Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
The last Peterson Council meeting of the year, held on December 14, addressed several annual items and two agenda items added by outgoing Mayor Dave Colbenson. It included employee review for new Public Works Director Tim Hallum and discussion on the council itself.
Public comment is taken at the beginning of the meeting, limited to three minutes per person. However, Colbenson opted to allow those in attendance to voice their concerns throughout the agenda topics. Six residents were present: Lori Colbenson, Jaremy Volkman, Candi Volkman, Joe Kochen, Loren Rue, and incoming councilor Kristina Lynch Grindland. More than once, some in attendance talked over the council and disagreements ensued.
The annual designation of election polling place furthered last month’s discussion of whether or not to keep mail-in balloting. The city began utilizing the method because of the pandemic. Some citizens argued that mail-in ballots “suppressed the vote.” These ballots are mailed directly to registered voters and submitted via mail or in person at the designated precinct, Preston.
Some voters alleged they didn’t receive ballots. Others received them more than a month in advance. Many have requested mail-in ballots due to mobility or transportation difficulty. Others argue polling should be done in person locally. Rushford Village was the previous polling location.
Lynch Grindland asked what the objection to mail-in balloting is if everyone can request ballots sent directly to their home and have the option to submit it in person. Colbenson noted a lack of transportation prohibits in-person submission. She countered that the same is true of those wanting to vote with only in-person voting.
The council considered the polling of citizens to determine the preferred voting method. “Well, that was shot down by the council,” responded Colbenson. The discussion last month did not reject the suggestion, instead noting it was too late for the most recent election.
The council agreed a current survey of citizens is needed. Approval is for 2023 only. With the next election two years away, the city has time to return to mail-in balloting if the community survey leans in that direction.
“You guys made it pretty sound and clear that you guys are going to change it again next year,” said Colbenson, whose term ends December 31.
“It’s better if we move on, do it in person next year, but do the survey,” responded Mayor-elect Chris Stenzel.
The cost for in-person polling exceeds $1,200 and requires the city to find two election judges for the 16 to 18-hour election day. The city will include a survey on the upcoming utility bill and city newsletter. Citizens are encouraged to mark their survey and return it with their payment. For now, the council opted unanimously to return to in-person polling with Rushford Village as the designated polling location.
Colbenson also continued to express his frustration regarding what he believes was a conflict of interest in the recent hiring of a new Public Works director, subsequent city council reshuffling, and election.
At the October meeting, Colbenson complained about the situation in which former Mayor Tim Hallum resigned from the council in September to take the position of Public Works director. Colbenson also interviewed for the job. He indicated that Mayor-elect Stenzel, councilor at the time and part of the four-person interview committee, may have gotten a leg up in his campaign for mayor by Hallum’s resignation.
Colbenson sought reelection to his council seat in the recent election and conducted a write-in campaign for mayor. He lost the reelection and missed securing enough votes for a write-in win.
“I want to know, are you going to be an honorable mayor or just a mayor?” asked Colbenson of Stenzel. “Why aren’t you speaking up, too?” he added, asking Boyum.
“About what? We were interviewing for a job. There were four of us in this room,” she retorted, adding she’d specifically asked retiring Public Works Director Rick Lee whom he felt was most qualified for the position. “Why don’t you trust that I made the decision?” she asked.
While there were four members of the Interview Committee, Clerk Grindland ultimately made the recommendation to the council to hire Hallum.
“Tim, when did you submit your application for the candidacy? If you guys already had your mind made up…” Colbenson continued.
“Why would you even say that and act like we did something? Is it just because you didn’t get the job? Is that what it is?” asked Boyum.
“I want a good, clean, honest government,” he responded. When asked if he was considering challenging the election results via lawsuit, Colbenson stated he was not.
“First of all, as said, there were four people on the committee. Even if I was trying to throw the result, like you’re insinuating, that’s only 25% of the committee. I was planning to run the whole time. That’s why I was on the ballot,” responded Stenzel. “I’ll be running the government for the people.”
Stenzel will resign his council seat at the January meeting to take the Oath of Office for mayor. At that time, the council will declare a vacancy and appoint a replacement at their discretion. This person is not required to have been on the previous election ballot.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, January 11, at 6 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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