Minutes - Council - 05/14/1985 - Special

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Schlueter knows how these things work; her husband stands in a picket line. Councilmember Cox stated that Ramsey has good officers and they are being paid well; they are holding the citizens hostage for what they demand and take and it is Council's job to be accountable to the citizens. Councilmember Cox stated these increases cannot be afforded in a city where 84% of the tax base is residential and the average hc~e value is $67,000; Council heard at the Board of Review the plight and problems of increasing taxes to commercial properties and this motion is a blatant example of destroying our job force in the City by suggesting we cooperate with these kinds of salary increases when unions throughout the United States only obtained a 2.4%. average increase for labor. Councilmember Cox stated that the police department can hold the City hostage and go to arbitration; he won' t support this proposal because it is a disgrace. Councilm~er Cox stated that he would offer a 2.4% and let the issue go to arbitration. Mayor Heitman inquired if Councilm~ber COx feels that a 1% increase over what was originally offered is worth going to arbitration to register a point. Councilmember Cox stated that City Coalition members running for City office advertised th~nselves as against the high cost of City employee salaries; they told the public how they would support changing that situation; and now they sit on Council and do just the opposite of what they said they would do. Councilm~m~er Cox stated that there are people who should be glad to know they have a job for another year, without a salary increase. Mayor Heitman asked Mr. Schnelle how he thinks the police department will receive this motion if it is passed. Mr. Schnelle stated that he feels the offer in the motion is fair, and if the offer is refused by the police the City does have a chance in arbitration. Mr. Schnelle added that he doesn't know how the police department will react to this offer. Councilm~mber Reimann stated that the police would have been farther ahead if they had accepted the original offer for a 3% increase. Councilmember Sorteberg stated that it is great to be able to protest, but you still have to go for the best deal you can get. Councilm~m~er Reimann stated that if this Council wants to be accountable, the members of it should unify and make a point to the employees. Mayor Heitman stated that somewhere along the line a point has to be made but he is not overly enthusiastic on protesting~ if this offer is made to the police department, it would have to be accepted in order for him to be satisfied; if it goes to arbitration, Council has lost the opportunity to register a complaint. Mayor Heitman called for a roll call vote: Councilm~ber Sorteberg - Aye Counctlm~ber COx - Naye Councilmember Reimann - Naye Councilmember Schlueter - Aye Mayor Heitman- Aye Motion carried. MAYOR ARD COUNCIL INPUT 1. Backstops at Titterud Park - Mr. Schnelle stated that Mr. Mevisson has contacted Carol Sather and informed her that as soon as the street sweeping is completed, the Streets Department May 14, 1985 Page 17 of 20