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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 03-10 Administrators under scrutiny THE REVIEW „ w,,..,,_ /v; lc/.7lp Administrators under scrutiny It seems that Maplewood city administrators are coming under close scrutiny by citizens and councilmen. the In recent weeks councilmen John Greavu and Norman ” ' ,:_. Anderson have asked City Manager Michael Miller questions pertaining to the use of city vehicles by administrators. m���eWoO(� The first incident that surfaced dates back to last October when the council was considering the annual budget. Greavu mouth questioned Miller on reports that a city vehicle had been seen out of the state. t 4 by Scott Carlson AND AS RECENTLY as Feb. 26 Anderson proclaimed that the use of city vehicles"is the hottest issue I've ever run into."It other employees. seems that he has received calls from citizens asking any "If they would do something for the betterment of the city I number of questions. might agree," Miller said of other groups,holding the meetings. How come so many vehicles are left unused at city hall? "I'd have to look at it when it comes in." Under what circumstances are the vehicles used? Do some An interesting portion of the council discussion is reprinted department heads bring the cars home when eating lunch away verbatim from the meeting: from the office? Mayor Robert Bruton: "John (Greavu), you must hold As I recall, councilman Donald Wiegert described the conferences where you work. Does that mean all secretaries dilemma as "damned if you do and damned if you don't." should hold conferences? Not necessarily. But management Manager Miller has contended in the past and reiterated at holds conferences." the last council meeting that many of the department heads are Greavu: "If I'm busy in my office I tell a man I'm not here." on call 24 hours a day.In providing a car for coming to and from Miller: "I'm sure 3M has a policy where management can work and attending meetings related to city business Maplewood get off by itself to discuss problems and not be hassled." is fulfilling a condition of employment for some department Wiegert: "I think you'll find where the city of St. Paul heads, Miller added. sometimes takes off for a motel in Wisconsin to do the very same He added that when the vehicles are left at city hall citizens thing plus paying the bill." are then concerned about vandalism. Anderson: "If there was a meeting hall (available) I was The other side of the coin,however,is that citizens wonder if going to press the issue.If it's a lack of space I don't know what the cars are being used for personal pleasure or business, the the answer is." councilmen report. Bruton: "Practically speaking other than the jury room there is nowhere where they (the staff) can get away in this THE RESULT OF all this discussion may lead to con- building." sideration of a mileage rate for administrators and chucking the Greavu: "Then I suggest they do it on the weekends or at cars.But Miller and some councilmen,at the same time,wonder night." whether that might not wind up being more expensive for the Bruton: "John,many of them are putting in enough time on city. the weekends and nights as it is.And you'll get more upset when Certainly no switch should be made until some type of they are not here during the day.You have to give them a certain reasonable study can be conducted. amount of compensation pay for the time they spend here. You But if this wasn't enough to cause the staff headaches now cannot expect them to work 80 hours a week. come citizen complaints that Miller has held some staff meetings Greavu: "Bob, that's part of the job." at his home during working hours. Bruton: "Eighty hours a week isn't a reasonable request It was Anderson that brought this question to the manager John." because he said he had received calls from citizens who noticed several city cars were parked at Miller's house during the day. WHAT SEEMED reasonable,however,to the councilmen is "They (the citizens) wanted to know what was going on," that the problem must be worked. Anderson stated after the meeting. The scrutiny is harsh and no doubt is putting the city staff on Miller,at the Feb.26 meeting,explained that some meetings the defensive. Certainly no one should be expected to work 80 have been held at his house so that the staff could work on par- hours a week. ticular problems. He states that it provides a more relaxed at- And even if they could it would only be a matter of time mosphere. before they would become so overworked and run down that their Lack of space has made it almost impossible to hold lengthy efficiency would diminish. meetings without interruptions or distractions of one kind or But in light of the tight budgetary times that all units of another, Miller added. government are experiencing it is no surprise that the public Anderson, as well as Greavu, are opposed to this practice most often looks first to the place where they suspect there might because they fear that it may adversely affect the morale of be some fat. _ �w� r , 6 a { 'ter r ~-»----„,: a_4, THE USE OF MAPLEWOOD city cars by members of the city City Manager Michael Miller has defended the use of the cars administration has come under close scrutiny in recent weeks by city department heads as a means of compensation for being by the city council.The council's interest in the matter has been on call 24 hours a day and frequently attending city-related prompted by citizens asking when and why the cars are used. meetings at night.