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Mounds View City Council March 22, 1999
<br />Regular Meeting Page 41
<br />Chief Ramacher as any other non-Union, management employee of the City. He stated this
<br />would be 50 percent of his accumulated sick leave, not to exceed 960 hours, or I20 days. He
<br />stated this option applies to the Police Chief, and represents an amount of $15,676.
<br />Council Member Stigney stated the next option staff provided was to combine the Union
<br />provision and the non-Union provision, and give the Police Chief 65 percent of 960 hours. He
<br />stated he does not believe this applies to the Police Chief, because he was not a member of the
<br />union, except during his service as a Patrol Officer, and at that time, the 65 percent policy did not
<br />apply. He indicated this policy never applied to the Police Chief, and still does not. He
<br />explained that this option would represent an amount of $20,379.
<br />Council Member Stigney indicated that because the Police Chief had accumulated 2,700 hours of
<br />sick leave, staff negotiated with the Police Chief, to offer 1,800 hours payable, and that option
<br />would represent a total of $38,212. He explained that the fourth option would be to treat the
<br />Chief just like any other Patrol Officer, and allow him 65 percent of all his accumulated sick
<br />leave hours, which would cost the City $57, 318.
<br />Council Member Stigney stated in addition to these options, Council Member Thomason has
<br />brought forward an alternative that would cost the City $45,514. He stated he had contacted
<br />other communities to determine their procedure in similar situations, and it appears that City's
<br />current policy of 960 hours is very generous. He explained that the other cities, including
<br />Maplewood, N. St. Paul, Roseville, Shoreview, Falcon Heights only pay up to a maximum of 45
<br />days, which is 50 percent of 90 days. He advised that the City's policy was very liberal, and he
<br />. was opposed to setting a precedent, which others would follow. He stated he opposed the motion
<br />in its present form.
<br />Council Member Marty indicated this has been a tough decision. He stated his mind had been
<br />made up, until the previous City Council meeting, at which time Assistant to the City
<br />Administrator Schmidt had brought forward further information, and since that time, he has
<br />attempted to search out an equitable solution to resolve this situation.
<br />Council Member Marty stated that weekend, Council Member Thomason had contacted him
<br />regarding her proposal. He indicated he had run for his office under the premise of being fair,
<br />and in reviewing some of the options, found them to be simply numbers pulled out of the air,
<br />however, Council Member Thomason's alternative would be fair. He explained that Chief
<br />Ramacher was a Police Officer for 13 years, and since that time, has served as the Police Chief
<br />and is considered staff. He stated this approach was justified in that it would allow 65 percent
<br />for the years the Police Chief was an officer, and 50 percent of 960 accumulated sick leave
<br />hours, for the period of time he was in management.
<br />Council Member Marty pointed out that Option D, as presented by staff, would pay 65 percent of
<br />2,700 accumulated sick leave hours, and this would total $57,318. He indicated he had spoken
<br />with Chief Ramacher that day, and he had indicated he was willing to settle for less. He stated
<br />he was unable to find any justification for some of the other options, and this alternative would
<br />be the fair decision, although a bit of a hard pill to swallow. He indicated the Police Chief was
<br />only the second person in the City of Mounds View to retire from the City. He pointed out that
<br />if they were going to send a message to other employees, or prospective employees, that Mounds
<br />View is a good place to live and work, they must be fair. He stated he supports Council Member
<br />Thomason's formula.
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