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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,November 17, 2014 Page 21 Councilmember Willmus opined that he anticipated hearing more once the first quarter bills went out in 2015. At the request of Councilmember Laliberte, Finance Director Miller confirmed that the proposed resolution assumed rates with increases as proposed at a 7.5% and 3.5% increase, and had been incorporated into the 2015 City Manager's rec- ommended budget and rate analysis. Mayor Roe observed that the water purchase budget went up less than the rate in- crease realized by the City from Saint Paul Regional Water. Finance Director Miller agreed, noting that the budget number gets refined annu- ally, and the City had previously built in a cushion,but rates were based on actual charges received. While Councilmember McGehee expressed her willingness to take action on this now, Councilmember Laliberte expressed her preference to wait until after the public hearing to allow residents an opportunity for feedback on this as well as the proposed tax levy. Mayor Roe and Councilmember Willmus concurred with Councilmember Laliberte; and Mayor Roe asked that staff make this part of their presentation at the public hearing scheduled for December 1, 2014. Recess Mayor Roe recessed the meeting at approximately 8:27 p.m., and reconvened at approximately 8:34 p.m. b. Fire Department Organization Discussion Fire Chief Tim O'Neill presented the Fire Department's request for reorganization and a full-time staffing transition plan, as detailed in the RCA and attachments dated November 17, 2015, for the first steps and setting the future for the Fire Department. Supplemental materials were provided as bench handouts and incor- porated into the final RCA. At the next presentation, Councilmember McGehee asked that staff provide an tabulated chart for comparisons and with the end goal of reaching the City of Richfield Fire Department model, and addressing any variables that were control- lable and 1, 2 and 3 year transition options starting in 2015 and spread out to evaluate costs. Chief O'Neill responded to questions of the City Council including, the proposed shifts based on the organizational charts presented and staff schedules and allot- ment of responsibilities; offsetting overtime costs as positions transitioned; future elimination of the designated Fire Inspector position by incorporating those duties during shift hours; and staffing for large scale incidents and/or mutual aid situa-