one to break him in. Mr. Cartier asked what was going on? DECEMBER 3, 1975 Mr. Zelinka said that at the last review of Mr. Volk's position, another review was scheduled at the end of a six month period. This is that meeting, and it is for the purpose of clarifying some points. Mr. Zelinka said that he had heard many rumors during this time, but when he had traced them down, most of the rumors turned out to be just that and no more. Mr. Cartier asked how many bosses Mr. Volk has and was told that all five of the Council members are his bosses. Mayor Bohjanen pointed that basically Mr. Volk has two contacts on the Council - Mr. Jaworski as liaison to the Road Department and Mr. McLean as liaison to the Park Department. Mr. Zelinka said that the pros and cons should come from these two Council Members. Mr. McLean said that his contacts with Mr. Volk are by phone, memo or a meeting on Saturday morning. Mr. Johnson, from the audience, said he had worked fro both Mr. Backlin and Mr. Volk. He felt that Mr. Volk is doing a good job. The equipment is repaired when needed, and when parts are needed Mr. Volk sees that they are there. He stated that he had also heard some of the complaints about the work at Sunrise last year. This year he will be there during the day and will try to see that things are improved in the area of public relations. Mr. McLean asked Mr. Volk what kind of planning he has for next year? Mr. Volk said that he should have a plan ready in January for the schedule of upkeep for the roads. Mr. McLean asked if this would also include costs and Mr. Volk said, Yes. Mr. Zelinka asked if this would include a time table? Manpower hours? Equipment needed? And if it will fit into the budget? Mr. Volk said this was the plan. Mr. Zelinka asked if there were any records here for him to base his decision on? Mr. Volk said that the only information he has on what has been done before is by being told by people who have worked here longer than he has. Mr. McLean asked if he plans to include a contingency percentage for unexpected break -ups? Mr. Volk said maybe 15% to 20 %. Mr. Cartier said this is ust a guess. Mr. Zelinka said there are no records and that is the point he was trying to bring out. Mr. Jaworski said there is no way to determine why the roads break up. Mr. Marier asked how long, he, Mr. Volk, has been working on the maps and Mr. Volk said since early in the year. All the road maps for the work done in 1975 were prepared. Mr. Marier asked about his short range and long range plan. Mr. Volk answered that he has presented the two month plan to the Council and that he hasn't had the time to sit down and finish the long range plan. He has some of the rought drafting done but needs to find a slack period in which to work out the details. He said that he had spent about 35 hours on the report on breakdown on road costs this year. 1 1 DECEMBER 3, 1975 Mr. McLean asked if the (tong range plan would be done by January and Mr. Volk said he hoped to have it completed by that time. Mr. McLean asked if that was too short a time and Mr. Volk said he didn't know, his spare time would depend on the weather. Mr. Zelinka asked, "If this report was being prepared for you by someone else, how woon would you need the report to make your plans for next year's road work ?" Mr. Volk said April would be soon enough. Mr. Cariter felt that this planning is also the responsiblity of the man on the Council who is in charge of the Roads and he should sit down with Mr. Volk and assist in this plan. Mr. Zelinka felt this meeting was not for the purpose of critizing Mr. Volk, but for the purpose of clarifying some points. Mr. Zelinka felt thant on the basis on which Mr. Volk started he has done a good job. Mayor Bohjanen said the short range plans takes the Road Department through February; could Mr. Volk have the long range plan ready by March? Mr. Volk said this would depend on the weather, he needs some slack time to have the time to do the work. Ma. Marier asked Mr. Volk, "How do you know when your're operating efficiently ?" Mr. Volk said, "When the work he wants to get done, is done." Mr. Jaworski asked what the crews do on the rain days, when road work cannot be done? Mr. Volk said they mow, regravel, do routine work and upkeep at the Parks. Mr. Jaworski said one thing he would like to see improved in 1976 is the proceedure in case of an emergency. How could Mr. Volk be contacted? Mr. Volk said by phone. Mr. Jaworski said that a couple of times this past year there were emergencies, and he could not track Mr. Volk down. Mr. Jaworski felt there should be a list of phone numbers where he could br reached. Mr. Cartier felt this would be asking Mr. Volk to be on call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. There should be someone to fill in, no person should be asked to work under those conditions. Mayor Bohjanen said there should be someone else to fill in, in case of an emergency. Mr. McLean suggested making this point a part of the long range plan. Mr. McLean asked if there will be a long range plan for the Parks? Mr. Volk said when the road plan is completed. Mr. McLean asked if there had been an inventory of other buildings for possible repairs? Mr. Volk said he, had nothing on paper. Mr. McLean said this should also be included. Mr. Recot asked the possiblity of leasing a couple of radios for the trucks just for the winter months? Mr. Cape said that he is in the process of purchasinga CB unit and will be presenting a report to the Council on this. He said the present radios owned by the Civil Defense are not operable. Mayor Bohjanen asked if there were any other comments. Mr. Zelinka sked Mr. Volk if he had received any complaints? From where? Any praise? Mr. Volk said he had had complaints repeated to him but has only received DECEMBER 3, 1975 a few personally. Mr. Zelinka asked if there had been any praise and Mr. Volk said, some. Mr. Cape said the Civil Defense had good co- operation from Mr. Volk, better than ever before. Mr. Zelinka read the minutes referring to this meeting in which it was stated that Mr. Volk's position would be reviewed in six months and if, at that time, it was felt that progress was being made, he would receive an adjustment to 8% of $910.00 which was Mr. Backlin's salary at the time Mr. Volk took over the position. Mr. Zelinka felt the Council should be polled and a decision made on this. Mayor Bohjanen felt there had been considerable improvement - He took this position at a disadvantage - Mr. Backlin would have been a guide for him if he had been available. Mayor Bohjanen felt this salary adjustment should be approved. Mr. McLean felt that the planning is slow, he would have expected completion before this. He felt Mr. Volk was weak in the Supervision department, he needs more experience in that area. As far as the Parks are concerned, he has a good working relationship with Mr. Volk. Mr. Marier said he could not add to what Mr. McLean had said. Mr. Jaowrski agreed with Mr. McLean except that in times of emergencies, he couldn't get in touch with Mr. Volk. Mr. Jaworski said he would abstain from voting on any motion for or against the salary adjustment. Mayor Bohjanen asked if this meant he was leaving the decision to the new Council? Mr. Jaworski said he could interpret it any way he wanted to. Mr. Zelinka said this is a review meeting and asked if a motion should be made at this meeting? Mayor Bohjanen thought this should be handled; at a regular Council Meeting. Mr. Zelinka moved to table any action until the December 8, 1975 regular Council Meeting. Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried. Mr. Jaworski moved to adjourn at 9:15 P.M. Seconded by Mr. McLean. AYE. These minutes were approved at the December 8, 1975 Council Meeting. /LI) CLERK - TREASURER. 1 1 1