HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/03/1976 Council Minutes8
January 3, 1976
A special meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order at 3:00 P.M.
Saturday, January 3, 1976 by Mayor Bohjanen. Councilmembers present; Karth, McLean,
Schneider. Mr. Zelinka arrived at 3:15 P.M.
This meeting had been called for the purpose of formulating a position to present
to the mediation board on the demands of the union for the police contract. This
meeting with the mediation board is scheduled for January 6, 1976 at 10:00 A.M.
The figures in the cash flow report was discussed. Working with the projected 14%
deficit, the salaries for 1976 can only be $38,413.90 plus the Chief's salary of
$14,000.00.
Mr. Karth asked if the wage proposal included insurance and was told, No, this is
just for salaries.
Mr. McLean asked what are the priorities in this community? In his estimation the
priorities should be ranked as #1 - Roads; #2 - Fire Coverage; #3 Police Dept.;
#4 Administrative Dept; #5 - Parks.
Mr. McLean asked the other Council members how they would rate their priorities?
Mr. Zelinka said he agreed on the first two, but would reverse 3 and 4. He felt
that Police protection could be obtained from outside the area but administrative
services must come from within the City. Mayor Bohjanen agreed with the rating
except he would rate 3 and 4 about even.
Mr. Marier, from the audience, asked the Mayor if he would rate an andmistrative
job over and above Police protection? Mayor Bohjanen said in an emergency he
would rate the Police Department over the adminstrative Department.
Mr. Karth felt the adminstrative services come from within the City - the Police
calls could be handled from outside. Mr. Schneider agreed with Mr. McLean.
Mr. McLean felt, then according to the priorities set, there should be no cuts
in the road department budget.
Mr. Zelinka felt that some of the spending could be delayed. For instance. some
road repairs could wait until funds are available. But he felt road maintenance
was of prime importance.
Mr. Schneider asked if there is any contingency fund built into the road budget
and was told, No.
Mr. McLean said this would indicate the only 'give areas' are in the adminstrative
area and the Park Fund.
Mr. Zelinka said that assuming a Police Department of the some size, the total hours
could be reduced thus reducing the size of the department.
Mr. Jaworski, from the audience, said the Capital outlay is covered by Federal
Revenue Sharing and there is also a \$3,000.00 cushion in the Clerk's office.
Mr. Marier suggested working with just the salaries, do one thing at a time.
According to the union proposal presented to the City on October 10, 1975, the
following schedule would be the cost to the City:
Sgt. 14,520.00; Patrolman (2) 26,400.00; Part -time (4) 14,880.00;
Total cost - 55,800.
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January 3, 1976
The City's 1976 Budget is as follows;
Salaries 63,985.00 minus Chief's salary of 14,000.00 = 49,985.00 budgeted for
salaries in 1976. The City had presented a proposal in 1975 with salaries totaling
47,170.00.
To the union proposal and the City's 1975 proposal add 10 of salaries for Holidays
and overtime pay making the total costs for the Union proposal 61,380.00 and the
City's 1975 offer 51,887.00. An estimated $835.00 per year for benefits to be added
making the toatals as follows: Union - 68,829.00; City's 1975 proposal - 58,005.
Added to the City budget costs would be $6,614.07* in retroactive pay including
PERA on that salary.
*This figure is computed on the dama'nd of the Union that the present Clerk /Typist
in the Police Department receive the same salary as a Patrolman.
Since these figures are only for salaries and do not consider the other costs, the
Council considered areas that costs could be reduced. Mr. Zelinka asked if a Clerk
could be eliminated? Just how essential is a Police Clerk?
Mr. Schneider asked if it would be possible to combine the two and Mr. Zelinka
said that was the original intent.
Mr. Jaworski said that before the thought' of eliminating the Police Clerk is
considered, he wondered how many of the Council members were aware of the amount
of work done in that office?
Mr. McLean said that he would have to plead ignorance, but in any case, he felt that
some of the functions could be eliminated.
Mr. Jaworski suggested checking into the legality of what the State requires in
the way of record keeping.
Mr. Schneider asked if these items were considered at budget time and Mr. McLean
said only very broadly.
Mr. Karth said the first place to cut was the department with the lowest priority -
Parks, start at the bottom and work up.
Mr. McLean felt the only place that..could be cut in the Parks would be in the area
of Capital outlay.
Mr. Marier said that the criteria of the City must be met according to priority.
All other areas have fathers and sons flooding and taking care of. Hockey rinks. He
felt that the Parks have costtoo much. There is no cooperartion or responsibility
from the ones who use the rinks. He felt the City needs a Police department but to
what extent?
Mr. Jaworski asked about the volunteers for flooding and Mr. McLean said there had
been no offers for flooding.
Mayor Bohjanen wondered about the legality of operating City equipment if not a
City employee - what would be the City's responsibility towards that person?
Mr. Karth felt that it would cost more to repair the equipment than to pay some
one to operate it.
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January 3, 1976
Mr. Jaworski felt flooding should be done by the peiple who use the rinks.
Mr. Zelinka felt that cutting in the hours of service by the Police Department and
thus reduce the size and costs for that department should be considered.
The Clerk was instructed to compute costs for the retroactive pay that is part
of the pion contract and add to the cost figures for that department. It was also
suggested that the insurance program be the one that excludes the retirement portion
since all Police personnel must contribute to the PERA fund.
It was suggested the Council continue this meeting until Monday, January 5, 1976, and
ask the Attorney to attend a meeting at 7:00 P.M. to go over this report for possible
corrections before the mediation meeting to he held on Tuesday, January 6, 1976.
Mr. Marier suggested a 5Ai% raise, $20.00 towards the Central State Ins. program without
the retirement clause, vacation schedule and uniforms as a City offer.
The length of this contract was questioned and Mr. McLean said it would expire on
December 31, 1976.
Mr. Zelinka said that retroactive pay cannot be considered since there are insufficient
funds to pay and would be setting a precedent.
Mr. Jaworski asked if all members have taken their Oath of Office? Mr. Zelinka and
Mayor Bohjanen have not been sworn in. Mr. Jaworski said all members must be sworn in.
Mr. Marier asked if notice of this special meeting had been posted? The Clerk said
the notice was posted on the door of the City Hall. Mr. Marier said that it must be
posted in three other places. Highway 49 and Co. Rd. J; Main Street and 24th Avenue;
Elm Street and some place by the Parka
Mr. Zelinka moved to continue this meeting until 7:00 P.M., Monday January 5,1976/
Seconded by Mr. McLean. Motion carried.
January 5, 1976
At the continued meeting called to order at 7L15 P.M. on Jaunary 5, 1976, the following
motion was made.
Mr. Karth moved to authorize Mr. Locher and Mayor Bohjanen to attend the mediation
hearing scheduled for 10:00 A.M. January 6, 1976 and to present the following proposal;
The City will pay 5.5% of the salaries paid in 1975 (52,376 minus the Chief's salary
of 14,000 = 38,376 + 5.5% = 40,486.00)' 20.00 per month benefits. This figure includes
a provision of 10% to cover overtime and holiday pay. Sick leave is normally paid on
salaried employees. All previously agreed points of the contract are to reamin stable.
Employees will furnish a Doctor's certificate if:off from work for more than three days.
This offer totals $45,369.00 and does not carry any ocnsideration for retroactive pay.
The total figure for salaries in the 1976 budget is $49,985.00. The union cost is
estimated at $68,829.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carreid unanimously.
These minutes were corrected and approved at the January 26, 1976 Council
meeting.
Edna L. Sarner. Clerk- Treasurer