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 4 of 10 2. ACCEPT RESIGNATION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR DUSTIN RIEF - Continued Attorney Mattick said someone could make a motion now or wait until they sort through the $3,500 issue and have it be one big bulk motion. Johnson stated this is a simple contractual agreement and he would recommend that the Council adhere to the provisions of the contract. That is the reason why they had a contract and in his research there was some concern about the amount of moving expenses and this was a good incentive…if Rief stayed in Orono, they would pay him more. He noted that it did not work out that way, so to Johnson it is a simple following of the terms of the contract agreed to. Seals said that is where she is at, as well. In the beginning, moving expenses were lower and the City increased the number with the “carrot” on the end. She stated it is a written contract and that is the reason the City put it in there. Every company she has been with that has something in place like this – if someone leaves early, they leave early and that is what they signed up for. She agrees with following the contract as by not following the contract, they question the validity of contracts going forward. Walsh takes the opposite approach and said it has nothing to do with the validity of the contract, as anyone can ask to change their portion of the contract. He thinks it is a good faith item because of the family issues that are bringing Rief home to Nebraska and it would well-serve the community because these are public meetings. He said “we are humans as well,” and it didn’t work out completely, Rief did a good job overall while he was here and Walsh said it would be a small token of sending Rief off for the job that he did. He thinks it would go a long way in their community effort as they look for a new City Administrator and that they have compassion as people on the Orono City Council. Printup agrees on the compassion, but thinks they should stick with the contract and the amendments. Crosby sides with Walsh on this one, he thinks it is a small token to show concern for a member of the Orono family and does not think it is a big price to pay. Walsh said that is the only item truly remaining, they just need to vote on the $3,500 amount that Rief has asked forgiveness on. Attorney Mattick thinks the rest of the guidance works but the vote on $3,500 would be good. Johnson moved, Seals seconded, to keep the terms of the contract for the repayment of a portion of moving expenses. Vote: Ayes (Johnson, Printup, Seals), Nays 2 (Crosby, Walsh). Mattick noted the Council could make a motion to appoint Olson officially as interim. He asked the Council how to go forward with the two union contracts as Rief was in the room with Attorney Mattick and he believes a staff member should be present.