Minutes - Council Work Session - 12/11/2012

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Councilmember Tossey stated the additional contribution is 1.2% for employees and 1.8% to the employers. Representative Abeler acknowledged that this is a time of flat salary for employees so the additional contribution will take a nick out of their paycheck but this is the only realistic way to solve the problem. He noted that people made promises, bargaining agreements were reached, and it is difficult to change that situation. Representative Abeler indicated there has been an effort to constrain annual increases and cautioned that there could be a worse solution to 1.8% contribution by employers. City Administrator Ulrich stated Ramsey has 64 full -time employees including police and fire is paid on call. Enhanced Local Control of Group -Home Operations City Administrator Ulrich stated it is a concern to Ramsey that group homes are starting over night in residential areas and the City's ability to control this from happening is limited since there is no prior notice. The City would like some consideration for more ability to monitor and respond when problems arise. Development Services Manager Gladhill stated the City has received concerns from residents about lack of notification. Residents do not realize what is occurring until the use is already there and would like the ability to understand ahead of time. Development Services Manager Gladhill explained additional concerns relate to the amount of activity occurring in standard single - family areas, off - street parking, parking in the front yard, and parking on the street, which can be regulated by ordinance. The City would support a limit on the number of occupants in the dwelling, thresholds of group homes in multiple categories, and to address adverse secondary effects over time. Representative Abeler stated the group homes are four- resident situations and there is nothing Legislators or the City can do about it because Federal laws require these sites to move forward and they have considerable Constitutional rights. Representative Abeler stated he has tried, but could not even get notification rights included in the bill. He stated Ramsey is on the right track to control parking with zoning and asked if the City has an ordinance that allows four unrelated individuals. Development Services Manager Gladhill replied that Ramsey does not. Representative Abeler noted the City of Anoka has an ordinance about four unrelated individuals. He advised there is no relief to be had relating to group homes and the counties do not even know about the locations. Representative Abeler described the need to address housing for sex offenders who have completed their sentences and risk that if the Legislature does not act in some way, a judge may take action about this program. He stated he is willing to again raise the issue of notification, if Ramsey wants, but he doubts he will be successful. Police Chief Way stated Ramsey has 40 Level 1, 25 -30 Level 2, and zero Level 3 offenders. City Council Work Session / December 11, 2012 Page 8 of 12