07-11-1995 FSTFSR MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER FIRE DEPARTMENT COMPENSATION TASK FORCE HELD AT THE ELK RIVER FIRE STATION TUESDAY, JULY 11, 1995 Members Present: Bob Pearson, Randy Sykes, Cliff Skogstad,Tom Dillon, Lori Johnson Members Absent: Hank Duitsman The meeting of the Elk River Fire Department Compensation Task Force was called to order at 6:30 p.m., by Randy Sykes. Randy indicated that at the June 29 Fire Department meeting, the firefighters had discussed at length the compensation package the City Council had approved on April 3, 1995. Randy indicated that the vote of the membership was 25 against, one in favor. The membership requested that the pension plan remain as defined benefit and that the Task Force negotiate a wage increase with the City Council. The membership requested that its representatives on the Task Force not proceed with presenting any proposal for a defined contribution plan. Lori questioned whether the Mayor's proposal was presented to the firefighters and voted on by the membership. Bob Pearson indicated that parts of the letter were discussed, however, the fire membership representatives on the Task Force did not feel • that the letter met the guidelines set by the department, therefore, it was not presented in its entirety, nor was it presented for a vote. Randy distributed a sheet showing the comparison of compensation packages. His computations indicate that for 1994, the offer approved by the City Council would be an increase of approximately$3,000. However, in years 1991, 1992, and 1993, there would have been a decrease in the amount of retirement benefits received. Lori requested that she and Randy meet to discuss the information presented so that the Council can see how their proposal would compare to previous years payments. Lori indicated that it was not the Mayor's nor the Council's intent to decrease the amount of benefits paid to the firefighters. Randy indicated concerns over some information in a memo authored by Lori which was presented to the Council for the April 3 meeting. His concerns related to the pay resolution and a statement in the memo that being included in the pay resolution does not guarantee a pay increase. Lori explained to the Task Force that no city employees, with the exception of union employees with a multi-year contract, are guaranteed a pay increase from one year to the next. The Council is not obligated to approve a pay increase for any group of employees. The firefighters would receive the same consideration for a pay increase as would other employees. There was also discussion on a comment made about the pay resolution as it related to the liquor store employees. Lori had earlier indicated that the firefighters could have a separate provision in the pay resolution which would apply just to firefighters. The liquor store employees currently have a separate provision in the pay resolution. Some of the • Task Force members interpreted this to be a comparison between firefighters and liquor