Minutes - Council - 06/23/1975 - Special

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Special Meet:ing of Ramsey City Council Jm~c 23, 1.975 said that t]~ere was a valid reason to extend Mr. Thurston's job for another i~wo to three months. He said that ~r. Thurston had told [,ir o Gotham today that he would, assume the clerical duties of the buildin!; jnspector/assessor job. }.Ir. Reimann then questioned if lqrs. Nelson's position could be eliminated. ?tr. Gotham responded that this could not be done because Mrs. Nelson was a CETA employee. Mr o Gotham said that Mrs. Nelson could be a receptionist. Mr0 Reimann asked if 5he would have enough to do. ~{r. Gorham responded stating yes, since we now have Sue Thompson, Mr, Gotham said that he could agree 'to a three-month probation for Mr. Thurston if the Council agrees to hire an administrative assistant, ,~{r. Mickelson said we would have to 'tell Mr. Thurston that we will hire an adminstrative assJstan't and that he could stay from two to three months, Mr. Stcffen then indicated that there were several ways to accomplish ~he goal. Mrs° Oliphant questioned whether or not Mr o Thurston had o'th. cr job opportunities. Mr. Steffen then asked~ if all the Council agrees, that Mr. Thurston will not work out for the communitY° Mr. Cox responded by stating 'that we have to be fair as possible since we are dealing wi'th a human being, that Mro Thurston does not have a proper a'ttitude for this position~ that dealing with the City as building inspector and assessor he ms involved with a lot of confidential lnaterJal~ etc., and that Mr. Cox questioned how this wOuld be handled during a three-month probationary period for Mr o Thurston. lvlrs, Oli'ph. ant asked Mr, Gorham if when he' mentioned a probationary period did ll.e think that things might change? Mr, Gorham responded saying that things most likely will not change, especially since Hr. Thurs~on does not want '~o stay as a City employee. Mrs. Oliphant stated that she was not qualified %o critique Mr. Thurston as a building inspector bu~ that she did realize his attitude was poor, that he has a "chip on his shoulder", an immature attitude and makes no effor~ to mediate with fellow S L; ~f She also indicated that ~(rs Guy makes no effort either %o be a mediator. Mr. Co× then asked if the Council agreed that something should be done regardii~g Jim Thurston and the building inspector/assessor position. Mrs° Oliphant agrees 'that Mr. Thurston is not mature in his office and 'that he doesn't get the job done. She doesn't know how he does in the field° Mr. Reimann asked if he had passed the building inspecting test. l~{ro .%tc~!fcil said he doesn't know but that he does know that M'ro Thurston does ~'lot 15ke the building inspection function of his office. Mr. Cox said -th,or he senses that the Council's in mind to make a change. He stated tt~at Mr. Thurston lives in the area and that we want to do it in the proper manner. ~'?r., ~Jl:cffcn then asked how the Council wa,:nted him to act with regard to Mro Thur.~ton. Mr. Gorham felt that Mr. Thurston's resignation should be asked :For on June 27 and give him two weeks' severance pay, ]qr. Steffen saSd -i:hat 5t would be more appropriate to ask for the resignation and give him pay for one-half month as this is the way ~he City's bookkeeping system 5:; set up, Mr. ReJmann, Mrs. Oliphant, Mr. Cox, .Nir. Mickelson, all agreed with Mr. (;orham that I.~r. Thurston's resignation should be aslced for on 4