City introduces new manager (Remember that story?)

Yea, I know that this is long but you have to read this altogether to get the feel for what is going on.

(April 19th, 2005 story) By Eric Swanson Dodge City Daily Globe

Dodge City has a new leader, five months after former city manager John Deardoff announced he was moving to Hutchinson to become the manager there. The Dodge City Commission introduced Deardoff'’s replacement, Jeff Pederson, on Monday during a press conference, and again during the commission's regular meeting.

"It's good to have him with us," then-Mayor Mark Pingsterhaus said. The new city manager will start work around July 1.

Pederson, whose resumé includes a 13-year stint as city manager for Vermillion, S.D., was one of two finalists for the position. He competed against Mike Randall, a former city administrator for Carthage, Mo., who is currently running a consulting firm for municipal governments in Monett, Mo.

Pederson and Randall both came to Dodge City in mid-March for interviews with the commissioners and meetings with city officials.
Pederson said he was looking forward to his new job for a variety of reasons, including the chance to manage a larger organization than he has done in the past.

"I think organizationally, it's a logical progression as the city manager from a city of 10 (thousand) to 12,000 to a city of 25,000," he said. "So, the opportunity to manage a little larger organization appeals to me."

Pederson has a bachelor's and a master's degree in public administration from the University of South Dakota, and he brings about 21 years in city government to his new position.
He held local government positions in Hawarden and Eagle Grove, Iowa, before becoming the city manager for Vermillion, S.D., in August 1989. Vermillion completed several major projects during Pederson's tenure, including building a new 18-hole public golf course and housing developments called The Bluffs.

Pederson stepped down from the Vermillion position in March 2002, then took some time off to re-examine his career to date, he told the Globe in an interview last month.

He interviewed for some city manager jobs during that time but did not receive any offers. He worked for a small Iowa city from February through October 2004 so he could re-enter the field without moving his family out of Vermillion.About seven months ago, he became director of administration for Utilities Plus, a group of Minnesota communities that own electric utilities and have joined forces to provide service to each other at a reasonable price.
Pederson said Monday he looked forward to working for city government again after a long absence from the field, which included some time to recharge his batteries.

"I'm happy to be working for a city of this size now," he said. "I think I've been ready to for a number of years."

As Dodge City's new manager, Pederson will receive a base salary of $90,000 a year and will receive an annual performance evaluation from the commission, according to his contract. Future salary increases and other benefits will be based on the results of the evaluation.

Pederson will receive a $400-a-month car allowance as compensation for using his private vehicle for city business and will be responsible for all vehicle expenses including liability insurance, but he will be reimbursed for out-of-town mileage for city business if a city vehicle isn't available.

Some other details of Pederson's contract:
% He will receive five vacation days from the day he begins work, as well as five vacation days from the day he starts work. If he resigns or is terminated, he will be paid for any vacation days he accrues but does not use.
% He will receive the same sick leave benefits as other city employees, as well as five sick days from the day he begins work.
% The city will pay health and life insurance premiums for Pederson and his family, just as it would for any other city employee.
% The city will pay $4,000 a year into the International City Managers Association's Retirement Corp. plan in addition to Pederson's base salary, and will enroll him in the Kansas Public Employers Retirement System after a year.
% The city will cover moving and relocation expenses for Pederson and his family.
% If the commission decides to end the agreement with Pederson, it will pay him at least six months base salary and will continue to pay the cost of his health insurance benefits for six months or until he finds a new job.

But the city would not have to pay severance benefits if Pederson voluntarily resigns, is fired after being convicted of a criminal or illegal activity involving personal gain to him or abandons his position.

% Pederson is required to give the city 60 days' written notice if he voluntarily resigns, unless both sides agree to a shorter time.

About two years later.
Pederson Gone (June 28th, 2007 Story) By Mark Vierthaler, Dodge City Daily Globe

The Dodge City Commission voted unanimously to part ways with City Manager Jeff Pederson during an emergency city commission meeting Wednesday night. Mayor Kent Smoll said it was not a firing, but a mutual decision between the two parties to seek other opportunities.
Pederson's contract will now officially end July 1. He was originally hired in April 2005. After conducting a 15-minute executive session to discuss Pederson's employment, the commission returned and voted 5-0 to terminate his contract.

"We mutually agreed to split ways with Jeff," said Ken Strobel, the city's legal counsel. The commission cited differences in management style as reason for the split.

"Jeff is very intelligent," Smoll said. "But there are a lot of great things headed down the pipeline for Dodge City. We weren't sure he was headed in the same direction as us."

Smoll said in a prepared statement that city operations would continue to run smoothly. "I can assure the residents of Dodge City that there will be no delay or disruption of the ongoing projects or in dealing with the exciting new challenges confronting our community," he said.

Pederson, who did not attend the meeting, said in a phone interview afterward that there was no bad blood between himself and the commissioners.

"I was aware that my management style was at issue," he said. "I tend to be fairly low-key, and that's something Dodge City may not be used to. I don't make a lot of noise."

Pederson said he also came into a difficult situation when he took over the city. He stepped in while both Dodge City Raceway Park and the "Why Not Dodge?" tax were under fire for "wasting money," he said.
"But I feel I helped turn DCRP around a little bit," Pederson said. "The World of Outlaws events over the last weekend reached record attendance numbers for the park."

He said he felt good about what he'd done for the city, even if only for a short time. He will remain in Dodge City until he can find a job as city manager elsewhere.

Smoll said the commission appreciated the things Pederson had done, despite the need for separation. He also dismissed rumors that any illegal activities had led to the resignation.

"Absolutely not," Smoll said. "He has impeccable integrity. He has been exceptional."

Strobel said the severance package paid out to Pederson, totaling $71,014.00 minus taxes and withholdings, would officially end the contract between the city and its former manager. Smoll said the commission would begin looking for a replacement immediately.

At the July 2 commission meeting, the commissioners will discuss what criteria they will use to judge applicants. "It's hard just trying to quantify what it is exactly we're looking for in a city manager," Smoll said.

He said Commissioners Jim Lembright and Terry Lee have both interviewed city managers in the past, so the commission would be looking to them to help the process go smoother.

Pederson said he hoped his record would eventually speak for itself after he's moved on. "In two years' time, I hope I made a difference," he said. "I was behind the scenes most of the time, and those who chose to see it saw it."

Former City Manager Jeff Pederson officially submitted his resignation June 13. Then on Wednesday, the Dodge City Commission unanimously voted to terminate Pederson's contract with the city.

Mayor Kent Smoll said the city commissioners hadn't had time to sit down with each other and discuss it, but he was personally looking for a "visionary." [Jesus Christ?]

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My comment: Only two years and Jeff is in and now he is out. The first story says that if Mr. Pederson resigns no money. If he is terminated by the city, he gets over $70,000.00. Which is it?

The City Commission could have accepted his resignation and saved all that money. They chose not to. The Commission went into emergency session to make the act official that the City had terminated Mr. Pederson’s contract. Someone smell a rat?

What did Mr. Pederson know or have as information that got him $70,000.00 plus change? What does this amount buy?

The word around town is that Jeff Pederson had begun to question if the Event Center was really the will of the citizens of Dodge City. The story is that James Coffin and Mr. Bogner got wind of this, got in contact with Kent Smoll (they both use Kent as their accountant and they are his biggest accounts) and made clear that Jeff Pederson had to go. Others are saying that Jack Dalton’s motion to delay or stop the vote on the event center was prepared by Glen Kerbs and Ken Strobel. Some are saying that Jeff Pederson did not think this ethical as Glen is supposed to defend against this motion.

Whatever the case, Good bye Jeff and Good Luck. You deserve better and getting the hell out of Dodge City is the way to do this.

[lurker]

?Mr. Pederson is holding some nekkid pictures of Coffin and Bogner?

[Made in the USA]

PLEASE!!!! I hope they at least have their "speedos" on. On second thought-----

[sunny beach]

The word around town is that Jeff Pederson had begun to question if the Event Center was really the will of the citizens of Dodge City.

That's not the word that I heard around town! I heard it was because the citizens of Ford County voted to go with a casino, and he didn't think that gambling in this city was what he wanted to be involved in.

To me, it makes more sense that the gambling issue is the reason for him leaving. Since his leaving was announced after the election results from the gambling vote. After all the Event Center has been in the works the whole time he was a City Manager. So, I really doubt that the SEC is the reason for him leaving.

"The story is that James Coffin and Mr. Bogner got wind of this, got in contact with Kent Smoll (they both use Kent as their accountant and they are his biggest accounts) and made clear that Jeff Pederson had to go. Others are saying that Jack Dalton’s motion to delay or stop the vote on the event center was prepared by Glen Kerbs and Ken Strobel. Some are saying that Jeff Pederson did not think this ethical as Glen is supposed to defend against this motion."

This is not the first time that Coffin and Bogner have used their money to get "the puppets" to do their dirty work for them!

Kerbs and Stroble DID in fact help Dalton write the motion filed in Dist. Court. And the City Commission DID in fact (by a vote of 4-1, Lee being the one) instruct Stroble to file a brief supporting Dalton's position.

[Mike B.]

I find it ironic that the two unregistered posts have no facts to back up what they are saying and/or trying to imply. There may be alot of truth to it, but without actual proof, I'm finding it abit humorous!

I know for a fact that our County legal counsel will be arguing that we should have an election to repeal the County's sales tax. He has stated that at the last County Commission meeting.

Given the tangled mess of conflicted interests and memberships that the casino/Boot Hill Gaming Inc. board has with the city and county commissions -- and with CFAB, et al, and with the events center now not the 'dog' but the wagging 'tail' to the casino -- might have been to much for the guy. Hard to make rational decisions with all that money being on the table for the 'fat' guys -- err, 'volunteers' as it were. Looking forward to the other groups making their move on the management of the state owned casino -- certain that the real 'big' boys will be diving into the $millions involved with it.

Boot Hill Gaming
Board of Directors
9/30/2006

“For Profit Corporation,” According to the filing made in The Kansas Secretary Of State Office.

Jeff Thorpe, President (Fidelity Bank)
Ed.Brancart, Secretary (District Court Judge; formerly, Ford County Attorney)
Kent Smoll, Treasure (Dodge City Commissioner and Mayor)

Kim Goodnight, (Chair, Ford County Commissioner)
Dan Harris, (Fidelity Bank)
Scott Chipman, (Fidelity Bank)
Greg Starks, (Coldwell Banker) Chairman, CFAB
Jim Coffin, (JAG Construction Co.)
Joe Bogner, (Western Beverage) Served on 1st. FAB Board

[pootsy]

[quote=Unregistered;45682]
Pederson said he hoped his record would eventually speak for itself after he's moved on. "In two years' time, I hope I made a difference," he said. "I was behind the scenes most of the time, and those who chose to see it saw it."

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Ok what does he mean by this? He was behind the scenes most of the time? I don't know about all of you but I would really pay attention. Some of you are so nieve when it comes to corruption. Those who choose to see it, SEE IT

[pootsy]

Originally Posted by sunny beach

That's not the word that I heard around town! I heard it was because the citizens of Ford County voted to go with a casino, and he didn't think that gambling in this city was what he wanted to be involved in.

To me, it makes more sense that the gambling issue is the reason for him leaving. Since his leaving was announced after the election results from the gambling vote. After all the Event Center has been in the works the whole time he was a City Manager. So, I really doubt that the SEC is the reason for him leaving.

I don't buy that. He was here for two years and that is just enough time to find out what really is going on.

[Mike B.]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Given the tangled mess of conflicted interests and memberships that the casino/Boot Hill Gaming Inc. board has with the city and county commissions -- and with CFAB, et al, and with the events center now not the 'dog' but the wagging 'tail' to the casino -- might have been to much for the guy. Hard to make rational decisions with all that money being on the table for the 'fat' guys -- err, 'volunteers' as it were. Looking forward to the other groups making their move on the management of the state owned casino -- certain that the real 'big' boys will be diving into the $millions involved with it.

Boot Hill Gaming
Board of Directors
9/30/2006

“For Profit Corporation,” According to the filing made in The Kansas Secretary Of State Office.

Jeff Thorpe, President (Fidelity Bank)
Ed.Brancart, Secretary (District Court Judge; formerly, Ford County Attorney)
Kent Smoll, Treasure (Dodge City Commissioner and Mayor)

Kim Goodnight, (Chair, Ford County Commissioner)
Dan Harris, (Fidelity Bank)
Scott Chipman, (Fidelity Bank)
Greg Starks, (Coldwell Banker) Chairman, CFAB
Jim Coffin, (JAG Construction Co.)
Joe Bogner, (Western Beverage) Served on 1st. FAB Board

Since Senate Bill 66 passed there have been some changes to the Boot Hill Gaming board of directors.

Kim, Kent and Ed no longer sit on the board. They resigned right after SB 66 passed the senate. However, I find that it would be very nieve of anyone to suppose that the decisions that they make as commissioners and couty admin. are not influenced by passed involvement and contributions to Boot Hill gaming.