Nelson appointed to P&Z, Mayor Cancelling Mettings

6/23/11

Former Mayor Charlie Nelson was appointed to the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) with the 2 new council members Scott Czanstkowski and Roy Henry opposed.  2 applications were in the council packet with Charlie's name, one filled out by City Clerk Barb Thwing-Swanson.

In 2010 Charlie ran to get back on the council, he had been on until the end of 2008 when he didn't refile. When he was on the council there were some rather large pay increases [1 18.5%, 2 10-11%, and 1 6.5%, Sharon Knodel, Charlie Nelson, others 2008] and the issue of the $2.5 million city hall [for a 18,000 square foot building for 5-6 staff] [see also Charlie Nelson spending issues, Special Meeting Billing].  In this last election he said he was running because he was best qualified.  He campaigned somewhat as he had a flyer in a local paper however he got beat by someone that didn't do that and who only had out a few campaign signs. It seems people may have realized we needed some change in government.

[After the polls closed on election night 2010 Charlie Nelson went into the polling place (the community center) and put a chair on the floor and sat on it.  A citizen inquired about the votes and was told they weren't done counting yet.  Not too long later the City Administrator brought Nelson a business card with the vote counts written on it.  The individual asked if they could look and proceeded to look.  The City Administrator stepped forward saying assertively that's her note to Charlie.]

Scott Czanstkowski asked if this P&Z opening was posted and the response was yes it was posted on the website.  It turns out it was posted as a 2011 opening on an outdated and unfinished website under Government > City Commissions > P&Z, which still shows a FORMER council member as the Council Liaison. The City Calendar also showed the wrong date for the Best of Hwy 12 Wagon Train that came to town and wasn't fixed after some of the council was notified, so the website shouldn't be considered a current resource.

Mayor Cancelling Meetings
Regarding the meeting that was cancelled back in March and then rescheduled which I wrote about before, this meeting was cancelled by Mayor Kauffman.  When the data was requested that documents he was delegated authority to do this, the response was that there was no data.  I would think if something like this is delegated it should be in writing so that there isn't question.