FALLS CITY - At Monday’s city council meeting the council heard the utility superintendent’s operational philosophy for the Falls City power plant, moves to separate duties for the water system, the city’s Board of Public Works’ responsibility for city streets and plans to use contracted labor for routine electrical service jobs, but little was learned about why all of the electrical distribution crew would submit resignations.

 

Councilman Frank Killingsworth moved for a closed session.

Killingsworth: “So we can get the facts of what happened or what’s going on here. I don’t know the whole story from everybody, but I would like to know. Somebody does and I would like to know. Somebody in this room knows what happened. I want everybody to know what’s going on.”

 

His motion went to a 3-3 vote and Mayor Mark Harkendorff cast the tie-breaking vote against a closed session. He suggested a joint meeting with the board of public works on Thursday.

Harkendorff: “I wish 100 percent none of this would have happened. I’m what they call a figure head. I really wasn’t involved. I wish one of them would have called me prior to this, but I never had any complaints about it.”

 

 

He said the line crew is welcome to re-apply.

City Administrator Anthony Nussbaum said the city already has 50 applicants to fill the positions.

Nussbaum: “The city leadership, we’re entrusted with making tough decisions. Those decisions, they aren’t always popular. They must be made to protect the long-term health and stability of the city operations. We welcome input, we welcome oversight, but decisions about personnel must grounded in facts, professionalism and the city’s best interest not anonymous opinions and online outrage.”

 

A Falls City resident approached the microphone saying the situation would be resolved by removal of city management.

Utility Superintendent Trevor Campbell recommended a contract with R/S Electrical for emergencies and routine service.

Councilman Josh Kaster questioned Campbell about the cost of contracted labor out of St. Joseph, Mo., compared to cost had the city crew not resigned.

Kaster: “This is what should’ve already … you should have had these numbers coming to us Trevor to ask us to approve this, for them to work 40 hours  week. We should’ve know this right off the bat.”

 

 

Campbell said he wants to hire the company to provide a foreman and two journeymen, along with a bucket truck, digger and a service truck.

Councilman Shawn Fouraker said depending on equipment use, it could cost the city $25,000 per week.

Fouraker: “What’s your plan? Are you planning on working them 40 hours per week to start out or let them set until we need them?

Campbell: “I would. I was planning on probably starting a week from today actually.”

 

With Attorney Michael Dunn advising against talking about matters that might be topic of a labor grievance, the council heard Campbell’s philosophy about running the city’s power plant and about separating duties from electrical and water employees.

The city council also discussed the city’s move over a year ago to merge the utility superintendent position with the city’s public works director and hand the new position over to Campbell.