A request to pay for expanded legal and HR services for the city made by Mayor Chris Frederickson was tabled last night by the Rhinelander common council until language could be clarified.
Last Tuesday, the council terminated the contract of City Attorney Carrie Miljevich, with Miljevich staying on 60 days as part of the contract. The city has retained the firm of von Briesen & Roper in the past, and Frederickson wants them to also work for the city after Miljevich's time is done and before the city hires it's next legal counsel.
There's also an ongoing investigation Frederickson ordered into complaints by city employees against the City Administrator that is also being investigated.
Council member George Kirby questioned Frederickson where the money will come from, some of which would be billed at $275 per hour...
(Kirby)"...O.K., who is paying Rick Hermes?(Mayor)"We are".(Kirby)"Where is this money coming from?"(Mayor)"From my budget."(Kirby)"You have $500 left in your budget".(Mayor) "We'll get it done".
Other council members questioned whether the language in the proposed contract properly covered the city. With Miljevich still on the city payroll for more than 50 days, the council decided to table Frederickson's request until a more detailed contract can be worked out and they will be discussing it at the meeting in two weeks.
Administrator Daniel Guild in his report outlined a number of proposals, including a draft ATV-UTV ordinance, ordinances dealing with bullying outside of school property, a sex offender residency ordinance. The drafts of those proposals is on the city's Facebook page and is offered through an online company called Polco, which asks the public's opinion on the issues. We'll have other stories on that in upcoming days.
