HARVEY CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Harvey City Hall

Note:  All motions unanimously passed unless otherwise stated.

Key:  M-Motion, MS-Motion Second, VV-Voice Vote, RCV-Roll Call Vote, MC-Motion Carried.

The Harvey City Council met in Council Chambers on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 5:30pm.  Present were Mayor Jason Grossman, Mike Rust, Rick Eckart, Ron Volk, Mike Waldoch and Leigh Ann Schindler.  Also present were Tami Feist and Kenny Erickson.

VISITORS:  Emanuel Hager, Peg Bell, Tim Huseth, Nick Brandt, Doug Fike, Rick Jensen, Sandy & Milo Baltrusch, Kathleen Trosen, Judy Nelson, Helen Dusek, Beth Huseth, Betty Batke, Beverly Vetter, Helen Volk, Agnes Goldade, Merceda Zerr, Agnes Zerr, Leroy Bechtold, Marlys Olson, Susan Shearer, Mary Hall, Curt Lamm, Suzy Krivoruchka, Gil & Grace Steedsman, Dean Klier, Mary & Alvin Fix, Tyler Wolfe, Rick Bartz, Faye Axt, Cyndy Sitar, Ted Seibel and Melvin Southard.

Mayor Grossman called the special meeting to order.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Council member Volk requested to amend the agenda to include the Economic Development Position. 

RESIGNATION – Chief Ron Krivoruchka:  Mayor Grossman explained the resignation of Chief Ron K was accepted on Monday, August 16th.  The City Attorney, Ted Seibel, stated that since he was appointed by the Mayor, and he voluntarily resigned, it is upon the Mayor to accept the resignation and report to the Council. 

Ted brought to the Council’s attention Ron K submitted for unemployment.  He stated that it was a voluntary resignation which makes Ron K ineligible.  M by Volk, MS by Waldoch to approve the payment of unemployment for Ron K in the amount of $9,308.20.  Continued discussion from Eckart as to what is going to happen from here with Ron K.  Ted said he is going to research as to what needs to be present to request a post board review, and then he will advise with the Mayor and he will bring back to Council.  Council member Rust questioned as to the Mayor making all preview or review of employees, and Seibel stated that Council members don’t appoint officials so they don’t have the right to remove them.  After much discussion upon RCV Waldoch and Volk-Yes, Schindler, Eckart and Rust-No, Motion Denied.

M by Rust, MS by Waldoch to approve Mayor Grossman and Ted Seibel to move forward with resisting the unemployment claim.  Upon RCV, Volk-No, Schindler, Waldoch, Eckart and Rust-Yes, MC.

Susan Shearer expressed concerns as to denying the unemployment, and wanted to know what the allegations are towards Ron K. that led to this.  Ted said it has taken the correct direction because of 1)  there has been some anger issues that the Mayor has tried to address very aggressively, and subsequent to that there were still some demonstrations of anger there that were totally inappropriate, 2)  there was a lack of respect for authority with specific instances with Ted and State’s Attorney, and 3)  Ted said he expressed an open door with the City for areas that needed two minds, and it wasn’t long and Ron K went on his own without Ted’s opinion.  At times, Ron K didn’t know his own boundaries and limitations.  Ted said he would also say that Ron K has done a lot for our community, and brought back the respect for law enforcement that had been lost over the years.  He said he did his job he was supposed to do, and maybe did it too well.  Susan expressed concern to the State’s Attorney Inquiry.  Kathleen Trosen responded that it is still pending because she needs more reports, and it was not on Ron K personally it was done on the cases in general.  Ted expressed concern as to the City and County working together more.  Council member Eckart wanted clarification as to the letter to the editor, and Seibel’s advice was to rise above it.  Cindy Sitar thanked Ted for his clarification and reminded the Council that they are representing the people of Harvey and that they should talk a little more to the Community about what is going on.  Mayor Grossman apologized for not informing the City, but he felt that the issue was still interim to be addressed.  Mary Hall said that we should take the high road and not kick Ron K down.  Council member Eckart suggested to crowd that they are welcome to come to all meetings because they are open to the public. 

HIRING CHIEF – Mayor Grossman asked Council whether we advertise for Chief and lose Tyler when his grant is up, or if we should hire within.  Consensus of the Council is to have a work meeting with the Police Department.  M by Volk, MS by Eckart to table hiring a Chief of Police till they sit with the officers.  Upon VV, MC.  Further discussion that Faye is to be temporarily doing payroll, scheduling and signing as person in charge.

DOG KENNEL – Mayor Grossman asked Faye if we need the dog kennel that Ron K has at the City shop, or if it is worth $150.  Consensus of the Council is to have Kenny check prices.

CLOTHING ALLOWANCE – Consensus of the Council is the police officers will get the budgeted amount for uniforms, and Marc is to get a dress uniform beyond that.

BULLET PROOF VEST – Consensus of the Council is to have Faye and Tami check into returning vests police department has and ordering the ones they want.

ADVERTISE COUNCIL VACANCY – Consensus of the Council is not to advertise, and have Collette Hertz and Milo Baltrusch come to next regular meeting.  M by Volk, MS by Waldoch is to table the vacant Council position till next meeting.  Upon VV, MC.

UTILITY OPERATOR – Jamey Weinmann:  Kenny explained why we did not hire within, and that we hired Jamey for the Water Utility Operator position.

PROPANE BIDS – Mayor Grossman reported that we tabled the bids until we further understood the prices.  M by Volk, MS by Eckart to accept the bid of $1.34p/gal with no taxes from Ferrellgas.  Upon VV, MC.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – Council member Volk reported on the interviews for the Economic Development position, and said that they chose Nicki Weissman.  M by Volk, MS by Waldoch to hire Nicki Weissman for the Economic Development position.  Upon VV, MC.

With no further business meeting adjourned.  Next meeting will be September 8th.

___________________________                       __________________________

Jason Grossman, Mayor                                          Tami Feist, Auditor

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Personnel Committee Minutes

August 16, 2010

4:00 pm Vet’s Room

Those present were Mayor Jason Grossman, Mike Rust, Ron Volk, Karen Olson and Marilyn Heilman.  Also present were Tami Feist, Bob Weninger and Kenny Erickson.

The board reviewed the evaluations.  They made the comment that it is always the same employees who need improvement, and always the same complaints. 

Tami explained to the board what Bob, Ron and she had come up with for raises.  She said that she was going to get rid of the grade and scale for pay.  The raises were based on a 3% COL increase and merit raises from 2-4%.  She said that the employees were looking for a higher raise and nothing on insurance.

Consensus of the Committee is to recommend to Council to raise the insurance cap to whatever it increases.  Tami is to budget for 9% increase right now, but it may go up later.  Consensus of the Committee is to recommend to Council to budget for 3% merit raise, but the Supervisors may use their discretion as to someone may get 2% and another 4%. 

Consensus of the Committee is to recommend to Council that the Clerk of Court, City Judge and the few part time employees get the increase presented by Tami. 

With no further business the meeting adjourned.

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JDA SPECIAL MEETING

August 26, 2010

5pm – Veterans Room

Those present were Grayson Hoberg, Rick Eckart and Ron Volk.  Absent were Terry Hinrichs, Gary Bergstrom and Jason Grossman.  Also present was Tami Feist.

City Council member Volk called the meeting to order.

MARY SCHIMKE APPLICATION:  There was discussion with Mary and Joel Schimke as to what their intentions are, how the roof looks, and what actually goes with the building.  Mary and Joel are interested in getting help from the JDA to purchase the Jiffy Cleaners building and equipment.  Motion by Volk, Motion Second by Hoberg to have an interest buy down of 3% on their loan from the First International Bank.  Upon VV, MC.

INTERVIEWS:  Volk explained the 4 interviews for the Economic Development position.  Motion by Hoberg, Motion Second by Eckart to recommend to the Council to hire Nicki Weissman.  Upon VV, MC.

KIM GORDON – delinquent on payments:  Tami told the Committee that Kim had not made her last 2 $75 payments, but did bring in $100 that afternoon.  Consensus of the Committee is that she is trying.

With no other business meeting adjourned.