HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-29-1993 Special 2MINUTES
BOARD AND COMMISSION INTERVIEWS
MARCH 29, 1993
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Bergman
at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth
Blvd., on March 29, 1993.
PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Edson and Helliwell. Councihnember
Vasiliou arrived at 5:20 p.m.
ABSENT: Councilmember Tierney
The Council interviewed four applicants to fill a vacancy on the Northwest Hennepin
Human Services Council Advisory Board.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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City Clerk
I
MINUTES
STUDY SESSION
MARCH 29, 1993
A special meeting study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by
Mayor Bergman at 6:10 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center,
3400 Plymouth Blvd., on March 29, 1993.
PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Edson, Helliwell, and Vasiliou
ABSENT: Councihnember Tierney
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson. Community Development Director
Dillerud, Public Works Director Moore, Finance Director Hahn, Public Safety
Director Gerdes, Park Director Blank, Personnel Coordinator Sobania, and City Clerk
Rauenborst
City Manager Johnson stated the purpose of the study session is to discuss the City
vehicle policy. He presented the staff report which included a list of employees who
currently receive a 24-hour city vehicle or monthly car allowance, and a proposed
revised policy. Under the proposed policy, the following positions would receive an
auto allowance: City Manager, Finance Director, Public Works Director, Park and
Recreation Director, Assistant City Manager, Community Development Director,
Public Works Maintenance Supt., Building Official, and City Engineer. The Director
of Public Safety and Fire Chief are the only positions proposed to be provided a city
vehicle on a 24-hour basis.
Mayor Bergman stated that pending legislation may affect the proposed vehicle policy.
The State Auditor's bill would specifically address which officials could be provided
with a 24-hour vehicle.
Manager Johnson believed that under the proposed auditor's bill, the proposed policy
would be allowed because public safety personnel are exempted in the bill.
The Council reviewed a survey of other cities indicating which city officials receive a
take-home vehicle and which receive an allowance.
Mayor Bergman asked if the vehicle provision in Plymouth is an automatic function of
being a department director.
Manager Johnson stated the vehicle policy appears to have evolved as a compensation
issue.
Study Session
March 29, 1993
Page 2
Councilmember Helliwell noted that most individuals who currently receive a vehicle
or mileage allowance indicated they would prefer to receive an allowance. She asked if
the City has any additional liability concerns in the event of an accident when an
individual drives their personal vehicle.
Councilmember Filson stated that in his office anyone who takes a passenger must
provide the company with a certificate of insurance showing $100,000/$300,000 limits.
Finance Director Hahn stated that previously everyone with a personal vehicle
receiving a mileage allowance provided the City with a certificate of insurance. That
has not been continued.
Community Development Director Dillerud stated there are compensatory issues
involved with the vehicle policy. He was provided with a city vehicle in lieu of a
salary increase at one time.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated she has concerns that the City Council approved a
certain percentage increase for employees, and some employees apparently received
more through the vehicle policy.
Mayor Bergman stated he does not believe any employee needs a city vehicle with the
exception of public safety. If this is confirmed as a compensation issue, he would
prefer salary adjustments rather than allowances.
Councilmember Edson stated the Council should consider the level of allowance for the
various positions. Perhaps one position deserves a $300 per month allowance, while
another position only warrants $150 based on actual usage. He has no objection to
paying a monthly allowance rather than on a per mile basis for certain individuals if it
is more efficient; however, the allowance should be based on actual average usage. He
stated that Manager Johnson should determine the appropriate level of allowance for
each position.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated she will only support a city vehicle for the Public
Safety Director and Fire Chief. All other payments should be based on actual mileage.
Manager Johnson stated that he currently does not have an accurate record of actual
mileage for positions in order to establish a revised allowance. He asked if the Council
would prefer to revise the policy now or to delay for six months in order to have
several months experience on which to base the policy.
Councilmember Helliwell stated she would support the revised policy proposed by staff
as an interim step. Staff members can record actual mileage for the next six months in
Study Session
March 29, 1993
Page 3
order for the City Manager to determine an appropriate mileage allowance for each
position.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated the proposed policy should be placed on a City Council
agenda for action.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
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ity Clerk