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09/30/1982 - City Council Special00261. MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EAGAN CITY COUNCIL EAGAN, MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 30, 1982 A special meeting of the Eagan City Council was held on September 30, 1982 at 7:00 p.m. at the Eagan Police Department building. Those present were Mayor Blomquist, City Councilmembers Egan, Smith, Thomas and Wachter. Also present were City Administrator Hedges and Director of Finance VanOverbeke. HISTORY COMMITTEE /PROPOSED HISTORY OF THE CITY OF EAGAN The City Council held a joint meeting with the history committee to review which of the styles was more preferred of the two manuscripts which have been prepared by the history committee and by Lisa Fleming, historian intern, for the purpose of publishing the History of Eagan. A lengthy discussion was held about the flow and substance of the two history documents planned for pub— lication by both members of the history committee and City Council. Some of the history committee members stated that they had not received both documents and were unable to make a comparison of the different manuscripts and, therefore, any final action to approve a history manuscript for the purpose of proceeding with publication was delayed, allowing the history committee members time to adequately review both manuscripts. The City Council did express a strong in— terest in proceeding with the manuscript that was written by the history intern. FIREMENS' RELIEF PENSION PLAN The City Council discussed several amounts that were under considera— tion for presenting a lump sum plan to the firefighters as a means of increasing their current pension plan. After considerable discussion and a review of the cost to the City, it was suggested that a lump sum in the amount of $30,000 be presented to the pension committee along with several conditions. Represen— tatives of the fire fighters' relief association pension committee appeared and the City Administrator, at the request of the City Council, presented a new pension plan allowing for a lump sum benefit equal to $30,000 upon completing twenty years of service along with the following conditions to the pension com— mittee: 1. Conversion of current plan (monthly or lump sum benefits) to a lump sum benefit; 2. Increase lump sum payment, per 20 years, from $24,000 to $30,000; 3. The benefit increase is effective in 1983; 4. The new lump sum amount of $30,000 is constant until December 31, 1987; 5. Vesting remains the same, no change in current benefit; 6. The current number of volunteer firefighters will remain in effect at 70 unless otherwise changed by the City Council; 7. All death benefits provided for in the current plan will remain equal to the level of benefits outlined in the recent actuarial study performed by the Wyatt Company and dated September 15, 1982. 0()ZGZ City Council Minutes September 30, 1982 Page Two Considerable discussion followed, with both the City Council and firefighters discussing the disadvantages and advantages with various approaches to a pension plan. The pension committee expressed a consent of the firefighters' membership to retain the current plan which includes in addition to a lump sum a monthly benefit option for retirement. The City Councilmembers expressed the desire to eliminate as much of the unfunded liability as possible as well as giving other reasons for considering a lump sum benefit plan as opposed to a lump sum and monthly benefit plan which is presently offered to the fire fighters. After further discussion, committee chairman Darryl Haines asked whether the City Council would consider retention of the current plan and proceed with negotiating an increase if the general assembly turned down the lump sum only benefit plan. The City Council stated that before the current plan or any other plans are further considered, the lump sum plan was to be presented to the fire department general assembly. There was further discussion by relief association president John Flood and other members present about certain revisions that might be possi- bly made to the existing plan that would allow the current benefit to be finan- cially acceptable as it relates to the unfunded liability issue. After further review and discussion by both City Councilmembers and the pension committee members present, the City Administrator was directed to present the City Coun- cil's proposal for a lump benefit plan subject to the above stated conditions to the fire department general assembly at the October 4, 1982 fire department meeting. OPEN APPOINTMENT POLICY The City Administrator stated that the Dakota County Women's Politi- cal Caucus has asked that municipalities throughout Dakota County endorse a resolution supporting an open appointment policy to be approved by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. Karen Flood, representing the group appeared and stated that currently Dakota County does not implement an open appointment policy such as the policy followed by the City of Eagan and asked for City Coun- cil endorsement for Dakota County to implement such a policy. In a motion by City Councilmember Wachter, seconded by Councilmember Thomas, with all members voting in favor, the City Administrator was directed to prepare a letter in support of an open appointment policy to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners and further relate the City's procedure as it relates to an open appointment policy. 1983 PROPOSED BUDGET The City Administrator and Director of Finance presented the proposed mill levy to be certified in 1982, payable in 1983. Each of the various special levies were reviewed by City Councilmembers, and after further consideration and review of the 1983 budget, it was determined that the mill levy as presented for consideration would be considered at the next regular meeting for final approval and certification to Dakota County as the 1983 mill rate. There was no formal action taken on this matter.. 00263 City Council Minutes September 30, 1982 Page Three ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Dated: September 30, 1982 TLH City Clerk