A special meeting of the Peterson Council was held November 25 to discuss the resignation of Public Works Director Tim Hallum and formal hiring timeline for the position. Hallum had tendered his resignation with City Clerk Chris Grindland effective December 15, agreeing to stay on part time and train a new employee. However, the council had not yet approved any resignation formally. At the start of the meeting, Mayor Chris Stenzel noted he’d met with Hallum and a new option instead of resignation was on the table.
After being asked about the resignation, Hallum noted he’d received another job offer and ultimately, the resignation came down to benefits and things, but more importantly, the demand of the job.
“That’s my biggest thing. I knew the city couldn’t do anything about benefits, but 365 days a year, it’s on me,” said Halleum. “I get help from Chris, but I don’t leave town. It’s like I’m married to town, but I don’t go nowhere.”
The city does have a part-time worker available for weekends, but it’s difficult with the responsibilities to find anyone that can do the job. The part-time worker is expected to retire in 2025.
“Who’s going to commit to every weekend?” asked Hallum. “We’ve got to find someone that can back up. It’s gotten to be a two-person thing. I’ve got to have help or I’ll have to walk away.”
“If you’re the only person, I can see where he’s coming from,” responded Stenzel, “I know where Tim is coming from. He doesn’t want to leave someone in a bad position. Safety-wise there are situations where we need two.”
An option to have Grindland step up to be full time, handling backup and additional two-person workload with Hallum was laid out. Grindland and Hallum are both close to getting sewer and water licenses, according to Stenzel. Currently, the city utilizes and contracts with former director Rick Less for those services, but his license expires in July.
Stenzel noted the city could recapture costs of two full-time city employees given the annual costs of the part-time worker and Lee which will both end in 2025.
“I can’t stress enough, I can’t see not having two people as achievable,” said Stenzel. “A bunch of us here wouldn’t put up with that. You’ve got to have a life.”
“It’s the most beneficial option for the city to have two full-time employees,” added Grindland. “With him turning in his resignation, I was thinking of how we’re going to keep the city afloat. Who are we going to hire and what kind of applicants are we going to get? I’m so glad he had a change of heart and is willing to stay on.”
“Yes, if it doesn’t work and you want to find someone, that’s fine. I will still help out,” offered Hallum.
“This sounds like a no-brainer,” said Clerk Kristina Grindland.
“It sounds great, especially since no one needs to be trained. I’ve been really worried about this,” added Councilor Gail Boyum.
The council approved bumping Clerk Grindland up to full time effective December 1.
However, the morning of November 27, the city published notice that it will be looking for a new part-time city clerk/treasurer effective December 15. After further reflection, Grindland determined it would be in the city’s best interest for him to focus on the public works portion of his job.
“I decided taking on the clerk and the public works responsibilities was taking on a little too much,” he said in a comment. With sewer licensure coming, he will be responsible for running the plant. “I would like to focus on that operation instead of taking on the responsibility of operating the entire city (clerk and public works).”
With this change, if approved, Grindland will step down his work in the Public Works Department to part time and the city will seek a part-time clerk/treasurer for those operational responsibilities.
Leave a Reply