Today’s news update – Haggenmiller out; Groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, construction today; CRWP cleanup day t...

Haggenmiller out The Northfield City Council approved a Separation agreement and Release of Claims with City Administrator Nick Haggenmiller last night.  Following the filing of an unnamed complaint by another employee and an investigation by outside counsel and 2 closed meetings, Haggenmiller’s last day of employment is September 30th.  According to the agreement he’ll receive a lump sum of 2 months salary and cell phone and automobile allowance, payment for 100% of accrued and unused vacation and the City will cover 100% of the monthly premiums for insurance through November 30th.  There was quite a bit of debate on the entire process. Ludescher moved to NOT accept the motion, then Mayor Graham made a decision to allow each member 2 minutes of debate.  What they all danced around was exactly WHAT Haggenmiller did citing the advice of attorneys that warned them of possible litigation.  Councilors Zweifel, Nakasian and Peterson White all supported the advice.  Peterson White said she too is confident in the process and that they followed the law.  The vote was 4 to 3 in favor of letting Haggenmiller go.  Councilor Ludescher said “we are gonna lose a good city administrator because we have no courage ..” [for full quotes please listen to the podcast below]          DeLong also felt the process was flawed while Pownell said she was not 100% convinced that last night’s decision was the only one available to them.   Mayor Graham repeated they were moving on the advice of 8 attorneys including Chris Hood, Susan Hansen (the labor attorney) and those from the League of Minnesota Cities.  This morning he said he knows the public would like more transparency but that people involved have rights and they want to protect them as well as the public.  Haggenmiller could have asked for a public hearing but chose not to. Another part of the agreement states No Admission of Wrongdoing. “Any form of wrongdoing or liability is expressly denied by the City and it’s representatives and by Employee and Employee’s representatives”.   He signed the agreement on Monday.  The City Charter calls for the Mayor to take over if the Administrator is released.  He’ll work with HR Michelle Mahowald and the League of MN Cities to compile a list of interim candidates.  That will come back to council October 6th.  They’ll then, once again, hire a search firm to look for a full time Administrator.  Haggenmiller was on the job for just over a year. Groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, construction today The ceremonial groundbreaking for the Northfield Public Library project took place yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock.  Director Theresa Jensen along with Mayor Graham, Friends of the Library’s Bill North, Hans Muesig and Board member Char Carlson talked of what the public and private collaboration has meant.  The fact that 45% of the money was raised by private donations speaks to the community’s desire for their library.  Construction begins today with completion expected by February next year.  They are still taking donations. CRWP cleanup day this Saturday The Cannon River Watershed Partnership will hold their annual cleanup day this Saturday.  Director Kristi Pursell volunteers will gather at the Carleton Arboretum or Sechler Park.  Wear pants and closed toed shoes if you’re going to stay on shore. You can bring waders or tall rubber boots if you’d like.  They provide gloves and bags but you can bring your own gloves.  Lunch will be provided.  They’d like to have you register online at crwp.net.  It starts at 9am. Click below to listen to FULL newscast: 9-16-15 news Listen for news updates on-air at 6, 7, 8, Noon, 3 and 5 The post Today’s news update – Haggenmiller out; Groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, construction today; CRWP cleanup day this Saturday appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.