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Mayor denies allegation he videotaped employees; says staffing restored
Summary
Mayor Joe Morath dismissed an allegation made at an Aug. 28 special meeting that he videotaped employees, calling the claim inaccurate and harmful to city operations; he said three recent resignations have been replaced by four hires and that services will continue without change.
Mayor Joe Morath addressed an allegation raised at an Aug. 28 special meeting that he had driven a golf cart to videotape employees and made comments that led to staff resignations. On Sept. 25 the mayor said those claims were inaccurate and "detrimental to the city's operations," and emphasized that personnel matters should not be debated in the court of public opinion.
The mayor told the board that since the resignations occurred the city has filled positions: three departures were addressed with four new hires, three of whom have prior experience with the city. He said services will continue without change and that any future proposals to modify services will be placed on an agenda to ensure transparent public debate.
The allegation was raised on the record by Alderman Scott Mazurang at the Aug. 28 special meeting (as recounted by the mayor on Sept. 25); the mayor explicitly denied the conduct and framed the matter as inappropriate for public discussion of personnel. No formal disciplinary action or specific personnel findings were recorded in open session during the Sept. 25 meeting.
The board subsequently proceeded with routine business, including minutes approvals, committee reports and votes on ordinances; later in the meeting the board voted to close to an executive session under section 610.021.13 to discuss individually identifiable personnel records.
