Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout9F - Per Diem for EDA & PC CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT April 2, 2001 9F Frank Boyles, City Manager AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A PER DIEM FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY COMMISSIONERS. DISCUSSION: Historv: In the past, the City has provided Planning Commissioners and members of the Economic Development Authority with a per diem to off-set expenses and recognize the time and energy which these City responsibilities require. In the case of the Planning Commission, the existing per diem of $40 was established before 1991. Similarly, the EDA Commissioners have received a $40 per diem payment for as long as I recall. The volume, complexity and nature of the issues dealt with by both bodies suggests to me that existing per diem rates are inadequate. The adoption of the revised EDA bylaws also necessitates action on this matter. Current Circumstances: The per diem provided to members of both bodies is intended to reimburse for expenses and time expended as a member. A Planning Commissioner or an EDA Commissioner will typically spend time for each meeting in three categories: (1) reading agenda materials, (2) visiting the site and discussing agenda items with staff, concerned neighbors, developer, etc., and (3) attendance at regular meetings. This increasing time commitment for each meeting reflects the complexity and magnitude of the developments which the Planning Commission and EDA are called upon to review. One need only consider Deerfield's 540 dwelling units, 160 acres and multi-million dollar development to underscore this major increase in responsibility. The volume of developments has likewise increased. I believe that a distinction in responsibility level can be drawn between the Planning Commission and the EDA. The former, while having statutory underpinnings, is largely an advisory body to the City Council (albeit a very important one). The EDA on the other hand has statutory authority of the City Council. In some cases, their powers actually exceed the City Council. Conclusion: To equitably reimburse each body, I believe that Planning Commissioners should receive a $60 per diem and EDA members a $75 per diem. These proposed per diem rates more realistically consider the time, volume, complexity and the responsibility level of the work of each of the bodies. 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / fax (612) 447-4245 1:\CQUNCIL\AGNRPTS\2001\EDA PER DIEM.Iti>~AL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER TT T T 'Ii .. iT FISCAL IMPACT: ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: The adopted 2001 budget contains funds for per diem reimbursement of both bodies. Assuming nine meetings of the EDA and 18 of the Planning Commission through the remainder of the year, the total additional cost to the City due to the modified per diem is $3375. (1) Adopt a Resolution revising per diems for the Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority as proposed. (2) Adopt the resolution with modifications. (2) Take no action which would maintain the existing per diem levels. Alternative (1). Adopt the Resolution establishing new per diem levels for the Planning Commission and EDA. 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\2001\EDA PER DlEM.DOC RESOLUTION 01-XX A RESOLUTION SETTING PER DIEM RATES FOR PLANNING COMMISSION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEMBERS Motion By: Second By: WHEREAS, previous City Councils, in accordance with state statute, have deemed it appropriate to establish a per diem rate for the Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority members at $40; and WHEREAS, this per diem rate has been in effect for at least eight years; and WHEREAS, the staff has proposed that the per diem rates be adjusted to reflect current costs, responsibility level and time involved as a member of each body; and WHEREAS, the Council desires to set the per diems at a prudent but appropriate rate. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA that: 1. The per diem for Planning Commissioners is $60 effective immediately. 2. The per diem for Economic Development Authority members is $75 effective immediately. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 2ND DAY OF APRIL, 2001. Mader Mader Ericson Ericson Gundlach Gundlach Petersen Petersen Zieska Zieska YES NO City Manager, City of Prior Lake 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER III I iii I