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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan 11, 1977OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS RECESSED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA JANUARY 11, 1977 The Meeting was called to order at 9:17 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki--aye Mayor Nawrocki stated that this was the continuation of the regular meeting of January 10. It was noted that the primary item left for consideration was Payment of Bills. There were two lists to be considered for approval, a special year- end list and the regular list of bills. There was a report presented to the Council from Mr. Dean Otterson, City Planner/HRA Director regarding bill number 19569 to the Housing and Redevelop- ment Authority. This report was in response to the request for a detailed breakdown on said bill. There was some discussion on the work habits of Dean Otterson. Mr. Otterson often comes to work around 6:30 a.m. because he feels he accomplishes more in the early morning hours before other employees arrive. He then leaves be- fore the office closes. There was also discussion on the practice of City employees turning in requests for reimbursements for various expenses they incur, and whether or not these expenses are legitimate. Councilman Logacz said he feels it is unfair to discuss things which have already transpired. He also said that he does not want to be the judge deciding if someone has 'transgressed in their daily affairs,' explaining that 'all of us have been part of the game.' He suggested paying the bills as listed and re-evaluating the policy for the future. He added that people ~eel they are entitled to 'minor benefits' and they are not 'trying to destroy our system.' Discussion then centered around the City's practice of paying various employee expenses. Councilman Heintz gave the example of the employee who goes to a Chamber of Commerce Breakfast. The City pays for the breakfast, and also the person's salary for that time period, even though no work is being produced. He stated that small amounts add up, and some sort of policy on this matter should be devised to keep things from getting out of hand. Discussion continued on how City employees take advantage of things the City pays for. Mayor Nawrocki noted that some assumptions were being made which may or may not be true. He explained that some of the practices were being done very legitimately. Councilman Heintz asked how a determination is made as to whether or not a certain gathering is considered a business meeting. January 11, 1977 Councilman Norberg noted that he did not share Councilman Logacz's misgivings about the general situation, especially with respect to members of the Council. He felt the Council rarely benefitted from things of this nature. He went on to say that in the absence of a strong policy, common ethics should preside. He sa~d it is wrong for a person to take what does not belong to him. Councilman Hentges challenged Councilman Norberg to prove that staff members were doing something wrong. Councilman Heintz stated that employees should be available for City business during office hours. He was referring particularly to Mr. Otterson's inclina- tion to come in early in the morning and leave before the office is closed. He stated that he feels it is fine for Mr. Otterson to come in early, but he should stay until 4:45 p.m. On the subject of meetings in restaurants, he noted that many of these meetings could and should be held in the office. Councilman Hentges questioned how the Council can control the people on staff. Mayor Nawrocki stated that the Council should be flexible in matters of this kind. He said the staff could not be expected to work more than forty hours a week, attend various meetings, and still be available each day from 8:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. He also stated that business breakfasts, luncheons, and dinners are an established and accepted practice in the business world, both public and private. He concluded by stating that the Council should return to the question at hand - bill number 19569 to the Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authoritv~ which deals primarily with fees for consulting services. The Mayor noted that the report which was submitted to the Council should have been prepared by }{r. Watson instead of by Mr. Otterson, as the request for information had been directed to him. Councilman Norberg stated that he did not feel that the information that was presented was sufficient. He wanted to know who ail the people named in the report on the invoice were, plus a detailed statement of their work. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the consultants named ~n the report worked for Reike, Carroll, Muller and Associates. He explained that this work ~as done under contract which was authorized by the City Council. He further explained that the bill amounts are in accordance with the contract. Councilman Heintz noted that the Council had asked Jim Wolverton of Wolverton Engineering for a detailed work statement on some work he had performed for the City. He did not feel it would be out of line to request a statement of this type from Reike, Carroll, Muller and Associates. }{ayor Nawrocki stated that there had been no contract with Wolverton for the work he performed. He reiterated that there is a contract with Reike, Carroll, Muller and Associates and the billed amounts are in line with this contract. January 11, 1977 Councilman Heintz stated that if Councilman Norberg feels he needs more information, it should be given to him. Mr. Watson asked Councilman Hentges if there was a discussion on these bills at the Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting. Councilman Hentges noted that they had been discussed and approved. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to pay the bills as listed out of their proper accounts. Councilman Heintz noted that the bills should be paid and any information Councilman Norberg wishes should be provided for him. Councilman Norberg stated that he felt an audit should be performed on these bills. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to audit justification of bill number 19684 and bill number 19622. Councilman Hentges questioned why an audit should be made of bill number 19684, which was reimbursement to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for resurfacing the parquet floor at the Parkview Villa high rise which had been damaged during the November elections. Amendment by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to strike reference to bill number 19684 from the previous motion. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Norberg to audit justification of bill number 19569. Motion dies for lack of a second. Mayor Nawrocki explained that the motion before the Council was to audit justification of bill number 19622 to Dean Otterson. There was discussion on how the audit would be carried out. Mayor Nawrocki stated that the audit could be done in conjunction with the annual City audit. Councilman Heintz felt that if it was handled in this way, the auditor would check the voucher for a signature, and if it has been signed, he will say it is proper. Councilman Hentges stated that the voucher was signed and approved for payment by Arden Hovland and Malcolm Watson. Councilman Norberg stated that this was not a matter of trust or distrust. He said it is a simple fact that all people make mistakes. Roll Call on Motion to audit justification of bill number 19622: Hentges--aye Logacz, Nawrocki--nay Motion carries. Heintz, Norberg, Roll Call on Motion to pay bills as listed out of proper funds, including auditing justification of bill number 19622: All Ayes January 11, 1977 Mayor Nawrocki explained to the Council that he bad completed a performance review of Police Chief Stuart Anderson and is recommending a salary adjustment from $19,584 per yea~' to $22,800 per year. ~r. Anderson does not receive longevity, holiday pay or education incentive. Councilman Hentges noted that he felt this was a large percentage increase. He said he felt an increase to $21,500 would be adequate. Councilman Norberg asked if the proposal was within the Chief's salary range. ~ayor Nawrocki replied that it would place him a few dollars from the :~aximum of step d in his range. The Mayor also noted that all the City's police sergeants were currently receiving higher salaries than the Chief. There was lengthy discussion on the proposed salary adjustment. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz that Stuart Anderson's salary be set at $22,800~ he is to receive no longevity, holiday pay or education incentive. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki--aye Norberg, Hentges--nay Motion carries. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to adjourn at 11:20 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes Br~ce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Secretary