01-25-2021 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 4, 2021 2:30 p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 10 2. ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR DUSTIN RIEF - Continued Mattick does not know how they could make it any sooner and explained the reason for February 4, 2021 is because the contract required 45 days’ notice. This is a benefit to the Council so the individual does not just leave the City high and dry with a couple days’ notice. Johnson said that answers his question. They will leave it at that date and as Rief will be under the City’s payroll during that period, he should always be available during normal working operations. Johnson proposed having Rief operate from his home and from a security position, the City should remove access control to the building, the police department, etcetera, now and Rief’s point of contact will be through the interim administrator. In that scenario any required communication would go through Ron Olson. Johnson said they have very senior department heads that have been very efficient and he thinks the City can muster through this period and work as a team to get through whatever comes up, including meetings like this one. Walsh said they cannot say Rief must immediately work from home, as he will have to connect with Olson, get into his office, show Olson all the things on his computer, and what is going on. There will be some transition here and Walsh agrees with Johnson but thinks that Rief needs to coordinate with Olson to start going through everything in the office. Johnson agreed and said Olson will dictate what he needs. Walsh noted that on top of just coming back, Olson will have a lot of things on his shoulders and the City must manage that. Printup thinks it is important to note and be comfortable with the fact this is not the first time they have had interims and pointed out that Olson has been interim several times. This is not anything new for Orono and the industry average is approximately 3-5 years for the City Administrator. They’ve been through it before and will get through it again. Walsh stated Orono is a different city than it was 4, 6, or 10 years ago with much more technology and big-burner items in front of the Council and they cannot let them go for 3-6 months. Everyone must recognize that Olson will have much more on his shoulders. Olson said he thinks they have better department heads now than in the past. Crosby said it will be a lot on Olson’s plate and the Council must give him time to get up to speed. Walsh summarized and noted the Council is saying that Rief does not need to come in anymore but needs to be available for a full work schedule through February 4, 2021 to communicate with Olson. Olson will be the point person going forward and effective the termination on February 4, 2021. Walsh asked to discuss the reimbursement of $3,500. Printup asked if they need a motion on that item.