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Councilmember Cich stated that delaying hiring the officers until a 7% pay rate reduction <br />for entry level officers is resolved is not worth the grief it is causing in the interim. <br /> <br />Mr. Hartley and Mayor Reimann noted that the City has communicated clearly to the LELS <br />union that the City wishes to discuss a step program for entry level officers; the LELS <br />refuses to respond to that request. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cich stated that in addition to the safety of the public and the officers, he is <br />concerned with the liability the city is assuming with officers working 12-14 hours a day. <br />He also noted that long work days increase the amount of sick time being utilized and on- <br />duty injuries. <br /> <br />Mr. Hartley stated that on January 26, 1989, he will make telephone and written contact <br />with Roland Miles of the LELS bargaining unit requesting a meeting to discuss <br />implementing a step program for entry level officers in Ramsey; the letter will be submitted <br />to members of the Personnel Committee for approval. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cich agreed with Mr. Hartley's plan of action but noted that he is not in <br />favor of the proposed step program because it results in the city becoming a training ground <br />for officers. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann replied that he does not believe Ramsey will become a training ground <br />because it is a member of the Minnesota Police Recruitment System. Mayor Reimann <br />noted that the case to hire additional officers should be presented by the Police Chief. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cich noted that in the metro area, the operating standard is 1.1 <br />officers/1000 population; in Ramsey, the statistics are .5 officer/1000 population; even with <br />those statistics, Ramsey's case rate is better than that of the Anoka County Sheriff <br />Department in Andover. <br /> <br />Mayor Reimann noted that the City has agreed to hire through MPRS, hire additional <br />officers and implement an investigator position; all the City wants to know is if a step <br />system is negotiable in order that beginning pay rates can be based on experience. <br /> <br />ADJQ1JRNMENT <br /> <br />The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br />Sylvia Frolik <br />Secretary <br /> <br />Personnel Committee/January 25, 1989 <br /> Page 3 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br />