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Home My WebLink About12-19-89 CCMIty 1 t LAKE DATE APPROVED: 1/2/90 DATE ISSUED: 1/131 90 ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 1.989 Mayor Dunn called the City Council meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference room in City Hall. Present: Dunn, Williams, Hunt, Graves, Administrator Morrison and City Attorney Knaak. I. CLAIMS M/S/P Williams/Graves - to approve the December 19, 1989 Claims #92667 thru #92727 as presented. (Motion carried 4-0). 2. MINUTES: December 5, 1989 The December 5, 1989 minutes will be handed out for approval at the January 2, 1.989 City Council meeting. 3. AUTHOR.I.ZATION TO PROCEED: DRAINAGE STUDY FOR OLD VILLAGE Larry Bohrer requested that TKDA be authorized to immediately begin on the field survey phase of the Old Village Drainage Study. This area was determined to be the most pressing need in light of the flooding last spring. Bohrer noted in his letter, dated December 13, 1989, with the light snow cover, ground conditions are still favorable to complete this work in December. Waiting until 1990 may make this task more time consuming because of deeper snow cover. The approved 1990 budget allocated $5,000 for drainage study work in the Old Village Area. north of the CNW Railroad.. This amount was reduced from a total budget request of $20,000 which would have studied the Old Village north of the CNW Railroad plus Legion Pond, Reid Park Pond, 32nd Street Pond, Downs Lake, Eden Park Pond and Durands Pond, and consolidated them into one unified report. Work performed in December is not due and payable until February; therefore, fitting into the 1990 budget timeframe. M/S/P Williams/Hunt - to authorize the City Engineer to begin immediately on the field survey phase of the Old Village Drainage Study limited to a total expense of $5,000 allocated in the 1990 Budget. (Motion carried 4-0). 4. ADMINISTRATOR'S REVIEW Administrator Morrison explained she had contacted an attorney relative to Councilman Williams' request to either resign or be fired which was a result of a discussion between Councilmen Williams, Hunt and herself. Morrison added her attorney insisted she be fired and go through the public hearing process, but she had decided to resign effective December 19, 1989 with 10 weeks pay including benefits, plus credit for unused vacation time. If the Council concurs, she asks that the City Attorney write up the agreement. LAKE ELMO CITE' COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 1989 PAGE 2 Councilman Williams presented the following resolution: M/S/P Williams/Hunt - to adopt Resolution No. 89-51, Resolved, that the City Council of Lake Elmo hereby accept the letter of resignation of Patricia J. Morrison, terminating the Employment Agreement executed January 17, 1989; that the City Council waives the 30 day notice requirement of the Employment Agreement; that the termination of. the Employment Agreement will. be effective immediately; that, according to the provisions of the Employment Agreement, this termination shall be without a hearing; that the severance will be 10 weeks pay with benefits, beginning December 20, 1989, and payable on the normal salary payment schedule used by the City; that Patricia J. Morrison be given credit for unused vacation, that Patricia J. Morrison immediately surrender all City property in her possession, including any and all keys to City facilities; and that Patricia J. Morrison remove her personal belongings from City Hall and from any other City facilities before 12:00 noon on December 20, 1989. (Motion carried 3-1: Graves) Councilman Graves: "Apparently Pat had decided this is the easiest way for herself out of this situation, I respect that. On the other hand, I think that Pat is the best Administrator we've had in a number of years. There is no just cause for our asking Pat to dismiss herself or be fired by action of the Council. She has done an excellent job in the 1 1/2 years she's been with us and carrying out the directions of the City Council. She has been very proficient in doing her job of trying to present us with other options to give us an open minded look at the different options that are available, but as far as I am aware of, she has done an admirable job in carrying out the direction of. the Council even when that has been a bit merky at times. I think she had done her job in a highly professional manner, and I have nothing but high regard for her. The request that she resign or the threat of being fired should not, in any way, reflect negatively on the performance of City Administrator. I think that rather it is a poor reflection on the Counci.l's unwillingness and inability to utilize her skills as they existed. I think this action just proves the incompetance of our Council to manage the City, to let a professional do the job. Her replacement will be the fifth Administrator in seven years, and I have trouble believing that there has been a problem with that many administrators. I think the problem is more deep seated and, the responsibility belongs to the Council." M/S/P Williams/Hunt - to direct the City Attorney to draft a termination agreement to satisfy the provision of the motion. (Motion carried 3-1: Graves). M/S/P Williams/Bunt - to add to the agenda the Budget Period Extension Appeal to the EPA (Motion carried 4-0). Councilman Williams referenced letter, dated Deceeber 7, 1989 from Mr. Scherkenback of the MPCA, and suggested directing the City staff to gather necessary documents to file this, Budget appeal to the EPA. 1 M/S/P Williams/Hunt - to direct the staff to proceed with the Budget Period Extension Appeal to the EPA. (Motion carried 4-0). LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 19, 1989 PACE 3 M/S/P Williams/Hunt - to amend the agenda to include appointment of interim Acting Administrator. (Motion carried 4-0). Councilman Williams presented the following motion: MIS/ Williams/Hunt - to adopt Resolution 89-52, Resolved, that the Lake Elmo City Council hereby appoints Mary Kueffner as Acting Clerk/Administrator, effective December 20, 1989 for an indefinite period, with compensation in addition to her present salary to be determined at a later date. Councilman Graves asked if Mary was aware of this because the last time she was acting administrator she stated she had no interest to do this again, and he didn't want her to be saddled with something she doesn't want to do. Councilman Hunt explained he had talked to Mary Kueffner; who indicated her willingness to act as administrator on a temporary basis. M/S/P Williams/Hunt - to adopt Resolution 89-52, Resolved, that the Lake Elmo City Council hereby appoints Mary Kuef-fner as Acting Clerk/Administrator, effective December 20, 1989 for an indefinite period, with compensation in addition to her present salary to be determined at a later date. (Motion carried 4-0). Mike Mazzara, 11259 30th St. N., asked if the Council was going to actively seek a new administrator. Councilman Williams responded. the council had not made any decision on that. Mazzara asked why the Administrator was asked to resign. Mayor Dunn responded, based on our Attorney's advise, specifics could not be given at this time. M/S/P Williams/Hunt - to adjourn the City Council meeting at 6:50 p.m. (Motion carried 4-0). 7:00 p.m. COMMUNITY MEETING: Ramsey and Washington Counties RE: SW-1 Landfill Well Advisory Area Drinking Water Advisories i Since we do not have time to discuss every point presented, it may _J seem that decisions are preconceived. However, background information is provided for the City Council on each agenda item in advance from City Staff and appointed Commissions; and decisions are based on this information and past experiences. In addition, some items may also have been discussed at previous Council meetings. If you are aware of information that hasn't been discussed, please fill out a "Request to Appear Before the City Council" slip; or, if you came late, raise your hand to be recognized. Comments that are pertinent are appreciated. Items requiring excessive time may be continued to another meeting. AGENDA LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER .19, 1.989 6:30 P.M. MEETING CONVENES 1- MINUTES: DECEMBER 5, 1989 2. CLAIMS 3. AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED: DRAINAGE STUDY FOR OLD VILLAGE 4. ADMINISTRATOR'S REVIEW 5. ADJOURN 7:00 p.m. COMMUNITY MEETING: Ramsey and Washington Counties RE: SW-1 Landfill Well Advisory Area Drinking Water Advisories