City Times Staff

Scott Schatschneider, former director of public works, arrives for his last day of work on Jan. 17.

Schatschneider, who resigned from his position in early Jan., attended his last City Council meeting the night before. That meeting was adjourned early because too few council members attended for the council to legally conduct city business.

Outgoing elected officials and department heads are generally recognized during their last council meeting, often with a public message of thanks from city leadership and a plaque of appreciation for their public service.

Schatschneider, who ran the dept. for four years, was presented with a plaque of appreciation — but only after Monday’s short meeting had ended — by Council President Mike Phillips, who stood in for the vacationing Mayor Mike Wiza.

Four members of the council did not attend the Jan. 17 meeting. Ald. Meleesa Johnson opted to instead attend a Wisconsin Towns Association meeting — which has no relationship to her position on the City Council — and Ald. Mary McComb was ill. Councilman David Shorr was running late on his way back from Iowa City. Ald. Cathy Dugan was absent because she was packing for an out-of-town trip the following morning.

Mayor Mike Wiza on Tuesday promised to make up for the oversight.

“It shouldn’t have happened that way,” Wiza said. “I’m hoping we can call him back in to give him the chance to speak about his time with the city, and to publicly thank him for his work with the city, which he deserves, but what happened wasn’t right.”