City Council Minutes 02-09-1987 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY
Monday, February 9, 1987 - 6:30
COUNCIL
p.m.
A special meeting of the Monticello City Council was duly held at
6:30 p.m., Monday, February 9, 1987, in the Council Chambers of the
City Hall. Members Present: Arve A. Grimsmo, Fran Fair, Bill Fair,
Warren Smith, Dan Blonigen. Members Absent: None.
The Mayor called the meeting to order and noted that the agenda item
was to determine a resolution with respect to the status of the relationship
between the City of Monticello and the Monticello Senior Citizen's
Organization. Mayor Grimsmo provided some brief background on the
history of the Senior Center Organization, its relationship with
the City, and that the current issue had arisen due to the City's
participation in the state mandated comparable worth study. Mayor
Grimsmo asked Administrator Eidem to provide a brief explanation
of the concept and process of comparable worth for the members of
the Senior Citizen's Organization who were present. Administrator
Eidem provided a brief review of the concept of comparable pay for
comparable worth and indicated that based on the points established
from the comparable worth worksheets, the Senior Center Director's
position appeared to be adequately compensated at a half to three-quarter
time level. Eidem noted that in a conversation with the Director,
a discrepancy with respect to full or part-time status became apparent.
Mayor Grimsmo wished to stress for everyone's benefit that the discussion
was not reflecting on the job performance of Karen Hanson, but rather
on the status of the position independent of who fills that position.
The Mayor noted that Councilmembers Warren Smith and Bill Fair had
agreed to work with members of the Senior Organization to further
clarify the issue. Caroline Ellison indicated that she would be
serving as the spokesperson on behalf of the Senior Center Organization.
She noted that there had been considerable debate among the members
of the Seniors Organization on how they would like to have their
organization regarded. The following statement was submitted to
the members of the City Council in writing:
The Monticello Senior Citizens Center is a valuable
resource in the Community, with its participants
actively taking part in and promoting community
projects, with the Centers primary function being to
help the frail and elderly.
Be it known that the Monticello Senior Citizens
Board of Directors, presents the following proposal to
the City Council of Monticello. It is our request
that the City of Monticello continue to support the
Monticello Senior Citizens Center by providing a
rent free facility, a full-time paid Director,
maintenance, all utilities and insurance, as
they have done in the past.
Special Council Minutes - 2/9/87
We would like to be allowed to continue generating
our own funds for maintaining our services and
programs on a daily basis.
Councilmembers Warren Smith and Bill Fair indicated that they had
not served as an official committee on behalf of the City Council
when they met with the Senior Center Board of Directors, but rather
met with them as individual Council members to gain greater information.
Councilmember Fair stated that they had met with members of the Senior
Organization and had asked them to come to the City Council with
a statement of preference, but further noted that the request from
the Senior Organization wouldn't necessarily bind the Council to
that kind of an arrangement. Mrs. Ellison spoke on behalf of the
Senior Center and why it required additional City funding. She noted
that the Center provides a public good, for in many instances it
is contended that individuals are able to remain in their homes rather
than having to reside in a nursing home or hospital. Marie Peterson,
representing the Senior Citizen Organization, felt it was important
to stress that all members of the Senior Organization wanted to be
known as an independent organization and not as an arm of the City.
The organization was, however, concerned about the funding policies
of the City.
Councilmember Fran Fair indicated that regardless of the status of
the organization, whether it be an independent organization receiving
a subsidy or a functional department of the City, budget considerations
would always have to be taken into account. Councilmember Bill Fair
indicated that his preference was that the City supply an annual
subsidy for the Senior Organization to then operate independently.
Mayor Grimsmo indicated that he felt the Senior Center belonged as
part of the City. The Mayor then requested Shelly Johnson, Superintendent
of Monticello Schools and a member of the Senior Center Board of
Directors, to comment on the Board's preference. Mr. Johnson indicated
that the Board would like to continue in the existing mode of operation,
to wit, the Senior Organization will take care of themselves with
the exception that the City should continue to take care of the building
and to pay Karen Hanson's salary and benefits. Councilmember Fran
Fair requested that the issue be clarified. She stated she felt
that there was not complete comprehension of what the City hoped
to accomplish and that there were loose ends that needed to be addressed.
Councilmember Bill Fair indicated that his preference was for the
City to remit to the Senior Organization treasury an annual subsidy
which would then place the autonomy of decision upon the Board of
Directors of the Senior Organization, including the establishment
of the Director's salary within the limits of the Organization's
budget. Councilmember Bill Fair indicated that through a letter
of understanding executed between the Senior Organization and the
City, the Senior Director could be paid through the City's payroll
department but would be reimbursed for all associated personnel costs
by the Senior Organization out of the subsidy amount granted annually.
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Special Council Minutes - 2/9/87
Councilmember Bill Fair moved that the City of Monticello provide
a direct subsidy in the amount of $21,000 for the year 1987 to the
Monticello Senior Citizen Organization, said Organization operating
as an independent organization, that the City shall provide the Senior
Citizen Center rent free, and shall provide complete regular maintenance
for the building. Further, the City shall execute a letter of understanding
between the Senior Organization and the City to address and facilitate
the payment of the Director's salary and benefits, said letter of
understanding to be similar in nature to the agreement executed between
the City of Monticello and the Sherburne/Wright Counties Cable Communications
Commission for the payment of the Cable Administrator. The motion
was duly seconded by Dan Blonigen. Voting in favor: Arve Grimsmo,
Fran Fair, Bill Fair, Warren Smith, Dan Blonigen. Voting in opposition:
None. Motion carried unanimously.
T omas A. Ei em
City Administrator
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