Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Minutes Page 6 <br /> September 3,2013 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Council questioned funding for this project and suggested utilizing the GRE Reserve <br /> Fund because it would be a one-tune expense with no future impact to the General <br /> Fund budget. <br /> Mr. Simon further noted the Street Improvement Reserve fund could be used. <br /> Council consensus was to pursue Option 2 as outlined in the staff report. <br /> Staff noted this option will still need review by BNSF and Federal Rail. <br /> 10.2 2014 Budget <br /> Mr. Simon presented the staff report. He reviewed sample tax impacts on residential, <br /> commercial, and industrial properties. <br /> Mayor Dietz went through each position and questioned Council as to how they felt <br /> about keeping them in the budget. He noted he has an issue with hiring a deputy fire <br /> chief in June 2014. He further stated he believes the position is needed and he knows <br /> the fire chief has a lot on his plate, but (in 2012) the firefighters were told the <br /> position would not be filled for the ncxt 3-5 years and he would like to wait until <br /> January 1, 2015. He stated the firefighters were very concerned about this position. <br /> He further stated it will be easier to fill the position because the city will have more <br /> money coining in from property taxes. <br /> Councihnember Motin stated he would like to keep the position in the budget as it <br /> will be another 10 months before the city is looking to hire for it. He further stated <br /> the position should be filled when it is needed. <br /> Counciltnernber Wilson questioned why hiring of a deputy chief would be an issue <br /> for firefighters. <br /> Mayor Dietz stated the firefighters were concerned about a total upheaval in the <br /> department because it is going to change the structure of the department and <br /> eliminate the existing assistant fire chief position. <br /> Councilrnember Wilson concurred with Councihnernber Motin and further stated <br /> the position should be filled if it is a needed position and the task force has agreed <br /> upon it. He further stated he has concerns with putting it off because people will be <br /> upset by it. <br /> Chief Cunningham stated one reason it has been pushed out is to give people time to <br /> know it's conning and to work with officers on self-assessment and the creation of <br /> new job descriptions,which is currently underway. He discussed the workload of <br /> chief's position and some of the projects that are on backburner due to limited staff <br /> tithe. He stated that no individual is being eliminated but rather working to redo the <br /> command structure of the organization,including evaluating the knowledge, skills <br /> and abilities of the officers. He stated the department needs to be more proactive <br /> , P„gwE0FU DIY <br /> R <br /> L- -- <br />