Minutes - Council Work Session - 11/09/2021

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The meeting reconvened to Open Session at 6:00 p.m. City Administrator Ulrich reported that during the Closed Session, the Council gave direction on the LELS-Patrol Contract and Staff will move forward with the negotiation. 2.02: Discussion Regarding a Personnel Matter (Closed to the Public) City Administrator Ulrich explained that the purpose of the case is to provide the City Council with an update regarding a personnel matter. He recommended this update be provided during a Closed Session. Motion by Councilmember Musgrove, seconded by Councilmember Woestehoff, to recess to Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Kuzma, Councilmembers Musgrove, Woestehoff, Heineman, Howell, Riley, and Specht. Voting No: None. The meeting reconvened to Open Session at 6:05 p.m. City Administrator Ulrich reported that during the Closed Session, the Council gave direction to Staff. 2.03: Discuss the use of Holiday Event Encumbered Funds Communications and Events Coordinator Thorstad reviewed the case to discuss the use of budgeted funds for the 2020 employee holiday appreciation party, which did not occur. The funds are budgeted in 2021 which is why this discussion is happening now. The amount is $2,750, which is traditionally budgeted during the fiscal year. The Staff would like discussion regarding separating the Boards and Commissions event. Traditionally after the Boards and Commissions term ends every year in March, a more formal event would take place in April to express appreciation. It is proposed to go back to having the two separate events. Councilmember Musgrove asked what Staff would recommend. She stated she would still like to see the Commissioners recognized in a different format. She was unclear why the events would need to be together. City Administrator Ulrich explained the combined event was held for budget saving reasons. He reviewed that about ten years ago, Council had two separate events. The Commissioner and spouse event was a little more formal sit-down dinner and the employee event was more informal with games. The two events were combined to do one menu and one venue and Commissioners can mingle with Staff. He noted that a lot of participation was lost from the Commissioners because the venue was different than what the Commissioners were used to. He felt it was a little better to do a separate event but it works to do one event. He noted an additional benefit of expenditure that wasn’t spent because of COVID and questioned if this would set a precedent for future years. He explained this is a way to recognize this was a different year both for employees and the City Council Work Session / November 9, 2021 Page 2 of 12