Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-2015 CCMCITY OF LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 10, 2015 Mayor Pearson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. PRESENT: Mayor Mike Pearson and Council Members Julie Fliflet, Anne Smith, Council Member Bloyer, and Jill Lundgren. Staff present: City Administrator Zuleger, Community Development Director Klatt, City Planner Johnson, Deputy Clerk Gumatz, Fire Chief Malmquist, Assistant Chief Cornell, Building Official Chase, Taxpayer Services and Communications Coordinator MacLeod, and City Clerk Bell. City Attorney Snyder, Finance Director Bendel, PLEDGE OF ALLIGENCE Snyder dean believes that it may be time to transition CA to another person. Balance city need with DZ goals. Zuleger spoke about the goals he was given when he was hired. He noted the accomplishments and the great staff that has been assembled. He thinks it may be time to have a new administrator. Asked council to consider this timing. Offered to consult during the transition. Snyder recommended that council direct staff coordinate with dean to provide consultation services as part of a separation agmt. Asked council to give consideration to a separation agmt that meets city needs and mr zuleger’s plans. Lundgren wants to honor request Lundgren accept resignation and direct atty to work on agmt/fliflet 2nd. Snyder clarified that DZ is not resigning. Lundgren … Discussion of whether to take public comments. Snyder said that this employment matter has legal implication involving personnel data. Pearson table motion until after public comments/bloyer 2nd It was pointed out that past council meetings included the desire to listen to the public. fliflet said it was different. Fliflet that it is inappropriate to discuss transitioning to a different CA. the council cannot control the content of the comments and cannot guaranty the CA be protected. Fliflet will not support it. Bloyer asked if there are any way he would consider staying with LE. Lundgren asked if DZ wanted public comment. DZ noted he is honored by the many people who have shown up, but he cannot answer the question. Accept public comment 3-2 Snyder asked public to respect council’s erring on side of protecting personnel data privacy. Paul Novak 3409 LE ave – one question – dz asked council to consider the timing. If council found it that his services are needed, would he consider staying. DZ says he would need time to consider it. with difficulty that council had to have the public input, he feels offended. Council have to listen to constituents. council needs public input. asked council to always accept public input. Todd Gilbert 68665 Hudson blvd. owner of Valley Cartage. Move from Hudson would not have happened without leadership of DZ. Doesn’t know if council understand what the council has in DZ. He gets things done and makes things happen. Asked council to Scott Schoonmaker 1149 hudson blvd n asked council to be very clear why DZ would come to this point after three very successful years. Pat Dean worked with DZ on lake issues. DZ very professional and they did not agree on everything. He supports DZ as CA John Thompson 2119 LE Ave good admin are difficult to find. Goes to many city council meetings and usually CA has personal agendas. Losing a CA as successful as DZ it is a big mistake. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 3, 2015 Page 2 of 4 Dale Dorschner as a commissioner, resident and public employee. cannot believe the city is even talking about this. Cannot believe we are here. Spoke with staff that their boss is being slammed. Asked council to reconsider John Schiltz agrees with other positive comments regarding admin. Why doesn’t such an important vote require a supermajority. Asked what happened in two months that changed from his last favorable review. Said it is not a good time to change the CA. one of the most pivotal time in LE to get the important things done. Zuleger said tonight is not the best time to hash out the frustration. Kelly Brookman first mayor of consolidated LE. Best CA ever. Council should be discussing how to keep dean. John Zignego waiting for action on sewer, curb and gutter, and sidewalks. Finally happening Brian billingsley heritage farms. DZ was first CA to contact any of the HOAs. Most favorable interaction with city ever. Need to keep him. Dean Dodson citizen and chair of Planning Comm. Apologized that the council has created a hostile environment. DZ noted he has not said that. asked council to improve Stuart Helgeson 12th st north shown excellent leadership, great communication skills. Best CA he has had contact with. Ed nielson 9498 stiilwater blvd dean did not take a position when there was an issue in his neighborhood. Council should not fire him. Larry Weiss 9302 Stillwater BLvd reiterated DZ best CA city has had. DZ gets right to the point and tells you what is. Listen to the people Judy Gibson also on library bd. Very helpful with all the library issues. Helped in several technical and organizational areas. Appreciated help. Spoke about how changing Admins at such a close time for library to be Tammy Malmquist council reports to the people. Asked there never be another time discussing whether to listen to the public. concerned about the number of Admins. DZ was supposed to be “the guy.” Adamantly opposed to DZ leaving. Shane Weiss acting chair of parks commission. Dean is a parks guy - bring lots of enthusiasm. Does not see the parks commission getting everything done on their agenda without deans help Terry Emerson noted that DZ past city wondered what they would do without him. DZ was selected as best applicant of 30 applicants. Suggested that the council ask the outside groups met council, county… what the city should do with dean. Won’t find another person who could do the job he’s doing. Should give him a raise. Wally Nelson has had a great relationship with DZ. Very professional. Created a professional staff. Pointed out a few issues that DZ addressed. Has no idea why the council is considering this. He has done many little things that are positive but the public doesn’t even know about. Mike Reeves believes DZ has been exceptional and has brought stability to position. Noted city financial position and accomplishments inside and outside city hall. DZ is a dedicated public servant. Committed to positive results come from positive leadership. Nick Witter 653 Cimarron – his priority has been serving the city and the people of the city. Always has what is best for the city in his mind. Travesty to let him go. should be asking how to award him or Rita Conlin 8560 Ironwood Trl two terms as cm and planning comm. Related her change of vote when the people were opposed to the water tower location in sunfish lake park. Ed Gorman DZ gets things done. Spoke about his stormwater issue DZ help him solve. Dean does the right thing. Has many beneficial relationships. List of accomplishments is astonishing LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 3, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Milt Klohn lived in city for 56 years. DZ finest CA city has ever had. Still have obligations under met council. DZ would be best person to lead the city through this. Asked council to create a work environment where this does not happen again. Bloyer read Jill Mitchell letter. Bloyer read Sharon Bernardy letter. Bloyer read Teresa Silvernale letter. Bloyer read Paul Ryberg letter. Pearson read Pat Weyandt, 8772 Ironwood Trail letter Pearson read Terry Forrest letter. Member of finance cmte Pearson read Washington County Commissioner Gary Kriesel letter. Pearson read Family Means letter. Pearson read David Steele letter. Parks commissioner Pearson read Washington County Sheriff Hutton letter. Pearson read staff member’s letter. Pearson read staff letter. Snyder – council members must refrain discussing employee evaluations in public. again asked council to consider a separation agmt including DZ consulting services. Bloyer noted that some speakers, who he has not always agreed with, agree that DZ is needed. Bloyer moves extend contract for 18 mos negotiated with counsel only be removed by just cause. Wants term to be long enough for new council members to get to know. pearson 2nd Pearson noted that not all employees are always positive of their bosses. Consistency is important. Changing right now does not make sense. Bloyer asked what the city will do tomorrow. Concerned that the city will lose the talented staff. This will cause problems for the city. Lundgren noted that the atty requested the mtg and DZ requested that the position be transitioned. Wants to respect DZ wishes. Fliflet believes it is important for people to be happy in job. Does not see DZ happy. Pearson wants to commit to creating a good environment for staff. Fliflet noted that there Bloyer- the reason we are here are because the council was given an ultimatum severance or harassment free workplace. Pearson asked if there is a conflict of interest because one of the council members pursued the admin job. Snyder that is up to council to decide. DZ – believes that his season in LE may be over. There have been accomplishments by the staff, but it is time to move on. Appreciated the outpouring of support. Fliflet no Smith no Pearson yes Bloyer yes Lundgren no Motion failed 2-3 LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 3, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Lundgren moved by snyder accept mr z request to transition from this position include provisions retain expertise … recommend snyder work on sepration agmt/fliflet 2nd The timing was discussed. Snyder said the agreement would be brought back to another meeting. Lundgren yes bloyer no pearson no Smith yes Fliflet yes Motion passes 3-2 Bloyer asked what would happen next. Discussion of what happens next and when it happens. Fliflet said there is a 30 day notice. His being retained as a consultant. There is not an urgency. Snyder stated that DZ is still engaged until he decides he is not. Lundgren does not believe Mr. Zuleger would be unprofessional. Smith noted that there are two executive search firms. Brimeyer and Springsted. fliflet adjourn/lundgren 2nd 5-0 Mayor Pearson Adjourned the meeting at 9:15 pm. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: ______________________________ Mike Pearson, Mayor _______________________________ Adam R. Bell, City Clerk