HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-2023 Council Work Session Minutes LINO LAKES CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
MINUTES
DATE: October 9, 2023
TIME STARTED: 6:00 PM
TIME ENDED: 6:27 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland, Cavegn, Mayor
Rafferty
Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Finance Director Hannah Lynch; Human
Resources and Communications Manager Meg Sawyer; Public Safety Director John Swenson;
Community Development Director Michael Grochala; City Planner Katie Larsen; City Engineer
Diane Hankee; City Clerk Jolleen Chaika.
1. Review Regular Agenda
Mayor Rafferty opened the work session with the focus on Agenda Item 3A. He noted that at the
(October 2, 2023) work session, Council discussed additional options for paid on-call (POC) fire
fighter compensation and provided staff with direction to present further options. Mayor
Rafferty expressed concern that the options included in the packet were different than his
recollection of direction provided to staff.
Staff clarified for Council that the four (4) options as provided in the staff report are different
options based on Council discussion but that Option C specifically displayed a starting pay of
$21/hour with $1/year raises until year five (5) as requested by Mayor Rafferty; staff further
clarified that Option C also included cost of living adjustments (COLA) but the chart displayed
only shows through 2024 Council has only approved COLA through 2024.
Discussion was held on the four (4) options presented. Councilmember Lyden stated that the
proposed compensation increases touch on only a part of the problem and that he rather see
that one problem reviewed with others in a comprehensive plan. He expressed concern about
the pay jumping ahead of what other surrounding communities are paying and that this pay
increase may help in the short-term but it does not address long-term issues.
Councilmember Cavegn concurred with Councilmember Lyden and added that what the City is
doing right now (to recruit and retain POC fire fighters) is not working; he would like to see an
investment in a comprehensive plan to address bigger systemic issues.
Councilmember Ruhland said that the pay increases are not a guaranteed fix but that if the
increase delays initiation of a full-time fire department for two years, he is in favor of the
increase. He added that there is something to be said about being at the top. He also said that if
we have people running into burning buildings that are getting paid less than people cutting
grass, there is some wage injustice that needs to be addressed.
Councilmember Stoesz concurred with Councilmember Ruhland regarding wage injustice and
added an additional consideration is that the younger generation coming into the workforce is
not motivated by retirement and 401K plans;that they need to be incentivized with wages. He is
in support of Option C.
Councilmember Lyden suggested tabling the item at the meeting to allow for further discussion.
Mayor Rafferty stated he did not want this matter further delayed as it has been pending since
June.
Mayor Rafferty entertained commentary from the audience:
Christopher Stowe, 426 Pine Street, commented that the City could get involved in a joint fire
department. He also said that volunteer firefighters work because of a desire to serve their
community not because of financial motivation. Just throwing money at it will only get people
who are motivated by money.
Further discussion was postponed until the regular meeting.
Mayor Rafferty walked through the remainder of the agenda. Staff provided brief overviews of
agenda items and staff reports.
Regarding Agenda Item 6F, Mr. Christopher Stowe commented on his concerns with the sale of
property to Rice Industries; he said that he would purchase the property for $1000.00.
Community Development Michael Grochala discussed the basis for the sale.
The work session concluded at 6:27 PM.
These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council Meeting on November 13,
2023.
Jolleen Chaika, City Clerk Rob tta" -rty, Mayor