Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
A sharply divided Clintonville Common Council on Tuesday passed a no-confidence vote against Mayor Judith Magee after failing to override her veto of its decision to extend the city administrator’s suspension.
The council voted 6-4 on May 27 to extend Lisa Kotter’s suspension and refer allegations of misconduct to the city’s labor attorney. Magee vetoed that vote on June 2.
The council voted 6-4 to override the veto Tuesday, falling one vote short of the required supermajority.
Council members Greg Rose, John Wilson, Mary Beth Kuester, Jeanne Schley, James Krause and Gloria Dunlavy voted to override the veto. Bill Zeinert, Phil Rath, Mark Doornink and Jerry Jorgenson voted against.
“I have done nothing wrong,” Magee said. “The state statute gives me the power to veto.”
Kuester said Magee had promised there would be no veto and had lost the council’s trust.
So many city residents turned out for the meeting that it had to be moved from City Hall to the Community Center after the Fire Department declared the crowd exceeded the 100-person capacity at City Hall.
The council heard about 2 1/2 hours of public comment, with most of the speakers supporting Magee and Kotter.
“This is the saddest thing I’ve ever seen, this snipping at each other,” former Alderman Gary Hagberg said. “Work together, get along here.”
Clintonville resident Tracy Sirna said the six council members targeting Kotter and Magee were not listening to their constituents.
“You are not hearing what the population wants,” she said. “We’re telling you that you are heading in the wrong direction, but you continue anyway. Get back on track. You have the ability tonight to work together.”
Resident Bill Vandaalwyk agreed.
“Lisa (Kotter) has done a good job,” he said. “The mayor vetoed the suspension and now you go after her. I don’t get it.
“We’re going in the wrong direction. I’m proud of this community, but you are not representing it well. Some of you should be ashamed.”
Alderman Greg Rose used the public comment portion of the meeting to defend his actions.
“Residents realize that what I am doing is seeking the truth and holding people accountable,” he said.
Kotter was suspended by the council on May 13 pending an investigation into alleged misconduct. Attorney Warren Kraft was hired to conduct the probe and recently made a presentation to the council in closed session, but no specifics have been released.
Kotter, who returned to work following Magee’s veto, urged the council to reveal the results of the investigation, but her critics said it has not been officially completed.
The city agreed to pay up to $10,000 from its $20,000 contingency fund for the investigation. About $6,600 has been spent to date.
“Honor the veto and go forward. We have spent enough money,” resident Robyn Rindt told the council.