03-06-1995 CC MIN - SPECIAL-JOINT
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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER CITY COUNCIL
AND FIRE DEPARTMENT
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1995
Members Present:
Mayor Duitsman. Council Members: Scheel. Dietz. Council
Member Farber arrived at 5:25 p.m.
Members Absent:
Council Member Holmgren
Fire Department Compensation Task Force Present: Tom Dillon, Cliff Skogstad. Randy
Sykes, Bob Pearson
Staff Present:
Lori Johnson, Finance Director/Elk River Fire Department Task Force
Member, Pat Klaers, City Administrator; Sandra Thackeray.
City Clerk
1. Call Meetina To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Elk River City
Council was called to order at 5: 15 p.m. by Mayor Duitsman.
e 2.
Consider Council Aaenda
COUNCIL MEMBER DIETZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 6, 1995, CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA. COUNCIL MEMBER SCHEEL SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
3-0.
3. Discussion on Elk River Fire Comoensation Task Forces. Prooosed Fire Deoartment
Comoensation Plan
Mayor Hank Duitsman indicated that the Elk River Fire Department Compensation
Task Force has met several times to discuss a change in the pension plan from
defined benefit to defined contribution. Mayor Duitsman indicated that the Task
Force has submitted a proposed compensation package for review by the City
Council. He stated that some issues the Council may wish to discuss include the
following:
· Special Pay for Holiday
· Night Call Pay
· Total Rate of Pay Per Hour
Finance Director Lori Johnson and member of the Fire Department Task Force
reviewed the proposed Compensation Package.
Council Member Farber arrived at this time (5:25 p.m.).
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City CouncillFire Department Meeting
March 6, 1995
Page 2
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Two hour call-out pay of $16.00 per hour was discussed by the Council.
Committee Member Randy Sykes explained that the fire fighters are requesting
double pay when called out between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The
City Council requested the Fire Chief research the number of calls between 10:00
p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and the number of responders per call to determine the
effect that this would have on the budget.
Mayor Duitsman indicated that he does not support the two hour call-out pay
and further stated that he would support a total hourly pay rate of $19.50.
Council Member Farber indicated he agrees with the $19.50 per hour, however,
he disagreed with the Mayor's decision on the call-out pay. He indicated that he
would support call-out pay between the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Task Force Member Tom Dillon indicated that the Fire Department is taking on
extra liability by going to a defined contribution plan. He stated there should be
some benefit to the fire fighters and requested that the City Council consider
paying $22.25 per hour.
Randy Sykes, Task Force Member indicated that $19.50 is not a big incentive to
the fire fighters. He further stated that the average total hourly pay for the last
nine years has been $21.16 and felt that the fire fighters would be moving
backwards by accepting $19.50 per hour.
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Council Member Scheel questioned whether the fire fighters' wages were in line
with police department wages and other City employee wages and questioned
whether there was a way to increase their benefits to make them more in line
with other City employees.
Council Member Farber indicated he would be willing to increase the salary from
$19.50 per hour to a compromise of somewhere between $19.50 and $22.25 per
hour. Council Member Scheel indicated she concurred with Council Member
Farber.
Council Member Dietz indicated he was comfortable with $19.50 and noted that
this amount is the average over the last five years when training was included.
Task Force Member Bob Pearson indicated that the Fire Department has
suggested that they be paid $22.50 per hour and that the two hour call-out pay
and Holiday pay be dropped.
It was the consensus of the Council to make no decision on this issue at this time.
The Council further requested the Fire Chief to provide more statistical information
regarding these issues.
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City CouncillFire Department Meeting
March 6. 1995
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4.
Adjournment
There being no further business, COUNCIL MEMBER SCHEEL MOVED TO ADJOURN
THE MEETING. COUNCIL MEMBER Dim SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
4-0.
The meeting of the City Council adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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City Clerk I
s:minutes:ccfd0306