Mayor Tim Goenner was officially censured by the Clear Lake City Council during their August 4 meeting for inappropriate behavior, including taking the unauthorized role of a supervisor over the public works director (the council oversees the department together and no individual is allowed to take on this role), creating a hostile work environment according to employee statements, ignoring a directive from the council to have no direct communications with city employees, and using city equipment (specifically the city skid steer) without council approval. 

One resident did speak to the mayor’s character, saying Goenner does a lot for the city. Acting Mayor Chad Nelson responded that the comment was valid, but it does not excuse the bad behavior, and this has been building for a long time. 

Mayor Goenner’s only statement was that he had a lot to say and would say so at the appropriate time. 

Lift Station

To complete much-needed work on the city’s main lift station, the city needed to ask for easements from local landowners, in order to access the site. This is the main lift station for the city and in desperate need of work. One of the landowners included Mayor Tim Goenner. The city originally offered Goenner $2,850 for a permanent easement to access the lift station, which was in line with industry standard. This offer was rejected. Mayor Goenner countered with a lump sum of $10,000 for a temporary easement good for 50 years. 

The city’s other options, including eminent domain or reconstructing the city infrastructure, would each cost more than $20,000. 

It was noted that Goenner originally suggested he could grant the easement for $5,000 if the council chose not to pursue his censure. Goenner asked for this option to be withdrawn from consideration before the meeting began but not before it was written into the meeting agenda packet provided to council members. 

The council made sure to thoroughly review the issue for the benefit of the public. Several council members let their displeasure be known, but ultimately, since each other option would cost twice as much, they decided to accept the offer so the project could still move forward this year. 

Later in the meeting, during the censure proceeding (which followed directly after the easement discussions), Council Member Lance Gilliland stated, “With the addition of the easement offer, I think that [the mayor’s behavior] nearly rises to criminality. It is corrupt... And charging the public, the taxpayers, $5,000 to avoid your shame and embarrassment is despicable.” 

Acting Mayor Nelson asked that the censure be limited to the issues laid out, and that the retracted offer be dealt with appropriately in its own time. 

Fire Department

The council looked over the new budget for the fire department. The CLFD requested a minor change in the verbiage of the contracts sent out the townships for next year as well, making the pension line item more clear. 

The chief asked about running an open house. Council Member Stefany Janish said, as per the city attorney, the city isn’t supposed to spend taxpayer money on giveaways at the event (such as prizes for the kids). Chief Ron Koren pushed back on this, as many other departments do so. The council agreed to ask for a second opinion from another lawyer. 

In Other Business, the Council:

• Heard from three residents at open forum;

• Heard the public works report;

• Listed a city-owned parcel for sale;

• Became a member of the Clear Valley Business Connection;

• Rezoned a property to allow a resident to open a salon at their home;

• Approved memberships to the MCFOA (Municipal Clerks and Officers Association of Minnesota) for the clerk and the treasurer.