She’s in, she’s out
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Schmelzer is out. It’s been only a year and a half since Schmelzer was selected to replace Kathy Feldbrugge. But yesterday Chamber members received an email from the Board of Directors saying Schmelzer will no longer hold the position effective immediately. When asked what prompted the change, President, Beth Naumann said that she was “not at liberty to elaborate at this time”. She is the author of the email which read in part, “this move was necessary to help us more effectively advance the Chamber in the months ahead. We are currently pursuing many important initiatives and we need the entire Chamber membership focused”. Naumann states in the email that “as they look for a new Director, the Chamber will rely on staff members Jane Pausch and Tami Ford as well as the Chamber Board and other volunteers”. Naumann added that the Board is “whole-heartedly convinced that this transition will be in the best interests of you and your fellow chamber members.”
Ludescher questions Safety Center disbursement
The Northfield City Council met last night for a meeting and work session at 7 o’clock. We were able to stream the meetings and they are now archived online at kymnradio.net. Councilor Ludescher moved an item to the regular agenda. He questioned a disbursement for the Safety Center in the amount of $678,548 out of City budget. He wondered why it came out of that fund. He understood that the money is held in trust by US Bank and they would make the payments. Interim Finance Director Melanie Schlomann concurred and added that when a contractor submits an invoice it goes through several channels to sign off on including Police Chief Walerius, City Administrator Tim Madigan and then Finance takes it over. Schlomann submits it to US Bank who then wires funds to a money market account. Ludescher would like to see separate line items for large expenditures so they could vote on them. Staff will complete revenue and expense sheets on both the Safety Center project and City Hall reconstruction by Council’s next meeting on the 19th. Council approved the disbursements.
Resolution to accept apology gets amended and just passes
On the regular agenda Councilor DeLong crafted a resolution to formally recognize the City’s disapproval of an email sent by Councilor Zweifel and their acceptance of her apology. Ludescher, who was the target of the email, motioned to amend the resolution by dropping 5 of the 6 whereas’s which left:
WHEREAS, Councilmember Zweifel has apologized to the Mayor and Council concerning her
inappropriate email.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THAT:
The City Council of the City of Northfield disapproves of such emails formally and formally
accepts her apology.
Zweifel seconded the motion. The first 5 whereas’s had a broader sweep concerning full and open debate with respectful language and behavior. Peterson White was more motivated to approve those than to single out Zweifel saying that there were others whose behavior has no been respectful. (listen to podcast for full quote) She said she wasn’t interested in discussing who those individuals are and said she would abstain from voting. Mayor Graham wasn’t sure she could abstain. Attorney Chris Hood said that, although she could, it would count as a no vote in this case. The amended resolution passed 4 to 3 with Mayor Graham and Councilors Pownell and Peterson White voting no. Pownell said that she looked in the Mayors Handbook under Codes of Conduct specifically outlining censure. She felt this resolution bordered on that line. (listen to podcast for full quote) She said Councilors Zweifel and Ludescher have handled the situation. Mayor Graham said “it’s time to move on”.
We were able to stream the meeting and work session, they are now archived online at kymnradio.net. Click below to listen to the full 11-13-13 newscast:
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The post Today’s news update – She’s in, she’s out; Ludescher questions Safety Center disbursement; Resolution to accept apology gets amended and just passes appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.