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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 04-17-1989 r . . - MINUTES OF THE ADEN HILLS WORK SESSION MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1989 - 4:30 P,M, - CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Sather called the meeting to order at 4:38 P.M. ROLL CALL The roll being called, the following members Were present: Mayor Thomas Sather, Councilmembers Nancy Hansen, Paul Malone and Thomas Mahowald, Councilmember JoAnn Growe arrived late, Also present: Planner John Bergly, Public Works Supervisor Robert Raddatz, Clerk Administrator Gary Berger. Administrative Secretary Mary Ann DeLaRosa, and Accounting Clerk Jane Lund, PERSONNEL MATTERS Council discussed a memo from Administrator Berger dated April 17, relative to Accounting Clerk Lund's inappropriate actions of April 13, Councilmember Malone asked what the purpose of the note was, and Administrator Berger responded that the referenced note was given to him by City Auditor Gary Groen, Berger noted that Groen had indicated to him that there was no fiscal reaSOn for the former Administrator to meet with him and such a meeting would serve no purpose, Any questions or concerns the former Administrator may have had could have been directed to Groen through Administrator Berger. Councilmember Hansen noted that the note was "tacky" and not well-timed, Accounting Clerk Lund explained the situation involving the note and stated she did not think it was a big deal, nor was it her place to tell the former Administrator that she should aot appear to speak with the auditor, She noted that she had been a faithful employee for many years and she felt a mountain had been made out of a mole hill. Administrator Berger noted that he had contacted the labor relations consultant and she suggested that a three day suspension would be appropriate in this case, He noted that in nearly all instances. the labor consultant had told him that he was "too fair" on such personnel matters, Lund noted that she was a dedicated employee who put in a lot of unnoted overtime, She stated that no one else can do the payable accounts and that when she knew the auditors would be at City Hall, she postponed a trip she had planned, so that she could accommodate the auditors and make it easier for the rest of the staff, Councilmember Hansen stated she does not feel loyalty is an issue, that the note was tacky, but that everyone does it, She was not in favor of a three day suspension, Councilmember Mahowald stated that no one doubts Lund's sincerity, but that everyone needs to be "in the same corner", If this incident involved one of his employees, they would be dismissed immediately! Councilmember Hansen said it appears there are a lot of vendettas here and why should Lund have to suffer when everyone else does it, Hansen stated that she is trying to solve the hatred, much of which is addressed to her, Mayor Sather asked who the Accounting Clerk works for - the previous Administrator or the City (Berger), If she works for the former Administrator, Lund should offer her resignation. Councilmember Malone asked why lis: McNiesL should have access to the auditor when no other residents have access to him, This shows evidence of an undercurrent, Malone noted that if this was a commercial organization, this action would result in dismissal, Councilmember Malone moved, seconded by Councilmember Mahowald, that Accounting Clerk Lund be given a three day unpaid suspension, Councilmember Mahowald suggested staff, Council, and the City Administrator work together to air any unfinished agendas and get all matters out in the open, He suggested that perhaps a team building session be set for City staff, similar to what the Council went through, Councilmember Hansen said the Council should listen to other staff members without an audience or the City Administrator present, She felt Council should hear them out and noted that Charlotte licNiesh is not a stranger, She felt this was blown all out of proportion and that perhaps there is a whole bigger problem, She felt the Council should take serious consideration to all parts of this, April 17, 1989 Council Minutes, Page Two Mayor Sather noted that the relationship with the former administrator had been terminated and her presence at City Hall is inappropriate. She should have no further business with the budget unless it is on a contract basis, ~ Vote on the motion for a three day unpaid suspension: Ayes: 3, Nays: 1, Hansen, MEDICAL LEAVE Council acknowledged receipt of several memorandum and letters relative to a requested medical leave of absence for former Public Works employee Robert Wayne Brunette, Administrator Berger noted that Mr. Brunette had requested a six month medical leave of absence, but that PERA had indicated that Mr, Brunette had a "total and permanent disability", Councilmember Hansen noted this is quite a serious condition. Mrs, Eileen Brunette, wife of the employee, was present for the discussion and noted that her husband had a heart attack about 15 years ago, She expressed her concern about short term disability and insurance benefits, It was her impression that if the City hired a replacement for Mr, Brunette, that employee would be on probation for six months and could be dismissed during the probationary time without cause, Administrator Berger noted that according to PERA, Mr, Brunette was totally disabled and could receive benefits from them. Mrs. Brunette noted that she had checked with the insurance company and they would coordinate benefits for both short term disability and long term benefits. . Councilmember Mahowald felt the Council should act on the Administrator's recommendation, but work with the Brunette"s also, Mayor Sather pointed out that there would be no real advantage monetarily for short term versus PERA. Councilmember Mahowald said he could not support post-dating Mr, Brunette's termination date by six months to allow him to collect on the short-term disability insurance, After discussion, Councilmember Malone moved, seconded by Councilmember Hansen, to deny the requested six months medical leave of absence, and to accept Mr, Brunette's resignation effective April 17, 1989, in light of the apparent long term disability, Voting on motion: Ayes: 4, Nays: 0, Mrs, Brunette noted that they but not the health insurance. return the City Hall key, would like to continue the life insurance, She will stop in the office on April 18 to Councilmember Malone moved, seconded by Councilmember Hansen to authorize the City Administrator to advertise for a maintenance worker and to release the severance pay check to Mr, Brunette, Voting: Ayes: 4, Nays: 0, . CITY ATTORNEY RFP'S Administrator Berger reviewed his memo of April 13, noting that his analysis of attorney RFP's was very subjective, Mayor Sather stated he would like to receive Council's this and perhaps they could eliminate interviewing the He opened the meeting for discussion on attorney RFP's. thoughts on prospects, Councilmember Hansen noted that she had not received an RFP from Kalina and Wills. Administrator Berger noted that this had arrived late and was not included in their packet, but that he would be sure to include their RFP in their Council packets this week. Hansen noted that LeFevere's RFP went into her "no" pile, but she wasn't sure why, Councilmember Mahowald said he was not impressed with LeFevere's proposal either, Mahowald stated he felt this was too important an issue to not conduct interviews on, He also felt the Grannis law firm merited consideration, and also, that perhaps the Council could sit down with Jerry Filla to try to work out any potential conflicts, Mahowald felt that there could be a possible conflict with Fritz Knaak, since he is a State Senator, He would be uncomfortable with this situation and besides, Mr, Knaak may be unavailable during a legislative session. - After further discussion, it was the Council concensus to invite six law firms: Rauenhorst, Carlson & Knaak; Kalina & Wills; Peterson, Franke & Riach; Pophaim, Haik, Schnobrich: LeFevere, Lefler, Kennedy, etc.; and Grannis and Grannis to the May work session at which time interviews would be conducted, with a 5-7 minute presentation and a question and answer session after. . - , . . ~ April 17, 1989 Council Minutes, Page Three RECESS Council recessed at 5:42 P,M, The meeting was reconvened at 5:52 P,M, TIF DEVELOPMENT Mr, Jim Casserly and Ms. Mary Molzahn were present to discuss development and redevelopment of the Round Lake site and other areas that could be designated as Tax Increment Finance districts, The area of proposed activities is the northeast corner of I-35W and 1-694, Mr, Casserly noted that his firm would create projects for the entire Round Lake area, obtain property identification numbers for the parcels and designate these areas as a planning district, which would enable the Council to have the ability to do something, although they would not be required to do any development on the sites, He noted there will be different criteria for different TIF districts. Councilmember Growe arrived at 6:05 P.M, Mr, Casserly asked if the Council wanted to include any other sites in the TIF district, It was noted that possibly the Control Data site and the Red Fox/Grey Fox/Lexington Avenue areas could be included, Councilmember Hansen noted that the creation of a TIF district could have an impact on the School District. Mayor Sather felt that Lexington Avenue west to TH 51 should be included, since the City will be paying for improvements there anyway, Also, the CDC site should be included down to County Road F and Lexington/Red Fox Road as far as County Road E, Mr, Casserly noted that the district is perpetual, it will not go anywhere, Councilmember Hansen asked if there would be any increased bookwork relative to the creation of a TIF district. Casserly noted that there really wouldn't be much, since the City Planner could help with a map and PIN numbers, He just needs to know the boundaries, He will then generate a list of PIN numbers and prepare the appropriate resolution creating a District, Council concensus on additional parcels to be included were the areas South of E2 and East of 35W (below the Hans Hagen site), and the Ryder Bus site on County Road F, next to Mounds View High School, Mary Molzahn said that 30 days notice to the School District would be needed to certify the project area, and 60 days would be needed for hearings, etc. She also noted that the Winiecki site may not be included in a TIF district, since a need has to be shown and a finance plan goes along with the project area. You either have to have a plan or you can't spend the money. A new city hall could not be included either. All public improvements would need to be identified, even if they are not done, Councilmember Mahowald moved, seconded by Councilmember Growe, to authorize Jim Casserly to identify the TIF districts and property identification numbers and to return to the Council meeting Monday, April 24, with further information, Vote: Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, OTHER BUSINESS Administrator Berger noted his April 14 memo relative to recent public works negotiations. He noted that the current City contribution toward health insurance is $195/month per employee for family coverage, Mayor Sather noted that four years ago, the City paid $340/month, which was scaled down to $185/mo, It is now at $195, Councilmember Hansen felt that $210/month was not out of line. She then asked Administrator Berger to advise her how much money has been spent on the labor relations consultant fees, and how much is left in the budget. She asked that this information be available Monday, Mr, Berger stated he would check, and also noted that the costs for City Attorney were up this year. Councilmember compensated. is $55/hour. Growe asked how the labor relations consultant is It was noted that she is paid on an hourly basis and her fee Councilmember Mahowald felt that $210 is the outside amount he would like to see the City paying, . . April 17, 1989 Council Minutes, Page Four Councilmember Malone moved, seconded by Councilmember Mahowald, that the City's contribution should be increased to $205 per month toward family insurance coverage, Voting: Ayes: 5, Nays: O. ~ Councilmember Hansen asked when the light at Hamline and TH 96 will be installed, She also expressed great concern with staff relations, and said the Council needs to work on the problems, She suggested having a session for staff and Council and felt that the Public Works Supervisor, Parks Director and Fire Chief should meet with the Council as a group on a private basis. Mayor Sather noted that he has not had a single staff phone call to him since the letter to the employees was distributed, He noted that this is a time of transition and that things are different now than they were previously. Councilmember Hansen noted that she has received calls from the Public Works Supervisor, Parks Director, Accounting Clerk and Bud Steglich, a nlember of the Public Safety/Public Works Committee. It was suggested that she refer these calls to Mayor Sather, Mayor Sather noted that he wants a team that can work together and to be able to go forward and make progress. Councilmember Hansen stated we need to figure out how to make the City Council work and the staff work together, She felt like she was the outsider on the Council. . Councilmember Malone stated that it is his impression that all the innuendos come from Councilmember Hansen, He stated the office integrity has to be there and Administrator Berger is responsible for the office staff, Public Works Supervisor Raddatz is responsible for the Public Works employees and Park Director Buckley is responsible for the Parks department employees, Mayor Sather asked that staff send letters of the May work session. Councilmember Mahowald divided and this is not a good work practice, complaint to the Council for noted that the City is Councilmember Growe apologized for being late and asked questions relevant to previous action taken by the Council during the first part of the work session, She also asked Councilmember Hansen for clarification of the discrimination that she feels by the rest of the Council members. Councilmember Malone stated it was his opinion that Councilmember Hansen has excluded herself from the Council, and not that the Council has excluded her, . Mayor Sather then reported on the impending closing of the Control Data Corporation ETA facility, with the loss of 440 jobs in the City. He noted that the employees would be terminated effective June 16, ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Growe moved, seconded by Councilmember Malone meeting be adjourned at 7:20 P.M. Motion carried unanimously, that the (5-0), b~ Clerk Administrator ~ Thomas R, Sather Mayor ~