01-10-1995 FSTFSR MIN •
MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT
COMPENSATION TASK FORCE
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER FIRE STATION
• TUESDAY,JANUARY 10, 1995
Members Present: Cliff Skogstad,Tom Dillon, Hank Duitsman, Lori Johnson, Randy
Sykes and Bob Pearson
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Bruce West, Fire Chief (arrived 8:30 p.m.)
The meeting of the Elk River Fire Department Compensation Task Force was called to
order at 7:40 p.m. by Randy Sykes.
The minutes of the October 12, 1994, meeting were reviewed. There were no comments
regarding the minutes.
The Department meetings with Steve Eide were discussed. In general, everyone felt that
the meetings were beneficial and that positive comments were received from the
firefighters regarding the meetings. It was felt that there may need to be more
explanation on how the initial balances were derived and on vesting and whether
vesting applied to both plans.
Randy distributed a draft of the proposed compensation package. The Task Force
• reviewed and discussed the draft and had the following comments.
Hank indicated that some of the items under hours paid are to be paid at a lower rate.
For example, the pre-approved Committee work, work duties at the Fire Station, and Fire
meetings would receive base pay only and would not be included in the pension hour
calculation.
Hank also indicated that he would prefer that the Council review this package prior to it
being sent to the fire membership.
It was noted that the holidays should be listed to include the following: New Year's Day,
Memorial Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving.
It was again suggested that firefighter pay be included as part of the pay resolution so
that the firefighters would receive the same pay increase as all other non-union
employees.
There was discussion on the hourly pay estimate which Randy had distributed. The high
ranged from $24.41 in 1981 to a low a $18.24 in 1994. However, it was noted that 1981
through 1990 were calculated based on estimated hours. Lori will provide actual hours
for the years that records are available at the City Hall. It was noted that prior to 1986,
the payrolls were not generated by the City and, therefore, no records would be
available.
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Night call minimum two hour pay out was discussed. Hank indicated that he was not
sure whether this was appropriate and felt that the City Council may not approve this
• aspect of the compensation package.
The Task Force agreed that the proposed compensation package as discussed and
revised should be presented to both the City Council and the firefighters. It was agreed
that, if possible, Hank would discuss it with the City Council on January 16, and the
firefighters would discuss it at their meeting on January 26.
There was an additional question on whether individuals could decide how much they
wanted in base pay versus deferred pension. Bruce indicated that the law did not
allow for individualized compensation.
Forfeitures were discussed. Bruce indicated that all forfeitures must be held for five
years before distribution to other firefighters and that the forfeiture does gain interest
during those years which would be reallocated along with the forfeiture amount.
Randy questioned what would happen if the firefighters decide not to change to
defined contribution pension plan. Hank indicated that if that happens, he would not
support the other parts of this compensation package. Hank further indicated that one
reason for wanting to change was so that retirement amount per year and the annual
increase request would not come to the City Council annually.
There were further explanations on some of the items included in the draft. Randy
explained that the amount contributed by the City would be based on total
department hours and would not be allocated on an individual basis. Hank indicated
that he did not feel the Council has an issue with the split between the base pay and
• the deferred pay, and he felt it was appropriate that the firefighters determine what the
base pay should be. Bruce stated that he agrees with the proposed pay grades for
probationary officer up to the assistant chief. All of the Task Force members were in
support of additional pay for training which would include anything beyond the
minimum requirements.
There was discussion on the total pay and how the initial amount would be determined.
Hank indicated that he had used $19.00 as his starting point, and that he would like to
discuss the issue further with the City Council. The Task Force felt that this number would
be able to be negotiated between the City Council and the firefighters.
Bruce stated that he felt the Committee had done a lot of work in order to come up
with the proposed compensation package.
The next meeting of the Task Force was scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 1995, at 7:00
p.m., at the Fire Station.
The meeting of the Elk River Fire Department Task Force was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Johnson
Finance Director