Minutes - 2002/04/22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council April 22, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 3 Mr. Huston questioned whether the people that are in the union were not offered interviews because they are in the union. He then said there are a lot of veterans involved and asked how the City is applying the veterans preference in this instance. Mayor Sonterre stated that the issues specific to the role of the Administrator and Council's position on that has been stated and ratified by vote. He then asked whether Mr. Huston had something to say that is not concerning his opinion of the work of the Administrator and noted it would have been more appropriate to make these comments when Council heard this item on the agenda. Rich Matson of 8414 Groveland Road indicated he has been a resident of Mounds View since 1977 and usually watches meetings from home but finally came in person to speak because he is totally disgusted with the way the City is running. He then said everything is going to court and costing the residents money in attorney's fees. The streets are falling apart and instead of spending money on fixing them the City is hassling its employees and wasting money on attorney's fees. He further stated he intends to work on getting a grassroots effort together to replace everyone. Gary Kardell of 2516 Sherwood Road indicated he has been with the City for 26 years and has been a resident for 30 years. He then said he does not like putting anyone down but there is a definite morale issue with the employees and he would like to make things better for the depressed employees. He then said he was asking for Council's help on behalf of the younger employees to straighten things out before the City loses all of its good employees. He further stated residents may need to pay more taxes in order to provide proper health insurance to keep the City's employees happy. He also said there has been no communication and the lack of communication breeds contempt. Naja Werner of 2765 Sherwood Road asked how there could be effective City government if there is this sort of attitude prevailing in the City. She then said she has never seen anything like this and she has lived in the City for 48 years. Tim Fredberg of New Brighton and the Public Works Department said he feels the morale and atmosphere at City Hall has reached rock bottom. He then said that by supporting the Administration by voting against the request of the City's employees will make the problem worse. Mr. Fredberg commented that nobody ever contacted employees concerning the change in insurance to the 80/20 split. He then told Council a change is needed and asked them to do something about it. Mayor Sonterre explained that the decisions of the Administration were known and supported by Council. He then suggested that, since the Administrator works at the direction of Council more . of the blame should be placed on Council's shoulders. He also suggested that the City should look toward improving communication with its employees.