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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETTNG MINUTES JANUARY 28, 2002 7 . Councilmember Aplikowski statcd being in the middle is good. She noted they shonld look at Roseville. She added they should bc closer to Roseville. Councilmember Larson stated the Fire Department has said that every department is different. He noted he did not deny that. He added he does not know what is diCfercnt. Mayor Probst stated that with retirement compensation for lire employees the City has tried not to bc low or at thc top. He noted he was comfortable with the middle or slightly abovc the middle. He added they should also look at the rate of acceleration. He stated that from 1999 to 2000 it went to double digits. He noted they had to look at why there was acceleration. He added that was of concem to him. He expressed concern that the Fire Department was building that expectation they could not keep up. Councilmember Larson stated the Fire Department argues a healthy pension helps in recruitment and retention. Councilmember Grant stated that in determining middle, Roscville might have some other factor that was not carricd through. He asked ifthey could look at the number of employees [ather than taking the aggregatc. . Councilmember Larson stated the information did indicate the number of employees. He notcd that was why he chose these five citics. He added he suggests they look at these five cities and throw out thc lowest as an anomaly. He stated they could use thc others to deternline a mean. He noted they could try to rcmain close to these livc. Councilmember Grant stated that would make sense sincc Roseville is so far below the others. Councilmember Aplikowski asked iCthcsc cities had mostly a residential or commercial base. She knows thcy use it as a recruitment tool. She added it is a valid factor. She askcd if commercial versus rcsidential is a driving Corcc. Mr. LY11Ch responded two percent of insurance is derived from homeowncr insurance. He stated that to the extent thcse agencies have a higher percentage of homes would assist their pensions. Councilmcmbcr Aplikowski noted the City received an application from Ms. Liz Modesette. She added Ms. Modesctte is a valid asset to both bodies. Sbe stated they have a group going now for the next event. Shc noted her request that a task force be approved. She added part of it would be to plan the City Hall dedication on April 20, 2002 and the Day in the Park on June 22, 2002. Mayor Probst asked Councilmcmber Aplikowski to obtain a list of names as a starting point. . Councilmember Aplikowski stated all Councilmembers aTe expected for the parade on June 22, 2002. She notcd her attendance at the League of Minnesota Cities workshop on the Govemor's proposal. Shc added she would distribute her notes to anyone intcrcsted. She stated thc proposal would affect the City, but is not delinitc. She added they would soon know what the lcgislaturc thinks of it. She stated there are many ideas floating around. She noted one problem would be the market value c[edit assessments.