HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-30-1961• Record of Official Proceedings of th6'Cominon Council
of the City of Rochester, Minn., GeLober ; 30,. 1961
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Minutes of a special meeting of the Common Council of the City of Rochester, Minnesota
held in the Council Chambers, in the City Hall, in said City, on October 30, 1961.
President Tingley called the meeting to order.at 7:00 o'clock P. M., the following
members being present: President Tingley; Aldermen DeVries, Leonard, Morris, Stadler, Wilkus,
Wilson.
The call of the special meeting was read and President Tingley ordered the same
placed on file, the said meeting having been called for the purpose of. considering and adopting
the budget and any other business the Common Council may deem proper.
Alderman Wilson introduced -the following resolution which was read:
"Be it and it is
hereby resolved by the Common Council of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota:
That the @aid Common Council•does hereby assess
and levy upon the taxable
propprty in the
City
of Rochester for taxes for the
year 1961, the amount
aggregating $2,813,436.82,
the following sums being
levied for the several
funds of said city, viz:
For
the
General Fund
$ 511,828.23
For
the
Street & Alley Fund
160,000.00
For
the
Fire Protection Fund
545;361-:6@ 561,301.00 amended)
For
the
Police Protection Fund
449,280.00•
For
the
Sewer Fund
96,000.00
For
the
Bridge Fund
160,000.00
For
the
Lighting Fund
120,000.00
For
the
Library Fund
96,000.00
For
-the
Music Fund
24,960.00
For
the
Park Improvement Fund
128,000.00
For
the
Auditorium Fund
48,000.00
For
the
Sinking Fund
165,000.00
For
the
Police Relief Fund
9,600.00
For
the
Firemen's Relief Fund
32,000.00
For
the
Permanent Improvement Fund -
160,000.00
For
P. E.
R. A.
81,530.00
For,Mental
Health
16,000.00
For
Civil
Defense
9,937.59
Total 1961 Tax Levy
2;81-3;436:82" $2,829,436.82 (amended)
Upon inquiry Alderman Wilkus was told that the levy iri the Fire Protection Fund
included money to take care of the differential in pay between the Police Department and the
Fire Department, he then said he would have to vote "no" on that portion of the budget.
Alderman Stadler stated that the $160.00 difference was'predicated in the difference
of responsibility and that was 1ahy the Police were paid more on the basis of hours worked. The
Police are paid at the rate of $2.80 per hour and the firemen at the rate of $1.83 per house for
hours on duty; the police work 440 hours a week and have eleven paid holidays; the firemen work
582 hours a week with no paid holidays. He said he did not set himself up as an authority on
fire fighting and standards or what is required in the way of equipment, etc. but he was
concerned if they had an under -manned -fire department and with the experience he has had to date
every time the Chief requests more men he is turned down. He said he couldn't believe that the
Chief is always strong and if he is so far wrong that'the'Council could -not fill any of his
requests they should start looking for a new Chief. 'He said he was opposed to giving him 30 men
but would recommend that he be given 3 or 4 men. He said the Council had provided $48,000 in the
budget for a new station and thought provisions should be made to man the station before it is
completed. He said he disliked paying high taxes as much as anyone. -
46 8 Record of Official Proceedings of the Common. Council
of. the City of Rochester, Minn., October 30,. 1961
DSWALD PUBLISHING CD., NEW ULM MINN A3528
President Tingley stated that this differential in pay had been very thoroughly
studied by the Council when it was established and he felt it should remain so. He said the
Fire Department wa's not under -manned in comparison to other cities. He said he thought the
firemen in the City were getting pretty close to the average in the nation and did not know how
you could figure it any other way, than to compare it with other places. He said he was
opposed to adding any more men to the Fire Department and also to equalizing the pay of the
Firemen and Policemen.
After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Stadler to amend the
resolution to include an additional 2 mill for the purpose of employing three additional firemen,
if it is deemed necessary, with the provisions that the Fire Department is not to alter its work
schedules. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion and upon roll call, Aldermen DeVries, Leonard,
Morris, Stadler and Wilson voted "aye" and President Tingley and Alderman Wilkus voted "no".
(Alderman Leonard stated'that he voted in favor of this with the idea that some time be spent
to study this before it is spent).
A motion was'then made by Leonard, second -by DeVries, that the said resolution as.
amended by adopted. Upon toll call Aldermen DeVries, Leonard, Morris, Stadler and Wilson voting
"aye" and.President Tingley and Alderman Wilkus voting "no", President Tingley declared the said
resolution duly passed and'adopted.
Upon motion by'Leonard, second by Wilkus, the meeting was adjourned.
lv, l 9 Cit Clerk
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