Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2022
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An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Big Bear Lake was called to order by Mayor Herrick at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 11, 2022, at the Big Bear Lake Civic Center, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, California.
PUBLIC FORUM FOR CLOSED SESSION: None.
At the hour of 2:01 p.m., Council adjourned to Closed Session.
At the hour of 2:14 p.m., Mayor Herrick called Open Session to order.
OPEN SESSION
Flag Salute: Flag Salute led by Mayor Herrick
At the hour of 2:15 p.m., Mayor Herrick called a short recess.
At the hour of 2:17 p.m., Mayor Herrick reconvened the meeting.
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Rick Herrick
Mayor Pro Tem Bynette Mote
Councilmember Alan Lee
Councilmember Perri Melnick
Councilmember Randall Putz
Others Present: Erica Stephenson, City Clerk
Others Participating Remotely: Stephen P. Deitsch, City Attorney
RESULTS OF CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT to Govt. Code Sec. 54957.6 Agency Designated Representatives: Mayor Herrick, Mayor Pro Tem Mote and City Attorney Stephen P. Deitsch
Unrepresented Employee: Interim City Manager
No reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Jim Eakin, Big Bear resident, announced the date and details of the upcoming Fun Run Car Show to be held in the Village.
Gloria Meade, Big Bear City resident, expressed her personal concerns about Councilmember Lee’s perceived behavior.
Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2022
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
1.1 APPROVAL OF AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT The City’s designated representatives have entered into negotiations with former City Manager Jeff Mathieu for his employment as the Interim City Manager for the City of Big Bear Lake. Jeff Mathieu’s Interim City Manager Employment Agreement is currently being finalized and will be presented by the City Attorney at this Council meeting as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Stephen Deitsch, City Attorney, read aloud the terms of the proposed Interim City Manager Employment Agreement highlighting the compensation and other benefits included in the Agreement.
Following Council discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mote, seconded by Councilmember Putz, to approve the proposed Interim City Manager Employment Agreement and authorize the Mayor to execute the approved Agreement with Jeff Mathieu.
Said motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Lee, Mote, Melnick, Putz, Herrick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
1.2 APPROVAL AND DIRECTION REGARDING INTERNAL INVESTIGATION OF THE
CITY ORGANIZATION AND ITS EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING EMPLOYEE
CONTENTMENT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATIONSHIP WITH CITY
COUNCIL
At the Regular City Council Meeting held on March 7, 2022, a motion was made by Councilmember Putz, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mote and approved by a vote of 5-0, to consider directing that an internal investigation of the City Organization be conducted, including employee contentment and workplace environment. Mayor Herrick will introduce this matter for purposes of discussion and direction from the City Council.
Mayor Herrick invited up speakers who wanted to speak on this item. The following individual approached Council:
Maureen Auer, Big Bear Lake resident, said she believes an internal investigation is warranted and that it should be focused on Councilmember Lee’s behavior; and expressed her disappointment regarding the recent resignation of former City Manager Frank Rush.
Following Council discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Mote, seconded by Councilmember Melnick, to authorize and direct the City Attorney to identify and engage the service of a third-party workplace investigator.
Based on the City Attorney’s suggestion, Mayor Pro Tem Mote amended her motion to authorize and direct the City Attorney to bring back a proposed agreement with a third-party workplace investigator.
Councilmember Melnick seconded the amended motion.
Said amended motion was approved by the following vote:
Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2022
AYES: Mote, Lee, Melnick, Putz, Herrick
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council at this Open Session, Mayor Herrick adjourned the meeting at 2:53 p.m.
Erica Stephenson, City Clerk