Laserfiche WebLink
Mounds View City Council May 29, 2001 <br />Regular Meeting Page 3 <br /> <br />are improprieties. He further stated that, if there were improprieties, Mr. Coughlin was Mayor <br />for two years and he does not understand why Mr. Coughlin is now stepping forward, when he is <br />no longer the Mayor, to chastise City Staff when during his tenure he was a champion for them. <br /> <br />Mr. Coughlin stated that, to be honest, these are issues that have just now come to light. He <br />noted he was never made aware of the percentage clause in the golf course manager’s contract <br />and noted he prides himself on being open minded enough to take a second look at things. He <br />further stated he was not in favor of building the course but stated that, once the City was a <br />business owner, he made every effort to make sure it was promoted because the City had bond <br />payments to pay. He then stated he has yet to play a round of golf at the course <br /> <br />Council Member Marty indicated that Mr. Coughlin had not answered his question. <br /> <br />Mr. Coughlin indicated that some of these issues began on his watch and that in as much and in <br />so far that he is responsible for it he takes full responsibility. He then stated that anyone else who <br />had a part in it should take responsibility as well. <br /> <br />Mike Sapanski of 2385 Laporte Drive addressed Council and indicated he had lived in Mounds <br />View for 21 years. He stated that during his 21 years he has been to Council approximately six <br />times and that most of those times it was concerning the golf course. <br /> <br />Mr. Sapanski then stated that he is appalled by the amount of money spent in bonuses to the golf <br />course manager and to the four or five employees that work at the golf course. He stated that, “in <br />the real world” an employee does not get bonuses of 50% of his annual wages. He then asked <br />Council if any one of them had received a 50% bonus from their jobs. <br /> <br />Mr. Sapanski stated he feels that it is completely ridiculous that the City can spend a quarter of a <br />million dollars over the course of three years on golf course salaries but cannot buy a new park <br />building to replace the one that is rotting away. <br /> <br />Mr. Sapanski stated he did not care who caused the problem but requested that the City look into <br />the issue and asked Council Members to abstain from voting on any issues that may come before <br />Council if they are involved. <br /> <br />Mr. Sapanski stated he is surprised that a St. Paul paper is the only one printing information on <br />the issue and stated that he intends to look into the reason why the local paper is no carrying the <br />story. He stated he hopes there will be an outcry from the residents of the City once they are <br />made aware of the situation. He then stated that if the golf course manager did do what he is <br />alleged to have done then he should be removed. <br /> <br />Mr. Sapanski stated that if he was the golf course manager he would want to expand the course <br />too as he would be able to get double the money. He then told Council he did not feel that the <br />course should be expanded until the first course is completely paid for. <br />