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project-cost threshold. He recommended evaluating the types of financial assistance Ramsey <br />routinely provides before determining the scope of a potential policy. He also emphasized the need <br />for clear enforcement provisions, noting that options could include withholding or delaying <br />payments, contract cancellation, liquidated damages, complaint investigation, and referral to the <br />Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Riley questioned how contractor compliance would be verified. <br /> <br />Mr. Watkins explained that contractors and subcontractors may be required to submit certified <br />payroll records either upon request or regularly after each pay period. He favored regular reporting <br />because collecting several months of records near the end of a project could create administrative <br />difficulties. He noted that municipalities receiving State or federal funding often already collect <br />similar documentation and generally maintain the records rather than conducting detailed payroll <br />audits themselves. <br /> <br />Mr. Watkins reviewed Richfield's approach to TIF-supported projects, noting that prevailing wage <br />violations can result in delayed or reduced payments, contract cancellation, or withholding of TIF <br />assistance. He also discussed Superior, Wisconsin's responsible contracting policy and <br />distinguished these requirements, which screen contractors before work begins, from prevailing <br />wage standards governing compensation during construction. <br /> <br />Mr. Watkins identified apprenticeship participation and workforce goals as additional options that <br />could promote career development, local employment, and opportunities for disadvantaged <br />workers. He suggested these measures could provide alternatives for Council members interested <br />in stronger contractor standards without adopting a prevailing wage ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher favored initially focusing labor standards on projects receiving City <br />financial assistance and specifically supported a TIF clawback provision. She asked whether there <br />was sufficient Council support to consider that concept before discussing the remaining potential <br />policy provisions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peters asked whether the City already performs similar reporting and compliance <br />activities and whether adopting an approach like Andover's would significantly increase staff <br />workload. <br /> <br />City Administrator Hagen explained that staff already collects required documentation for State <br />and federally funded projects and applies responsible bidder requirements to locally funded sealed- <br />bid projects over $175,000. Strengthening responsible bidder provisions would therefore create <br />little additional work, while prevailing wage reporting could add some administrative <br />responsibility depending on the number and types of projects covered. <br /> <br />Mr. Watkins clarified that responsible bidder requirements screen contractors before a contract is <br />awarded, while prevailing wage requirements govern contractor practices during construction. <br /> <br />Councilmember Buscher supported strengthening Ramsey's existing responsible-bidder <br />requirements by adding additional labor protections. <br />City Council Work Session / August 10, 2026 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />