HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-12 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Work Session Minutes
January 12, 2023 v 5:30 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on January 12, 2023, in Corcoran, Minnesota. The City Council work session
meeting was held in person and the public was present in person and remotely through electronic means using
the audio and video conferencing platform Zoom.
Mayor McKee, Councilor Schultz, Councilor Vehrenkamp, and Councilor Nichols were present. Councilor
Bottema was excused.
City Administrator Beise, City Clerk Friedrich, and Director of Public Safety Gottschalk were present.
1. Call to Orderl Roll Cain
Mayor McKee called the work session to order at 5:33 pm.
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2. Police Department Employee Recruitment and Retention Discussion
Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted over the last year recruitment and retention options for Police
Departments have been an issue, both statewide and nationwide. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk
reviewed the Corcoran Police Department's efforts to be proactive in a competitive market, and noted lack
of candidates completing law enforcement programs to fill all the agency vacancies. Director of Public
Safety Gottschalk reviewed incentives other cities are offering through recruitment initiatives. Director of
Public Safety Gottschalk reviewed challenges in retaining staff and noted a recent survey completed by
police officers rating and prioritizing benefits value. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted an
approximate analysis of adoption cost versus carrying cost of each value item was included in the packet
for Council review. Council and staff discussed annual costs and factoring in administration costs. Council
and staff discussed other benefit value items. Council and staff discussed criteria for eligibility for each
benefit value item, liabilities to the City, and how benefit value items could be managed. Council and staff
discussed the top three benefit value selections include paid sabbatical, vacation reimbursement, and
additional retirement health insurance contributions. Council noted the top three include investment in
retaining staff, but also support the mental health. Council and staff discussed allocations included within
the 2023 budget for employee retention. Council and staff discussed effects of union negotiations if benefit
value items are implemented and the process of implementing. Council and staff discussed writing the
benefit value item as a non-negotiable item and may held as non-negotiable in future contract negotiations,
and offered as separately provided benefit. Council and staff discussed financial impacts, structure of the
program, and Council requested further discussion prior to 2024 budget review. Director of Public Safety
Gottschalk clarified staff action will include bringing the item forward to a future Council meeting with option
for implementing the vacation reimbursement in 2023, allowing the 4-year carryover with the accrual of
benefit starting in the 2023 for what the paid sabbatical phasing would be in 2024, and analyzing how many
sabbaticals per year, laid out by seniority with an outline of the structure of the paid sabbatical, and include
language with the City Attorney on additional health insurance benefits with formulaic eligibility with an
option of a lookback of three to five years. Council and staff discussed including broader staff analysis in
vacation reimbursement benefit review in comparison with other cities with information on turnover rates.
3. Unscheduled Items
No unscheduled business was heard.
4. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by McKee to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 4:0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:37 pm.
Mich�e Friedrich —City Clerk