CC_Minutes_2010_0412 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, April 12, 2010 Page 6 duced fees to community sports facilities for its own residents, and questioned whether it was therefore fair to do so for City staff when not available to taxpay- ers supporting those facilities. Councilmember Johnson questioned if a free membership for staff to a health and fitness club would be more appropriate, since that was not being offered to citi- zens. Councilmember Ihlan concurred, if that was a benefit of the health insurance pro- gram. Councilmember Pust noted the need to consider whether such benefit was appli- cable as a part of an employee wage under State Employment Law, which would increase the taxpayer load as an employee benefit, as well as impacting the em- ployee. Councilmember Roe requested more definitive information from staff as to how often the same discount was offered over a season to residents (i.e., golf and skat- ing), as well as information on employee benefits accordingly as it related to State Employment Law. Councilmember Pust noted that she questioned the tournament itself and solicita- tion of prizes for the event, if public dollars were used for volunteer events, and suggested that such an event be further researched by legal counsel and staff; and spoke in support of the tournament if that was not a problem. Mayor Klausing noted that this concern addressed by Councilmember Pust had been the State Auditor's position on State Statute addressed to a previous City Council. Klausing moved, Johnson seconded, approval of staff creation of an ongoing cou- pon program allowing regular staff use of City recreational facilities at a dis- counted rate not to exceed that offered to the public; and to approve aone-time City staff Golf Tournament, if deemed appropriate upon advice of legal counsel, and solicitation of prizes for this event. Mayor Klausing requested that staff report back to the City Council on specific coupons and discounts to ensure they were comparable to that offered to the pub- lic; as well as legal counsel's advice on whether solicitation of prizes for the golf tournament could occur without it being deemed an additional employee benefit. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of the majority of the motion, with the ex- ception of the first part; thus requiring her to vote against the motion. Roll Call Ayes: Johnson; Roe; Pust; and Klausing.