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After a motion to table action naming Jason Ziemer as North Branch interim city administrator failed;  motion supporters City Council members Kelly Neider and Peter Schaps then voted with  three members of the council to have Ziemer serve until a full-time, permanent administrator comes on board.  

The potential duration of Ziemer  in that post is unknown as council still has to discuss the process of filling the post.  There’s a work session set for January 23 with the search process discussion on the agenda.

Ziemer is community development director and he was approved to fill in the city administrator post for about three weeks while council could review his qualifications and meet with city staff for their observations.

Council member Neider tried to delay naming Ziemer the interim administrator— saying she is not comfortable approving the temporary employment agreement that she has not had time to review.  Mayor Kevin Schieber responded  the action document was available about three weeks earlier.  The mayor said the idea behind having Ziemer serve just until this next council meeting January 9 was so council could hear from city hall employees and ask Ziemer any follow-up questions regarding his service as interim administrator and look over the contract.  North Branch’s administrator resigned, effective Dec. 15.

Mayor Schieber added he doesn’t see it being in the best interests of the city to delay naming an interim administrator.

City legal counsel Nicholas Lira Lisle advised council the agreement being adopted is the same he provided weeks ago with a small clarification for paid time off language.

Neider then said she is  unclear on what Ziemer’s duties will be.  Mayor Schieber said it’s spelled out in the city file (job description).  He said he has previously mentioned the need to be prepared for council meetings, and there’s “no logic” in delaying.  The vote then approved Ziemer for interim administrator.

The friction continued  between Neider and the mayor. 

She said an applicant for the planning commission had used a letter to a newspaper and social media to “throw darts at other leaders and elected officials” in North Branch.  She argued this disqualifies Patrick Meacham from being appointed to the planning commission. Ironically, Council member Neider has been censured (abuse of authority) related to a liquor store employee complaint, and she verbally disparaged Meacham, in an action censured by the city council as a violation of the code of conduct.

Mayor Schieber commented Neider made what he considered to be “derogatory” references in her recent written public remarks as well. 

Council member Travis Miles added that the council and appointees take code of conduct training.  There should not be any future issues with utterances.

Meacham was then seated on the Planning Commission  with Schaps and Neider opposed.  Other appointees are Sara Paul to the EDA and Lynn Wilson to Parks Trails and Open Space.  There are two vacant seats still on EDA and the planning commission has one vacancy.

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