Proctor Journal

In a move that seemed to surprise themselves, the City Council voted not to renew the contracts of City Administrator John Foschi and his confidential secretary Jamie Claflin.

The 4-1 decision Monday came at the end of a three-hour council meeting. Councilor Tom Lavato voted against the motion.

“Council wanted to take a different direction as we look toward the future of Proctor,” Mayor Stephen Anderson stated.

A special meeting will be held to determine how to proceed with the search for a new administrator.

Anderson was in city hall at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday for a staff meeting to tell employees about the Council’s action. “They will be working through issues that need to be addressed in the next few weeks,” Mayor Stephen Anderson said. “Council wants to say thank you in advance for all they will be doing during the transition.”

Employees were instructed to refer all questions about the council action to the mayor.

Until a permanent replacement is hired or an interim administrator is selected, city hall staff will be sharing duties.

The change caps a string of events that included contacting the League of Minnesota Cities to provide management training and conflict resolution education for all staff. The Council hired a consultant to conduct a “Team Effectiveness Survey.” They also recently conducted performance reviews.

Council’s decision to end its relationship with Foschi was not an easy one. From the time the motion was made until the final vote nearly 23 minutes passed.

It started as Claflin was making a case for herself after Foschi recommended her contract not be renewed. Councilor Erica Hom stated “You’re (Claflin and Foschi) are both acting like high school kids.” Then she made the motion.

Complaints about Foschi from citizens and staff have escalated over the years.

Claflin had recently filed an 81 page grievance against Foschi.

Over the years, Foschi’s association with the city has been both positive and successful. “I operate under the premises to do the best for the city in the most efficient and effective way to save the taxpayers money,” he told the Council. “My driving force has been to do the best for the city with the best team I can.”

“John has done a tremendous job,” Lavato said.

Under terms of an employment contract, Foschi’s separation package includes 90 days salary and vested leave. His 2006 salary was $83,577.

Foschi was in City Hall on Tuesday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to clean out his office and say good-bye to staff.

Foschi was Proctor’s accountant before becoming City Administrator in 1991 after the city’s first administrator, Daniel Hoffman, was forced to resign.

“In the field of city administration, just about anything can happen. And, it usually does,” Hoffman said.