Fountain Looks at Personnel and Contract Changes

The May 6 Fountain Council meeting started a few minutes behind schedule as they waited for quorum. All members of the council – Mayor Ron Reisner, Councilors Tammy Danielson, Jordan Kearns, Cory Spratte, and Dave Stockton – were in attendance.

During new business, the council briefly discussed several possible personnel and contract changes. City Clerk Mary Tjepkes brought up the option of job sharing for consideration due to personal reasons. She indicated job sharing is something that other municipalities utilize, having two part-time clerks with one working two days a week and the other three days. If it works well, she also noted she could train the other for full-time in the future. Danielson noted, there is no current back-up to fill in for Tjepkes if she is unavailable.

“That’s something really clear that we’ve talked about in the past,” said Danielson. “If you do find someone interested in the position, it would be a great opportunity for succession planning,” said Danielson.

The council unanimously approved seeking an additional clerk for job sharing. Should someone apply, the council would interview for the position and make any final determination.

As for contract changes, longtime City Attorney Frederick Suhler has announced he will be retiring as of October 1. The city clerk has already begun looking into who to contact as a possible replacement.

“I am going to be trying to find us another attorney, which is pretty difficult,” said Tjepkes.

Names that have been suggested include Novotny Law Office of Chatfield, Corinne Haugen, Nethercut Schieber of Harmony, and Joe O’Koren of O’Koren Law Office of Lanesboro. All other attorney recommendations by the League of Minnesota Cities operate out of the twin cities.

In related information, Tjepkes stated that former Public Works Director John Hanson is appealing his termination from the city with the state of Minnesota. His termination was effective on March 12, following being put on leave February 20 due to an incident with the city’s water supply. Tjepkes noted Suhler was in the city hall office May 5 and picked up several items of paperwork, including records/documentation from interviews with Hanson, the subsequent investigation, findings, the city’s employee personal policy, and Hanson’s employee file.

“Fred doesn’t think it’ll stand up,” noted Tjepkes.

Tjekpes will also be talking with Preston Police Chief Blaise Sass about the Fountain policing contract and coverage. Many other municipalities contract with the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office. According to the clerk, this cost is $25,000 annually and in speaking with other cities contracted with them, this includes twice a day presence in the city and all calls.

“I don’t think that happens here in Fountain,” noted Tjepkes.

Unfortunately, she further stated the sheriff’s department doesn’t want to take on additional city contracts at this time. The current contract with Preston costs Fountain just over $30,000. She suggested the city draw up a new contract and see if the cost can be reduced.

In other new business, after being briefed on the status of the Westside Lane community playground, the council unanimously approved removing it completely due to the cost of having repairs done or replacing it. When asked if any residents commented on it, Reisner stated there was one some time ago, but that after further review, it was not in use.

“That is totally rotten,” said Reisner, who inspected the site with Public Works. “I knew it was getting bad, but I didn’t know it was that bad.

“It’s a hazard. Someone’s going to get hurt,” cautioned Tjepkes.

The council also approved hiring Timber Tree and Trimming Service to remove seven trees in the city. Two estimates were received, one from Timber Tree and one from Norby’s Tree Service of Mabel. The estimates were $6,442 and $5,500 respectively. The council opted to hire Timber Tree due to it being a Fountain company.

The council also briefly discussed to zoning issues. First, the Zoning board reviewed the property at 218 Main Street in regards to permitting for a 40-foot by 40-foot driveway expansion, along with a patio with sidewalk replacement which were exempted from permitting due to being existing structures. The land was surveyed to ensure the project remains on the property and that is doesn’t affect a septic tank at an adjacent property.

Secondly, they discussed the property at 202 Third Street, owned by Dover Detour LLC, which is seeking a fence permit for a steel and wood fence. Zoning currently notes chain link and wood fencing, but the steel fencing proposed does not fit the description in the ordinances. In addition, it was also made clear that the fence cannot be placed in front of the property, only the side and back. Tjepkes has provided the property owner with the ordinance and stressed that the fence cannot be in the front yard. The council approved allowing the fence type.

The council expressed approval of work done by Public Works’ Jordan Amunrud, detailed in his April updates.