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LINKED MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
December 21, 2009
The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in the Commission Room, City Hall at 121 North
Rouse on Monday, December 21, 2009. Present were Mayor Kaaren Jacobson, Cr. Sean Becker,
Cr. Eric Bryson, Cr. Jeff Krauss and Cr. Jeff Rupp, City Manager Chris Kukulski, City Attorney
Greg Sullivan and City Clerk Stacy Ulmen.
*Please refer to the audio recording of this meeting for additional detail
0:01:53 A. Call to Order 6 p.m. Commission Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse
Mayor Jacobson called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
0:01:55 B. Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence
0:02:32 C. Changes to the Agenda
Mayor Jacobson asked City Manager Chris Kukulski if there were any changes to the Agenda.
0:02:36 Chris Kukulski, City Manager
Mr. Kukulski stated that there were not any changes to the agenda.
0:02:40 D. Minutes Executive Session Minutes from November 23, 2009
0:02:50 Motion and Vote to approve (the Executive Session Minutes from November 23,
2009).
It was moved by Cr. Rupp, seconded by Cr. Becker to approve (the Executive Session
Minutes from November 23, 2009).
Those voting Ave being Crs. Rupp, Becker, Krauss, Bryson and Mayor Jacobson.
Those voting No being none.
The motion passed 5 -0.
Linked Minutes of the Bozeman City Commission Meeting, December 11, 2009
0:03:02 E. Consent
1. Authorize Payment of Claims (LaMeres)
0:03:08 Public Comment
Mayor Jacobson opened public comment.
No person commented.
Mayor Jacobson closed public comment.
0:03:25 Motion and Vote to approve Consent Item 1.
It was moved by Cr. Becker, seconded by Cr. Krauss to approve Consent Item 1.
Those voting Aye being Crs. Becker, Krauss, Bryson, Rupp and Mayor Jacobson.
Those voting No being none.
The motion passed 5 -0.
0:03:40 F. Public Comment
Mayor Jacobson opened public comment.
0:03:58 Shatan Braziel, Public Comment
Mr. Braziel of 17 West Lamme introduced himself to the Commission. (He has turned in a
statement for the Commission Vacancy).
0:04:30 Public Comment Closed
Mayor Jacobson closed public comment.
0:04:34 G. Action Items
0:04:35 1. Decision on First Addendum to the December 4, 2006 Employment
Agreement between the City of Bozeman and Chris A. Kukulski (Sullivan)
0:04:58 Greg Sullivan, City Attorney
Mr. Sullivan stated that a couple of weeks ago the Commission discussed the City Manager's
contract and asked that an amendment to extend the contract be drafted. He has reviewed the
contract and compared it to the Charter. The Charter states that the City Manager shall be
appointed with an indefinite term. He spoke regarding proposed changes including severance.
0:06:31 Cr. Bryson
Cr. Bryson spoke regarding severance amendment and the expiration of the contract itself.
0:06:48 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan stated that the Commission can rearrange the contract however they see fit.
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Linked Minutes of the Bozeman City Commission Meeting, December 21, 2009
0:07:40 Santa Visit
At this time Santa interrupted the Commission Meeting and handed out candy canes.
0:15:17 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss spoke regarding the raises over the last two years.
0:15:43 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding the merit increases. This past year, he requested that there not be
an increase.
0:16:24 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss spoke regarding the proposal of reviewing the contract prior to June 30, 2011.
0:16:40 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan stated that he added the date to the draft based upon prior discussions.
0:17:08 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss spoke regarding the indefinite phrase.
0:17:43 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding the present contract that is in place and the severance. It is a 12
month period.
0:18:45 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss stated that he negotiated this contract at its beginning.
0:18:54 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss stated that he is struggling with the severance issue because without expiration to the
contract, we are on the hook for a year no matter what.
0:19:32 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan spoke regarding section 9, as to when the severance occurs.
0:21:47 Cr. Bryson
Cr. Bryson spoke regarding the Charter provisions and the negotiation of a new contract.
0:22:14 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding inconsistencies in the contract when comparing it to the Charter.
0:24:37 Cr. Bryson
Cr. Bryson spoke regarding a 6 month termination clause.
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Linked Minutes of the Bozeman City Commission Meeting, December 21, 2009
0:24:48 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding the background related to severance. He stated if the Commission
wants to change this, he is open to finding a way that works.
0:29:13 Cr. Rupp
Cr. Rupp stated that there is some work that needs to be done regarding tying a point and time to
June 30th.
0:29:59 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan stated that he is not in the position of negotiating specific terms this evening.
0:32:15 Cr. Rupp
Cr. Rupp spoke regarding modifying the contract because of the Charter and tying in the June
30th date. The issue is the severance.
0:33:09 Cr. Becker
Cr. Becker spoke regarding timeline of reducing severance pay. We should put in our
recommendations on this contract. He would like to do this now.
0:34:24 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss there should be some point and time where we can say that we are not going to
renew.
0:36:49 Cr. Rupp
Cr. Rupp spoke regarding annual reviews and the possibility of an open ended contract.
0:37:21 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan spoke regarding the annual performance evaluation clause which is different from
the review of the contract provision.
0:37:42 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding the evaluation process that has taken place in the past.
0:39:39 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski spoke regarding termed contracts vs. non termed contracts.
0:40:36 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss spoke regarding his dislike of an indefinite contractual term.
0:42:42 Cr. Bryson
Cr. Bryson spoke regarding limiting times for review of the contract.
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Linked Minutes of the Bozeman City Commission Meeting, December 21, 2009
0:44:52 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss stated that he is having a hard time having a contract that is not tied to a performance
review.
0:45:06 Mayor Jacobson
Mayor Jacobson wondered why the performance review can't coincide with the review of the
contract.
0:45:38 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan reiterated that severance only kicks in at termination.
0:46:56 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss suggested that before the contract is amended there should be a mutual agreement.
0:48:17 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss stated that if action would be taken tonight, they would be in breach of the contract.
0:48:25 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan stated that it would not be effective unless the City Manager agreed to the
amendments.
0:50:36 Cr. Becker
Cr. Becker stated that the appointment is different than the evaluation.
0:51:39 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan stated that the Charter does not require that a contract be in place before appointing
a City Manager.
0:52:32 Cr. Rupp
Cr. Rupp suggested just letting the contract expire.
0:53:29 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss stated that there is a need for a mutual agreement; the contract needs to be negotiated.
0:53:54 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski stated that his desire to continue as the City Manager and stated that he is happy to
negotiate the contract.
0:54:57 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss stated that this is about the contract and the Charter.
0:57:30 Mayor Jacobson
Mayor Jacobson stated that the performance evaluation is to be conducted on the anniversary
date. We have been out of sync with this.
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Linked Minutes of the Bozeman City Commission Meeting, December 21, 2009
0:58:10 Mayor Jacobson
Mayor Jacobson stated that if the original contract is maintained, there needs to be an annual
evaluation every June 30th and at that time it could be decided to continue the term even though
a term cannot be set.
0:58:43 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss stated that it seems ridiculous to never renegotiate a contract.
1:00:02 Mayor Jacobson
Mayor Jacobson stated that it seems that we are stuck with a rolling contract that gets looked at
every year.
1:01:54 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan spoke regarding the length of the severance and stated that the Commission has the
ability to negotiate the time period with the City Manager.
1:02:24 Cr. Rupp
Cr. Rupp wants things clearly written in the contract.
1:05:47 Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan spoke regarding Section 9.
1:07:04 Cr. Bryson
Cr. Bryson spoke regarding separating the issues of employment and the contract.
1:08:29 Cr. Bryson
Cr. Bryson stated that the employment arrangement is what is different under the Charter.
1:10:00 Cr. Rupp
Cr. Rupp stated that any contract should have an annual performance review.
1:11:37 Cr. Becker
Cr. Becker spoke regarding the possibility of adding to the Ballot a change to the Charter in
order to set a term date for the City Manager's contract.
1:14:00 Motion to approve the Council recommendation that the parties will review the
contract prior to June 30, 2011.
It was moved by Cr. Rupp to approve the Council recommendation that the parties will
review the contract prior to June 30, 2011.
1:14:33 Cr. Rupp
Cr. Rupp clarified that the motion is to approve all of the recommendations under section 1.
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Linked Minutes of the Bozeman City Commission Meeting, December 21, 2009
1:14:46 Motion Seconded to approve all amended provisions per recommendation of
Council.
Cr. Becker seconded the motion.
1:14:56 Cr. Bryson
Cr. Bryson stated that he is confused and that it was his understanding to evaluate the
performance and not the provisions in the contract.
1:19:25 Cr. Rupp
Cr. Rupp stated that he remains convinced that the contract should expire on June 30, 2010 and
then be negotiated.
1:23:48 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski pointed out within the Contract Sectionl Term B. stating: "Should the Employee
desire to modify or extend this agreement, employee shall serve notice of proposed modifications
no less than 180 days prior to expiration of this agreement Mr. Kukulski stated that it is his
desire to do this.
1:27:33 Amendment to the Main Motion to include a modification to section 12,
Performance Evaluation that clearly states that this is to take place on June 30th of each
year.
It was moved by Cr. Rupp to include a modification to section 12, Performance Evaluation
that clearly states that this is to take place on June 30th of each year.
1:37:22 Motion Withdrawn
Cr. Rupp withdrew his motions to approve the Council recommendation that the parties
will review the contract prior to June 30, 2011 and to include a modification to section 12,
Performance Evaluation that clearly states that this is to take place on June 30th of each
year.
1:37:36 Motion to ask Cr. Krauss and Cr. Becker to engage in contract negotiations with
the City Manager per his request and notice that he is ready to entertain contract
negotiations.
It was moved by Cr. Bryson, seconded by Cr. Krauss to ask Cr. Krauss and Cr. Becker to
engage in contract negotiations with the City Manager per his request and notice that he is
ready to entertain contract negotiations.
1:38:30 Vote on the Motion to ask Cr. Krauss and Cr. Becker to engage in contract
negotiations with the City Manager per his request and notice that he is ready to entertain
contract negotiations.
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Linked Minutes of the Bozeman City Commission Meeting, December 21, 2009
Those voting Ave being Crs. Bryson, Krauss, Rupp, Becker and Mayor Jacobson.
Those voting No being none.
The motion passed 5 -0.
1:38:54 Mayor Jacobson
Mayor Jacobson asked the Commission if it was their desire to continue discussion of the
performance evaluation. She asked Mr. Kukulski if he wished to invoke his right to privacy.
1:39:13 Mr. Kukulski
Mr. Kukulski stated that he would be would like the future Commissioners in the room.
1:40:24 Mayor Jacobson
Mayor Jacobson stated that under state law, the City Manager has the right to invoke privacy to
go into Executive session. She asked how the other Commissioners felt about Commissioner
Elect Mehl staying in the room.
1:40:42 Cr. Krauss
Cr. Krauss stated that he is good as long as it does not interfere with the right of privacy.
1:41:24 Mayor Jacobson
Mayor Jacobson stated that privacy demands far exceed the public's right to know and this
session is closed.
1:41:56 Stacy Ulmen, City Clerk
Ms. Ulmen requested a small break to move into the Executive Session.
1:42:05 Break
Mayor Jacobson declared a break and then went into Executive Session at 7:47 p.m.
A separate set of Minutes for the Executive Session have been prepared.
Mayor Jacobson then reopened the Regular Meeting and adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
Jeffre s, NjOyor
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Linked Minutes of the Bozeman City Commission Meeting, December 21, 2009
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