Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/24/2023

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Community Development Director Hanson shared her thought is to wait until the moratorium is lifted to discuss these fees. City Administrator Hagen circled back to the question concerning the erosion control escrow for home improvements. City Engineer/Public Works Director Westby explained that this fee has changed over the years. He stated that in 2022 the fee was $100 plus an assessment fee and in 2023 there was a $100 minimum and a $1,000 maximum fee. He noted that these home improvement projects do not typically result in a lot of erosion issues. He added that they had discussed removing it,which they did do. He stated that he would like to go back and look at this to make sure it should have been removed. City Administrator Hagen noted that if there is a case that they need to have this fee they can still fall back on other MS4 requirements and still have the property or the contractor correct any issues that may arise. He reiterated that they do not see this issue come up very often. The consensus of the Council was to support the proposed 2024 schedule of rates,fee, and charges. 2.02: Discuss Employee Sick and Safe Time Administrative Services Director Lasher reviewed the Staff report concerning employee sick and safe time. She shared that a new law is going into place on January 1, 2024 called Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST)which was part of the legislative session. She explained that this law grants up to 48 hours or more, if an employer so chooses, of sick and safe time. She shared the recommendation to administer ESST to the minimum requirement since this law is new and likely has bugs that need fixing. Councilmember Specht asked if this is a good idea legally. City Attorney Knaak stated that he is in agreement with this. He noted that the recommendation is conservative and sound. Councilmember Specht asked if there is an easier way to manage this. Administrator Services Director Lasher said she is not aware of any software or systems that would make this easier for Staff. City Administrator Hagen added that there has been a lot of support to go back to the legislators to try to clean this up specific to cities. He noted that this law applies to both the private and the public sector. He said that the easiest way to move forward with this is to focus on what is minimally required so that they can work this out and hopefully have the legislators clarify some of the questions that are out there. Councilmember Olson asked if the current sick time allowed carries over year to year. City Council Work Session/ October 24, 2023 Page 5 of 9