Minutes - Charter Commission - 08/15/2002 - Joint with CC

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Chairperson Vogt summarized that the City Manager would have more autonomy with staff. The City Council right now has more power in delegating tasks to all City employees. He suggested that with as large as Ramsey is growing, that may not be the best form of government. Councilmember Zimmerman stated he would disagree that Councilmembers tell City employees what to do. He said they suggest to the City Administrator what to have staff do. The Council may have dealt with the Public Works Department or the Police Department that way but the City Administrator knows about it. Councilmember Hendriksen added that there are some members of City staff who attend Council meetings and there may be some instances where issues are delegated to them. This is not a frequent occurrence. The Council has not gotten involved in the employee reviews - they may give some input to Mr. Norman but the involvement is nowhere near what seems to be the perception. Chairperson Vogt suggested that it is important for people to know who they are to report to. Commissioner Milless inquired if anyone's termination has been caused by City Council. Councilmember Hendriksen re. plied that there was one individual, who during their probationary period, it was determined they would not work out. When it came time for their probationary period to end, Council elected that this individual not be allowed to stay in this position. Commissioner Milless asked who initiated it on the City Council to bring it up to the individuals. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that it always comes to the City Council or from personal experience. Commissioner Milless inquired how Council obtains experience if they are not present at the work place. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that they can rely on what they hear from others. If he had heard from 25 citizens that this person was rude, or sleeping in the park, etc., he would do some investigating and take all things into consideration. Commissioner Henke stated that we are asking about history regarding whether the City Council has taken action or not. The issue is, what is the appropriate way to handle this. The City Council will increase by two more members. It is difficult for employees to deal with having all that. We are questioning the legitimacy of City Council doing reviews. Why are we questioning that function when that is their function? Mayor Gamec stated we have had situations - some private - and there have been people who have been removed - but we have to take action at a public meeting. He could think of four or five - some very serious incidences - some just not fulfilling duties. He depends on supervisors to make decisions. Before he talked about any department or any person, he would go to Mr. Charter Commission/August 15, 2002 Page 3 of 10