Letter: Mayor, Council should have attendance policy

April 19, 2023

Editor’s note: Elected officials can be removed by office via a process outlined under state law here.

To the Editor-

Is it a good idea to have an attendance policy? The city government is designed to build the future and one way to support this tenet is through accountability of time.

Former 10th District Alderman Mike Phillips resigned from his term September 19, 2019 and moved to Whiting. In a Point/Plover Metro Wire news article, he stated twice that one of the reasons for leaving his district early was frustration over his fellow members’ lack of attendance at required meetings.

The following data from 2019 was gleaned from the meeting collection recorded on the city’s website:

January 21: all alders present
February 18: 2 alders “No Show” with comment, “Did not hear from either.”
Special Meeting March 11: 2 alders “No Show” with comment, “Did anyone hear from the 2 alders not being able to make it?”
March 18: 1 alder excused, April 15: 1 alder excused, Reorganizational Meeting April 16: 2 alders excused & 1 alder “No Show” with no comment, Special Meeting
May 1: Alder Oberstadt resigned & rest of alders were present
May 20: 1 alder excused
Special Meeting June 3: 1 alder excused
June 17: all alders present
July 15: 2 alders excused
Special Meeting August 5: all alders present
August 19: all alders present
September 16: No roll call taken
September 19: Alderman Phillips resigned
Special Meeting September 30: 2 alders excused & 1 alder “No Show” with comment, “Anyone hear from him?”, Special Meeting October 8: 2 alders excused & 1 alder absent
October 21: 1 alder excused
Special Meeting October 28: all alders present,
Special Meeting November 4: 2 alders excused
November 18: 1 alder excused & 1 alder “No Show” with no comment
Special Meeting December 2: 1 alder excused & 1 alder “No Show” with comment, “Not heard from “____” today”
December 16: 2 alders excused.

For the 2019 Summary: All alders were present at five meetings: January 21, June 12, August 5, August 19, and October 28. Also, 19 alders were excused from 22 meetings, one alder was absent, eight times alders were “No Show,” two alders resigned, and no roll call was taken September 16, 2019.

The meeting attendance during COVID-19 was better through the use of Zoom.

Therefore, based on the facts that we do not have an attendance policy for the mayor and common council, Alderman Mike Phillips resignation over attendance problems, the constituents right to be informed of alder truancy, and the frailty of human nature it is suggested that the city adopt an attendance ordinance.

A clear attendance ordinance might include record keeping and disciplinary steps to help alders with truancy issues:

First step is an oral warning not recorded in the alder’s file.
Second step is an oral warning but it is recorded in the alder’s file.
Third step is an oral warning and written reprimand.
Fourth step is an oral/written notification and deduction from salary.
Fifth step is termination and an appointee finishes the term.

The city’s response to the fourth step is that an alder making $5,000 per year with expected attendance at 22 meetings is deducted $227.27.

A mayor making $70,000 per year with expected attendance at 22 meetings is deducted $3,409.10.

The mayor and common council are paid to be accountable. Regular attendance is required.

Jean C. Edens
Stevens Point