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Longtime Brainerd employee reclassified Brainerd City Council Staff Writer An employee who has been with Brainerd for more than 35 years as an engineering technician is being reclassified in a new position because of his inability to learn new technology required of an engineering technician.
Cliff Waltz has been employed as an engineering technician since 1973 and in a memo to the council City Engineer Jeff Hulsether noted that up until the mid 1990s he performed duties as outlined in his job description.
Since that time, Waltz has been sent to training for computer skills, modern survey equipment and other items, but it has been beyond his technical skills. His duties have included minor maintenance and sidewalk inspections.
In 2004, changes in technology led to the creation of an engineering aide, a position that had gone unfilled until Monday, when the Brainerd City Council in a 5-2 vote reclassified Waltz to the position. Council member Bob Olson and Council President Kevin Goedker voted against.
In making her motion for reclassification, Koep noted that the move would result in a decrease in pay for Waltz and a savings of about $9,600 for the city.
Olson said he found out that Waltz was unable to perform the duties of an engineering technician after he questioned City Engineer Jeff Hulsether on why the Northeast Third Avenue project wouldn't be going forward this year and was told the city's engineering technicians were too busy. Olson noted Waltz made about $72,000 a year, including benefits.
Olson asked why the council wasn't made aware that Waltz couldn't perform the duties of his position and wondered how many other city employees were unable to perform their duties. He believed the engineering department would be back before the city council next year asking to add another engineering technician to replace Waltz.
"I'm voting against this motion, that's not in best interests of citizens," Olson said. "You're creating a job we don't need. ... You're creating a job for him, that's all you are doing."
Koep countered that the city wasn't creating a new position or adding a new position for Waltz. She noted Waltz was a veteran and when he was hired he met the criteria for the job.
"The employee in question has never been anything but a faithful, on time, hardworking, dedicated and devoted employee to the city who met all criteria laid down at the time he was hired," Koep said. "I think this employee, rather than anyone chastising and making him look bad, this citizen should be applauded for dedication."
Council member Bonnie Cumberland said if you take the person out of the picture and look at the position and whether the individual could meet the requirements of an engineering aide, then she was in favor.
Council member Anne Nelson Fisher said Waltz shouldn't be punished for the oversight some council members think his supervisors had in the past. She also worried the city could be accused of age discrimination if it imposed harsher penalties.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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