Minutes - Council - 05/28/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilm~mber Cox stated that a two year contract has the inflation built in. Councilmsmber Reimann stated that if the police don't get what they want, it will go to arbitration and the City will be forced to give th~m what they want; elected officials have no right to carry things out. Councilm~mber Reimann stated that he will re~ain with his recommendation for 3%. Motion by Councilmember COx and seconded by Councilmember Reimann to propose a 2.4% cost of living increase in the 1985 annual salary for the Police Department based on the fact that the average increase obtained by the major unions in the Nation was 2.4%. Further Discussion: Councilmember Sorteberg inquired as to the consequences if it goes to arbitration. Councilm~mber COx stated that the demands of the police are unreasonable and Council must be accountable to the citizens. Councilmember Cox pointed out that during election campaigning, candidates said they would cut the cost of ~ployee salaries. Motion failed. Voting Yes: Councilm~mbers COx and Reimann. Voting No: Mayor Heitman, Councilmembers Schlueter and Sorteberg. Motion by Mayor Heitman and seconded by Councilmember Sorteberg to propose a one year contract for the Police Department to include a 4% cost of living increase to 1985 salaries, a $10/month increase to health insurance benefits, and to exclude those items included in the City's May 14, 1985 proposal regarding administrative time and training attendance because of Federal Labor Standards. Further Discussion: Councilmember Reimann inquired if the Mayor would be open to Mr. Schnelle and Mr. Auspos proposing some items to replace the items of administrative time and training attendance. Mr. Schnelle stated that the conditions regarding administrative time and training attendance were rejected by the Police Department and he can't think of anything to replace those items that the Police Department would be agreeable to. Councilmember COx stated that a 4% increase combined with longevity amounts to an 8% increase for some of the officers. Mr. Douglas Fountain was in the audience and inquired as to the number of officers on the Ramsey force and if any thought has been given to reducing the number of officers. Mr. Schnelle stated that Ramsey's force consists of the Chief and 6 officers. Councilmember Schlueter stated that reducing the number of officers on the force is an issue for discussion at another time. Councilm6mber Cox stated that Ramsey has a population of 11,000 with a budget of $1,000,000; in 1973 the City's budget was $56,536; people move to Ramsey and they want all the services that they had in Minneapolis. Mayor Heitman called for a roll call vote: Councilmamber Sorteberg - Aye Councilmember Cox - Naye Mayor Heitman - Aye Councllmember Reimann - Naye Councilmember Schlueter - Aye Motion carried. May 28, 1985 Page 18 of 31