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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Schlueter knows how these things work; her husbar~ 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 de~and and take and it is Council's job to be acoountable to the citizens. Councilmsmber Cox stated these increases cannot be afforded in a city where 84% of the tax base is residential and the average h~ne value is $67,000; Council heard at the Board of Review the plight and probl~ns of increasing taxes to oommercial 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 on/y obtained a 2.4% average increase for labor. Oouncilm~mber 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. Oouncilmmber Cox stated that he would offer a 2.4% and let the issue go to arbitration. Mayor Heibnan inquired if Councilm~nber Oox feels that a 1% increase over what was originally offered is worth going to arbitration to register a point. Oouncilmember Cox stated that City Coalition m~nbers running for City office advertised themselves as against the high cost of City ~nployee salaries; they told the public how they w~uld support changing that situation; and now they sit on Council and do just the opposite of what the~y said they would do. Councilmember 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 be thinks the police department will reoeive 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. Oouncilmember Reimann stated that the police would have been farther ahead if they had accepted the original offer for a 3% increase. Councilm~m~er Sorteberg 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~bers of it should unify and make a point to the ~ployees. Mayor Heitman stated that scmewhere 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: Councilmember Sorteberg - Aye Oouncilmember COx - Naye Oouncilmsnber Reimann - Naye Councilmsmber Schlueter - Aye Mayor Heitman- Aye Motion carried. MAYOR AND GOONCIL 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 s~eeping is completed, the Streets Department May 14, 1985 Page l7 of 20