02-22-88 Council as WholeCOUNCIL WORKSHOP
February 22, 1988
6 P.M.
Present at the meeting were Mayor Ed Kennedy, Councilmen Saverud,
ull
Al.soeprese. tawas Roger cHopkins , from hindlertthe Atkinson,
InterbLaken insoand Furlong.
Council President Saverud opened the meeting. There was discussion
among the Council members on the Council President's role. It was
decided that the role of the Council President was to fill in for the
Mayor in the Mayor's absence, represent the Council. when necessary,
conduct work sessions, and be responsible for recognition of good
deeds by employees and appreciation -type activities for outgoing Council
members, Mayor, etc.Some discussion on the chain of command in case
the Mayor and Council President are both out of town: Mayor, Council
President in the Mayor's absence, and from that point on use seniority
and Councilmen availability. C. Saverud mentioned the need for a
Council member to serve on the City -County Planning Board. He stated
it meets the first Tuesday of each month. He asked the Councilmen to
think about it and indicate to him whether they are interested in
being on that board.
There was some discussion on the Parking Commission in relationship
to dissolving the Parking Commission as such, but rather have a
Parking Advisory Committee. The Parking Commission will discuss this
• at their next meeting.
C. Saverud referred to a letter from Dr. Tuttle which was similar to
M.E.K. Johnson's letter which was support for the ambulance service
as it is presently run by the Kalispell Fire Department. It was
mentioned that there seemed to be some misunderstanding. The Council
has only praise for our Fire. Department and the manner i_<i which it
runs our ambulance service. Mayor Kennedy stated it probably is the
best ambulance service in the state of Montana, but it is the responsi-
bility of the Mayor and the Council to evaluate all departments in
the City of Kalispell to be sure that they are run as efficiently as
possible.
Fire Chief Duane Larson's resignation letter was read. There was
discussion on filling that position. C. Nystul stated that the duty
of the Council to the taxpayers was to get the best management people
possible and that seniority should not always be the basis for selection.
C. Saverud stated we should advertise widely and interview several
applicants, but that if the in-house applicants are equal with outside
applicants, the in-house personnel should have the preference. Tt
was decided by the Council that we should advertise in-house and with
the Job Service and statewide. Salary range was di-scussed for adver-
tising the position, and it was decided that it would be a range of
$29,500 to $32,400. The policy of the interim or Acting Chief was
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discussed. There was a general consensus that the Assistant Chief
• would be the Acting Chief, as per his job description, at the Assistant
Chief's salary for a period of up to 30 days. If the position has
not been filled after 30 days, there would be an extra 2% of his
salary added on until a Chief was selected. This matter will be
taken and handled through the Personnel & Policy Committee for a
final recommendation back to the Council.
There was considerable discussion about the Mayor's salary. Mayor
Kennedy presented a letter to the Council which gave a history of
Mayor's salary increases from the year 1965 up through 1984. He
pointed out that Mayor Bjorneby had received three raises during his
term, Mayor Happ received seven raises, Mayor McDowell received one
raise and refused another. In the handout Mayor Kennedy presented to
the Council, the following raises were pointed out: $1200, $1800,
$900, $900, $900, $1500, $900, $1500, $2400, $1350, $966. Mayor
Kennedy requested that he not go down in history as the only Mayor
that dial not receive a raise during his term. C. Furlong stated the
Mayor was grossly underpaid for his responsibility and duties. C.
Atkinson stated his support of a professional manager trained in City
Government management. C. Robinson stated that we are a weak Mayor/
strong Council form of government. C. Schindler asked where we are
going to get the money. Mayor Kennedy responded he had saved the
City a lot of money in his two years so far. C. Schindler stated
"Did vnii do it just to put money in your pocket?"
C. Gunnerson said that that
remark by C. Schindler was completely uncalled for. Roger Hopkins
from the Inter Lake was writing madly with both hands at this point.
Various salaries were discussed from 0%, 3, 4, 5% up to $24,000 per
year. Mayor Kennedy reviewed one of his handouts which showed the
cost of administration of various cities around the state of Montana,
this included the combination of Mayor/City Manager salaries. Some
of those salaries were: Anaconda, $35,196; Billings, $61,284; Bozeman,
$47,232, Great Falls, $54,918, Havre, $14,232; Helena, $53,105;
Kalispell, $20,316; Missoula, $31,116; Butte Silver -Bow, $39,600.
Mayor Kennedy stated there was $4,425 in the unallocated cost budget
that was approved for salary increases for this 1987-88 fiscal year.
The general consensus was that the Mayor should receive a $1,000
increase in his salary retroactive to July 1, 1987. This will. be
taken to the Council floor for approval.
The next meeting for a workshop is set for March 14, 1988 at 6 P.M.
Lunch will be served.
There is a Personnel & Policy meeting set for 4 P.M. on February 26.
At 9:15 the meeting was closed for negotiation strategy involving the
Firefighters and the AFSCME Unions.
Meeting was re -opened and adjourned at approximately 9:30 P.M.
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