Laserfiche WebLink
Mounds View City Council January 28, 2002 <br />Regular Meeting Page 7 <br /> <br />Mayor Sonterre indicated that the dollar amount would be set by Resolution and, if the change to <br />health insurance in the coming year is exorbitant, Council could change the dollar amount by <br />Resolution. He then commented that Council will be as fair as it can but noted the 80/20 split <br />was binding and provided no ability for budgeting. <br /> <br />Gary Kardell from public works commented that he feels this City is different from other cities <br />because it is a very small group. He then commented that there have been no middle of the night <br />sewer emergencies and overtime has been kept to a minimum which points to an excellent group <br />of employees doing a good job for the City. He further commented that public works is always <br />attempting to keep costs down. <br /> <br />Mr. Cardell indicated that they had gotten out of the union because they wanted to be able to <br />work more upfront with Council on employment issues but said, if necessary, he would be <br />willing to get back in the union. <br /> <br />Council Member Thomas stated no one ever questions the work or amount of dollars saved by <br />the public works staff. She then explained that the City needs to be able to forecast the insurance <br />expense and cannot do that with a percentage. She further commented that the per capita tax <br />amount for this City is quite a bit higher than any other city this size. <br /> <br />Council Member Marty commented that there appears to be things going on that are leading to <br />the loss of experienced Staff within the City. He commented the City has lost all of the <br />department heads and more employees. He commented that he is concerned with the lack of <br />communication that has been brought up tonight because there have been limits and restrictions <br />put on communication. He then commented that, if one department does not know something, <br />then Council may not know, and citizens may not know which is of concern to him. He further <br />commented that, in speaking with the public works staff, he has found they are always working <br />together to get the job done regardless of whose job it is. He ended his comment by stating that <br />he feels the issues raised should be looked into before anything gets any farther out of hand. <br /> <br />William Werner commented that the topic of communication is interesting because that is <br />exactly what the provision in the charter that requires department heads to provide a report <br />quarterly is intended to take care of. He then commented, “I do not know why you insist on not <br />following the charter.” <br /> <br />Mayor Sonterre asked that all subsequent debate be directly related to the Resolution that is <br />under consideration. <br /> <br />Ms. Sandbeck asked if the flat rate was comparable to what the union employees receive. <br /> <br />City Administrator Miller indicated the union employees rate is comparable to the proposal for <br />the non-union employees. <br /> <br />Council Member Stigney indicated one of the City employees had called him to discuss some <br />issues and concerns and he had asked that the matter be added to the retreat agenda in February.