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:1 I I I I I I I I I I I i :1 I I I I 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 0ouncil's job to be acoountable to the citizens. 0ouncilmember Cox stated these increases cannot be afforded in a city where 84% of the tax base is residential and the average b~ne value is $67,000; Council heard at the Board of Review the plight and problems of increasing taxes to co~nmercial properties and this motion is a blatant example of destroying our Job force in the City by suggesting we oooperate with these kinds of salary increases when unions throughout the United States only obtained a 2.4% average increase for labor. Gouncilmsnber 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. Oouncilmember COx stated that he would offer a 9_.4% and let the issue go to arbitration. Mayor Heitman irguired if Councilm~ber Cox feels that a 1% increase over what was originally offered is worth going to arbitration to register a point. Councilms~ber Cox stated that City Coalition members running for City office advertised thamselves as against the high cost of City emplc~yee 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~mber 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 bow he thinks the police department will receive this motion if it is p~ssed. 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 departz~ent will react to this offer. Councilmember Reimann stated that the police would have been farther ahead if they had accepted the original offer for a 3% increase. Councilmember Sorteber§ stated that it is great to be able to protest, but you still have to go for the best deal you can get. Councilmember Reimann stated that if this Council wants to be accountable, the m~nbers 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 o~mplaint. Mayor Heitman called for a roll call vote: Councilmember Sorteberg - Aye Councilm~nber Cox - Naye Councilmember Reimann - Naye Councilmsnber Schlueter - Aye Mayor Hei~an - Aye Motion carried. MAYOR ASD (/)UNCIL 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 Beeping is (x~pleted, the Streets Department May 14, 1985 Page 17 of 20