Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/23/2025

Home

City Attorney Knaak said yes, as long as the Council's findings were based on the record. Councilmember Buscher shared that she is comfortable with keeping this process as is, as the Council still has the process to make a change to a decision through the appeals process if necessary. The consensus of the Council was to direct Staff to put together an amendment to change the variance process to make the Planning Commission an advisory body and the Council the deciding body. 2.03: Consider Public Fund Expenditure to the Fire Relief Association City Administrator Hagen reviewed the Staff report in regard to considering a public fund expenditure to the Fire Relief Association. Councilmember Buscher shared that this is something that she finds to be equitable and thinks that, since they gave to the Ramsey Police Association, they should also give to the Fire Relief Association. She noted that the Police Department pensions are already higher than the Fire Department's. Councilmember Stewart asked if this $400 amount would be in excess of what they already give to the Fire Department. Councilmember Buscher said yes, but noted that they are giving the same extra amount to the Police Association. City Administrator Hagen explained the difference between the Ramsey Police Association and the Fire Relief Association, which are both non-profits. Councilmember Buscher noted that the Fire Relief Association serves the same purpose as the Ramsey Police Association, so she believes it would be equitable to give the same amount to both organizations. Councilmember Specht said this is not about equity to him, as this could be a slippery slope; however, he is not against giving the Fire Relief Association the extra $400. Councilmember Olson stated he does not see a need to do this. He noted that there was a very specific request brought to the Council for an additional $400 for the Ramsey Police Association, and he does not think that they need to match the donation to the Fire Relief Association. He shared that the Council is responsible for handling the taxpayers' dollars, and since the Fire Relief Association has not even asked for this additional donation, he does not think it is reasonable to give to them just to be equitable. Councilmember Buscher shared that while the Fire Relief Association did not request these funds, she did reach out and ask if she could raise this request on their behalf, to which they were excited City Council Work Session / September 23, 2025 Page 3 of 6