Minutes - 2002/08/12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mounds View City Council August 12, 2002 Regular Meeting Page 22 City Administrator Miller indicated it was her understanding that the individual that is filling in full time was not going to be working out of classification. She then said she would think that the temp could do these tasks as well. Council Member Marty commented that this person has 15 years of experience and has a good working knowledge of the police department and it would seem to him to be a more efficient use. Mayor Sonterre indicated he had solicited the opinion of Acting Chief Brennan as well as the City Administrator on this matter and it seems that the Acting Chief is of the opinion a temp would slow down the other workers and the City Administrator is of the opinion that a temp could fill the vacancy with little or no police training. City Administrator Miller indicated she had spoken to other city managers who told her that this has been done successfully in the past. She then said that there would be a learning curve but the skills should be able to be picked up quickly. She further commented that she is concerned that placing people in temporary capacities creates an expectation and she is a little fearful about the discussion Council is having in a public setting as she thinks Council has to be careful. City Administrator Miller indicated the Acting Chief has been given the direction to evaluate the needs of the department and while that is happening rather than fill those vacancies with department employees she would recommend using a temp to avoid ending up with grievances down the road. Council Member Marty commented that the senior clerk typist trained the last administrative assistant and it would seem to him that the temp would be coming in and be the boss and does not know the department. Assistant City Administrator Reed indicated the administrative assistant position is the position that gives work direction or work guidance so the temp would not be supervising. She then said that any time you have to fill a vacancy you have other staff that step up to the plate to train and that is not out of the ordinary. Council Member Marty said he thought the City Administrator said she checked with other police departments and said the temp can work with someone coming in and answering phones and routing. Council Member Thomas said she was not as concerned about the discussion as City Administrator Miller until they started talking about some jobs being bigger jobs than others and filling with a temp. She then said she does not want to get into a discussion over whether the City should hire from within rather than hiring an outside person at a job higher than they are. She further said that this is a good reason to hire a temporary employee and she feels Council needs to be careful. MOTION/SECOND: Quick/Thomas. To Reaffirm Items 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Staff Report.