Agenda Packets - 2002/03/11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 25, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 10 Mayor Sonterre asked if the City should consider trying to sell the vehicles through the League of Minnesota Cities because a list is sent out to member cities with all items for sale. Acting Chief Brennan indicated he had seen the list of items for sale and it did not appear that vehicles were moving very quickly as the list was the same month after month. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Marty. To Waive the Reading and Approve Resolution 5715, a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Two Police Vehicles. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Petition for the City Council to Hear the Grievance Filed by Marge Norquist Jerry Serfling, Assistant Director for AFCSME 14, addressed Council and indicated that the word grievance becomes adversarial and that is not the way the union looks at it, the union looks at it as identifying the problem and establishing a procedure for resolving the problem. He then indicated that the union objects to the removal or stoppage of payment for Ms. Norquist’s retiree Medicare healthcare supplement. He commented that Ms. Norquist is 72 years old and, as a result of budget decisions her salary was cut in half as of January 1, 2002. He then commented that during the collective bargaining the union discussed with the City the need, in the new contract, to make sure that supplemental insurance payments were continued and, as a result of that discussion, the City Administrator stopped payment and notified Ms. Norquist on January 25, 2002. Mr. Serfling indicated that during negotiations there are certain things under the Minnesota Collective Bargaining Law that are mandatory and should continue and, without any negotiation, the City stopped the payment. He then indicated there is solution that is cheaper for the City and would do no harm to Ms. Norquist. He further indicated that what the City is paying for is cheaper than having Ms. Norquist enroll in the City provided insurance plan and having the City pay the pro rated amount of the premium. Mr. Serfling indicated, rather than see unions and employees as adversaries, this is an opportunity for the City to say it will not hurt people unnecessarily. He then commented that he did not think there was another City employee like Ms. Norquist who is enrolled in a supplemental insurance plan. He further stated this is a mandatory discussion item and payments should have continued. Mr. Serfling indicated following the City’s advice would place an unjust hardship on Ms. Norquist because she would have to pay for the supplemental plan or drop it and join the City’s plan that provides less benefit. He then asked that the City find a way to work with the union to find a way to solve this and not hurt people. He also asked the City to continue the health insurance payments as they were being made and allow negotiations to continue.