Why Gerald Henricks Was Terminated
This morning, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 13.43, the City of Byron released to the public the information that lead to the termination of our City Administrator on 4/13/09. The original document, signed by all members of the City Council and the Mayor last night, reads as follows:
FINAL DISPOSITION OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND SPECIFIC REASONS FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
The City Council of the City of Byron met in closed session on April 8, 2009, to consider allegations of misconduct against Gerald Henricks, City Administrator. After its preliminary consideration of the allegations of misconduct, the City Council voted unanimously to terminate the employment of Gerald Henricks as City Administrator for the City of Byron effective Monday, April 13, 2009.
The specific reasons for the termination of Mr. Henricks’ employment are as follows:
(1) Mr. Henricks had a conflict of interest involving the Crown Pointe project which is proposed to be built in the City of Byron. Additionally, Mr. Henricks failed to disclose to the City Council his full relationship with the developers and investors in the Crown Pointe project.
(2) Mr. Henricks violated the Byron Personnel Policy as it relates to engaging in outside employment or business which might hinder an employee’s impartial or objective performance of his or her public duties or impair his or her efficiency on the job.
During the closed City Council meeting on April 8, 2009, the following information came to light. Gerald Henricks has an ownership interest in four lots upon which houses have been constructed on or very near to the golf course in Wanamingo, Minnesota. The developers of the Wanamingo golf course have proposed to construct a clubhouse and restaurant at the golf course. The construction of the clubhouse and restaurant could enhance the value of Gerald Henricks’ four homes adjacent to the golf course.
The proposed Crown Pointe project in the City of Byron involves, among other things, the proposed construction of a sports facility including indoor domed softball fields. Several of the developers of the proposed Crown Pointe project are also developers of or investors in the Wanamingo golf course and clubhouse.
The financing for the construction of the clubhouse and restaurant in Wanamingo is conditioned upon the successful closing of the Crown Pointe project in the City of Byron. Until April 8, 2009, the City Council of the City of Byron was unaware that the projects were linked financially.
Gerald Henricks could benefit financially if the Crown Pointe project and the Wanamingo golf clubhouse project are ultimately built. Alternatively, Gerald Henricks could suffer a financial detriment if the projects failed. The Byron City Council was unaware of Mr. Henricks’ potential conflict of interest until the matter was reviewed with him on April 8, 2009.
As late as January of 2009, Gerald Henricks had an arrangement with one of the investors in the Wanamingo golf course under the terms of which Mr. Henricks was to secure investors for the Wanamingo golf course project and, in return, Mr. Henricks would receive an ownership share in the Wanamingo project. The City Council was unaware of this potential conflict of interest until April 8, 2009.
Gerald Henricks engaged in business which was unrelated to his job as City Administrator while on the job for the City of Byron. Additionally, Gerald Henricks engaged in business activities relative to the Wanamingo golf course which hindered his impartial or objective performance of his duties and which impaired his efficiency on the job. Engaging in these outside business activities violates Section 181.3, Subd. 4 of the Byron Employment Policy.
Disclaimer: Articles posted on ByronMNBlog.com are the opinions of Councilman Alan De Keyrel only and do not reflect the opinion of the Byron City Council or the City of Byron. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be deemed accurate until verified.
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Labels: 13.43, byron mn, city administrator, city of byron, termination
posted by Alan De Keyrel @ 11:53 AM
4 Comments
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4 Comments:
Wow.
Wow - that's some serious & shady stuff. Good work.
Wonder what we taxpayers were paying him to perform this gross misconduct.
I am finally glad that we have a council that finally took the responsibility to deal with this issue. It makes me glad I turned out to cast my votes for City Council when I see problems being dealt with instead of ignored. I hope we take the lessons learned in this as we look forward to getting a new Administrator to carry out the council's directives.
I standup/applaud the new council members and mayor for a job well done....Thank you! I was afraid that Jerry Hendricks "grandiose scams" would get us into bankruptcy before he was stopped.
I think this probably has been going on for a very long time. It was brought to council in 2003 with the Kodiak Apt and the problems with Hendricks owning 15%. You can't help but wonder how he got that 15%. I'm not saying that he didn't "pay" for it, but can't help but raise questions when someone is in his position. That is the problem with city officials being an investor of a development that they may financially profit.
Look at that building. When I checked in 2003, I couldn’t find any ordinance the building followed that was on the books at that point in time. How does that happen? Ok, Ok.....what does that cost us taxpayers? I would love for someone to add it all up.
1)Ladder truck for the firemen which wouldn't have been necessary if we still had a low profile building ordinance.
2)Training, upkeep, storage, etc for this ladder truck
3)Safety of our volunteer fireman that may have to put their lives in added jeopardy if there is a major fire in that building. (ask any fireman you know about how they feel about going into a fire in that building)
4)How are we going to get this new ladder truck into the higher homes into Somersby with the curvy, narrow roads?
Now let’s add up all the other failed schemes just to name a few.
1)Pay as you go TIF’s that we excuse when they fail
2)Industrial park
3)Farr development (still don’t have a senior citizen building). Oh yes, let’s not forget about the millions spent on the new city hall because of the “free” land that was given to us out of the kindness of their hearts. If I’m not mistaken I think that has developed into a lawsuit.
I think this is just the tip of the iceberg that Jerry Hendricks has cost us Byron citizens since he has been in office. Let’s hope and pray that the new city council has learned some lessons when we hire a new administrator. Let’s hope and pray that the new city council put the taxpayers first, not the developers that are in it for our tax dollars.
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