HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-18-2000 SpecialADOPTED MINUTES
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 18, 2000
A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at
7:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on April 18,
2000.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Black, Slavik, Harstad, Johnson,
Brown, and Bildsoe.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Public Safety
Director Gerdes, Public Works Director Moore, Fire Chief Kline, Administrative Fire
Officer Hurr, Lieutenant Ward, Lieutenant Twaddle, Lieutenant Webb, Public Safety
Education Specialist Cwayna, Public Safety Support Services Supervisor Cox, and
Deputy Clerk Hoffman.
ALSO PRESENT: District Fire Chief Elliott, District Fire Chief Evenson, Firefighter
Hebert.
Review Of Police Department
Public Safety Director Gerdes reported that the Plymouth Police Division has recently
completed a major reorganization. He stated staff would report on the division structure
and programs.
Lieutenant Ward outlined the Patrol Division organization, which has seven patrol
sergeants and 33 officers, including two K-9 units and three traffic enforcement units. He
reported that seven officers have completed basic bicycle patrol training, and 10 officers
are now qualified as field training officers.
Lieutenant Webb reported on his division that includes community service officers, the
special animal (deer/goose) control projects, the monitoring of noise ordinance violations,
property room operations, the police reserve programs, scouts/explorers programs, the
horse patrol, the cadet program, coordination of the community chaplain corps, and the
squad fleet. In addition, he oversees operations of the building, jail management, the
City's photo imaging system, special events, off—duty work requests, and the emergency
response unit.
Lieutenant Twaddle reported that he is responsible for criminal investigations, the school
liaison programs, community education, and community grants. He stated his division
also acts as a liaison with the City and Hennepin County attorney's offices, the Home
Free Shelter Program, and the National Night Out Program.
Adopted Minutes
Special City Council Meeting of April 18, 2000
Page 2 of 7
Support Services Supervisor Cox stated her staff is responsible for the Public Safety
Department's administrative support which includes records management, data practices
operation, transcription services, and animal licensing.
Public Safety Director Gerdes reported that the Police Division relies on Hennepin
County dispatch services for emergency 911 calls. He reported on development of a
county—wide 800 -megahertz communications system.
Public Safety Director Gerdes stated the Professional Standards Division is responsible
for hiring officers and conducting employee background investigations. Lieutenant Franz,
who oversees this department, was unable to attend this evening's meeting.
Public Safety Director Gerdes also reported on the City's emergency management
program.
Mayor Tierney called a short break at 8:15 p.m.
Review Of Fire Department
Fire Chief Kline presented a status report on the Fire Division. The City has authorized
78 paid, on—call firefighters, although there are only 63 currently on staff due to
recruitment and retention issues. He summarized the division services, which include the
fire response efforts, hazardous materials containment response, alarm response,
technical rescue in water and ice, high angles and confined spaces, and fire prevention
education. He stated the division continues to examine how services could be better
provided.
He reported that installation of Opticom signal equipment has dramatically reduced
response times. In 1999, substantially increased fire education was provided to the
community. The City's two fire inspectors also respond to confirmed daytime fires. The
duty crew program provides timely and predictable response; however, they have had
difficulty retaining staffing levels. There has been no loss of life due to fire in Plymouth
in the past 10 years. He spoke about the division's achievements in creating public
awareness about fire safety through the Lester & COnnie search contests and a fire
survivor's handbook. He stated two area daycare providers have successfully worked in
cooperation with duty crews who are in need of child care services during daytime shifts.
He reported that the Plymouth Crime and Fire Prevention Fund initiatives have assisted
in acquiring up—to—date technology and equipment. He concluded that inadequate
staffing remains the single most significant issue affecting service to the community.
Sixty percent of the calls for service occur in the day time; however, the majority of
firefighters are night responders. He would prefer minimum staffing of four firefighters
on a fire truck in order to fight a fire in a concurrent fashion. He also explained that
OSHA requires four persons on a fire ground in order to start an offensive fire attack.
Adopted Minutes
Special City Council Meeting of April 18, 2000
Page 3 of 7
Staffing is a nationwide problem and the primary concern of all local departments
surveyed; it is not a problem unique to Plymouth. He described the paging protocol.
In response to a question from Councilmember Harstad, Chief Kline said the profile of a
typical firefighter is a 36 to 42 year old white male who commutes to work 30 minutes
outside of the City. The typical firefighter is a two -income family, raising children.
Chief Kline said the training done by Plymouth is similar to the training required by
Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Administrative Fire Officer Hurr presented information regarding the duty crew program
which was started in January 1998. She said the busiest shifts are from noon to 3 p.m.,
and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. In April 1999, the program was expanded to cover 12 hours a
day, five -days a week. Firefighters volunteer to participate in the program and sign up
for the shifts they want to work. Every month about 40 firefighters participate in the
program, and the fire station from which the duty crew works is rotated each month. The
duty crew responds to fire calls, attends training sessions, performs maintenance
activities, and provides public education programs. She said the vast majority of fire
calls are not emergencies, but they don't know that until they respond. Officer Hurr said
that the average in-service time in 1999 during non duty crew hours was 7 minutes, 21
seconds. During duty crew hours, the average in-service time was 1 minute, 39 seconds.
She said that during the day time hours, the fire department is responding to 60 percent of
all fires with only 10 percent of the staff.
Councilmember Slavik asked if consideration has been given to providing monetary
incentives to fill the duty crew shifts that are currently not filled. She also asked about
partnering with businesses in the community.
Administrative Fire Officer Hurr said that a firefighter's entire obligation to the fire
department can be attained by working duty crew assignments. She said the most
difficult shift to fill is 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. An extra monetary incentive could be considered.
Fire Chief Kline said that discussions were held with Honeywell about allowing their
employees trained as firefighters to respond to fires. He suggested that those employees
could serve on the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. duty crew for two shifts each month. He said that
Honeywell decided it was too great of a commitment for their employees. Since that
time, the Honeywell site has closed. It is possible that there are other opportunities of
this nature.
Councilmember Johnson said that the City should also recruit from within its own
employees.
Fire Chief Kline said that the City's two fire inspectors have responded to confirmed fires
for the past couple of years. He would support using other City employees who are
trained as firefighters in other communities on the duty crew.
Adopted Minutes
Special City Council Meeting of April 18, 2000
Page 4 of 7
Administrative Fire Officer Hurr summarized recruitment efforts which include using the
media, posters, recruitment hotline, personal recruitment, web page, cable, local
newspapers, Plymouth News, water bills, large outdoor signs, and mailings to individual
homes in the City. The large outdoor signs resulted in the greatest response.
Councilmember Johnson suggested that it may be time to consider hiring two full-time
firefighters who could respond during the day time hours.
Administrative Fire Officer Hurr and Chief Kline responded that it is time to seriously
consider that option.
Mayor Tierney said that HUD housing for firefighters may also be an option to consider,
although other councilmembers noted that the homes sell very quickly when they go on
the market. Councilmember Johnson also suggested that the City could consider
developing affordable housing for firefighters or other City employees near Fire Station 3
on land owned by the City.
Fire Chief Kline said the City could consider approaching the apartment complexes to
determine if they are willing to offer free or reduced rent to firefighters. There are many
young firefighters, and it is difficult for them to afford to live in Plymouth.
Councilmember Harstad asked about a Fire Explorer program. Public Safety Director
Gerdes responded that this program is not a recruitment tool, but rather an experiential
program for the student. Plymouth does not currently participate in the program.
Administrative Fire Officer Hurr said the primary reason firefighters leave the department
is the time commitment, followed by difficulty with affording to live in Plymouth. She
said the average firefighter put in 455 hours in 1999. She said that salary is not the
reason that firefighters enter or leave employment.
Councilmember Bildsoe suggested that the staffing issue could also be causing additional
firefighters to leave employment because they are working so many hours to cover the
vacancies. He also asked if the increased fire prevention and education efforts are
resulting in firefighters not responding to fire calls.
Administrative Fire Officer Hurr said that call response always takes precedence over the
education efforts.
Councilmember Slavik noted that firefighters receive no benefits, and health insurance
may be an incentive for some individuals.
Councilmember Johnson questioned whether the firefighters leaving service are honest
when surveyed about time commitment being their primary reason for leaving.
Adopted Minutes
Special City Council Meeting of April 18, 2000
Page 5 of 7
Fire Chief Kline summarized that staffing is a continuing challenge which will continue
as the City grows. He said that firefighter benefits, such as supplemental insurance, is a
hot issue within the fire department and should be considered. He said the annual pay
increase is important. Although it may not motivate employees, it maintains parity with
other departments.
Fire Chief Kline reported that location studies continue for a possible Fire Station IV. He
stated that a mailing of 1,600 letters to residents in the northwest area of the City resulted
in three responses, and a second mailing will be done. A similar mailing by the City of
Maple Grove resulted in the same response. He said that depending on the final site
selected, staffing for the proposed facility could be pursued as a cooperative effort with
Maple Grove.
Councilmember Black requested the Council consider increasing salaries for firefighters
as well as exploring an arrangement that would provide for a full—time, professional staff.
She stated that she would not be opposed to raising taxes, if it could be done within levy
limits, in order to meet the fire fighting demands of the community.
Councilmember Johnson agreed with Councilmember Black and recommended that staff
explore the possibility of offering health and medical benefits to firefighters. She also
suggested exploring whether affordable housing could be made available to assist
firefighters. City Manager Johnson stated that staff could consider the possibility of
housing that would be located adjacent to or near fire stations.
Councilmember Johnson suggested an increased effort be made to encourage women and
high school students to apply for fire fighting positions.
Councilmember Bildsoe suggested staff encourage city employees to serve as potential
firefighters.
City Manager Johnson stated perhaps retired firefighters could serve in some sort of
capacity.
Councilmembers suggested staff contact the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce to solicit
their recruiting efforts from the business community.
Councilmember Harstad expressed concern about longer response times in the middle of
the night when more deaths tend to result from fire, rather than an emphasis on improving
daytime response.
Councilmember Bildsoe recommended that staff present options for staffing issues that
could be considered in the budget process.
Discussion of City Council Salaries
Adopted Minutes
Special City Council Meeting of April 18, 2000
Page 6 of 7
Mayor Tierney summarized the staff report which indicated Mayor and Councilmembers'
salaries are far below the average for comparable cities surveyed.
Councilmember Harstad requested that the salaries not be reviewed on an annual basis,
but at least on a four-year review cycle. He believes the Mayor position is more
under -funded than councilmembers.
Councilmember Johnson stated she would support a formula that would be similar to pay
increases for City employees. She agreed with Councilmember Harstad that the Mayor's
position was under -funded. She said she preferred the Coon Rapids model that provides a
higher salary to at -large seats than the ward seats, due to at -large council representatives
answering to a larger group of citizens.
Mayor Tierney stated she believed the increases are long overdue. She supports a salary
increase with future increases being adjusted on a formula basis. Her experience has
shown that the demands of the Mayor do warrant a higher salary.
Councilmember Harstad stated he would support a base rate salary with future salary
increases based on the Consumer Price Index or the annual rate of inflation in an effort to
avoid the periodic reviews.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated he has not previously supported a salary increase as the
positions are part-time positions and should be compensated with a part time salary. He
would consider an annual salary increase which would be tied to the Consumer Price
Index or the average of what is paid to City union employees, whichever figure is less in
that year.
Councilmember Brown suggested a lower salary base with a performance-based bonus if
the Council's goals are met.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated he believes that if a performance-based bonus is instituted
properly, it could be unique and effective tool.
Mayor Tierney stated she supports a straight salary figure with moderate salary increases
every year.
City Manager Johnson expressed his concern with a plan that would tie increases to
employee salaries. He said salaries for City employees are complicated, as not everyone
receives the same rate increase each year and various benefits also need to be considered.
Councilmember Johnson suggested salary increases be based on the Consumer Price
Index, but not to exceed 3% each year, with a four-year review cycle. She believes there
needs to be a periodic review in an effort to keep salaries in line.
Adopted Minutes
Special City Council Meeting of April 18, 2000
Page 7 of 7
Councilmember Black stated she has not been receptive of increases for the Mayor and
Councilmembers' salaries. She said she supports efforts to remove it from a periodic
review, and would support the plan recommended by Councilmember Bildsoe. She would
not support a greater increase that may be given to City employees.
Motion was made by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Slavik, to
place Salary Adjustment Option #6 with an inflation increase based on the Consumer
Price Index on the May 9 Regular Council meeting agenda for consideration. With
Councilmembers Johnson, Slavik, Brown, and Harstad voting yes, and Councilmembers
Bildsoe and Black voting no, the motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
7/laly City Clerk