Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-2015 Council Work Session Minutes1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 COUNCIL MINUTES February 9, 2015 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : February 9, 2015 TIME STARTED : 6:30 p.m. TIME ENDED : 8:15 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Kusterman, Rafferty, Roeser, and Mayor Reinert MEMBERS ABSENT : none Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Chief of Police John Swenson; Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson; City Clerk Julie Bartell PUBLIC COMMENT Mike Mooney, 900 Oak Lane, noted Item 413 relative to pension transfer options for Centennial Fire District (CFD) firefighters. He is concerned about questions and issues that remain for some impacted firefighters and he will be requesting that the council consider extending the deadline for transfer past the suggested September 1, 2015 date. John DeHaven, 1612 Birch Street, informed the council that his wife, Martha DeHaven, will no longer be able to serve on the city's Environmental Board after many years of service; she has very much enjoyed the work. He added, regarding the firefighter concerns, he supports the city council's decision. Mayor Reinert explained that the concerns and questions of fire fighters about the new fire department have been addressed. He noted that forty people have already signed up to serve with the new department. SETTING THE AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Roeser moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Items I through IF, as presented. Council Member Kusterman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. ITEM ACTION Consideration of Expenditures: February 9, 2015 (Check No. 99716 - 99790, $148,513.88) Approved 1 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 COUNCIL MINUTES February 9, 2015 APPROVED Centennial Fire District (Check No. 6742 — 6760) in the amount of $15,428 January 26, 2015 Council Work Session Minutes January 26, 2015 City Council Meeting Minutes Approved Approved Approved Resolution No. 15-06, Special Event Permit for Trapper's Bar & Grill Snow Golf Approved Application for Excluded Raffle at Lino Lakes Elementary Approved January 26, 2015 Closed City Council Meeting Minutes Approved FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT There were no reports from the Finance Department. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT 3A) 2015 Non -Union Compensation Plan — Administrator Karlson explained that the council has reviewed this proposed compensation plan at their recent work session. The plan includes an across the board salary adjustment and a specific salary range adjustments for two positions — Director of Public Safety and Director of Community Development - based on job duty changes and job point recognition. He is also proposing that the city seek an additional analysis on the Community Development and Finance director positions. 73 Mayor Reinert concurred that the matter was reviewed in work session but he is hearing a different 74 number now as far as the salary adjustments. He understands the point system and the need to 75 correct an inequity but wants a clear course of action. Council Member Rafferty noted that he isn't 76 clear on the point system and would prefer to have more discussion. 77 78 Administrator Karlson explained that the point system used by the city is an older one still in use by 79 just a few cities. The city must rely on consultant Springsted when an analysis is needed. He pointed 80 out that he recently recommended that the city invest in a new compensation model but that does 81 come at a price. He feels a correction is needed if the city is to stay with the current system. 82 83 Mayor Reinert said he agrees that the salary rate for the Public Safety Director should increase based 84 on additional duties. He asked if the council would like to send the entire matter back to a work 85 session for further discussion or approve a portion of the recommendation and have more discussion 86 on the salary model. 87 88 Council Member Roeser noted that the resolution provided by staff indicates a six percent increase for 89 a position while staff has indicated it would be 3.2 percent. Administrator Karlson suggested that the 2 COUNCIL MINUTES February 9, 2015 APPROVED 90 resolution addresses the minimum/maximum salary range; he hears that the council has questions and 91 would recommended tabling the matter if that is the case. 92 93 Council Member Roeser moved that Item 3A be postponed until the next council meeting. Council 94 Member Kusterman seconded the motion. 95 96 Administrator Karlson indicated that he would invite Springsted consultant Ann Antonson to attend 97 the work session discussion. 98 99 Motion carried on a voice vote. 100 lol 311) Six -Month Employment Extension for Community Development Intern — Administrator 102 Karlson explained that staff would like the council to extend this intern position for an additional six 103 months. A one dollar per hour raise in salary is proposed but that is mainly related to the fact the 104 PERA (pension) contribution requirement will begin for this position after six months. When asked 105 if the extension is included in the budget, Mr. Karlson confirmed. 106 107 Council Member Rafferty suggested that the council should have the opportunity to meet city 108 employees; perhaps at a future work session. 109 110 Council Member Rafferty moved to approve a six-month extension of employment for the 111 Community Development intern position. Council Member Stoesz seconded the motion. Motion 112 carried on a voice vote. 113 114 3C) Election Judge Salary Plan — City Clerk Bartell stated that staff is seeking a salary increase 115 for the city's election judges. These judges staff the city's seven voting precincts for each election. 116 The current salary range has been in place since 2000, it is on the low end for cities in Anoka County, 117 and the state minimum wage is set to increase in 2016. 118 119 Council Members Stoesz and Kusterman indicated that they would be abstaining from voting since 120 their spouses have worked as election judges and at the last election. Council Member Roeser noted 121 that his wife has also worked as a judge but not for a while and probably not again so he would be 122 voting on the matter. 123 124 Council Member Roeser moved to approve the salary recommended for election judges. Council 125 Member Rafferty seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. Council Members Stoesz and 126 Kusterman abstained from voting. 127 128 3D) Memorandum of Agreement with LELS — Administrator Karlson explained that the council 129 has approved a stipend for employees who serve as on-call firefighters, some of whom are police 130 officers. The police officers' union has asked for this Memorandum that lays out the details of that 131 service and payment. Mayor Reinert noted that the agreement is reasonable and has been reviewed 132 by the council. 133 3 COUNCIL MINUTES APPROVED February 9, 2015 134 Council Member Rafferty moved to approve the Memorandum of Agreement as recommended by 135 staff. Council Member Stoesz seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. 136 137 PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT REPORT 138 139 4A) Consider Purchase of Fire Apparatus & Fire Rescue Equipment- Chief Swenson reviewed 140 the request to purchase two pieces of used fire apparatus from the City of Woodbury. The city 141 knows what equipment will be acquired from the Centennial Fire District (CFD) and requires this 142 additional apparatus for the new department. The purchase price has been negotiated however the 143 purchase does not include certain equipment required for the truck. The additional equipment needed 144 is itemized in the staff report. He reviewed the total cost of purchasing both trucks and the added 145 equipment. 146 147 Mayor Reinert noted that this is a win for the city, locating this equipment under the expected cost. 148 The Deputy Director has explained to the council the benefits of having two identical trucks — it can 149 be very helpful to know the eqiupment very well in an emergency situation. 150 151 Council Member Stoesz asked if the added equipment costs are solid or estimated? Chief Swenson 152 said that best pricing will be negotiated. 153 154 Council Member Rafferty asked if tax is included or does that not apply? Chief Swenson said the city 155 does not pay taxes on equipment; he will have to check on the possibility of anything on the vehicles. 156 157 Council Member Kusterman noted that the city budgeted $300,000+ for the purchase of one vehicle. 158 In purchasing two, the city also benefits by not having to use the ladder truck as much. 159 160 Council Member Roeser thanked staff for the full explanation at the council work session. The 161 purchase of two trucks will add to the efficiency and safety of the fire department and its staff. That 162 is a big benefit and it was thoroughly thought out. 163 164 Council Member Roeser moved to approve the purchase of fire apparatus and equipment as 165 recommended by staff. Council Member Kusterman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a 166 voice vote. 167 168 4B) Consider Resolution No. 15-18, Supporting September 1, 2015 Deadline for Transfer of 169 Firefighter Service Credits and Pension Assets from Centennial Fire Relief Association to Lino 170 Lakes — Chief Swenson explained that the resolution supports a special legislation effort allowing 171 current Centennial Fire District (CFD) to transfer to the new Lino Lakes Fire Division and bring their 172 years of service (for pension purposes) with them. This would require members to transfer by 173 September 1 of 2015. Mayor Reinert suggested that the city has attempted to be open and honest 174 with firefighters interested in the new department and this action would continue those efforts. It is 175 imperative that the transfers occur by September 1. 176 177 Michael Manthey, 819 Lois Lane and a Centennial Fire Department member, addressed the council. 4 COUNCIL MINUTES February 9, 2015 APPROVED 178 This resolution requiring transfer by September seems to be more of a push away than a pull together 179 effort. He suggests that it would be good for the city to have the experience of the CFD firefighters 180 for a new department. He asked that the council take a step back and hold off on the date. The 181 September date puts "a line in the sand" for firefighters. They may want to have time to look at the 182 plans further — January would be a better time for them. Leaving it open at this time would allow 183 more time to people to come together. 184 185 Council Member Rafferty noted that in the past thirteen months there seems to have been ample 186 opportunity for CFD members to get information. Mr. Manthey suggested that there's been only one 187 opportunity. There was discussion between the council and Mr. Manthey about a meeting held to 188 discuss pension matters and how it was communicated to firefighters. Mr. Manthey stressed his 189 concern that the CFD firefighters would like more time to understand the city's plans. 190 Council Member Roeser added his opinion that there has been adequate time and information for 191 involvement. Council Member Kusterman wondered what about the city's model do firefighters not 192 understand; the city has had open discussions. Mr. Manthey noted some areas not yet clear — i.e. a 193 timeline, the full model planned by the new director, medical calls, pay for training. 194 195 Chief Swenson responded that there was an open house held for CFD firefighters and there was a 196 meeting held with consultants where personnel could get answers on pension questions. The 197 meetings were communicated with CFD leadership who said they would forward the information to 198 individual members. Mayor Reinert noted that the city needs to have information about it's fire 199 force by September 1 in order to have plans in place for the new department; the model has been 200 discussed at length and Chief Swenson has made himself available to discuss it. 201 202 Chief Swenson noted that the September 1 date that is being questioned is necessary so that the 203 department has adequate time to make good decisions about who is brought in and have those 204 members in place when the department goes live in January 2016. 205 206 Mike Mooney, 900 Oak Lane, remarked that the statement that this will be a better model is not a 207 fact; people have the right to ask more questions. There is also a question of the experience level of 208 firefighters and that is worrisome to some CFD firefighters. He takes insult to a statement made that 209 the leadership at CFD is bad. He just wanted to clarify some of the comments made about 210 communication of meetings by leadership. 211 212 Matt Long, 997 Kelly Street, CFD Firefighter. He identifies himself as a newer firefighter. He has 213 seen Chief Swenson come to speak with them once. Past that he has heard nothing from the new 214 department leadership about the new model. He has a lot of questions. Mayor Reinert asked what 215 efforts Mr. Long has made to get answers to his questions. Chief Swenson said he will make himself 216 available to speak with firefighters. 217 218 Council Member Roeser moved approve Resolution 15-18 as presented. Council Member 219 Kusterman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. 220 221 4C) Public Safety Department Update — Chief Swenson updated the council: 222 E COUNCIL MINUTES APPROVED February 9, 2015 223 - Bids are out for the new fire station facility with a February 12 bid opening planned; there has 224 been good response with questions coming forward from vendors; staff will come forward on 225 February 23 with a contract award recommendation; 226 - Recruiting and Training for Firefighters — the first group of trainees has successfully 227 completed the Firefighter 1 course and are in midst of HAZMAT certification and will move 228 on to additional training; second group will begin April 8 and will train through August; new 229 recruits are entering the training process; more applications are coming in; recruitment flyer 230 will be included in city newsletter; 231 - Pension Legislation — staff is working with the consultant on special legislation; local 232 legislators are supportive; 233 - Purchase of Additional Fire Equipment — all large apparatus is on board now with the 234 purchase of the new trucks approved; training will begin soon; 235 - FEMA Grant Request — the grant request to fund turn -out equipment is awaiting a decision; it 236 has progressed to the consideration stage; also exploring a couple other grant opportunities for 237 personnel and/or equipment. 238 239 Mayor Reinert requested that Resolution 15-18 regarding fire pensions be forwarded to the state 240 legislative representatives for the area. 241 242 PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT 243 244 There was no report from the Public Services Department. 245 246 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT 247 248 6A) Resolution No. 15-12, Approving 2015 Environmental Board Goals — Environmental 249 Coordinator Marty Asleson introduced Environmental Board Chair Barbara Bor who reviewed goals. 250 251 Council Member Roeser moved to approve Resolution No. 15-12 as presented. Council Member 252 Kusterman seconded the motion. 253 254 Council Member Roeser offered thanks on behalf of the council; the Environmental Board does a lot 255 of fine work and he's interested in expanding efforts with the council. He also offered thanks to 256 retiring board member Martha DeHaven for her years of good service. 257 258 Council Member Kusterman said, as a citizen of the city, he appreciates the passion of the 259 Environmental Board and their work for this gem of a city. 260 261 Motion adopted on a voice vote. 262 263 6B) Resolution No. 15-13, Accepting 2015 Anoka County Recycling and Recycling 264 Enhancement Grants- Environmental Coordinator Asleson explained that each year the city receives 265 grant funds to be used for recycling efforts. An enhancement grant is also available this year; a grant 266 would be used to fund an intern position and enhance recycling efforts in the city. Grant agreements 267 are authorized through the proposed resolution. 51 COUNCIL MINUTES APPROVED February 9, 2015 268 269 Council Member Roeser noted that fifteen percent of waste is recycled in the city and that's a large 270 number. Are the organic and tree elements big in that number? Mr. Asleson explained that Intern 271 K.C. Kye is working heavily on instituting organic recycling, including at the prison facility; one 272 challenge is the reasonable location of a disposal site for that type of recycling. He also noted that 273 ash tree waste will be a challenge but the city is planning ahead. 274 275 Council Member Kusteman moved to approve Resolution No. 15-13 as presented. Council Member 276 Rafferty seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote. 277 278 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 279 280 There was no Unfinished Business. 281 282 NEW BUSINESS 283 284 There was no New Business. 285 286 COMMUNITY EVENTS 287 288 MONTHLY RECYCLE DAY will be held at Lino Park (7850 Lake Drive) on Saturday, February 21 289 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Furniture will now be accepted for a flat fee of $5.00 apiece. See city 290 website for a list of accepted items. 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 COMMUNITY CALENDAR 302 303 ADJOURN 304 305 There being no further business, the council moved to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. 306 307 These minutes were considered and approved at the regular ci 308 309 310 311c�c�c,. —� 312 --��,Bartell, City Cleyk Jeff $reiddrt, 313 7 23, 2015. Community Calendar —A Look Ahead February 9, 2015 through February 23, 2015 4- Wednesday, February 11 6:30 pm, Council Chambers Planning & Zoning Thursday, February 12 6:30 pm, Community Room Charter Commission Monday, February 16 CLOSED PRESIDENTS' DAY - Tues/Wed February 17-18 6:00 pm, Community Room Strategic Planning Mtgs. — Monday, February 23 6:00 pm, Community Room Council Work Session 4- Monday, February 23 6:30 pm, Council Chambers City Council Meeting 302 303 ADJOURN 304 305 There being no further business, the council moved to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. 306 307 These minutes were considered and approved at the regular ci 308 309 310 311c�c�c,. —� 312 --��,Bartell, City Cleyk Jeff $reiddrt, 313 7 23, 2015.