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Home My WebLink About1979-12-14 Council Minutes - Special Meeting-;vr mil= ,b_ _�',-.'t!_ci ••.. e`�.s'. ..�:. �..":_-. _.i' __£'., i ,� .sup. uF 1�-- — r1 r-,r.-�r. .,,• - —r ��,'.,U +-„�a.;� 1 CITY OF ICP.NAI COUNCIL. SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 14, 1070 AGENDA PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A. ROLL CALL - - AGENDA , B. DISCUSSION OF CITY MANAGER APPLICANTS C. ADJOURNMENT f . h UT V] l ♦j r i� i A �. 60) KENAI CITY aOUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING DECE.MBER 14, 1979, 5: 00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING A. Pledge of allegiance B. Roll Call Presont: Betty Glick, Ron Malston, Vincent O'Reilly, Phil Aber, Ed Am`barian, Ray Measles Absent: Mike Seaman Agenda Approval Agenda was approved as presented. B. Discussion of City Manager Applicants Mayor O'Reilly explained that Steve Reinhardt and Ron Chappell of the Clarion were asked to help with the review of the applicants. He wished to thank the Clarion staff for their effort in fulfilling their duty There was a short recess to enable the Council to review the infor- mation received. BILL: BRIGHTON Steve Reinhardt said he talked to 2 people on the local newspaper and the prosecutor wh,, brought the indictment against Mr. Brighton. Major accomplishments are: Terra haute was stagnant when he got there, it is rail center. Mr. Brighton was instrumental in getting grants for urban renewal. Mr. Reinhardt said it was most apparent that all was described within the framework of partisan politics. Mr. Brighton is a Democrat, both men on the p $erne Republican, but they still liked him. The prosecutor is a ar—but he did not like him. The indictment was, the Sewer Treatment Plant funds were used for cam- paign expenditures, the funds did not go through Mr. Brighton, but to the party. There has been harrassment in the past, none of the alleg- ations have been proved out. His Assets are - he has charisma, has good management skills, has a good relationship with the State Legislature - this helps the City. The preliminary hearing is December 28, 1979, he was indicted in June. Mayor O'Reilly asked if there was any inkling that the 2% assessment has been going on a long time, and that Mr. Brighton just put it in contract, formalized it? Mr. Reinhardt said he hadn't heard. Councilwoman Glick asked if the preliminary hearing was December 18 or December 28, both dates have boon given out. Mr. Reinhardt said tho reporter told him December 28. Councilwoman Glick asked Mr. Reinhardt if he got any idea from those he talked to, 1 { I' KENAI CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 14, 1079 Page 2 did they give him any indication of the result. Mr. Reinhardt replied 2 of the 3 said they thought it was a bum deal. LARRY SMITH Ron Chappell spoke to one of those people in Walla Walla who voted to got rid of him. His accomplishments were verified, but his method was 1 criticized. Even his supporters said he was not always tactful. Ile re- duced the number of City personnel, most were in the police and fire departments. He and the police chief discussed but could not agree on personnel changes, so Mr. Smith went to the Council. There was no agreement, so he went to the State and had a study made, He won, The same thing happened to the fire department. No one faults his ability as Manager or Engineer, one of those Mr. Chappell talked to said he didn't think Mr. Smith would have been fired if he had not had an affair with his secretary. That was the final reason. He had boon there so long they gave him 6 months to find a job. While he was looking, an ord- inance was made to change sick leave pay from 50% to 100% - it seemed to be just for him. "I didn't come here to make friends, but to do the job," seems to sum up Mr. Smith. I Mr, Reinhardt talked to 2 men in Snohomish, Mr. Smith had been the j Gth City Manager in 6 years, The City was in bad shape, he straightened it up. He "bent a few noses" on the way. He was told Mr. Smith was better than average, a good engineer. He was not a strong proponent on public safety, Snohomish was a "back -wash" town, in deep financial trouble, he whipped it into shape, CHARLES CARLSON Mr, Chappel verified his employment dates, they were correct. He did not get a list of positions. Ile tried to contact the previous grants coor- dinator, but was unable to, He talked to the current grants coordinator, she did not know about him. Ile also found out Mr. Carlson did not re- ceive a degree, LARRY SMITH Mr, Reinhardt said Mr. Smith was described as a person who lets the � 4 -- E department heads run the show as long as they did it right. —v f BILL BRI_ ON Mayor O'Reilly asked about the indictment against Mr, Brighton, Mr, Reinhardt said the charge was official misconduct, is a misdemeanor, There is approximately $6,000 involved, i a Q ' r' 1 i r - , y ...-. KENAI CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBERA, 1079 Page 3 if Councilman Ambarlan stated Mr. Carlson was his 3rd choice, Mr. Smith is his lot choice. Mr. Smith has more basic, usable City Manager exper- ience they can use. We do not have a perfect combination, but he is close, MOTION: Councilman Ambarian moved, seconded by Councilman Aber, to appoint Larry Smith as City Manager, j Discussion: g Councilwoman Glick stated he could do the job, he has the wherewithal, but he is weak in "PR," He has the experience, but she could not buy it. He is still being investigated for $15,000. She would not take Smith. Councilman Malston said we do not have to take any of them. Council- man Ambarian agreed with Councilman Malston, he was tempted, but we ' are to a point we have a negative response from administration, we , dumped the job on Mr. Brown for a long time, We should have a pro- f ., bation period, 6 months or a year, if we hire. Even on this basis, he felt Smith was best, There was a brief recess while Councilman Malston reviewed the reports with Mr. Chappell and Mr. Reinhardt, he had arrived after their reports were made. MOTION: Councilman Malston moved, seconded by Councilwoman Glick, to table any action regarding the City Manager until after Mr. Brighton's pre- liminary hearing, (Approximately 2 weeks) Councilman Malston said he still felt Brighton has the qualifications we are looking for: his ability to talk to people, his "PR." We terminated the last City Manager for that reason, to hire another with the same pro- p blem to ludrieeus. Councilman Ambarlan said that was not the only reason Mr. Wise was fired, Motion passed by roll call vote, with Councilman Ambarlan voting no. ADJOURNMENT r Meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM. Ix 'IV G� ' Q 1• AstWhelan, City Clerk