Minutes - Council Work Session - 06/02/1998

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Councilmember Haas Steffen deduced that Chief Gustafson made a recommendation that will ultimately cost the City another police officer. ' City Administrator Norman stated that the corporal position will be brought before Council as a 1999 budget item. Councilmember Haas Steffen suggested that the public safety aide program be established as a probationary or pilot program, because there may be some reason not to keep the corporal position. It should come back to Council if it is not working. She also suggested that the program not be tied to a certain number of persons such as 10; tie the program to a money frame and don't get hung up on 10 persons. Chief Gustafson stated he will try to have a pilot program on next Tuesday's Personnel Committee meeting agenda and funding would be in the budget amendment coming to Council next month. #3: Fire Chief Vehicle Usage Consensus of the Council was that Fire Chief Kapler should have use of a City vehicle. #4: City Hall Expansion Design Consultant City Administrator Norman recalled that during a recent Council work session, we talked about a need for more space. The limited space will only be intensified with a new department head coming on board. Mr. Norman stated he has been in contact with the architect who designed the police building to discus some options for administrative offices expansion. Councilmember Haas Steffen suggested that perhaps these estimates should be sought in conjunction with a community center. She stated that she would like to see a community center committee formed and see if they can dovetail some of these things with the expansion of City Hall, unless the City Hall expansion absolutely has to happen in the next six to twelve months. She suggested appointing a Community Center Task Force and give them a timeline to come back with a recommendation. Simultaneously, Mr. Norman could have a consultant do the first two phases of needs assessment and Council could appoint the task force. Bye the time the task force determines whether it should be a Ramsey Community Center or a tri-city center, the consultant will be ready for the next phase. Discussion ensued relating to a task force. The number of the task force could be two Park and Recreation Commissioners, Pastor Blair Anderson of Lord of Life Church and Stan Peichel, Principal at Ramsey Elementary. She suggested it be a nine member committee - eight people plus a chairperson. Another suggestion is someone from the Lord of Life senior group. It was suggested that this item be placed on the June 9 agenda. Council Work Session/June 2, 1998 Page 4 of 8