By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
Strife between the New Richland City Council and the ambulance crew does not seem to be going away.
Monica Schutrop, suspended for 30 days and stripped of her title of assistant ambulance director at a previous meeting, was there to address the council at its Nov. 12 meeting. All council members and mayor Mike Shurson were there, as were city clerk Wayne Billing and about eight community members.
Schutrop delivered an emotional plea, alleging wrongdoing on the city’s part, claiming she was not properly notified about when her suspension situation would be discussed in closed session.
Billing said Shutrop was notified by e-mail, though he has acknowledged the wrong meeting date was inadvertently given.
“My rights were violated,” said Schutrop, who added that she’s hired an attorney. “It’s not only illegal, it’s immoral.”
Schutrop alleges that since she was given the wrong meeting date, the council’s actions against her are invalid. She also said she was not given the option of having the meeting open or closed, which she feels should have been done.
Billing previously stated the council’s actions would stand regardless of whether Schutrop was there.
Schutrop was suspended after ambulance director Chris Schlaak, at a previous city council meeting, brought allegations of harassment to members of her crew. Those issues have not been addressed by the council, at least not during a meeting. Schutrop feels the actions against her were in retaliation of the harassment allegations.
Earlier in the meeting, Schlaak questioned why Dr. Wilcox — who oversees the ambulance — was not notified of the council’s actions regarding Schutrop. Schlaak also said there was a virus attached to the e-mail notifying her and Schutrop when the council would discuss Schutrop’s situation.
Schlaak said her department made 15 runs in October and, with the nine in November, it brought the yearly total to 217. She was happy to report that Thanksgiving is covered.
Schlaak said she’s been approached by someone in the community about holding a Spanish CPR class and likes the idea. She hopes to get the ball rolling in the next few months.
The council approved spending $230 out of the ambulance department uniform fund for 15 hats. Schlaak said $422.20 was spent on EPI pens.
The policy manual with which Shurson had issues has been forward for final approval.
The council briefly discussed the 2020 budget while setting the proposed tax levy increase at 8.9 percent. Chad Neitzel made the motion. Jenna Pederson seconded it. It passed 4-1, with Jason Casey voting no.
There was no talk of lowering the budget, though Casey hoped to have at least one more meeting before setting the levy amount.
The meeting adjourned after about 36 minutes.