Agenda - Council - 09/24/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I _Reguest For Preliminary_ Plat _Approval Of Sorteberg's .4th Addition Case Of Mr. Allen Sorteberg:' Motion by Oouncilm~mber (Dx and seoonded by (buncilmember Reimann to grant preliminary plat apprcwal to Sorteberg's 4th ;%ddition with varianoes to soil borings and topography and contingent upon oomplianoe with the requirenents of the City Engineer. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Heitman, (buncilmembers Schlueter, (]ox and Reimann. Voting No: None. Abstain: Co~ncilmember Sorteberg. Police Labor Neg_otiations: Mr. Schrmlle stated that he has met with Labor Relations and they recommend that based on the following, the City settle on the 4.5% salary increase for both 1985 and 1986 and $10.00 per month increase in health insurance for both years: 1. City does not currently pay holiday pay. 2. Current health insurance according to MAMA is $155/month. 3. General salary increase for police in 1985 was 5%. ~ouncilma~ber Reimann stated that he feels the police should settle for 4.0% in exchange for getting a two year contract rather than a one year. Oouncilm~mber Sorteberg stated that if it goes to arbitration he is sure there will be people in the City saying that Gouncil did not having any control -- the arbitrator gave the police what they wanted. Oouncilm~nber Sorteberg stated that he thinks the City should try and stay out of arbitration and if it is going to take 4.5% and a $10 health insurance increase for 2 years, maybe that is what the City ought to do. {buncilma~ber {bx stated that people talk about what's fair and Ramsey being a Class 5 city; Ramsey is at the bottom of the Class 5 totem pole population and tax base wise; anybody asking for an unfair increase is unfair. Ramsey cannot afford to pay the same salaries as larger Class 5 cities; the average increase throughout the U.S. was 2.4%. Ramsey is not being unfair; the people making the d~ands are unfair; Council is trying to be accountable to what the City can afford. Motion by Mayor 8eitman and seoonded by Councilmmber Schlueter to offer the Police Department a oounter proposal to include a 4.5% salary increase for 1985, a 4.3% salary increase for 1986 and a $10/month health insurance increase for each of the two years. Further Discussion: Councilmenber COx stated that nobody has talked to the mediator regarding these increases in relation to Ramsey's economics; these increases cannot be afforded unless there is the tax base being generated to pay these salaries. Mayor Heitman stated that he shares Councilme~ber Gox's concerns. Oouncilma~ber Gox stated that Mayor Beitman does not share his concerns and that was shown when the Mayor did not want to help and hear the concerns of Mr. Gilbertson, a business man that pays $40,000/year in taxes. August 13, 1985 Page 17 of 22