Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 11-13-2007 regular agenda — reading text

laid down the ground rules at the beginning of the discussion that were agreed upon by everyone, and he stressed that no motion for an investigation has been made and until and if such a motion is made, then relevant reason can be sought. Mr. Garvie asked the City Attorney if an employee of the City has a right to have a city resident come to them for advice, and the employee offer advice to the individual, as he feels that is the allegation at hand. Mr. Minich made a point of order reiterating the Mayor' s statement that questions are to ask Mr. Holmes his reasons for wanting an investigation. Mr. Garvie stated all he wanted to know is whether the October 15, 2007 memo in the backup is something that needs to be investigated. The City Attorney stated she cannot answer as that is Council's decision, and at what level of conduct rises to malfeasance, misfeasance, inappropriateness or illegality is within the Council' s j purview. She surmised that from what she heard there is more than one reason for an investigation. Mr. Garvie stated he heard only one reason and it was vague. c The Mayor asked for public input. 194 10/ 23/ 07 Regular Council INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF FINANCE DIRECTOR ( CO NT) c Charlene Greenwald, 206 Jet Drive, questioned how many council members have been contacted by the public, and questioned how it is known whether the Finance Director actually to the had a conversation with Mr. Rettie. She was advised a memo is contained in the backup Human Resource Director from an employee referencing the conversation. Dick Gercak, 214 Miracle Strip Parkway, questioned what it will cost the City to have 1\ an , lU'" it is to Council investigation done, and who will do the investigation. The Mayor responded up will be done, if one is done, and it could be by the Mayor or the Council, how an investigation and it is not possible at this time to determine the cost. Kabe Woods, 240 Brooks Street SE, referenced the two agenda items calling for an removal of citizen from a City investigation of Charter Officers and the item calling for the a board, and stated his feeling these topics are an embarrassment to the City, and urged Council to return to the business of making decisions for the betterment of the City. Charlene Greenwald, 206 Jet Drive, stated this conduct is hurtful to the citizens of the City; she is concerned about the morale of City staff; and stressed her disappointment in recent events. Dick Gercak, 214 Miracle Strip Parkway, questioned whether he understood the allegation and that as an correctly that the Finance Director gave information to a member of a City board, official of the City she was not allowed to give out the information. Mr. Gercak was advised that his assumption was not correct. For clarification to the citizens present at the meeting, Mr. Holmes read the memo to the Human r' Resources Director dated October 15, 2007, from an employee of the City ( Jo Main): ' On October 1ih at 10: 15 am in the morning, I had a conversation with Lisa Absher, Finance Director, regardingthe October 9th City Council meeting that I watched on the television that aired the following day, October 10 on channel 6. One of the topics of conversation between Lisa and I was about the upcoming proposed agenda item that Councilman Hartwell brought up as CRA Board regarding CRA Board Member Bob Rettie to be removed from his position Member. Lisa confirmed to me that she had heard about this from several people including Mr. Rettie himself and that the subject had been discussed. I asked her if she knew what Mr. Rettie was going to do and she told me that she had discussed it with him and advised him that she best of my ability.' thought he should resign. This is true and as accurate as I can recall to the Lisa Mr. Holmes moved to authorize an investigation into the conduct of the Finance Director, Absher. Mr. Minich seconded motion. The Mayor asked if Council had any comments in regard to the motion. Mr. Holmes stated the morale of the City is at an all- time low, and every effort must be made to correct these issues to put the City back on track like it was a year ago before the arrival of the Finance Director, and this is the only way he knows to get these items out in the open and find the truth. Mr. Minich stated he has had many people, including a citizen, contact him and he also feels the morale of the City is at an all- time low. He advised he has spoken with department directors u and members of City staff and stated he could not, and would not, deal with rumors and he said/ she said mentality. He advised them if they know of something firsthand that is incorrect or c unbecoming the conduct of the Finance Director to put it in writing. Mr. Minich stated that is not were asked by a an easy thing to do as one employee did put something in writing, then they member of Council to attend the meeting this evening, and that is why it is difficult for people to come forward.  1"9 5 Regular Council 10/ 23/ 07 INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF FINANCE DIRECTOR ( CO NT) Mr. Minich advised what is needed is someone who can talk to the individuals who deal with the c Finance Director on a daily basis and find out the real answers so the allegations can be taken care of. Mr. Minich believes there is sufficient information and allegations that someone should be able to talk to the employees so they can express their opinion without fear of retribution. Mr. Reeves noted the difficult task before Council, and that it is easy to sit in the audience and reach a conclusion without having all the information that Council has. Mr. Reeves stated he did not take this position to get involved with Staff issues, but this is just one issue and he is concerned about the morale of Staff, and he is in support of this motion in hopes any doubts will be cleared and the business of the City can return. Mr. Miller advised he has never heard one negative comment from anyone regarding the conduct of the Finance Director, and noted the fact that her personnel file contains letters regarding her conduct sent anonymously, as well as the unfavorable exit interview of a former employee. Mr. Miller stated there is no letter referencing any type of problems in her personnel nothing has ever been documented, and feels that something has happened with the file, leadership of the City to allow things to get to this point. Mr. Garvie stated he has had people call him on the phone, as well as come to his residence, and he has not heard one negative comment from anyone about the Finance Director, only positive comments about what she is doing for the City. He continued that he has never had an... employee of the City or of the City' s Finance Department come to him with concerns. Mr. Garvie stated his feeling is that there are individuals who contact certain members of Council because they know the way these certain councilmembers feel, so they are sought out. He advised he does not believe in interfering with the personnel business of the City, as that is up to,' c the City Manager and how she handles the City. He concluded that he has been impressed with the presentation and information the Finance Director has brought forward, and feels that the matter of an individual coming to her office for advice and she advised him he should resign, which is exactly what Council voted to do, is petty and should not warrant the attention it is receiving. Dr. Pullen advised that since Council cannot interfere with the City Manager and the personnel issues of the City employees, there is nothing to prevent an employee of the City to come before them with a problem because Council could take no sort of disciplinary action against an employee. Dr. Pullen stated he has had many phone calls and contacts of high praise for the efforts of the Finance Director; he stressed teamwork among City staff and that everyone should behave like mature adults and work for the good of the City. Dr. Pullen stated his feeling there is a hostile work environment in the City and that the Finance Director is under a lot of pressure, and this makes it difficult for her to do her job efficiently. Mr. Hartwell stated it is time to bring this issue to an end as it is an embarrassment to the City, and the way it can end is with an impartial look to what is going on, if anything, and that it is Council' s responsibility to focus on the business of the residents, employees, and budget of the City, and not bicker about personalities among the City' s Charter Officers. Mr. Hartwell advised he does not pick ' sides,' that he sides with what is correct, moral, and effective in administrative and leadership techniques. He. expressed a concern that one investigation of a department may lead to an investigation of another department, then be followed with an investigation on this Charter Officer, then another, and that somewhere things would stop making sense. Mr. Hartwell also stated his feeling that all this bickering will scare off business, that developers will c read about the unrest at City Hall and will not want to do business in the City, and this will hurt everyone. 196 10/ 23/ 07 Regular Council INVESTIGATION OF CONDUCT OF FINANCE DIRECTOR ( CONT) c Mr. Garvie stated he was' an investigator at the highest levels of government, and that professional opinion there is no need for an