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Mounds View City Council May 29, 2001 <br />Regular Meeting Page 3 <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 />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 />Council Member Marty indicated that Mr. Coughlin had not answered his question. <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 />Mike Szczepanski of 2385 Laporte Drive addressed Council and indicated he had lived in <br />Mounds View for 21 years. He stated that during his 21 years he has been to Council <br />approximately six times and that most of those times it was concerning the golf course. <br />Mr. Szczepanski then stated that he is appalled by the amount of money spent in bonuses to the <br />. golf course manager and to the four or five employees that work at the golf course. He stated <br />that, "in the real world" an employee does not get bonuses of 50% of his annual wages. He then <br />asked Council if any one of them had received a 50% bonus from their jobs. <br />Mr. Szczepanski stated he feels that it is completely ridiculous that the City can spend a quarter <br />of a million dollars over the course of three years on golf course salaries but cannot buy a new <br />park building to replace the one that is rotting away. <br />Mr. Szczepanski stated he did not care who caused the problem but requested that the City look <br />into the issue and asked Council Members to abstain from voting on any issues that may come <br />before Council if they are involved. <br />Mr. Szczepanski stated he is surprised that a St. Paul paper is the only one printing information <br />on the issue and stated that he intends to look into the reason why the local paper is no carrying <br />the 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 />Mr. Szczepanski stated that if he was the golf course manager he would want to expand the <br />course too as he would be able to get double the money. He then told Council he did not feel that <br />the course should be expanded until the first course is completely paid for. <br />• <br />