02-27-1984 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes February 27, 1984 Page Three indicated that the Coca Cola Corporation stock was not used in any way for the promotion of the product and was in fact, a payment to Mr. Dahlberg after ful- filling certain obligations. The City Administrator indicated that those certain obligations were accomplished in the City's store on City time, with City resources. The City Administrator indicated that the public places a certain trust in public employees to perform their duties for a designated salary and not to .accept any other payment or gratuity from outside sources which may affect the decision-making process of that public employee. The City Administrator indicated that the loss of public trust in City government is an extremely serious reprecussionfrom the type of actions demonstrated by Mr. Dahlberg. The City Administrator indicated that the City's position regarding the. severity of Mr. Dahlberg's acceptance of the Coca Cola stock has also been upheld by the Unemployment Insurance Division of the Minnesota Department of Economic Security. The City Administrator indicated that in the investigation regarding the Coca Cola Corporation stock, it became apparent that significant amounts of pro- motional merchandise has been delivered to the Elk River municipal liquor store and has been taken home by Mr. Dahlberg for his personal use and consumption. The City Administrator indicated that over the period from November 1982 until early July 1983, a list of merchandise that Mr. Dahlberg took home for his personal use and consumption was made, and the value of the merchandise was estimated at over one thousand dollars. The City Administrator further indicated that the supporting employees' statements indicated that this pattern of taking home promotional merchandise taken home by Mr. Dahlberg is several thousands of dollars. The City Administrator cited two items of particular importance that Mr. Dahlberg accepted and took home; one, a Weber kettle barbecue grill, the second, a small television set. The City Administrator indicated that the barbecue grill was intended for promotional use, but was never used in the store. The City Administrator further indicated that the television set was part of a promotion offered to customers through a drawing. The City Administrator indicated that the television set was won through the drawing by Mr. Jim Thielke and when the television set was delivered to the store, Mr. Dahlberg took it home and refused to return it. The City Administrator indicated that employees have received caps and T-shirts which do not have a dollar volume and in fact, create employee morale and good will toward the City. The City Administrator further indicated that employees re- ceiving caps or T-shirts are not in the position of making management decisions. The City Administrator indicated that the items as outlined in his memorandum to the Mayor and City Council dated February 24, 1984, require serious consideration of the ability of Mr. Dahlberg to continue to function effectively as the liquor store manager. The City Administrator indicated that Mr. Dahlberg's actions have eliminated trust by the City Administrator, the City staff and potentially, the public and therefore, it is recommended that the City Council uphold Mr. Dahlberg's suspension without pay and further, based upon the findings as stated, dismiss Mr. Dahlberg as manager of the Elk River municipal store effective immediately. Mr. Lais, Attorney representing Mr. Dahlberg, requesting a Veteran's Preference hearing and to the atlegations of the City Administrator. David Dahlberg did not know the City's policy Coca Cola stock. indicated that they would be would then express their response Mr. Lais indicated that Mr. regarding the acceptance of the