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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 07/22/2008 e CALL TO ORDER- SPECIAL MEETING: ROLL CALL: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Acceptance of City Manager's Resignation Formulation of Statement to the Public tit 6272 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington July 22, 2008 Mayor Braun called the special meeting of the Port Angeles City Council to order at 4:32 p.m. Members Present: Mayor Braun, Deputy Mayor Wharton [via speaker phone], Councilmembers Di Guilio, Kidd, Perry, Rogers, and Williams. Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Acting Manager/Attorney Bloor, Clerk Upton, G. Cutler, T. Gallagher, D. McKeen, Y. Ziomkowski, S. Roberds, N. West, S. Johns, B. Coons, 1. Mason, and M. Karjalainen. Public Present: S. Hartmann, E. Tuttle, P. Martin, M. Rauch, D. Cross, 1. Hoare, K. Moorman, P. Lamoureux, J. Creelman, D. Knifsend, L. & G. Doyle, B. Philpott, D. Pilling, R. Gruver, S. Blair, E. Petersen, T. Jennings, R. Curry, F. Burch, A. May, M. Wiggins, D. Gase, S. Long, P. Hansen, and J. Wengler. All others present in the audience failed to sign the roster. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Councilmember Di Guilio. Councilmember Williams requested a moment of silence in view of the proceedings and in memory of Council member Kidd's mother who recently passed away. Acceptance of City Manager's Resignation: Mayor Braun referenced the letter of resignation that was submitted by City Manager Mark Madsen on July 9,2008. Councilmember Perry moved to accept the resignation ofthe City Manager. Councilmember Kidd seconded the motion. Discussion ensued, and Attorney Bloor asked that the effective date ofthe resignation be made a part of the motion. He responded to a question from the Council as relates to the City Manager's severance package, clarifying options available to the Council. However, ifthe Council were to accept the resignation as per the contract, then the acceptance would include the severance as set forth in the contract. Councilmember Perry restated the motion to accept the resignation of Mark Madsen from the position of City Manager, effective September 1, 2008, as per the contract. Councilmember Kidd seconded the motion, which carried 5 - 2, with Mayor Braun, Deputy Mayor Wharton, and Councilmembers Di Guilio, Kidd, and Perry voting in favor of the motion, and Councilmembers Rogers and Williams voting in opposition. Formulation of Statement to the Public: Mayor Braun reported that the City Council conducted a special meeting this past Friday, at which time he asked Deputy Mayor Wharton and Councilmembers Di Guilio and Williams to formulate a joint statement. In that most of the Councilmembers had not read the draft statement, he asked Clerk Upton to obtain copies for distribution to the Council. - 1 - 6273 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING July 22,2008 Formulation of Statement to the Public (Cont'd) The Mayor referenced an additional memorandum from Manager Madsen that should be presented as well. Clerk Upton returned to the Chambers with copies of the draft, after which Councilmember Williams read the statement aloud. Mayor Braun opened the floor to discussion. Minor grammatical corrections were provided, after which Councilmember Kidd moved to approve the joint statement as presented and as set forth in Exhibit "A", which is attached to and becomes a part ofthese minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Perry and carried unanimously. e Mayor Braun referenced a July 16,2008, memorandum from Manager Madsen. Attorney Bloor advised the Mayor that the Council had completed its scheduled business, and no further business could be introduced at this time. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:54 p.m. LA ~ 16J~ ~ . Gary Braun, ayor../ -- &~ DdD^- Becky J. Upt Ci lerk I - - 2 - Exhibit" A" 6274 Joint Statement by members of The City Council of Port Angeles Reports in the media have called the legality and adequacy of our performance into question. We acknowledge and thank the many citizens and leaders of this community for their expressions of concern. As it relates to the conduct of business and the functioning of the Council - when there is reasonable cause to suspect a criminal violation, an independent investigative team from a neighboring law enforcement agency will conduct a thorough investigation and any resulting charges will be prosecuted to the fullest exte.Jlt of the law. The City Manager has explained to Council that he never intended~atlege any criminal law violations and does not believe any criminal law violations occurred. The City Attorney and Chief of Police have reviewed the actions on which the City Manager based his concerns in his memorandums to Council. They found no facts that support even the suspicion of a criminal offense having been committed and thus no reasonable cause to call for an independent investigation or prosecution. We do find some actions and activities have been inappropriate in the council - manager form of city government. This has resulted in an extended period of internal friction within the Council which has stressed the continuity of government. We admit we have not been effective in cultivating the orderly transition of power conveyed to us at the beginning of the year, and we apologize for the frustration and impact this has had on the community. It is our task as a full council to regretfully accept Manager~ Madsen's letter of resignation. As a body, we commit to the following corrective actions: 1) We will contract with a qualified professional interim Manager in a timely manner... the level and quality of services to the citizens of Port Angeles will not be interrupted or impacted. 2) We will initiate a process to seek and retain a qualified full time City Manager. 3) We will review, develop, and adopt additional revisions to the Council Rules and Procedures. We intend to equip this and future Councils with the means of effectively addressing any similar performance in the future. This action will provide tools currently not available to the Council, and we will use them to build a better system of accountability. 4) We pledge to this community - as one body - to immediately and radically alter the current situation and state of affairs. It is our goal and our promise to provide a reflective atmosphere which fosters constructive debate. We also assure the citizens of this community they will receive the quality of government and the kind of representation they rightly and justly deserve. Followed by 7 signatures... ..full council