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“From my standpoint,” Hoffmann said, “it’s an issue of questioning my credibility, honesty and integrity.”
Hoffmann’s first regular meeting as mayor since a routine organizational meeting in April was contentious on two fronts having to do with city hall access and confrontations with city police officer Jason Mork.
City council President Debbie Scholl, chairwoman of the city’s personnel and police committees, raised the first issue, which was defended by Alderman Paul Lorenz, chairman of the city’s finance committee.
The proposal would require “dual-control,” as Lorenz described it, requiring a second person as witness to accompany Hoffmann or other city officials when accessing locked city offices.
It wasn’t entirely clear how widespread the proposed key policy would be in applying to all city buildings and properties or its impact on city personnel.
But Hoffmann figures the plan is clearly targeted at him by disgruntled council member’s upset about his election win over former city council President Theresa McCamley on April 1.
Hoffmann said council members pushing to control access were “barking up a tree” they would have left alone had someone else been elected mayor.
Scholl and Lorenz said proposed office access rules had to do with safety and liability concerns.
“I don’t think any of us should have single access,” Lorenz said, adding that it raised a liability concern if something in an office turned up missing.
Hoffmann, a veteran sheriff’s deputy employed by Buffalo County, assured council members he wasn’t going to steal anything.
“If it becomes an issue, I’ll be the first one to take a polygraph, and I’m sure the city clerk will, too,” Hoffmann said.
Fountain City Clerk Janet LaDuke said mayor access to offices and building hasn’t been an issue in past years.
The issue was temporarily put on hiatus while the council seeks legal advice from city attorney David Fugina.
“If he says it is no big deal, I’m fine with it,” Lorenz said.
The police issue tracked along the same lines with Hoffmann describing events that conflict with his statutory authority as mayor to be police supervisor.
Hoffmann accused Officer Jason Mork of “undercutting” him by going around him to seek advice from the police committee before acting on directives received from the mayor.
Hoffmann distributed copies of a legal manual published by the Wisconsin League of Municipalities that describes the power and duties of Wisconsin mayors.
Hoffmann said he’s trying to improve the police department and bring about positive changes but he can’t function as police supervisor if the officer and some of the council members work against him.
“I think some of the stuff that’s already been going on needs to stop,” Hoffmann said.
