04-24-2000 CC MINMEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2000
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Mayor Klinzing, Councilmembers Dietz, Farber, Motin,
and Thompson
None
Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Peine; City Clerk, Lori
Johnson; Finance Director and all City Department Heads
Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River City Council
was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Klinzing.
Consider 4/24/00 Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COUNCILMEMBER
THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consider Consent Agenda
COUNCILMEMBER MOTIN MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
FOLLOWS:
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.A.
3.4.B.
3.5.
CHECK REGISTER - APPROVED
4/17/2000 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - APPROVED
AWARD BID TO GRIDOR CONSTRUCTION FOR GRIT CLASSIFIER REPLACEMENT
AT WWTP IN THE AMOUNT OF $46,400 - APPROVED
PAY ESTIMATE # 11 TO S.R. WEIDEMA IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,687.90 FOR
WORK ON THE EASTERN AREA WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS -
APPROVED
PAY ESTIMATE #1 TO LATOUR CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF
$823,909.45 FOR WORK ON THE EASTERN AREA TYLER STREET IMPROVEMENTS
- APPROVED
REQUEST TO HIRE THERESA FERGUSON FOR THE POSITION OF BUILDING AND
ZONING SECRETARY WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
· STARTING WAGE OF $11.50/HOUR
· STARTING DATE OF APRIL 25, 2000
· COMPLETION OF ORIENTATION PERIOD OCTOBER 24, 2000
· INCREASE TO PAY GRADE 6, STEP B AT $12.05/HR UPON SUCCESSFUL
COMPLETION OF ORIENTATION PERIOD
· NORMAL COST OF LIVING INCREASE IN JANUARY 2001
· NEXTSTEP INCREASE JULY 2001
APPROVED
City Council Minutes
April 24, 2000
Page 2
3.6.
3.7.
REQUEST TO HIRE LISA WOLFE FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT BUILDING
AND ZONING SECRETARY UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
· STARTING WAGE OF $10.36/HR (PAY GRADE 5, STEP A)
· STARTING DATE OF MAY 1, 2000
· COMPLETION OF ORIENTATION PERIOD OCTOBER 30, 2000
· NORMAL COST OF LIVING INCREASE IN JANUARY 2001
· NEXT STEP INCREASE JULY 2001
APPROVED
REQUEST FOR CROSS-WALK INSTALLATION AND APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE AT
6TM STREET AND JACKSON AVENUE - APPROVED
RESOLUTION 00-27 ORDERING AN AMENDMENT TO THE PRELIMINARY
FEASIBILITY REPORT IN THE MATTER OF THE WESTERN AREA PHASE IV
IMPROVEMENT OF 2000 -- APPROVED
COUNCILMEMBER FARBER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Open Mike
No one appeared for Open Mike
5.1. Public Hearin.q for Sale of Kin.q and Main Site
Marc Nevinski explained that the First National Bank of Elk River has made an offer
to purchase the King and Main site for $175,000. He indicated that before the
sale can occur the City Council must hold public hearings to consider public
input on the sale. Marc indicated that the HRA held a public hearing for the sale
and received no public input.
Mayor Klinzing opened the public hearing. There being no one for or against the
matter, Mayor Klinzing closed the public hearing.
It was the consensus of the City Council to authorize the HRA to sell the King and
Main site to the First National Bank of Elk River for $175,000.
5.2,
Consider Joint Powers A.qreement Between the Cities of Andover and Elk River for
the Position of Information Systems Coordinator
Lori Johnson presented the council with a Joint Powers Agreement and job
description for the shared Information Systems Coordinator (IS) position with the
City of Andover. Lori reviewed the information in the job description and in the
Joint Powers Agreement.
COUNClLMEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF ELK RIVER AND THE CITY OF ANDOVER FOR A SHARED
INFORMATION SYSTEMS COORDINATOR POSITION.COUNCILMEMBER THOMPSON
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
5.3.
Presentation of Departmental Annual Reports
Departmental Annual Reports for the year 1999 were presented. The presentation
consisted of a video that included clips of 1999 department events and
happenings, a recap of all of the annual reports by the City Administrator and a
City Council Minutes Page 3
April 24, 2000
question and answer period. All department heads were present during the
presentation.
The City Council recessed at 8:10. The council moved into the training room to
meet and discuss the issue of employee benefits with the Benefits Committee.
The council reconvened at 8:20 p.m.
5.4. Benefits Committee Update
Lori Johnson introduced the members of the Benefits Committee. Those present
included Cheryll Edinger, Marc Nevinski, Joan Frick, Bob Mahutga, Lauren Wipper,
Lori Johnson and Steve Tillmann.
Lori Johnson gave a recap of the committee's progress to date. She stated that
the committee identified two main reasons they felt the council had formed a
committee to suggest changes to the city's benefit package: 1) The high
monthly cost employees pay for family health insurance and the high health
insurance premium, in general. 2) Recent employee recruiting and retention
issues related to the city's insurance benefits. Lori indicated that if the council is
just interested in decreasing the employee cost for family coverage, the council
could simply increase its contribution. However, if the council wants to make
changes that also address employee retention and recruitment issues, the
committee's proposed options to accomplish that goal will be presented. The
Council expressed interest in doing more than just increasing the contribution to
family coverage. Lori continued stating that the committee also agrees that all
employees would like more flexibility in their benefits. She reviewed the possible
council action options identified by the committee. The options include the
following:
· Do nothing
· increase city contribution to family coverage
· Unilaterally decrease health insurance benefits
· Change the way benefits are provided (cafeteria plan)
The pros and cons of the options were discussed. Lori stated that the committee's
criteria for reviewing the plans included cost, feasibility, and the choices it offered
employees. Lori indicated that the committee is looking for council direction
before continuing.
Council discussion took place regarding the importance in reducing the burden
on those paying for family coverage. It was suggested that an incentive be
offered to employees who waive coverage such as extra vacation days.
It was the consensus of the council to consider a cafeteria plan with different
contribution levels depending upon the type of coverage selected. The council
would like the family contribution increased and would consider a plan that offers
some after insurance dollars to employees with single coverage. The council
agreed that it will be impossible to develop a plan that everyone considers fair.
The council requested that the committee present details and costs for a
cafeteria plan as discussed at a meeting in June or July.
City Council Minutes
April 24, 2000
6. Other Business
There was no other business.
Staff Updates
There were no staff updates.
Adiournment
There being no further business, Mayor Klinzing adjourned the meeting of the Elk
River City Council at 9:25 p.m.
Page 4
Sandra Peine
City Clerk