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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975/04/28 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular III NUIES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING S11 LOUIS PARK , MINNESOTA Apr r l 28 , 1975 The Mayor- opened the meeting at 8 : 04 P . m , The following Councilmen were present at roll call : Seymour Druskin Richard Graves Rose - Mary Griak Keith Meland Lyle Hanks Mayor Fleetham Councilman Thiel arrived at 8 : 20 p . m ,. Also present were the City Manager and Acting Secretary . Employees of the City ' s safety departments were present . payor Fleet ham explained that this special Council meeting was being held pr imari 1 y i n order to provide an opportunity for a 1 1 interested employees to ask questions or make comments regarding the proposal to hire a division head / coordinator for safety services The City Manager explained that he has made every effort to meet with employees in the Police , Fire and Inspectional Departments � n order to answer their questions regarding the proposal . He discussed the economics of the day and the budget limitations facing the City . He outlined other organizational changes that have been made in the City including Maintenance Services and Inspectional Services and the result -Ing reductions in personnel and increases i n economies and efficiencies. The City Manager emphasized that this proposal is not an underlying method to integrate police and fire activities , and that by incorporating these three departments into one division , the department heads for each activity will be maintained and continue to direct and supervise the da to da functions of their departments . He emphasized that the proposal shoul dy provide for better coord i nat ion of programs and ut i 11 zati on of resources and noted that it is possible that there W 11 be additional promotional opportunities in the various departments in the future „ TheCity Manager then reviewed the proposed organizational structure and discussed the various advantages that the other two divisions ( Public Works and Finance us advent g He cited various have been able to real ize under a divisional structure . acts of intervention by other governmental units , new laws and sprogr ailisv and including emergency 911 computer technology in public Acti safety codes , mobilization sirnilar rants , the Fire Prevention and Control Ac_ t , � e of Of Volunteer etc e that have Increased the urgencyfor this tyt teer services , e divisional structuring . M � i� u te5 ,� ApY 1 1 2C3 , 19 �7 Specill Council 11^ ef Ight . erS Assoc iat ion of St , Louis Park , r ori , rE' p ►' esen t " ng t f1e f ted Linan 11T1ouS 1 y i n opposition to the aroposal , ton v0 Charles Ca anIzat r r•1 'ith The City Manager and stated that their f ire Department members (� i however , they feel that the same fie notrcl that the can be ach ieved under , _ so of the Iller' lt5 of t �i � at ' or, and � ef f is iency f ► r local zed s to better word ► , sults r^ elating fracture He Stated that the f re g to s saw t _ a between employees and the cxtsting orclanizat. ronal 5 a buffer which would de1l which the Publ is Safety Director a division head asnder and the disadvantages their employees report management He IAev 1er°ai= d other cities Department cannot be concept had been � mplemente uric i 1 to re - evaluate its stressed that the St Louis park Fire have resu i ted He He urged the Co compared to Richfield and Ed Ina nhe gh because h t Prov � s i on of additional manpower toattheca _ se priorities , possibly through T�Ir Caron merit addition of a full time p r event ion oft icer oint►» ent could possitly a coordinator vrould not.. be under civil service , this app be politically motivated ., Guest ioat t- here n from Councilman 1hi - 1 , 1�1r Caron sto � edtotthe proposal . In response to a lX g t present and voting r n oppos i ti p were 16 out of 24 � irefi hoer s p , , Council has no control over the appoint►^ent Counc ilman Thiel stated that the C ty Is roved b the Council of a coordinator or division head once the postofrlthe City Manager . He noted and only confirms or rejects tf1ev recommendation at ionof the City Charters that to do otherwise would be a Mr . Larry Bastian , a business agent for Teamsters Local "320 , stated tthathe was asked by the membership of the police union to appear , e n mate he was not present to negotiate whether or not this item was aLrN1a ° a ertatr � however , he did state ( he was ready to meet with the Council r 9 any time to discuss this matter further , if desired Mayor Fleetham stated that he does not feel this is a union matter and that he considers the appearance of a union business agent at such a meeting of this type as unprofessional and .not in keeping with good labor relations practices , Mr . Jerrold Martin , representing Police Union 320 spoke on behalf of the members of the police union in opposition to the proposal . He discussed various justifications %Aihich have been proposed including career develoP' ent cross training , labor relations , duplication of effort , purchasing , physical fitness , speakers bureau , etc , which he considered to be without merit and which could be Implemented without a coordinator - He noted that the St Louis Park police Department cannot be compared to those in other cities like Edina and Richf geld . He indicated that because of the qualifications needed to supervise pol ice and f ire activities that a person +Noul d need ten to tssgenty years experience and that a general administrative person could no ' do the job . He felt that a non cIv II seri, Ice employee would be suble4t to political pressure and that civil service guarantees a person w ► ll be a moral and tthical person . He further stated that pol ice want Chair own identity and not encompassed within a pubs is safety division where recognr * ' y of police services would be reduced . He then suggested that the City Consider hiring an assistant city Tanager supervise both police and fire departments anti to reduce the pJSS � !' ilj * 4 integration of functions lie rioted that of the union members polled , 34 were opposed and 4 in favor of the coordinatorldivision head proposal sof + Z City Council Minutes , Apra 1 28 , 1975 11 SpIth � �rer. resn. nt iriy the Ut., pdrtment ► ) f In , sfi� , spe ( tio ►) a1 Sery ice5 , read rvsented 8 staterient in suppo t � ,+ the pf oposa 1 signed by all of the ©f the Inspectional Sery ices DeaartonentHe further stated that it as tj* tr dee { tng that an � rsd ► vidudl of this tyUe would provide better CWdIflations eff is re +icy and max ' Mize tit i1 12at ion pf safet }2 personnel . Mr , �y p , Acting Director- of InSpQctIOnaI Services , Spoke in support of the propos " 1 . vcrare setter' , Acting Pol ice Chef ,, spoke on behalf of all of the police isorr staff in support of the proposal He noted that they believe , ;� , procosal is founded on sound management principles and wi l 1 provide for mc, re effective sere ices He stated that the entire pol ice staff feels that , ,it bead of the Poi ice Department wi 1 1 st 1 1 be able to maintain control over , ir,e functions and that the Pol ice Department will continue to retain its tcentity in piov ding the highest level of Police service for the lowest , n ; t _ He emphasized that the pot ice staff feels a coordinator will help the Pot ice Department to better acrompl i sh its goals . conn Heubach , a 1 ieutenant on the Pol ice Department , spoke in favor of the ,r1 ► oposal . He stated that people resist change when they are uncertain of the results , but feels the concept is an excellent one and should be implemented , ne suQQested that the three department heads review the resumes which are sibrritted for this posit ion and make recommendations to the City Manager to ensure the best qua ] itied person is selected for the position , Onar McGary , Fire Chief , spoke in suppor t of the proposal . He stated that hF recognizes the many benef its involved and by duplicating efforts and ultimately reduce over - all costs to the community in providing qual ity safety services . Mayor Fl eetham made a statement to the audience pointing out that decisions Of this nature are difficult and that every facet has to be considered . not i �.� st one side of the issue : He stated that going back to college has ' aught him about new technical and management operations and that he firmly believes in the organizational needs of a division head in the size of a city as St . Louis Park ; He then recalled many positive improvements made in the safety departments in recent years and felt the complex problems w!irch lie ahead , such as computer dispatch , emergency 911 telephone , etc all will require full time attention of an administrative person looking apt for the publ is safety interest of the City Patrick � r ' in the Pol ice Department , stated that he is the Coll ins , an office only poi ice patrolman who is not a member of the union but stated that he cannot su pport the proposed concept at this time Pay R.acett the police i c e Department , stated that he is opposed : � the e , an officer in coordinators proposal to appoint a safety R, ichard 1� � e Police Department , addressed the CoUnCil Metro , an officer in the (' orinc it meiiibers rhgardin9 the format for the meeting and apologized c� gi zecl t11eaCp� �ilnler1tS made from ° felt that anyone disagreed with that tormat an the audience , i t Minutes % April 28 , 1975 r discussion cn � Special Counc as been goo J there h ide in its Police , Fire � n Druskin St ateci that aye , heeC Cit. / could take p ions from Councilman Counci 1rrr �. response to quest n this issue on all sides and that In e -c service division and Inspectional Ser v r ces Ds ta 'ceci that the proposed safe ' y e Director of Pub1 i c IrJork ; and Director of Druskin , the City Manager Fire , and Inspectional head would function s , mr ar tel tde department heads of Police ,! her stated that Finance and that the ind � v � dua P He fur ul d report directly to the coordi nator � Services wo comparison cannot be made between saf � tcomearisons although a def i ni to dollar compar o i n % ou c some genera p and public works , staff made an atl" erieal i � ed through a divisional structure between the efficiencies which Were in public works ° pa The Manaqer further rioted that although St . Louis Park cannot bei � ° ordered completely With th Richfield or LdJna , their s � tuature thatesta f f feels would be to illustrate some efficiencies of a general n � rganization - He further answered realized i n St . Lou i s Park under'' the Pr way with the position of that under the proposal there is no intentioanotdatahe Civil Service Commission Fire Chief or Asst Fire Chief ast this time 'directed to begin the procedure 'to fill the pos �� t �ion of Ch � h � sofPolce , has been dir head be implemented , person It is felt that should a coordinator / division would survey the needs of the department and make recommendations ° a future etc , . staffing in all departments , especially for the needs to deal in labor Councilman Druskin questioned the need of a icon relations since this was stated as a reason for hiring a Personnel Di rec for in lieu of having an Asst City Manager In response to a question from Councilman Hanks regarding the Asst City Manager who serves as a Director of Public Safety in Fridley , the City Manager replied that that position was created to 'fi l l a specific need for Fridley . He felt that such a position in St . Louis Park might be inappropriate i n that the relationship between an Asst _. Manager supervising safety services and the other two existing division heads would be difficult to define , Councilman Druskin stated that he feels implementation of the proposed division head would downgrade the Police and Fire Departments and spoke in opposition to the proposal , He further stated that the present department structure is successful and should be retained _ He stated disagreement with the concept proposed and felt that an additional supervisory level was not justified at this time . Councilman Griak spoke in support of the proposed coordinator position . She emphasized that the City must find the most efficient way to provide services within budgetary limitations and felt that over an extended period of time the implementation of a coordinator position v) oul d prove an of fecti ve method to provide better services without adding additional personnel . In response to a question from Councilman Thiel , the follo +.*iing individuals stated that they are in support of the Council - i�1anager form of government Richard Setter , Omar McGary , John Heubach , Harvey McPhee , Charles Caron , Jerrold Martin and Ray Racetfe . Tommy Thompson , office of the Pc) l ice Department , stated that he does not agree with the Council - Manager form of government , 114 Special Council (Minutes , April `28 , 1975 Caunctlrnan Thiel stated that he does not feel that it is appropriate for members to meet Ivith or to talk with City employees of the Council regarding actions taken by the Counc i 1 , pa e t i CU 1 a r 1 y dur ng Cour~ c i 1 meet i nos , and SUgges ted that actions of this nature either create or add to any morale problem within the City and Violate the City Char ter- l z ;.Ias moved by Councilman Thiel , seconded by Councilman Meland , that the above referenced subject dealing with Council - employee relat ' onShlps , be put on the agenda of f9lay 51 1975 for discussion , The ,,lotion passed 4 - 1 ( Councilman Hanks opposed ; Councilmen Druskin and Graves not present for the vote ) , south Oak Hill Paving Project Councilman Meland explained that there � s some etirsting curb and gutter in good condition ort Edgebrook Drive and North Street and that some properties were still N ar cesSments for this curb and yutter Following a discussion regarding the dissatisfaction of many residents 1n areas where patching of existing curb rather than cnntltruCtion of ent , rely neo r ;;Jrt� wa ; done , theCouncil agreed that the entire existing curb and gutter shoL11d be replaced : Councilman Mel and rioted that these properties oEorerand Dutterand FNorth ng Street were assessed $ 2 ; 30 per front foot Tor thecu - b9 a discussion regarding whether or not some credit should be given to these properties , i t was Ploved by Co un i gran Graves , seconded by Councilman Mel and , that those properties on the 7400 blocks of EdgebrookaDe �� sment for e and tthe tcurb be given a credit of $ 2 . 30 per front CQooC � toward Dr ulsk rn was not present ) * and gutter The motion passed 64 Eliot Area Pav in ptwoject - lnformat Tonal Meet inQ ilman Griak stated that an informational meeting has been sciheduled regarding Count R1 ; on May, 13 , 1975 at of Schoo the Eliot paving project for 7 : 30 p . F l ag Avenue / HRA Pro e The C 1ty Manager r^ stated that. several residents in the vicinity ° o , nel1that has 2900 block of Flag AvetUe are concerned regard ' fT `1 the j � aveRbe� n11ei1v� iited to discuss been constructed on Flag AVenuF TheSPfl � es lde1 ; 975 , this matter at the next HRA meeting on y Royal Court the Royal Court is closed acid that the haveabnforlrnedt The Manager noted that i 1tia 1 o �`, r, e 'As The oNtine is now back in the hands of the ° '' g ld 1 it< e t. o short - cut rile establ � shed l Ofthethe City that they v4ou , r 101 to the completion p let. ion i viied l a t e - � process so that they Gan OPO- 11 e He stated tt)at in regard to rthis ess establishment , regular investigation proc. edul process would tt� ke rj �, E} r QXTfT', at. ely thr� ei� `` eekThe Council the regular licensing P 1 a 1975 Cosa :. i 1 meet9 possibly be on the age " da for thela� i' the � regr� lar liguor� licensing agreed that t171 owners should . If o � ' rnc' d process and should be So ► nut es , April 28 4) 1915 Spec i al Counc. i 1 M see any legal question onsgand �� hych P does not. stated that he He cited similar situations Mayor Fleetham for the salary ' b various departments or where appropriating fundlar , e � had been shared y et to meet the changing depart head sa within an activity budev1eWed the transfer of funds reallocated na er also stated that he as funds have been Ma 9 that the Attorney stated that � f funds needs The City Attorney , and t proposed expense is determined to question with the City if the Prop they can be so appropriated budgeted for the act ' v , tyromdsuch budgets n bed are 9 enditure f i s not exc be a legitimate eKP in the activity as the total amount as long reVious � nforrnation provided to the 75 ` 32 and p completing the City ' s organizational Councilman Meland cited Mln & which deals with com{ innovative approach to Council prior to the meet- 1119 inion this � s an obvious structure . He noted that in his op , and has many gyred protection needs of the comrnun tY1 tor meeting requ p professional management oriented c000mmntment advantages, He stated that re ° f training , professionalism and can bring about a higher deg department heads for technical throughout the entire division , as well as frenforpement , fire protection and field supervision in their duties of law that professional management of safjty eierofices , and inspection . He stated P nator , would aprovide an additional desirable and the City Council . through a coord � Manager ' s off the City management between departments , d for its if the goal of the Council is good government , then He further stated that � 1 � - served by not providing a division the community would be safety services departments Councilman Meland stated that any paranoia that may exist within employees of this proposed division may very well have been He° feeldby s that Councilmen of the Council who have revived old animosit � eso problems who interfere with administrative matters add to or create rexecutive and are in violation of the City, morale Charter He emphasized that powers of the Council are clearly 1ndivis � ble and regardless of the hort vote , the Council is bound by that decision and iLouismust Pa �Park Charter , SUP He then the form of government provided In the St � stated that because of interference with administration and unprofessional fraternization , he believed the implementation of the concept may not be appropriate at this time . Councilman Druskin quoted that portion of Section 2 - 01 of the City Charter , He stated that he felt the Council was responsible for the ultimate control of administration as stated in the Charter , Councilman Hanks stated that he looks at the proposal strictly as a good managementprocedure and is in support of the motion , He stated that he agreed with Lt . Heubach ' s earlier comments and that regardless of the outcome of the vote , he was sure that -the City ' s professional employees will continue to operate with or without this position , The motion passed 4 - 3 ( Councilman Druskin , Graves and Meland opposed ) , A recess was called by Mayor Fleetham 116 Speclal Council Minutes , April 28 , 1975 In response to a question f roni Cou ► ► t i lman Hanks , the City Manager stated that there are many existing programs which require the cooperation of the three depar trient heads , He cited some spec if it problems ttiat have resulted due to the o e dtionsl ip of this to0 ► d1nat ) cn and emphasized that ,gore cnordinatton will be required to meet anticipated increases in demands for service . Councilman Thiel stated that he has worked in and managed large offices for many years . He further stated that although he may have disagreed with the decision of the board of directors , in this case the City Council , it was his duty , as it is any employee ' s duty , to abide by the dec is Ion of the governing body and to support its implementation , It was then moved by Councilman Thiel , seconded by Councilman Griak , to direct the City Manager to recruit a candidate for the position of Coordinator of Safety Services to function as a division head , Councilman Graves stated that he will not support the motion and feels that implementation of this proposal could have an adverse effect on morale thus resulting in a lower level of effectiveness from the employees involved . He noted that having a non civil service position would result in political pressures that should not occur in public safety services . Larry Redmond , 3818 Glenhurst , questioned whether or not this proposal would accomplish anything significant and is really in the best interest of the City In response to a question , the City Manager stated that a proposed salary of $ 23 , 000 was used for comparison purposes and is based on salaries for similar positions in comparable communities . He noted that the total cost to the City for this position , based on the projected salary , is approximately $ 400 less than the present cost to the City for a pol ice 11 eutenant In response to a question from Councilman Graves , the City Manager staled that a transfer of funds wi l 1 not be needed to provide for this position if allocated from the involved safety departments . He noted that as has been done on many other occasions , available funds can be taken frorn the three departments that will make up the division It would be up to the Council to decide from where to allocate the required funds ; however , this does not constitute a transfer of unallocated funds Councilman Druskin questioned further how this position could be funded and suggested that the Council may wish to request an opinion of the Attorney General . The City Manager stated that the Charter provides that if funds are available in specific activity budgets , they can be used for financing any of the various functions within that activity as long as the total amount budgeted for that activity is not over expended ., He also replied that recruitment of an individual to fill the coordinator• position would take a minimum of 60 days , once initiated , P rofax Gas P ►' -rte icier Ing purchasing a portion f of Golden Auto Parts are cons Lake The owners o roper ty ( 10r, a ted beh i n Ca r d i n I G1 �a S S on take the Pyrofax Gas Compkeyto expand their business . Because an expansion Street ) and would 1 ie er ,nit , the owner of Golden auto Parts would like would require a special nd a pa t i on as to the Counc i I s feelings on this matter to get some typeof the lengthy special perm i .t Proceduree prior to beginning Councilman Hanks stated that he feels every Councilmen should be present to discuss this matter and requested that the Manager so inform Mr , Golden i lman Hanks , seconded by Councilman Meland , to defer It was moved by Counc this item . The motion passed 6 - 0 ( Councf lman Uruskfn was not present } , Adjournment Upon a motion by Councilman Thiel , seconded by Co � � nci' ] man Graves , the tett �g was adjourned at 11 : 30 p . m .> by a 6 yea vote , ekfwk Fra � Go Fleet Iml ltam , Jr . Mayor at e�-t Susan Workman , Actg , Secretary