When was the Copeland contract written? (updated)

In the Pioneer Press article quoted in a previous post, reporter Mohr refers to Mr. Copeland's "... original employment contract", having interviewed various city officials.

The document begins with the declaration "This agreement entered into this 13th day of November 2006...."

During the January 17, 2008 investigation referral discussion (the audio link is near end of the article) , Councilperson Hjelle states he learned of the contract over a year ago, but never asked to see it.

So, we might be justified in believing the document was written around November 13, 2006. But, if the purported contract was executed over a year ago, why hasn't either the City or Mr. Copeland been implementing its provisions?

Here are the key compensation provisions and the action taken (verified via a data practices request for Copeland's payroll records since his initial employment [medium PDF]):

• A pay increase from $78,000 to $85,000 effective November 14, 2006. And yet, the back pay request and subsequent check implementing this pay increase was not submitted until January 11, 2008.
• A further pay increase eligibility on November 14, 2007. None was discussed by council or implemented.
• A peformance review on or before October 31, 2007. None was conducted, at least publicly.
  
• A car allowance of $550 per month, effective November 14, 2006 as of the contract date. As of January 28, 2008, Mr. Copeland has never been paid a car allowance.
• Deferred compensation eligibility of 6%. Mr. Copeland has been exercising 3%.
• City paid deferred compensation of 6%. The City has been contributing only 3%.
  
• Vacation accrual of 25 days per year. And yet, his payroll records indicate only about 33 days have accrued over nearly two years of employment.

While the purported contract may have existed for over a year as Mr. Hjelle claims, it would appear that neither the City nor Mr. Copeland has acted as if it did.

[Update 1/28 3:30PM correct the effective date of the car allowance. Correct the deferred comp to reflect that this contribution is from the City, not Mr. Copeland]