Residents and council debate City Hall closure after 1.8-inch snow event

Residents and several council members criticized the city administration’s decision to close City Hall early during a Feb. 5 snow/ice event that the National Weather Service recorded as about 1.8 inches of snow.

Resident Linda Dyke asked on the record for details and review. “I would like to know… how much money was spent to pay employees for going home early on a day when we only had 1.8 inches of snow?” she asked, and said social media had been critical of the city’s decision.

City Administrator Tony Graff and other officials said the decision was made by department heads in the interest of safety and to allow public-works crews—who had been working extended shifts—to complete operations. Graff said he and department chiefs monitored conditions and that the extra hour the next day allowed crews to finish parking-lot and road work: “I use my best judgment also working with the public works and police chief… the decision was made in regards to safety.”

Several council members asked for clearer guidance on when City Hall should close or employees should be permitted to leave early. One council member said neighboring municipalities kept offices open and suggested the city adopt a standard rule, for example tying building closures to a parking ban threshold. Graff said staff would consult other managers and prepare options for the council.

Why it matters: Critics said closing the building for a relatively small accumulation harmed municipal service continuity and cost taxpayers; administrators said the closure balanced staff safety, the heavy workload on public-works crews and resident access to safe facilities.

Ending: No policy change was adopted at the meeting. Council members requested a future work-session item on clearer storm/closure guidelines and on how decisions about paid time are handled when closures occur.