A special meeting of the Council for the City of Crystal Falls was held in the Council Chamber of the City Hall on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time.

Present: Mayor Hendrickson, Councilors Heikkinen, Valesano, Thrasher, and Stachowicz.

Absent: None

Also present were City Manager Nordeman, City Attorney Lawrence, and City Clerk/Treasurer Olson.

Visitors in attendance included: Mike Koszyk, Richard Hendrickson, Eric Peterson, Larry Bicigo, Emil Bicigo, Tom Stachowicz, Walter and Gerry Trzeciak, Marilyn and John Moon, Dan Graff, David Graff, James Ponchaud, Robert Fabbri, Axel Anderson, Mike Smokevitch, Robert Sherwin, Marcel Fraser, Mark Simeoni, Anthony Starr, Alex Simbob, Julius Simbob, Diane Nordeman, and Lynn Perry.

The purpose of this special meeting was to consider the following items:

Police Dept wage issues.

Electric Dept matters.

Fire Authority Budget.

Mayor Hendrickson led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Robert Sherwin, Interim Police Chief, addressed the Council regarding police department wages. He explained how the department is now working 12 hour shifts in order to provide the City with 24/7 police protection. When the new shift schedule began in June 2006 the hourly wage of the police department employees was adjusted to reflect the annual wage divided by the hours worked (2236) which resulted in a decrease in the hourly wage. The Police Department requested the hourly wage be restored to that in effect prior to June 1, 2006. In addition, the Employee Handbook sections regarding the working hours of the Police Department need to be updated. Manager Nordeman and Clerk/Treasurer Olson explained how the shift workers payroll had been calculated in the past and offered suggestions to resolve the hourly rate issue.

Mayor Hendrickson seconded by Councilor Valesano moved to have the Crystal Falls Police Department provide police protection 24/7.

Motion carried.

Councilor Thrasher seconded by Councilor Heikkinen moved to adjust the Police Department employees pay rates to reflect the hourly rate that was in effect on May 31, 2006 x 2080 hours in order to establish a new annual wage and implement this hourly rate retroactively to June 1, 2006.

Motion carried.

Chief Electrician, David Graff, explained the letter he addressed to the City Council regarding matters of concern with the Electric Advisory Committee and his department. He expressed his frustration in that the lack of communication between the committee, the City Manager, and the Council has resulted in an unhealthy atmosphere for all involved. The Council was concerned that they have made decisions based on bits and pieces of information when they may have moved in a different direction had they been fully informed. It was agreed that all minutes should be funneled through the City Clerk/Treasurer to the Council in a timely manner in the future.

Mayor Hendrickson presented the 2006 – 2007 Fire Authority Budget to the City Council noting that the Fire Authority employees are accepting a wage freeze in an effort to keep expenses down.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Thrasher moved to approve the Crystal Falls Fire Authority 2006-2007 Budget in the amount of $259,700.00 as presented.

Motion carried.

Councilor Heikkinen seconded by Councilor Stachowicz moved to adjourn this special meeting of the City Council.

Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.