Woinarowicz receives excellent performance review at council meeting

By Margie Holmgren
Kennedy City Clerk/ Treasurer Melissa Woinarowicz’s performance review was shared with the council at their Tuesday, Oct. 15 meeting. Councilor Cindy Urbaniak was not in attendance.
Councilors Jon Turn and Henry Escareno had performed the review and went over it with the council.
Per Minnesota Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3, the meeting can be closed for this review, but Woinarowicz requested it be left open. She feels the city has a right to know how she is performing since they pay her salary.
Both Turn and Escareno could find no weaknesses in her performance and gave her excellent marks on her work. They both filled out evaluations and commented on her performance.
“You’re always looking for better way to improve (the) city’s interests,” commented Escareno.
“Melissa is an outstanding employee who works hard for the city of Kennedy and the residents of Kennedy,” stated Turn.
After looking over the evaluation and hearing additional comments from the council, Woinarowicz stated, “I’m very happy here. I enjoy my job and I’m not saying this lightly, I love this little city … feels like home. People are great – they stop in and say thank you or send notes on their water bills.”
She also thanked Turn who encouraged her to introduce herself to instructors and other clerks at training when she first started the job. She said this opened up a lot of doors for her and gave her contacts who could help her out and answer questions when needed.
Currently, Woinarowicz is scheduled to work 28 hours per week. During the meeting she asked for more flexibility with the hours. Some weeks, like when working on the budget, she needs more hours. She’d like to be able to work more without having to get approval first from the council.
“We should have some policy so that people are aware,” stated Turn. “Write something up for the next meeting … we’ll approve it. No one expects you to put your own time in.”
Councilors agreed she was always available to answer calls even when she wasn’t in the office. So, this was a fair agreement to allow additional hours as she needed up to a certain amount. Woinarowicz will present a personnel policy at the next meeting.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a resolution to increase the water rates by 5%; the sewer rates by 3% and increase the monthly sanitation services fees for residential and commercial properties by $1 per month.
• Received an update on the water tower project. The city must move forward to meet the five-year deadline for the USDA Rural Development funding. Widseth, Smith and Nolting were contacted and are working toward completing some necessary documentation, so the city does not lose the USDA funding.
• Approved building permits for Matt and Melissa Casper and Steve and Margie Holmgren. Councilor Jody Bowman abstained on the Casper approval.
• Approved fixing the roof on the concession stand at the baseball field with a metal roof.
• Heard the scoreboard at the baseball field was moved with help from Greg Mitziga, Ken Urbaniak and Kevin Hanson.
The council adjourned and will meet in November on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. The meeting had to be moved to Tuesday due to Monday, Nov. 11 being Veterans Day.