Minutes - Council - 01/22/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember Hardin stated the numbers are based on population, not on tax numbers or households.. Councilmember Beyer commented that the Council is not against contributing to the Association; however, the budget cuts have to be known before any answer can be given. She asked if the Department would be willing to hold off another year. Chief Griffin asked if contributions are typically taken from Landfill Trust Funds. Finance Officer Ashley replied that most cities don't have landfills, so that particular statement pertains to the City of Ramsey. She explained that the money had been available from the Landfill Trust Fund for start-up cost for the Fire Department, but that a contribution to the association would be an operating expense, for this reason, it should not be funded from the Landfill Trust Fund. Fire Chief Griffin stated he understood it was not a budget line item because it was funded by the Landfill Trust Fund; if he had known that it was not, he would have budgeted differently for 1991. Councilmember Cich mentioned that the Landfill Trust Fund can be used for capital improvements. Discussion ensued regarding the $17,500.00 figure. Mayor Gilbertson explained that the Council is trying to be fair; however, there is no way the City can come up with that kind of money now. Chief Griffin asked what would a reasonable figure be if the Council felt that the $17,500 was not reasonable. He also asked if this item could be discussed again in a couple months. Councilmember Beyer stated the budget would have to be reviewed again before any answers could be given. Motion by Councilmember Cich and seconded by Councilmember Beyer (for discussion) that the City at this point in time does not consider contributions of $17,500.00 for the Fire Fighters' Relief Association for the previous three years of service, 1988, 1989 and 1990. Further discussion: Fire Chief Dave Griffin stated he would like to only table this issue and not dismiss it until he has a chance to meet with each Councilmember. Mayor Gilbertson stated that the City is strained with regard to money at this point. Mr. Griffin felt that some money (not necessarily $17,500.00) should be allocated for the time served. The funding received from the state will not be available to the Department until 1992 as those funds for 1990 went to Elk River and Anoka Fire Departments. Due to the fact the Ramsey Fire Department took over the Elk fiver area on October 1, 1990, Miss Ashley stated that a small percentage of the state funds could be received by the Ramsey Fire Department. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gilbertson, Councihnembers Cich, Beyer, Hardin and Peterson. Voting No: None. Case #6: Animal Control Contract Change Police Chief Auspos stated that a report entitled"Status of Animal Control in Ramsey" was done due to an announced increase in the Humane Society's contract price for contract year 1990 which began in August. This increase was at first anticipated to be quite large and was a result of the Humane Society's previous director's apparent failure to charge a rate schedule calculated to keep the organization in the black. The increase has not turned out to be as large as first thought, City Council/January 22, 1991 Page 8 of 14