Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP February 25, 1986 CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - FEBRUARY 25, 1986 - AGENDA Call to order - 7:30 P.M. l. 116 Drainage Discussion 2. Public Utilities Budget Discussion 3. Hire Public Utility Clerk 4. Fire Marshal S. Personnel Matters/Salary Adjustments a. Insurance for Larry P. Johnson b. Uniforms for Public Works Adjournment "- I --...- .---- - _. CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - FEBRUARY æ5, 1986 rlI NUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jerry Windschitl on February 25, 1986, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmen present: Elling, Knight, Lachinski, Orttel Councilmen absent: None Also present: Public Works Supervisor, Frank Stone; Fire Chief, Bob Palmer; City Clerk/Treasurer, Larry Johnson; and City Administrator/Engineer, James Schrantz (following the recess) HIRE PUBLIC UTILITY CLERK Mr. Johnson reported on the interviewinlg process of the applicants, recommending the Council hire Valerie Nicholson at a rate of $6.50 per hour. There was some discussion as to the high qualifications of the applicants, questioning whether they are over qualified and therefore would become dissatisfied with the position. Mr. Johnson thought many of the applicants were interested in getting in on the ground floor of a computer system and that Ms. Nicholson brings many of the qualities needed for the position and for growing into the use of a computer. There was also some discussion on the City's 1986 mill levy, as it turned out to be 1.5 mills over what the Council thou9ht it would be. It was speculated it was an error in math, noting that the City is at maximum levy at this time. MOTION by Elling, Seconded by Knight, that we authorize the Administrator to hire Valerie Nicholson for the job of Utility Clerk for the rate of $6.50 an hour. Motion carried unanimously. FIRE MARSHAL - - Chief Palmer stated the Fire Marshal, Ray Sowada, planned on attending the meeting later in the evening. Mr. Sowada was going to prepare a report on the number of hours needed during the day for the Fire Marshal, etc. He stated at the present time if Mr. Sowada does Fire Marshal work during the day, the time is charged to the Fire Department at Mr. Sowada's hourly rate. But there is no money in the budget for a Fire Marshal. Council didn't feel it would be appropriate to charge the Public Works Department for the time spent during Fire Marshal duties; but it was also thought the Eire Department cannot afford a Fire f1arshal at Mr. Sowada's salary. Plus, the Council generally didn't feel the funds could be found for the position. I For now, Council generally agreed the Fire Marshal duties should be done after 4:30 p.m. unless it is an urgentsituation. It was also suggested the Fire Department look at the possibility of setting up a fee schedule for inspections by the Fire Marshal for commercial buildings. I ANDOVER VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Palmer explained the insurance company sent the City a check regarding the claims for the two fire vehicles that were in an accident. He asked that those checks be put into the Fire Department budget; then the Accountant will pay the claims for the repair of the vehicles with a City check. He said the insurance - --- . Special City Council Meeting February 25, 1986 - Minutes Page 2 (AVFD, Continued) company has stated the City must pay two deductibles, one for each vehicle. Council questioned what the policy states regarding the deductible when two vehicles are involved in one accident. Councilman Orttel stated he would research that further. This item will be on the March 4 agenda. PERSONNEL MATTERS - INSURANCE FOR L. JOHNSON Council discussed the memorandum suggesting alternative uses for the City's contribution toward health insurance for Mr. Johnson, since<he does not need or want the health insurance coverage through the City. Council generally did not care for a "cafeteria plan" for benefits to the employees. It was felt such a plan would require filing with the IRS and receiving their approval. Also, such a plan would then have to be available to all employees. It was suggested Mr. Johnson research such benefit plans with other cities, counties, or businesses and make a specific proposal if he feels this is something he wants to pursue. MOTION by Knight, Seconded by Elling, that we table this; and if Larry's (Johnson) lnterested, he would come back with' more detailed proposal. Motion carried unanimously. PERSONNEL MATTERS - UNIFORMS FOR PUBLIC WORKS Mr. Stone stated all cities around Andover, except those to the north, have uniforms for their public works employees. He felt after the initial expenditure for the uniforms, the annual budget would be 50 percent of the replacements of their clothes. The employees would be responsible for the cleaning and care of the uniforms and would return them upon termination of employment. The employees are anxious to have the uniforms and are willing to take that responsibility. Mr. Stone stated it will be his responsibility to see that the uniforms are taken care of by the employees, and he will write up guidelines for use and care of the uniforms. He also is in the process of writing up a safety code, noting at this time the City would not be providing steel-toed shoes. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Elling, that we authorize an amount up to $1,000 for 1h~CTty to buy Public Works uniforms for the use of the full-time Public Works employees, to be obtained from the Public Works budget from various spots where surpluses have been noted. This is being made on a test basis and will be evaluated at the end of a year. The purpose for the uniforms is to give uniformity to the City municipal workers as they perform their tasks so the residents recognize them as City employees. Motion carried unanimously. LIBRARY BOARD UPDATE Mayor Windschitl reported he had learned that the Director of the Library Board had recommended the library go to Ramsey; however, at their meeting last night, some of the Board members were in favor of Ramsey and some in favor of Andover. They ended up doing nothing for the present time. He felt the City is clearly fighting an uphill battle at this timg, asking for ideas on how to best convince the Library Board that the library should be placed in Andover. LAND PURCHASE - DISTRICT II/NEW SCHOOL Mayor Windschitl stated District 11 is planning to build another elementary school in either northern Coon Rapids or in Andover in the area of Hanson and Bunker Lake Boulevards. He felt there is a good chance it would be located in Andover. He - --- - Special City Council Meeting February 25, 1986 - Minutes Page 3 (Land Purchase - District II/New School, Continued) was told one of the things that might make a significant difference and improve the chances of having it built in Andover is if the land were available to give to the school district. He asked the Council's opinion of the City acquiring the property to be donated to the school district for the construction of an elementary school. About 20 acres would be needed, estimating a cost of $40,000 to $50,000. Councilman Orttel didn't think there was a lot the City could offer in that area, nor would it do anything for the City. He questioned where the funds would come from. Mayor Windschit1 felt the location of a school in the City provides a focal point for the City, plus it is important for athletic programs, etc. The Mayor stated he will be meeting with the school district representatives and will keep the Council informed. 116 DRAINAGE DISCUSSION Council discussed the 116 drainage proposal and the newspaper article stating the City of Anoka would charge Andover one cent per square foot for allowing the drainage through their system, plus they want the entire ponding to be done within Andover. The Council stated the City simply cannot afford the proposal, and discussed Andover's alternatives. Some of the ideas brought out were to ask the DNR to declare the area public waters; to reverse the City's support of the realignment of County 116 proposed through that area because it will only aggravate the situation, is not needed by Andover, and is a large benefit to the City of Anoka; ask that the culverts in that roadway be eliminated; reverse the storm drainage flow from the Northglen I area to go to Coon Creek; just solve the Rosella Sonsteby problem which is in court now by the simplest, most economical method, or by fixing up the birm between her pond and Good Value's pond; or simply do nothing. Council recessed at 9:01; reconvened at 9:15 p.m. Councilman Knight left the meeting at this time. The Engineer was then directed to research the following for the March 4 meeting: What property would be assessed for this benefit assuming the City proceeded with the proposed drainage project? What is the net assessable acreage? What would be the maximum amount that could be assessed and still be feasible? Provide a map shading the approximate- acreage that is buildable property and that could be assessed. Provide more data on the costs of reversing the storm drainage flow from the Northglen I area to go to Coon Creek. What is the minimum that could be done to solve the Rosella Sonsteby problem? Where is the exact line separating the area of Andover that has been grandfathered in to drain through the City of Anoka storm sewer system without paying the access fee? PERSONNEL MATTERS - SALARY ADJUSTMENTS Mayor Windschitl was concerned with making salary adjustments at this~time, as the policy has always been to make such adjustments just once a year at the beginning of the year. Mr. Schrantz explained the position, duties, and responsibilities of Vicki Volk have changed since the comparable worth was done. A job description has been made up which outlines the duties and responsibilities of that position. He stated he reclassified her as an Assessment Clerk/Secretary, feeling she is now carrying out more of the secretarial duties than were done before. He also assigned a comparable Special City Council Meeting February 25, 1986 ~ Minutes Page 4 (Personnel Matters - Salary Adjustments, Continued) worth number based on the job description to show the Council how the position falls in line with what has been done previously. Councilman Lachinski stated there is no question that Ms. Volk has taken on more duties. He felt that should be recognized with the salary adjustment and thati employees should be encouraged to grow in their positions. MOTION by Ortte1, Seconded by lachinski, that based on the new job description prepared by the City Engineer that the position for Assessment Clerk/Secretary be changed to $7.71 per hour. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Orttel, Seconded by Lachinski, that the salary adjusted for the position of Secretary and Special Assessment Clerk be made effective 2-24-86. Motion carried unanimously. (This motion was later changed.) Mr. Schrantz stated the adjustment for the Accountant position was based on the fact that she will be supervising the Utility Clerk position. The Accountant is not asking for a salary adjustment at this time. Council felt the supervision of one employee does not necessarily mean a salary adjustment is in order. Plus an adjustment was just made in that position under the comparable worth study. Mr. Schrantz then explained no salary adjustment has been made for Karen Sowada for maintaining the buildings in several years. Discussion was on a maintenance program for the bui 1dings, and Councilman Elling and Mr. Stone agreed to write one up. MOTION by Ortte1, Seconded by Lachinski, that we increase the salary of the temporary building maintenance person position a total of 9 percent for the years 1985 and 1986 to $4.58 per hour effective 2-24-86. Motion carried unanimously. (The effective date of the motion was changed later in the meeting.) MOTION by Elling, Seconded by Ortte1, to approve an increase of $2,000 a year for Mr. Schrantz. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Ortte1, Seconded by Elling, that we make that effective as of January 1, 1986. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion noted all employees should be treated equally, that the dollar amount is not significant and would be better good will to have all salary adjustments retroactive to the first of the year. MOTION by Ortte1, Seconded by Lachinski, that all salary adjustments on the meeting of 2-25 be effective retroactive to January 1, 1986. Motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Ortte1, Seconded by Lachinski, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \(\ ~-~V~ \ \ I Marc lla A. Peach Recor g Secretary -- --