Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 03-27-07 regular minutes — reading text

Mr. Campbell stated he resents a council member telling a council- elect how he and/ or she should conduct business of the City, and feels it is an insult to the new Council coming on board. Mr. Campbell stated he would not support this motion. Mr. Patterson stated in order to support a motion such as this, he would have to have just cause and as it stands now, it is only hearsay and he would not support the motion. tt- Mr. Tucker advised he is offering to the new Council the opportunity and choice of accepting the resignation of the City Manager, and noted it is difficult to come in and make a quick decision as to whether to hire or fire someone. The Mayor commented that is exactly what he is asking them to do. Mr. Campbell called for the question and it failed by a vote of 1 to 6 with Tucker in favor and Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Pullen, Hartwell, and Minich opposed. Mr. Holmes moved that City Council give a vote of confidence to the City Manager. Mr. Minich seconded motion.  226 03- 27- 07 CITY MANAGER DISCUSSION ( CONTI Mr. Holmes stated it is not right to tear down the morale of an individual or of the employees, and he felt like that is what occurred. Mr. Minich again expressed his displeasure with this whole discussion. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, loudly voiced her opposition for the public not having an ~;....... ........'. opportunity to speak on this issue. The Mayor asked Ms. Gibson to refrain from any further . outbursts or he would have her removed from the meeting, and noted that the issue had been I. voted on and failed, and that a new motion was now on the floor. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion that City Council gives a vote of confidence to the City Manager and it carried by a vote of 5 to 2 with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Hartwell, and Minich in favor and Tucker and Pullen opposed. MAYOR/COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS ( CONT) Mr. Tucker extended an invitation to his place of business, The Boat, on Sunday at 1300 hours for a barbeque. Mr. Hartwell questioned the appropriate forum for an investigation into the cause for the resignation of a City Manager. The City Attorney informed Council that under the charter the Council has the right to investigate the affairs of the city upon vote of the Council, and at any time any Council member can make a motion and if passed then the matter can be investigated with the administration. Mr. Hartwell wished to know if that would be equivalent to an executive session where the public is excluded. The City Attorney replied the motion and conversation would never be subject to an executive session, that executive sessions are only for pending litigation which means it has actually been filed. Dr. Pullen wished to know if Council asks for an investigation, if whoever is investigating can take sworn testimony and go into great detail, Council would appoint an investigating officer who could take testimony. The City Attorney stated under the interpretation of the charter that would be subject to the Council' s motion because Council can do an informal investigation, a formal investigation, and there are different ways to handle an investigation depending on the allegations. Dr. Pullen wished to know if Council has the right to fire without cause. The City Attorney replied yes, any of the Charter Officers. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 p. m. APPROVED~ ~ MAYOR: A~ q,~ CITY CLERK Ive L