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03/08/1994 - City Council Special 0000 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF EAGAN CITY COUNCIL Eagan, Minnesota March 8, 1994 A special City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, March 8, 1994, at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms A and B of the Eagan Municipal Center. Present were Mayor Egan, City Councilmembers Awada, Hunter, Masin and Wachter. Also present were Director of Public Works Colbert, Director of Community Development Reichert and City Administrator Hedges. City Administrator Hedges explained that due to the Independent School District 196 bond election, the City Council meeting could not be held between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. He further stated that in a direction by Mayor Egan and concurrence with the City Council, the meeting will be adjourned at 6:00 p.m. and those items that are not discussed will be scheduled at a future work session. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Administrator Hedges stated that a special City Council meeting could be scheduled for March 15, immediately following the regular meeting and, further, that a work session be scheduled on March 22, to handle additional council items. In a motion by Councilmember Hunter, seconded by Councilmember Wachter, with all members voting in favor, a special City Council meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, 1994, immediately following the regular City Council meeting. FIRE RELIEF PENSION COMMITTEE PRESENTATION Mark Sportelli and approximately five (5) other members of the Volunteer Fire Pension Relief Committee appeared and presented information about the Volunteer Fire Department and, specifically, why a fire pension increase greater than the lump sum cap allowed by Minnesota Legislation is being requested. He stated that firefighters under the current City Council proposal, would receive $23.33 per month or a $3,500 lump sum and the firefighters are requesting $28.17 per month or a $4,200 lump sum payment. Mr. Sportelli stated that current legislation allows for a monthly benefit up to $30 and a lump sum of $3,500. City Councilmember Wachter asked if additional retirement benefits are needed for attracting volunteers. Members of the Relief Pension Committee discussed the requirements for becoming volunteers in detail. In addition, a film produced by Aaron Rasmussen from Channel 5 was reviewed by the City Council. City Councilmembers discussed the pension requests that were presented by the committee in detail. Following questions and after a great deal of discussion, Mayor Egan stated that he would support an increase from the current lump sum of $3,500 to $4,200 as presented. He further stated that in future years he would prefer that the Fire Relief Pension Committee submit their budget request early in the budget preparation process so any request to increase the pension is considered with all other budgetary adjustments. City Councilmember Hunter stated that he could not support a change in the Fire Relief Pension lump sum amount during a calendar year. He further stated that he would OOG 1 SCC MINUTES 3/8/94 PAGE 2 prefer to address any increase for volunteer firefighter pension amounts with the normal budget process. After further comments and general support for an increase in the lump sum with the understanding that special legislation would be required in order to increase the current cap of $3,500 to $4,200. In a motion by City Councilmember Wachter, seconded by City Councilmember Awada and members Mayor Egan, City Councilmembers Awada, Masin and Wachter voting aye and Councilmember Hunter voting nay, the monthly benefit was increased to $28 per month and the lump sum to $4,200 per year of annual service with the understanding that the increase does not go into affect until such time as the Minnesota State Legislature changes the lump sum amount from $3,500 to $4,200. Any firefighter retiring prior to the state law change will be paid at the rate in effect on the date of retirement without subsequent adjustment. Further, the action approved two (2) additional options: 1) Optional lump sum pension benefits will be paid for partial years of service (whole months); and 2) a death benefit for active members with less than five (5) years of service is added as follows: More than 1 year but less than 2 years 1 x 24% of the per year lump sum amount, 2 years or more but less than 3 years 2 x 28% of the per year lump sum amount, 3 years or more but less than 4 years 3 x 32% of the per year lump sum amount, 4 years or more but less than 5 years 4 x 36% of the lump sum amount. SOUTH DODD ROAD AREA Director of Community Development Reichert presented several layouts for the South Dodd Road area which include 1) existing conditions, 2) individual lot subdivision, 3) area wide subdivisions. Community Development Director Reichert presented four (4) options for consideration of developing the South Dodd Road area including the Fitz property. Director of Public Works Colbert stated that he has detailed information on the impact of utility and street improvements as well as special assessments for each of the options that should be shared with the City Council. Mayor Egan recognized Dave Sellergren and representatives of the Fitz family as being present and apologized that the meeting could last no longer than 6:00 p.m., due to legislation prohibiting the City Council from meeting between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on an election day. After a brief review, it was determined by the City Council that the South Dodd Road review would be scheduled at a future workshop session on Tuesday, March 22 at 5:00 p.m. 000 SCC MINUTES 3/8/94 PAGE 3 OTHER BUSINESS City Administrator Hedges stated that items to be deferred on the agenda will be considered at either the March 15 or March 22 work sessions. It was also determined that due to workload and additional time for preparation, the transportation study analyzing the ring road would be presented at the April 12 City Council work session. The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m. TLH March 8, 1994 Date City Clerk If you need this information in an alternate form such as large print, braille, audio tape, etc., please contact the City of Eagan, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122, 681-4600, (TDD phone: 454-8535)