1974.02.22 CC Minutes - Special meeting

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"'F I U, 1Y 22, 1°74 41 T he special meeting; wa.s called to order at 7:00 P1.1 by Mayor Crever. Roll was called: Crever, LaValle, Martin, Leroux, Lease Present. Mayor Crever stated that the purpose of the meeting was to liscuss the activities of the Police Department, and in particular the activities of the Police Chief, Richard Gunderson. Crever said he felt there was a problem and the city was not getting a "fair shake" from the Police Chief. A letter had been received on February 11th, written on February 10th from the chief, stating he was taking one week of his annual vacation from the 11th of February to the 20th of February. He said he had appointed Donald Lelle as acting police chief in his absence. Crever read aloud part of Resolution # 14, a resolution establishing a police department, wherein it stated that the council may designate an acting police chief in the absence of the chief. Lee Martin stated it didn't really seem Gunderson had done anything wrong except extend his leave beyond his stated date of return. Leroux mentioned that he could have contacted any member of the city council if he wasn't planning on returning on his stated date of return. LaValle had talked with the police department, and they apparently didn't know exactly where he was or when he was arriving home. At this point Mayor Crever questioned whether the council had grounds to suspend the man or not, Attorney Johnson stated the Chief was hired for the Village of Hugo at a stipulated salary for an indeterminate period of time, and the council could suspend him if they felt they had sufficient grounds. Actually removing him from his job would re- quire going through the veterans preference procedure. , holding a hearing, which would be somewhat similar to a court trial. LaValle stated he was hired with the stipulation at he would head a one man department, and he would work eighty hours a week if he had to, to get the job done. Don Lease mentioned guidelines should be set down such as y„12,000.00 salary per year, two weeks vacation, $150.00 clothing allowance per year, and a contruibution to medical insurance offered. He questioned if this was serious enough to warrant a suspension, or just a warning to Gunderson. It was also mentioned that Mr. Zerwas and Mr. Ladd should not be in the squad car alone without the .supervision of a qualified officer, and also the Washington County Sheriff's Department knew nothing of Gunderson's absence. LaValle questioned if it was proper to take vacation when the only other full time officer was still in school full time. Martin questioned whether there was such a thing as a reprimand. Attorney Johnson stated there was, and it could be made a permanent part of Gunderson's record. Martin then stated he found it hard to suspend a man when he wasn't able to appear to defend himself, and the groundwork was too vague.