Agenda - Council - 11/14/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Administrative Services Director Lasher noted that this would be a huge cut in benefits to long term employees. She shared that there is another employee benefit that is coming effective January 11 2026 for paid family and medical leave. She noted that this will be administered by DEED and the City will have to pay a portion of the administration and the employees will also have to pay a portion of the administration. She added that they are not sure what this will look like when it comes about. The consensus of the Council was to administer ESST to the minimum legal requirements using the accrual method and capping the ESST hours to 80 hours. 2.03: Discussion Regarding Upcoming Memorandum of Agreements with the Unions and Revisions to the Personnel Policy. Administrative Services Director Lasher reviewed the Staff report in regard to the upcoming memorandum of agreements with the unions and revisions to the personnel policy. She stated that there are several things that are in the works that will be brought to the Council for consideration, including a memorandum of agreement for ESST, addressing Juneteenth, and some items to work out with the unions. She noted that there are also a lot of updates that need to be made to the personnel policies. She added that they will also need to address a memorandum of agreement with AFSCME and when Christmas Eve is celebrated, which differs from the personnel policy. Councilmember Specht asked if these memorandums of agreement will go on a consent agenda. City Administrator Hagen stated that they would like to send these through the Council. Councilmember Riley noted that some of these items seem like contract negotiation items. He asked if any of these memorandums of agreement have to do with any contract negotiations. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that the matter of Juneteenth and the issue with AFSCME need to be addressed for this coming year and will not exceed the length of the current contract. She noted that this would be a decision that is made for the current contract only. Mayor Kuzma asked if they had a choice in this. City Administrator Hagen said no. The consensus of the Council was to move forward with the upcoming memorandum of agreements. 2:03: Consider Reduction in Ice Skating Operations and Maintenance Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood reviewed the Staff report concerning the reduction in ice skating operations and maintenance. He stated that there has been a steady decline in ice skating interest over the recent years. He shared the recommendation to close the ice skating rink at Ramsey Elementary School for the 2023-2024 season as a trial to see if the facilities at Central Park will be adequate. City Council Work Session / October 24, 2023 Page 7 of 9