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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP December 3, 1992 CA. CITY of ANDOVER Special City Council Meeting - December 3, 1992 Call to Order - 7:30 P.M. 1. Salary Schedule 2. Water & Sewer Budget 3. Approve Amendments to Ord. 42 & By-Laws (Fire Dept.) 3a. Approve Fire Deprtment Election Results 4. Adjourn CA. CITY of ANDOVER . SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 3, 1992 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Ken Orttel on December 3, 1992, 8:28 p.m. , at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Jacobson, McKelvey, perry, Smith Councilmembers absent: None Also present: Public Works Supervisor, Frank Stone City Finance Director, Daryl Sulander City Administrator, James Schrantz Others WATER AND SEWER BUDGETS Mr. Sulander explained the budgets are based on no increase in user rates. Mr. Schrantz pointed out the sewer rate will increase automatically by 5 percent and the water will go up according to the Engineering News Record Index. That portion of the water rate increase will go in the Debt Retirement Fund. Staff also noted a lot of time was spent in water this year. Also, the well has not been pulled yet. Mr. Stone also stated they haven't had the manpower to clean the sewers, which is beginning to result in a big problem. It was noted the budgets balance without an increase in rates. Mr. Sulander was asked to correct the budgets based on the automatic user rate increases and bring them back for Council action. Mr. Sulander requested the Council establish a Central Equipment Fund Budget. With the addition of the City's first mechanic to maintain all the vehicles and equipment, he felt it would be best to consolidate all of those activities into one central service fund rather than trying to distribute the service charges throughout the various funds. The same amount would be spent on vehicle maintenance activities. The budget would also act as an accounting area that would provide for the future replacement of the existing vehicles. A reserve would start to accumulate; so instead of selling equipment bonds and paying interest, the City would be able to fund them internally, thereby increasing the buying power of those dollars. Mr. Sulander explained to start the budget, each fund would make a contribution of retained earnings as an initial start up fee. It can be an advance or a permanent transfer. Because the mechanic will not be expected to perform the major repairs at this time, some items will need to be sent out, which would come from the reserve. He is also recommending that the Public Works maintenance activities be placed in this fund as well. The Council felt it was a good idea to establish the Central Equipment Fund budget and asked that it be brought to them at a regular meeting for approval. Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - December 3, 1992 Page 2 APPROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT ELECTION RESULTS MOTION by Smith, Seconded by McKelvey, that we approve the election results. (Dave Reitan, Assistant Fire Chief) Motion carried unanimously. AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCE 42 AND BY-LAWS (FIRE DEPARTMENT) Fire Chief Dale Mashuga was in attendance. Council reviewed the proposed amendment to the By-Laws, Section 3, Suspension/Removal/ Reinstatement of members, a grievance policy, and an amendment Ordinance No. 42. Council recommended the following changes to the proposed By- Laws amendment: Section 3, c. Suspension. To clarify the difference between a grievance and an appeal for a reprimand, it was recommended the Grievance Committee be called the Discipline Review Board. Section 3, d. Dismissal. Though the Council did not wish to have all cases of dismissal brought before them, they felt they are responsible for everything within the City. Therefore, they should be notified of any pending dismissal so they can take executive action if they feel it is warranted. It was suggested the wording in the second to last sentence read: Within thirty days of the decision of the department on dismissal, the City Administrator shall notify the Council before making a determination on whether to uphold the dismissal... Mr. Schrantz recommended a change in Section 2 - Election, of the ordinance: delete "the Fire Marshal" from the first sentence, since the Fire Marshal is no longer an elected position. Mr. Schrantz also suggested the term of the Fire Chief be for a minimum of two years. That eliminates having to run for office every year and allows time to implement plans, etc. Council suggested the Firefighters be asked to consider a two-year term and make a recommendation to the Council. Mr. Schrantz agreed to bring that issue to the Firefighters. It was also suggested the ordinance be made gender neutral. Mr. Schrantz explained the grievance policy relates to all items of concerns the firefighters might have, and the decision stops with the Fire Chief. There is no appeal. Mr. Schrantz asked whether the Personnel Committee would be more appropriate to handle grievances rather than the Public Safety Committee. Mayor Orttel agreed it is more of a personnel issue, that the intent of the Public Safety Committee is to oversee the overall police and fire protection needs of the City. Council asked that the corrected items be brought back for action at a regular meeting. MOTION by Smith, Seconded by Jacobson, to adjourn. Mayor Orttel declared the meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m. ..---.... ~ Res~ s~ ~lla A. P~, Recor ng Secretary