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Council discontinues earned sick-and-safe time accrual for paid on‑call firefighters per state change
Summary
Following changes in Minnesota law exempting paid-on-call firefighters from earning sick-and-safe leave, the council voted to discontinue accrual for those positions effective the statutory cutoff, preserving existing balances with no payout provision.
City staff presented changes to Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time law and recommended aligning the city's policy with the state change that exempts paid-on-call firefighters and EMTs from accruing the benefit.
Staff summarized that the law had been amended this year and, as a result, paid-on-call first responders are no longer required to accrue the benefit. The city attorney and staff said the city may either continue the local accrual voluntarily or discontinue accrual to conform to state guidance; staff recommended discontinuation effective the statutory cutoff date, preserving existing balances with no payout option. The attorney referenced Department of Labor and Industry guidance as background for the recommendation.
A council member moved to discontinue earned accrual for paid-on-call firefighters as of the date proposed by staff; the motion was seconded and approved. Staff noted that accrued balances would remain available for use until they are exhausted but would not be paid out as a lump sum upon termination.
Council also confirmed that the change need not be negotiated under existing employment contracts unless those contracts explicitly guaranteed the benefit.
