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Mounds View City Council November 15, 1999
<br />Regular Meeting Page 3
<br />ladder, however, this does not account for all of these people. He commented if the City
<br />continues to do what they are doing, they will end up with the same results, and one definition of
<br />insanity is when you continue to do the same thing over and over, and expect different results.
<br />Mayor Coughlin stated this was not a staff or department level problem. He explained through
<br />the City Charter, and the organization structure, the five Members of the Council are the bosses,
<br />and the "evil management" as it were, and it should be noted there continues to be a morale
<br />problem in the City, caused by certain elements of the City Council. He stated as Chairman of
<br />the Council, and as Mayor, it is his responsibility to call these things out of bounds, and at times
<br />he has failed to do so, therefore, he would extend his apologies to staff and the citizens he
<br />represents.
<br />Mayor Coughlin explained that earlier in the year, an accusation made by a particular Council
<br />Member, that members of the Police Department were utilizing their City codes to pay for
<br />washing their private vehicles at a local car wash. He pointed out that no evidence was given to
<br />support that claim, however, it was stated. He stated at that time, he left previous Police Chief
<br />Ramacher to defend himself, however, in retrospect, he felt this was out of bounds, and
<br />contributed to the morale problem within the City.
<br />Mayor Coughlin stated there are members of the Public Works Department who come in at a
<br />moment's notice to plow the streets, or handle sewer backups, and the like. He explained these
<br />are thankless jobs, and these individuals are never seen, yet all of these things get done, however,
<br />a particular Council Member has accused these individuals of misusing City resources to work
<br />• on their cars after hours, in the shop, during the wintertime. He explained this destroyed morale,
<br />and again he did not call this out of bounds, therefore he would further extend his apologies.
<br />Mayor Coughlin advised that the Council Members are the leaders, and the ones who set the tone
<br />and build or tear down morale. He stated he was aware that some individuals specifically left the
<br />City, not because they wanted to, but because they felt they had to. He stated this was wrong,
<br />and furthermore, it is immoral.
<br />Mayor Coughlin advised that morale does not simply mean coming in to work with a plastic
<br />smile on your face, it means feeling good about waking up and doing your job. He explained
<br />when you have completed your job, you go home to your respective families, and they would
<br />like mom or dad to come home in a pleasant mood. He pointed out if mom or dad is in a bad
<br />mood when they return home, because of morale issues, it effects more than just the City of
<br />Mounds View, it also effects families, neighbors and friendships.
<br />Mayor Coughlin stated the Council is in place because of people, and there are people under the
<br />Council who are employed to help serve people, therefore, it is all about people. He stated the 4
<br />million-dollar budget does not simply represent numbers, but also people. He explained people
<br />pay taxes in, and in turn, are served by those taxes being spent. He advised if they deal with
<br />people as numbers, and do not recognize there are hearts and souls and minds beyond this, they
<br />are remiss in their duty.
<br />Mayor Coughlin extended his apologies to the citizens of Mounds View, and particularly to City
<br />staff, not only those staff members who were present, but also those who have moved on. He
<br />stated he would not take full ownership of this problem, as it was not only his problem. He
<br />stated however, as Chairman of the Council, he has, at times failed to call things out of bounds,
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