BRAINERD — Officials in Brainerd will look to hire an interim public utilities director after accepting the resignation of Christopher Evans, effective April 4.

Not everyone on the council, however, was quick to accept the resignation during the last meeting on Monday, April 7.

Evans, who was hired in August, submitted his resignation letter March 24. While he said he valued the dedication, professionalism and abilities of his public utilities employees, Evans wrote that his decision to resign came from the “prevailing dynamic with certain other departments and city leadership and administration over the last six months and the perceived/proposed future direction for the utilities group.”

He noted the circumstances under which he was hired have changed, as he said he noted during his interview that any integration or change in structure of the utilities department would be an immediate dealbreaker for him.

Council members agreed in December to integrate technology departments at the city and Brainerd Public Utilities to streamline operations and help alleviate the burden on staff.

During that conversation, Evans said he would fully support whatever decision the council made. With 30 years of experience in the public utilities field, Evans said he’s seen the whole spectrum of operations. The city’s current operations up until that point worked, though an integration model could work as well, he said. While noting both IT departments certainly need more help, Evans said he did not believe total integration would be the appropriate step at this time. In his personal experience, he said one integrated model may not be as efficient as two separate departments, noting IT staff would likely still have their specialized areas of expertise.

The council moved forward with the plan, naming Shawn Strong, former IT/GIS director for the city, as director of the integrated department and Andersen, former BPU IT director, as technology coordinator, while looking to hire more staff.

City officials have discussed other integration and restructuring ideas for the public utilities department as well, but decided on two different 6-1 votes Monday not to move forward with those efforts for the time being, with Kelly Bevans opposed to both.

Evans also wrote in his resignation letter he was effectively blocked from performing his job and was appalled at the amount of unprofessionalism from some elected officials and staff.

“External to my department, the general level of unprofessionalism coupled with ignorance and ineptitude in conjunction with frequent shifts in direction, unclear expectations and other aspects of the situation has resulted in a generally negative and oftentimes hostile work environment for me,” he wrote. “The number of specific instances of condoned and sometimes encouraged uncouth behavior from some council members and departments is appalling and has reached an unprecedented level of intensity and frequency.”

Despite repeated requests for issues to be addressed, Evans said the situation was not adequately dealt with and oftentimes interfered with the performance of his duties.

Evans’s resignation letter was not originally included in the agenda packet for Monday’s meeting, which council member Jeff Czeczok asked to be rectified. The letter was later added to the packet.

During Monday’s Personnel and Finance Committee meeting ahead of the full council meeting, council member Kelly Bevans said he believes the city needs an interim director but does not necessarily need one today. He also said he’d prefer having an interim director in place while the council continues to discuss integration efforts with the city and Brainerd Public Utilities and wait to hire a permanent replacement once all those integration questions are answered.

Gabe Johnson and Kevin Stunek — the other two members of the committee — agreed, recommending the council direct staff to begin looking for an interim utilities director.

During the full council meeting later Monday, Johnson made note of some “pretty inflammatory” comments in the resignation letter and said he met with senior staff, Administrator Nick Broyles and Human Resources Director Kris Schubert to address some of the accusations and make sure the city was operating in a healthy environment.

“And from what I learned so far, we have room to improve, but I think we’re doing a good job,” Johnson said. “And if any of our employees feel that there is something unsafe, hostile, wrong with the workplace, I’d ask them to refer to the employee policy manual where it is addressed, and there are actions that you can take as an employee, too, if you have those concerns.”

Czeczok said he saw many elements of truth in the letter, whether the council likes it or not, and he would vote no on the resignation.

In an email to Evans on April 2, Czeczok asked if he’d reconsider the resignation.

“I am confident as a Public Utilities Director you have always had the people’s best interest in mind throughout your entire career and the City of Brainerd would do well to continue keeping you on staff in order to benefit from your vast experiences,” Czeczok wrote.

“I want to let you know that I intend on not accepting your resignation letter on April 7 during the City Council meeting and I will be seeking a majority approval from the Council to this effect.

“I would very much appreciate if you would communicate back to me with an indication as to whether you would consider continuing your full responsibilities as the Public Utilities Director as you were originally hired to do.”

In response, Evans told Czeczok via email he had been the only elected or appointed official to reach out for any meaningful dialogue in the matter.

“The prior silence speaks volumes,” Evans wrote. “I appreciate your support in general and the suggestion for me continuing my full duties and responsibilities as hired to do in principle.”

Evans said he would cautiously consider Czeczok’s proposal, as he hoped to do great things in Brainerd and retire from the city with a positive legacy.

“I am not looking to make this as a platform for demands or use as some negotiation tactic,” Evans wrote. “However, in this situation, I do not know to what extent internal dynamics and personalities were heightened or changed in conjunction with consolidation endeavors and the ramifications of what happens next whichever way consolidation comes in the future. Either way, I hope for improved professionalism, cooperation and decency going forward.”

Council member Tad Erickson, who was on the Brainerd Public Utilities Commission when Evans was hired and involved in the hiring process, said Evans was his top choice. Erickson said he still believes Evans is the right man for the job, so he would vote no on the resignation as well.

The council approved Evans’ resignation 5-2, with Czeczok and Erickson opposed. A subsequent motion directing staff to find an interim public utilities director, with division managers reporting to Administrator Broyles in the meantime, passed 6-1, with Czeczok opposed.

“We have somebody that can do the job as a profession,” Czeczok said. “And if we think about what’s going on, I think somehow a resignation of an individual may prompt us to do things we may not have otherwise done. And I think we’re just kicking the can down the road here, when we could have the person maintain their position right now and do a fine job.”

THERESA BOURKE may be reached at
theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com
or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa
.