At the Rushford Council meeting earlier this month, Councilor Leigh Volkman questioned the city’s reaction to allegations against a city employee. Nothing further was said on the matter other than an investigation was ongoing.
During a closed meeting portion of the March 14 council meeting, the matter was discussed further. Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05 Subdivision 2(b) to allow for closure of a regular meeting for, “preliminary consideration of allegations or charges against an individual subject to its authority.” Ultimately, disciplinary action was taken and a summary of the discussion was provided via meeting minutes.
According to the minutes, following the investigation, the city is taking disciplinary action against Rushford Fire Chief Chad Rasmussen. He was not present at the meeting, but had sent information to all council members.
City Administrator Tony Chladek provided background of the situation and a summary of his investigation of the allegations. Following this, Mayor Terri Benson read a memo from City Attorney Flaherty & Hood detailing possible courses of action available to the council. The minutes noted there was considerable discussion on the matter. The regular meeting was reopened more than an hour later.
Chladek was directed to draft a document to be reviewed by the city attorney and provided to Rasmussen including the following: “Disciplinary action is being taken against Chad Rasmussen, Fire Chief due to: 1. Unauthorized use of City property 2. Careless and unethical use of that City property.” Further details of these charges were not disclosed.
Disciplinary action will include four requirements. A letter of reprimand will be placed in Rasmussen’s personnel file for a probationary period of one year. He will need to implement a performance improvement plan to include four hours of ethics training and four hours of leadership training, either through the League of Minnesota Cities or the Minnesota Fire Chiefs’ Association. Following completion of this plan and training, Rasmussen will review the training with Chladek. Lastly, the council is requiring him to take responsibility for his unacceptable actions through full disclosure to the entire Rushford Fire Department that his conduct was unacceptable.
The remainder of the regular council meeting was limited to just two additional agenda items, a donation by the Rushford-Peterson Booster Club of $300 for the summer reading program at the public library and consideration of an application for a Economic Development Authority micro grant. The $500 grant will be used by the Rushford Peterson Valley Farmers’ Market towards the $1,000 cost of 10 music events at the market.
It was noted that the farmers market is moving locations this year, leaving its site on the front lawn of the former Rushford Peterson High School. The market is returning to its previous location on the east side of the historical depot along the Root River State Trail. “Marie [Botcher, market manager] is moving it back to the Historical Society downtown depot,” said Mayor Benson. “We’re very excited. We feel it’s a good exposure for the Historical Society and a quaint venue for a farmers market.”
The only other matter of discussion was regarding the franchise fee and Public, Education & Governmental (PEG) fees reported in the consent agenda. Assessed by the city to Acentek and MediaCom for costs related to the local access channel, the fees are used to cover costs associated with public, education, or government access facilities and equipment.
There was some concern regarding sound quality, particularly related to coverage of Rushford-Peterson Schools’ games and events. “We have money for PEG, so if they need money for better equipment, it’s there,” noted City Clerk Kathy Zacher. It was suggested the city coordinate with the school regarding improvements and Chladek indicated he would reach out to the school.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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