City Council, Clerk/Treasurer Accept Sanction Agreement

Some issues between Peshtigo City Council, Mayor Allen Krizenesky and longtime City Clerk/ Treasurer Mary Ann Wills appear to be resolved. At its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 2, City Council approved Wills’ resignation as administrator for the Wisconsin Development Fund (WDF) and Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) programs and accepted a Personnel Committee recommendation involving a disciplinary agreement signed by Wills and her attorney, Richard Boren, on Monday, Dec. 31.

Alderman Mary Lock cast the sole opposing vote on both actions. All aldermen were present for the meeting. Those voting in favor were Personnel Committee Chair Tim Colburn, Mike Behnke, Cathi Malke, Fred Meintz and Tom Gryzwa. Wills was absent, and minutes were taken by Deputy Clerk Treasurer Vicki l. Koronkiewicz.

Lock said after the meeting that she opposed both actions because she felt the disciplinary measures were “a little harsh.”

The Personnel Committee recommendation was the outgrowth of a closed meeting discussion on Wednesday, Dec. 19, called “to discuss Personnel Issue of City Employee.” Krizenesky, City Attorney David Spangenberg, Personnel Committee members Colburn, Behnke and Malke, and Aldermen Lock and Gryzwa were present.

The Dec. 19 minutes, recorded by Koronkiewicz, state that after the committee returned to open session, “A motion was made by Behnke and seconded by Colburn “to recommend to Council the committee decision of disciplinary action to be carried forward as discussed with a signed agreement by December 31, 2012, if not signed, recommendation by the committee the employee be terminated.” Committee vote was Behnke and Colburn in favor, and Malke abstaining.

One of the first items on the agenda for the Jan. 2 Council meeting was Wills’ resignation from the UDAG and WDF administrator positions. Salary for the UDAG Administrator post was $2,340 a year, paid in addition to the clerk/treasurer salary, which, with fringe benefits, totaled $83,272.77 for 2012.

Before the vote, Lock asked if accepting the resignations meant they expected the work to be done within regular working hours of the clerk/treasurer’s office, and was told it did. She then cast her opposing vote.

A bit later in the meeting Council approved the Personnel Committee recommendation regarding the disciplinary action, after being advised Wills had signed the agreement by Dec. 31 as required.

The Peshtigo Times filed a request for a copy of the agreement under Wisconsin Freedom of Information laws, and it was provided after the meeting.

As required by the committee, Wills has agreed to:

“Demonstrate a professional, considerate, friendly, cordial, respectful and constructive attitude toward the staff, the mayor, alderpersons, department heads, fellow employees and the public.

“Create a positive work environment with staff, mayor and department heads.

“Follow appropriate directives from the mayor and to timely accommodate reasonable requests of alderpersons and department heads.

“Appropriately manage, utilize and delegate tasks to accomplish the duties of the clerk’s office.

“Implement a calendaring system satisfactory to the Personnel Committee to provide notice and keep track of vacations, absences and time out of the office for employee and staff.

“At the earliest possible availability, complete an assessment for possible anger management and follow through with any assessment recommendations, documentation of which are to be provided to the Chairman of the Personnel Committee.

“Attend training in computers, time management, office management or other training as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Personnel Committee, at the employer’s (city) expense.

“Follow such other recommendations as deemed appropriate by the Personnel Committee from time to time.”

Among voluntary sanctions in the agreement were accepting a written warning for her behavior and job performance which will not expire and accepting that the pay increase (2 percent, equivalent to $1,221.95 a year) that would have been effective on Jan. 1 is withdrawn and withheld until satisfactory progress has been made with the recommendations as determined by the Chairman of the Personnel Committee and approved by City Council. The raise is to be implemented from that time forward, but will not be retroactive.

Wills’ professional development progress is to be reviewed monthly with the Chairman of the Personnel Committee and reported to the committee until they are satisfied with the progress, at which time a set schedule for further reviews is to be determined.

Concluding paragraph of the agreement signed by Wills on Dec. 31 states: “Employee acknowledges the above and agrees to accept and comply with the recommendations of the corrective action plan. Employee further acknowledges and understands that nothing in this corrective action plan shall be construed as a contract or promise of continued employment, as all disciplinary actions authorized by law, including those listed above and including termination, are specifically reserved by the City of Peshtigo.”

Wills has been employed by the City of Peshtigo for 25 years, since June 29, 1987.

Salary for the clerk/treasurer position in 2011 was $61,097, in addition to the $2,340 salary for the UDAG post. Fringe benefits, which are fully paid by the city, include health, dental and life insurance totaling $14,232.40 a year; pension contribution of 13 percent of prior year’s salary, totaling $7,942; six weeks vacation a year, in addition to nine paid holidays and two personal days, plus sick leave accumulating at a day and a half per month up to 120 days.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
06-12-2013	Front Page	NEW UNITS
06-12-2013	Front Page	Federal Court Rules Flag Was Okay
06-12-2013	Front Page	Jail Inspection Says Maintenance Needed
06-12-2013	Front Page	Goodman Father, Son Cited In Marijuana Bust
06-12-2013	Front Page	County Continues Discussion On Coroner, Elderly Services
06-12-2013	Sports	Wickman Repeats As MVP
06-12-2013	Sports	Tough Start For Marinette Legion
06-12-2013	Sports	Pitching Gem Gives Redbirds 2-0 Record
06-12-2013	Sports	Wausaukee Makes Way To State Baseball Meet
06-12-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
06-12-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
06-12-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
06-12-2013	News	Self Defense Law Topic of Meeting
06-12-2013	News	OWI Unit To Porterfield
06-12-2013	News	Yard Sale For Scholarships
06-12-2013	News	On Dean’s List
06-12-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Big Diggers at Wausaukee Library
06-12-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Parade Events on July 6
06-12-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Council At Silver Cliff
06-12-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions to Clean HWY 180 June 15
06-12-2013	Community - Crivitz	Church Unit Sale June 20-21
06-12-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Playground Work Day June 23
06-12-2013	Community - Crivitz	Fly Flag June 14
06-12-2013	Community - Crivitz	Gospel Music at Living Waters Church
06-12-2013	Community - Coleman	Timeless Restorations Car Show is June 29
06-12-2013	Community - Coleman	Yard Sale For Scholarships
06-12-2013	Community - Coleman	Resignation of Principal on School Board Agenda
06-12-2013	Community - Coleman	Pantry To Give Food in Pound
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Eugene M. Yuma
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Matthew T. Wisniewski
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Claude A. Wilcox
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Boston Z. Walters
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Thadeaus Sopkowicz
06-12-2013	Obituaries	William W. Schmitt
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Jane L. Schmidt
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Dr. Henry J. Reidinger
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Margaret Raminger
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Emma K. Parker
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Mary Ann Panske
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Douglas C. Otto
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Roland W. Neumann
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Richard Leaveck, Jr.
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Richard Leaveck, Sr.
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Sandra F. LaRock
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Bonnie Kopish
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Gertrude Klingsporn
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Dudley G. Harris
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Wayne W. Johnson
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Dottie Fricke
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Marvin Eschner
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Eleanor Crowley
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Judy Budzis
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Floyd J. Berger
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Carol C. Barrette
06-06-2013	Front Page	300 Year Old Log Makes Table, Desk
06-06-2013	Front Page	New Community Center To Open Soon in Crivitz
06-06-2013	Front Page	Yes, Family Dollar Is Coming To Coleman
06-06-2013	Front Page	Kathy Cleven Is New Marinette City Treasurer
06-06-2013	Front Page	Auditor Gives Peshtigo Clean Bill Of Health
06-06-2013	Sports	Peshtigo Cage Camps Slated
06-06-2013	Sports	Vaulting To State Gold
06-06-2013	Sports	Rangers Roll Into State Tourney
06-06-2013	Sports	———— Clip Crivitz ——————————————————————— Redbirds Turn 5 Hits Into 7-0 Wishigan Win
06-06-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
06-06-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
06-06-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
06-06-2013	News	Birding Hike at Arboretum
06-06-2013	News	Fair Premium Books Available
06-06-2013	News	Church Rummage, Bake Sale June 6
06-06-2013	News	Lions to Clean Hwy. 180 June 15
06-06-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Picnic, Parade July 13
06-06-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions to Clean Hwy. 180 June 15
06-06-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lawrenz Opens Counseling Center
06-06-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Front 40 Group Forum June 12
06-06-2013	Community - Crivitz	Rev. Hannemann Retires From Area Churches
06-06-2013	Community - Crivitz	Free Fishing For Kids June 15
06-06-2013	Community - Crivitz	Community Ed Summer Classes
06-06-2013	Community - Coleman	Pioneer Church Offers College Bible Courses
06-06-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Wrestling Meat Raffle June 22
06-06-2013	Community - Coleman	Brazeau Emergency Services Picnic July 27
06-06-2013	Community - Coleman	Pound Club Sets Yard Sale June 13, 14
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Todd F. Wagner
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Michael A. Stumbris
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jacqueline A. Smith
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Betty Scott
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jimmie L. Sandifer
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Dorothy B. Rafferty
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Pandora C. Powell
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Kristopher S. Mohr
06-06-2013	Obituaries	John D. Leaveck, Sr.
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Allan J. Kamps
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Edith M. Jones
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Ellen Jensen
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Dorothy M. Hotzel
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Sophie Hertig
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jeremy Heller
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jerome D. Gillis
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Genevieve M. Giese
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Margaret A. Gartzke
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Oscar J. Falk, Jr.
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Michael T. Downs
06-06-2013	Obituaries	James A. Dughie
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Joseph F. Dudek
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jerry L. Bunn
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jon H. Bruemmer
05-29-2013	Front Page	HOLD SERVICES
05-29-2013	Front Page	Wendt Chosen Coleman School Board President
05-29-2013	Front Page	Crivitz Pharmacy Broken Into, Medications Stolen
05-29-2013	Front Page	Preliminary Hearing Set In Peshtigo Murder Case
05-29-2013	Front Page	County Paperless Initiative Passes With Resistance
05-29-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Village Accepts Donations for July 6 Fireworks Display
05-29-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Fund Raiser is July 13
05-29-2013	Community - Wausaukee	STATE DENIES 5 20 13 DOT Rejects Proposal To Lower Speed On Hwy. 141
05-29-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Library Sets Reading Events
05-29-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz School Free Summer Food Meals
05-29-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Plans Bang-Up Weekend For Fourth
05-29-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Wolverine 5K Run, Walk June 1
05-29-2013	Community - Crivitz	Thompson Park Open House June 2
05-29-2013	Community - Coleman	Yard Sale For Scholarships
05-29-2013	Community - Coleman	Bonow Concert at Area Churches
05-29-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Village Board June 3
05-29-2013	Community - Coleman	Lions Honor Champ, 15 For Attendance
05-29-2013	News	Students Set Car Wash, Run
05-29-2013	News	Mudbash For Animal Shelter
05-29-2013	Sports	M-O's Best Get Booted
05-29-2013	Sports	Coleman, Wausaukee Host Finals Marquardt Tosses One-Hitter In 7-2 Win Over Crandon; Rangers
05-29-2013	Sports	Redbirds Rule In Memorial Tourney
05-29-2013	Sports	Slate Lemery Softball Tourney For June 7-8
05-29-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-29-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-29-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Roland L. Zoeller
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Dorothy M. Zahn
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Cliff J. Yuma, Sr.
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Jeffrey Woodworth, Sr.
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Alvin G. Williams
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Scott A. Wells
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Thomas R. Webster
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Elaine E. Vroman
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Ken Van Camp
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn A. Thunes
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Francis E. Steininger
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Donald L. Stroika
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Betty Scott
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Michael E. Schultz
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Violet M. Saunier
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Lesili Rose
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Ronald D. Plewa
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Bernice H. Parker
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Ida Moraga