HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-2008 Continuation of Meeting 2-25-08MINUTES
MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
5:00 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2008
Council Chambers, City Hall
Meeting No. 08-06 continuance
A. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the City Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers and was called to order
at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Longrie.
B. ROLL CALL
Diana Longrie, Mayor
Erik Hjelle, Councilmember
Kathleen Juenemann, Councilmember
John Nephew, Councilmember
Will Rossbach, Councilmember
L. NEW BUSINESS
Present
Present until item L8
Present until item L9
Present
Present
Community Design Review Board 2007 Annual Report (Carried over from 2-11-08
and 2-25-08).
a. Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report.
Councilmember Juenemann moved approval of the Community Design Review Board 2007
Annual Report.
Seconded by Councilmember Nephew.
Ayes — All
Councilmember Juenemann thanked the members of the Community Design Review Board for
their volunteer work for the City of Maplewood. The work that goes into serving on the board is a
great help to the council in making the final decision on items that have been reviewed by the
CDRB. Mayor Longrie echoed those comments.
4. Budget Modifications — Revisions to Management Structure and Creation of
Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Position (Carried over
from 2-11-08 and 2-25-08). (Requires four votes)
a. Acting City Manager, Chuck Ahl gave the report.
Councilmember Hjelle moved to recommend that the city council approve the following revisions
to the 2008 Budget. Councilmember Hielle moved approval of the Creation of the position of
Finance Director at a cost approximately equal to the position of Finance and Administration
Manager, which position shall be eliminated. The Acting City Manager and HR Attorney are
directed to implement this position into the overall Bargaining Group structure as required by
overall agreements.
Seconded by Councilmember Rossbach. Ayes — All
The motion passed.
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City Council Meeting Minutes
Continuance of February 25, 2008 Meeting
Councilmember Hielle moved approval of the Creation of the position of Citizen Services
Director at a cost approximately equal to the position of Citizen Services Manager, which position
shall be eliminated. The Acting City Manager and HR Attorney are directed to implement this
position into the overall Bargaining Group structure as required by overall agreements.
Seconded by Councilmember Nephew.
The motion passed.
Ayes — Councilmembers Hjelle,
Juenemann, Nephew,
& Rossbach
Nom— Mayor Longrie
Councilmember Hjelle moved to table the elimination of the position of Public Safety Manager
from the overall budget and have a workshop to discuss the overall process regarding a
Public Safety Director formation and or removal and the impacts that would have.
Seconded by Councilmember Nephew. Ayes — Councilmember Hjelle
Mayor Longrie
Nays — Councilmembers Juenemann,
Nephew and Rossbach
The motion to table failed.
Councilmember Hjelle moved to recommend approval for the Elimination of the position of Public
Safety Manager from the overall budget. The HR Attorney and Acting City Manager are hereby
directed to investigate the current contract with the Public Safety Manager and are authorized to
prepare a separation agreement. Furthermore, funds dedicated to the position of Public
Safety Manager be redirected 100% back into both the Fire department and Police
department budgets.
Seconded by Councilmember Nephew.
The motion passed.
Ayes — Councilmembers Hjelle,
Juenemann, Nephew
& Rossbach
Nay — Mayor Longrie
Mayor Longrie voted nay because the Mayor felt the motion to table the elimination of Public
Safety Manager should have passed.
Councilmember Hjelle moved to recommend approval for the elimination of the position of one
Planner in the Planning program.
Seconded by Councilmember Rossbach. Ayes — All
The motion passed.
Councilmember Hjelle moved to table the creation of the position of Assistant City
Manager/Community Development Director.
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Continuance of February 25, 2008 Meeting
Seconded by Mayor Longrie.
After discussion amongst the council and the City Attorney, Alan Kantrud it was decided no action
was necessary.
Councilmember Hjelle withdrew his motion.
No action was taken regarding the Creation of the position of Assistant City Manager/Community
Development Director. The council decided to compile further information before acting on this.
6. Consider Increasing Expenditure Limit for Staff from $5,000 to $10,000.
a. Acting City Manager, Chuck AN gave the report.
Councilmember Juenemann moved to approve increasing the financial limit for purchases
allowed by staff without Council approval, provided there is an appropriate budget allocation, from
the current limit of $5,000 to $10,000.
Seconded by Councilmember Rossbach. Ayes — Councilmembers Juenemann,
Nephew & Rossbach.
Nays — Mayor Longrie &
Councilmember Hjelle
The motion passed.
Mayor Longrie said in a Plan 8 City, one of the primary duties as a council is to be aware of how
city money is being spent and to monitor that. She may have considered this if there was a policy
in the City Council Policy Handbook that stated that any spending that was done under the
$10,000 on a monthly basis it is the expectation that this information would be sent to the council
in an email to inform the council of expenditures that fall under the $5,000-$ 10, 000 range.
7. Revision of Rules and Procedures for City Council and Council Meetings Manual.
(Carried over from 2-25-08)
a. City Clerk, Citizen Services Manager, Karen Guilfoile gave the report.
Mayor Longrie moved to recommend the city council chambers and city buildings will be made
available for non-partisan political meetings, non-political town hall meetings, citizen oriented
forums, workshops or neighborhood meetings sponsored by the city and candidate
forums at no charge for a maximum use of four hours during periods when not otherwise
required for city business and when a building custodian is scheduled to be on the
premises.
Seconded by Councilmember Rossbach.
Mayor Longrie withdrew her motion after a lengthy discussion regarding the original motion
Councilmember Rossbach withdrew his second.
Mayor Longrie moved to recommend that based on the council discussion the council directs staff
to craft the proper language for revising the Rules and Procedures for City Council and the
Council Meetings Manual and bring it back to the council for review within one month.
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Continuance of February 25, 2008 Meeting
M
Seconded by Councilmember Hjelle.
The motion passed.
Ayes — All
Mayor Longrie moved to table the remainder of this discussion until such time that all
councilmembers can be present. Staff will bring this item back at a later time for the council to
review.
Seconded by Councilmember Nephew. Ayes — All
The motion passed.
Councilmember Hjelle departed the council meeting before item L8.
8. Approval of Agreement with Springsted, Inc. for Debt Management Study. (Carried
over from 2-25-08)
a. Finance and Administration Manager, Bob Mittet gave the report.
Councilmember Juenemann moved to authorize staff to enter into contract with Springsted for the
study at a cost not to exceed $13,000.
Seconded by Mayor Longrie.
Ayes — Mayor Longrie,
Councilmembers Juenemann,
Nephew & Rossbach
Councilmember Juenemann departed the council meeting before item L9.
9. Recovery and Burial of City Time Capsule and Budget 50th Anniversary DVD.
(Carried over from 2-25-08)
a. City Clerk, Citizen Services Manager, Karen Guilfoile gave the report.
Mayor Longrie moved to recommend that staff shall compile some possibilities regarding either
building a cabinet to house the City Time Capsule in the City Hall Building. Councilmember
Rossbach volunteered to build a cabinet at no labor charge. Further information shall be brought
back to the council for review at a later date.
Seconded by Councilmember Nephew.
Ayes — Councilmembers Nephew,
Rossbach & Mayor Longrie
The motion passed.
10. City Commissions. (No Report) (Carried over from 2-25-08)
The Council decided to bring this item back during a council workshop.
COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS
Caucus/Election Judges — Councilmember Nephew.
a. Councilmember Nephew discussed this agenda item.
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Continuance of February 25, 2008 Meeting
El
b. City Clerk, Citizen Services Manager, Karen Guilfoile discussed elections and
Election Judges.
2. Metro Transit — Councilmember Rossbach.
Councilmember Rossbach spoke regarding Metro Transit funding.
3. Ten Most Wanted — Councilmember Hjelle.
Councilmember Hjelle had to leave the council meeting so he was not present to discuss this
agenda item.
N. ADMINSTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS
Absentee Ballot Question — Karen Guilfoile.
a. City Clerk, Citizen Services Manager, Karen Guilfoile gave the report.
2. Announce Council -Manager Workshop March 3, 2008, at 5:00 p.m.
a. Acting City Manager, Chuck Ahl gave the report.
Acting City Manager, Chuck AN requested to update the council on the External Investigation
Regarding Mr. Greg Copeland's Contract. The council agreed. Mr. AN read aloud the following:
At the January 18, 2008, City Council Meeting, the Council adopted a motion that was seconded and
adopted to have an outside agency examine Mr. Copeland's employment contract to determine if any
criminal violation occurred in regards to the drafting or content of the contract.
On January 18, 2008, contract was made with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension,
Superintendent Tim O'Malley. Mr. O'Malley requested time to reconsider the issue to determine what
agency would be best to handle this issue.
On January 22, 2008, Superintendent O'Malley indicated he had discussed the matter with an agent at the
Minneapolis office of the FBI, who oversees the Public Corruption Unit. Superintendent O'Malley indicated
that would be the best avenue for this issue to be examined.
On January 25, 2008, FBI Special Agent Brian Kenney indicated he was in charge of the investigation and
on January 30, 2008, was provided a copy of the Copeland contract along with copies of the previous two
City Manager's contracts and a copy of the DVD from the January 17, 2008, City Council meeting.
On February 21, 2008, Special Agent Kinney indicated that he had looked at the case in their office and did
not feel there was anything to pursue criminally. He was instructed to have the case looked at by the United
States Attorney's office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David McLaughlin looked at the case and declined any prosecution at this point
and indicated no further investigation, at this point, would be authorized.
O. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Longrie adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
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AGENDA REPORT Cj�'LG
TO: City Council
FROM: Charles Ahl, Acting City Manager
SUBJECT: Update: External Investigation Regarding Mr. Copeland Contract
DATE: February 28, 2008
UPDATE FOR RELEASE
At the January 17, 2008 City Council Meeting, the Council adopted a motion that was seconded
and adopted to have an outside agency examine Mr. Copeland's employment contract to
determine if any criminal violation occurred in regards to the drafting or content of the contract.
On January 18, 2008, contact was made with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension,
Superintendent Tim O'Malley. Mr. O'Malley requested time to consider the issue to determine
what agency would be best to handle this issue.
On January 22, 2008, Superintendent O'Malley indicated he had discussed the matter with an
agent at the Minneapolis office of the FBI, who oversees the Public Corruption Unit.
Superintendent O'Malley indicated that would be the best avenue for this issue to be examined.
On January 25, 2008, FBI Special Agent Brian Kenney indicated he was in charge of the
investigation and on January 30, 2008, was provided a copy of the Copeland contract along with
copies of the previous two City Manager's contracts and a copy of the DVD from the January 17,
2008 City Council Meeting.
On February 21, 2008, Special Agent Kinney indicated that he had looked at the case in their
office and did not feel there was anything to pursue criminally. He was instructed to have the
case looked at by the United States Attorney's office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David McLaughlin looked at the case and declined any prosecution at
this point and indicated no further investigation, at this point, would be authorized.