Loading...
06/08/1982 - City Council SpecialOC144 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL EAGAN, MINNESOTA JUNE 8, 1982 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on June 8, 1982 at 7:00 p.m. at the Eagan City Hall. Those present were Mayor Blomquist, City Councilmembers Egan, Smith, Thomas and Wachter. Also present was City Administrator Hedges. FIREMEN'S RELIEF PENSION PLAN The Finance Committee, City Councilmembers Egan and Smith, presented a fact finding report regarding a study of a proposed increase or change in the Volunteer Firefighters' Association Pension Plan. The Finance Committee reported that they met with Mr. Roger Katzenmaier, of Wilkerson, Guthman and Johnson, Public Accountants, to review a report that he performed that discusses the defined benefit program and also a proposed defined contribution plan. The Finance Committee discussed those two proposals in addition to a lump sum benefit and a fourth plan that would convert the existing program to an IRA, allowing for cash payment to each volunteer fireman upon completing one year as a volunteer firefighter. After considerable discussion by the City Council, it was the general consensus that the City Council meet with the pension commit- tee of the Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association and recommend that the existing program be converted to an IRA plan. A special City Council meeting was scheduled for June 21, 1982 at which time the City Council would meet with the pension committee to present the proposed conversion from a defined benefit program to an IRA plan. CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE /NEW CITY HALL -FIRE STATION COMPLEX City Administrator Hedges reported that Jack Boarman of Boarman Architects is advising that a citizens' advisory committee be formed to evaluate the need for a new city hall and fire station addition to the existing police department facility. He further stated that it was the recommendation of the architect that a cross section of residents from the community be selected and these persons would meet two or three times with the architect to evaluate and review the need for a new city hall and fire station. After a brief discussion regarding the make up of the committee, names were suggested by the City Council that represented various geographical sections of the community, business, indus- try, churches and homeowners' associations and the City Administrator was directed to contact approximately twenty persons and report to the City Council at the June 15 meeting as to whether these persons are willing to serve on this advisory committee. Mayor Blomquist stated that formal appointments are scheduled for that City Council meeting. CONTRACTOR LICENSING City Councilmember Wachter reported that a meeting was held with the Chief Building Inspector, Dale Peterson, City Administrator Hedges, Adminis- trative Intern Liz Witt and himself to discuss the feasibility of implementing an ordinance regulating contractor licensing in the City of Eagan. He further stated that the items included in the report that he is recommending for CSC 145 City Council Minutes June 8, 1982 Page Two consideration and ordinance include general contractors, fireplace contractors, bricklayers, swimming pool contractors and companies installing blacktop drives. He further stated that the licensing would require that in order to secure a license a contractor must present a $5,000 surety bond and general Liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 personal, $200,000 accident, and $50,000 property. After much review by the City Council, the City Administrator was directed to prepare a draft ordinance regulating contractor licensing and present the same to the City Council for consideration. REGULATION OF FUMES FROM DRY CLEANING ESTABLISHMENTS Mayor Blomquist stated that she has received complaints about the need to regulate dry cleaning fumes that escape from dry cleaning establishments into adjacent businesses, therefore causing a type of nuisance to occupants within the adjacent business. Mayor BLomquist stated that OSHA, MPCA and other state agencies do not have any regulatory authority. However, under an old statute, according to the City Attorney's office, the construction requirements and equipment requirements within a dry cleaning establishment are enforced by the State Fire Marshal. After discussion on the issue, Mayor BLomquist directed the Chief of Police and Fire Marshal to investigate dry cleaning establishments within the City to determine whether the equipment and con- struction prevents the escape of fumes into adjacent businesses, and, further, if there is a defect or faulty equipment, action should be taken to correct whatever problem exists. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE City Councilmember Egan, chairman of the personnel committee, which also includes City Councilmember Wachter, reported on a proposal by the City Administrator that would provide for clarification of benefits that include the use of flex time for department heads and compensatory time for supervisory and all other non -union personnel. City Councilmember Egan stated that since compensatory time was abolished at a rate of phase out prescribed in previous City Council action alternatives to providing incentive for department heads and supervisory employees were reviewed. It is the recommendation of the person- nel committee that flex time be authorized by the City Administrator or that department heads receive an additional week of vacation. It was also suggested that the life insurance for department heads and supervisory employees be in- creased from $10,000 to $25,000 for term insurance. Egan further reported on some language that would clarify the use of compensatory time by supervisory and all other non -union personnel. After discussion on the proposal submitted by the personnel committee, it was recommended that any further consideration for vacation time be abolished in favor of five (5) 8 hour days classified as flex time. In a motion by City Councilmember Egan, seconded by Smith, with all members voting in favor, an unwritten policy for allowing flex time authori- zed by the City Administrator was allowed for periods of time less than four hours and five 8 hour days and each department head and assistant as described will be provided life insurance at a rate of $25,000. For supervisory, language was written to allow compensatory time to be earned at a prescribed rate and method and also life insurance provided at the rate of $25,000 term. For non- union personnel, compensatory time is earned for all hours in excess of 40 hours worked in one week and can be paid as a cash payment if requested within a pay- roll period. Compensatory time will be compensated at the rate of one and one - half (12) times the hourly rate for non -union personnel. OC 141 City Council Minutes June 8, 1982 Page Three PROJECT #353 - SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO MnDOT #60740 City Administrator Hedges stated that the Director of Public Works is requesting authorization to initiate work under an existing contract with MnDOT to install a casing pipe around a sanitary sewer force main to incorporate the new roadway alignment of T.H. 149's south junction with T.H. 55. He stated that all costs associated with this work are the entire responsibility of the City of Eagan due to the fact that it is the City's utility located within MnDOT's right of way. He further stated that the cost is projected at $5,180 and would be paid from the sanitary sewer trunk fund. In a motion by City Coun- cilmember. Wachter, seconded by Thomas, with all members voting in favor, the Director of Public Works was authorized to initiate work associated with pro- tecting the City's sanitary sewer force main along T.H. 55 and T.H. 49 and request MnDOT to prepare a formal supplemental agreement to MnDOT agreement #60740 for future ratification. R 82 -26 SEE AGREEMENT FILE SCHOOL CROSSINGS ON DIFFLEY ROAD (C.R. 30) Mayor Blomquist reported that Independent School District #191 is proposing that students who live on the north side of Diffley Road (C.R. 30) will not be bussed to Rahn Elementary School, therefore creating a situation in which the children must cross Diffley Road in route to Rahn Elementary School. Mayor Blomquist stated that in addition to her concern about the potential safety hazard of children crossing that busy county road, the residents representing some 82 children from grades one through six have submitted a petition to the Independent School District 191 school board and a meeting is scheduled for June 10, 1982 to discuss alternatives to having students cross Diffley Road. It was suggested by Mayor Blomquist that a Letter be drafted to Independent School District #191 emphasizing the safety concerns and potential hazard the City envisions of students crossing Diffley Road between Nicols Road and Rahn Road. In a motion by Mayor Blomquist, seconded by Egan, with all members voting in favor, the City Administrator was directed to draft a letter to Independent School District #191 to include the concerns discussed by the City Council, Chief of Police and residents who reside on the north side of Diffley Road. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. DATED: June 8, 1982 TLH City Clerk