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Ms. Olsen stated she would negotiate for flexibility in proficiency testing. <br /> <br />The issue of drug testing was discussed. The consensus was that Mr. Auspos should draft a <br />department policy regarding annual physicals, drug testing, and requiring blood and urine samples <br />from officers following discharge of firearm or alleged wrongful death incidents. <br /> <br />Mr. Hartley referred back to the issue of shifting the time period to top patrol pay to 4 years and <br />noted that this will also shift the longevity schedule to commence at 5 years rather than 4 years; this <br />adjustment will not affect any officers currently employed by Ramsey. <br /> <br />Councilmember DeLuca inquired if the reduced pay for entry level officers would comply with the <br />Comparable Worth Study. <br /> <br />Mr. Hartley replied that the starting salary for the same pay range in the AFSCME schedule is <br />$21,900; the beginning pay rate for police is $25,900. <br /> <br />Councilmember DeLuca stated that he would be in favor of a minor reduction in the beginning pay <br />rate for entry level officers and a 4 year step program to top patrol. <br /> <br />Mr. Auspos indicated that a reduction in entry level pay rate will put Ramsey below the metro <br />average and that may hinder the opportunity to hire officers that meet MRS standards. With <br />regards to the concern for drawing officers away from other communities, Mr. Auspos noted that <br />if Ramsey hires a beginner officer through MRS, that officer would not be drawn from another <br />community. If Ramsey makes a decision to hire an experienced officer and other agencies do not <br />pay to keep those good officers, Ramsey would not solicit but it would show that officer what <br />Ramsey has to offer. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson, Pearson and Cich were in favor of increasing the time period to top <br />patrol to 4 years but not reducing the beginning wage. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann and Councilmember DeLuca were in favor of increasing the time period to top <br />patrol to 4 years and reducing the beginning wage by a minor amount. <br /> <br />Mr. Auspos stated that Ramsey will get the best officers to work with by maintaining the current <br />beginning rate of pay. Mr. Auspos stated that if the entry level of pay becomes part of the proposal <br />package for the 1989 contract and if it goes to arbitration, his immediate need for additional officers <br />would not be addressed for a long time. Mr. Auspos noted that one-half of his overtime budget <br />has already been consumed and he still has 9 months of the year left in which to cover sick time, <br />holidays, vacations. Mr. Auspos requested approval to hire two additional officers at the current <br />beginning wage rate and suggested that Council continue to negotiate for a reduction in the <br />beginning wage rate in the 1989 contract which would apply to any other officers hired in the <br />future. <br /> <br />Councilmember DeLuca stated that the LELS unit desires the metro average in top patrol pay and in <br />turn, it is reasonable to expect that the beginning pay rate also be comparable to the metro average. <br /> <br />Mr. Auspos noted that if these discussions delay the hiring of two additional officers until <br />September, for example, the City will spend more in overtime costs than it saved in reducing the <br />entry level of pay by $1,000.00/month. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Peterson authorizing that two additional police officers be hired at the <br /> <br />Closed Executive Session/March 8, 1989 <br /> Page 4 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />