Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/05/2004

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because he would like to vote two different ways. increase and nay for the Council increase. He would like to vote yea for the mayor's Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Kurak, to split, the action on the proposed ordinance into two votes, with one vote for the mayor's salary increase of $10,000, and one vote that there be no increase in the council members' salaries. Further Discussion: Mayor Gamec stated when the Council looked at this originally, they looked at it as equal, with equal people having the salary increase at the same time. This would fall much better in line for incoming Councils. The Councilmembers are more involved in projects as well. The salary increase should be across the board with what was originally looked at. Councilmember Kurak commented she could agree with the mayor. However, there will be another election in two years, and it is a little uncomfortable to give themselves raises now when they are cutting badk on other things. She does agree, however, that the mayor's job is more involved. Mayor Gamec stated he brought this up and thinks it has merits for everyone for an increase in the work and the time put in. Councilmember Elvig commented he could agree, and if they are going to get quality people to serve they have to compensate them for their time. The work of the Council is a tremendous drain on earning money at their businesses. However, he just cannot see the increase when they are wrestling with the budget yet. He would raise the mayor's salary to $12,000, rather than $10,000, it is that important to have that type of exposure to the office out there. He is trying to temper that with the budget situations they have been wrestling with. Councilmember Strommen indicated she is not opposed to raising both of the salaries, as people need to be compensated for the time they spend on this Council. The City of Ramsey is one of the lowest paid and if they do not do anything they perpetuate that. However, she is not comfortable with the great degree of increase in either the mayor or the Council amounts. Councilmember Pearson stated there has not been an increase in the Council's pay since 1988. He was on the Council before, and he puts in a lot more hours on this Council than 10 to 12 years ago. He would be in favor of taking the pay increase as it is proposed. Councihnember Cook stated he does not think these increases are unreasonable. The increases would bring them up to just below the median from the cities they saw. His concern is if they do not do it now they will have to wait two years to do it. There will always be someone up for re- election not wanting to do this in their two year period. It seems like a conflict of interest for him to vote for this because he is on the Council for two more years; hOwever he does not think it will happen unless they bite the bullet and do it. -If they have been kicking this around since 1988, it is high time to move it to where Ramsey is equal with other cities. Some of the cities were smaller than Ramsey with higher paYing councils and mayors. Councilmember Zimmerman stated monetary compensation or value will never be the total compensation when serving the public, especially now that the economy is not good. He does not think he would vote for this. Councihnember Cook stated he would like the vote for the increase of the council members' salaries to be acted on before the vote for the increase of the mayor's salary. Councihnember Elvig withdrew the motion on the floor. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilrnember Kurak, that there be no increase in the salaries of the council members. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmernbers E!vig, Kurak, Strommen, and Zimmerman. Voting No: Mayor Gamec, Councihnembers Cook and Pearson. City Council/June 22, 2004 Page 11 of 31 P79