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City Council Study Session — 09/19/OS DRAFT Minutes - Page 17 Firefighter, Lt. Edward Hoefs, 626 Pine View Court Lt. Hoefs thanked the City Council for addressing firefighter compensation; and opined that they were not volunteers, but part-time, paid employees of the City. Lt. Hoefs further opined that there was a misconception related to career fire departments, true volunteer departments in rural areas, and staffing programs for part-time, paid on-call departments. Councilmember Schroeder took issue with the Lieutenant's interpretation, which differed from his own. Discussion included hours served annually; ability to set hours and choose shifts; seniority bidding for shifts and hours; and need for additional study to achieve equity with other employee groups. Firefighter Matthew Ostendorf Mr. Ostendorf requested the Council's consideration of firefighter compensation and the accountability level of firefighters; and interpretation of positions. Mayor Klausing opined his preference for Option 2, and supported City Manager Beets' recommendation for firefighter hourly increases; while further study was done on fire department compensation and status. Mayor Klausing further opined that he was comfortable with a more delayed phasing-in as determined by Council consensus. Councilmember Maschka concurred with Mayor Klausing. Councilmember Ihlan opined her preference to a slower phasing in, along with firefighter wage increases as recommended by City Manager Beets; with the goal to set a final levy increase at 5% or below. Councilmember Schroeder clarified his interpretation of "volunteer" firefighters, and expressed his appreciation for the performance of firefighters, noting their difference in terminology; and expressed no problem with the proposed increases for firefighters. Councilmember Schroeder, however, reiterated his confusion in achieving that increase at a 5% levy