THURSDAY,
JUNE 3, 2004
CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD
SPECIAL
MEETING
7:30
P.M.
1. ROLL CALL: Council for the City of Pickerington met for a special meeting, Thursday, June 3, 2004, at City Hall. Mayor Shaver called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Roll call was taken as follows: Mrs. Riggs, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Wright, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Parker, Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Wisniewski, and Mayor Shaver were present. No members were absent. Others present were: Frank Wiseman, Bob Mapes, Lynda Yartin, Tony Dill, Mike Maurer, and others.
2. LEGISLATIVE READINGS:
A. ORDINANCE 2004-38, “AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH BARB SLAVEN FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION CONSULTING SERVICES,” Second Reading, Riggs. Mr. Parker moved to adopt; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. Mrs. Riggs stated Ms Slaven is available to anyone on Council as well as the Mayor and she felt it was important to make sure this contract is in place as it will be a valuable tool to the new City Manager. Mr. Parker stated he felt Ms Slaven was very qualified for this position. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright abstaining, Mr. Sabatino voting “Nay,” and Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Wisniewski, Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Hackworth, and Mr. Parker voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-1. Mr. Parker moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of three readings; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright abstaining, Mr. Sabatino voting “Nay,” and Mr. Parker, Mr. Hackworth, Mrs. Riggs, Mr. O’Brien, and Mr. Wisniewski voting “Yea.” Suspension of Rules failed, 5-1.
B. ORDINANCE 2004-39 (AS AMENDED), “AN ORDINANCE CONCURRING IN THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDITH A. GILLELAND TO THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER AND THE DECLARATION OF IMMEDIATE NECESSITY AND EMERGENCY IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS BY JUNE 28, 2004,” Second Reading, Mayor Shaver. Mr. Hackworth moved to adopt; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Mr. Wright stated he would have to vote against this ordinance because the negotiation process did not occur properly within Council and within the Finance Committee. Mr. Wright stated the Mayor does have the authority to make an appointment, however, he did not have the authority to negotiate a contract, which was done without Council’s knowledge until last Tuesday evening. Mayor Shaver stated Mr. Wright was incorrect, a large number of Council members were involved in the negotiations. He stated this was a six month process that involved a large panel of community members and staff. Mayor Shaver stated the negotiation of the contract took place and that is the proper role of the Mayor and he then presents it to Council. Mayor Shaver stated it is not the role of Council to negotiate a contract with the City Manager. He stated Council can reject it if they do not like it, but it was negotiated in good faith. Mayor Shaver stated the numbers were discussed during interviews, with Council members, and Council members were invited to be a part of the interview process. Mayor Shaver stated the contract was in Council’s packets last Friday and Mr. Wright had not called with any questions. Mr. Wright stated he did receive the contract in his packet late on Friday and as Monday was a holiday he called City Hall Tuesday morning for a comparison of salaries. He stated he had also spoken with Ms Gilleland. Mr. Sabatino stated he did receive a copy of the contract in his packet on Friday and there was no salary analysis included. Mayor Shaver stated the salary comparison was not included in the packet, but one was completed by Mr. Plunkett. Mr. Sabatino stated he felt Ms Gilleland would make an excellent City Manager, however, he has concern about some issues which were discussed in Executive Session that could have been handled differently to achieve a unanimous vote. Mr. Sabatino stated while he does not have a problem with the individual he does have a problem with the contract and how it was handled, and for those reasons he could not support this legislation this evening. Mrs. Riggs stated she had chaired the search committee and the process lasted for six months. She stated she had never received a phone call from any Council member asking about the process or the applicants. She further stated it was an inclusive process that involved citizens and Council, and anyone on Council was invited to sit in on the interviews by the Mayor. She stated the salary comparison that was done is an average salary that she was confident, based upon Ms Gilleland’s experience, is adequate for what we should be paying for a City Manager. Mrs. Riggs further stated, as Chairperson of Finance, she had received no calls today to discuss a renegotiation of the contract. Mrs. Riggs stated she believed the contract was negotiated in good faith and she hoped it would be moved forward this evening. Mr. Sabatino stated he understood Mrs. Riggs’ concern about the renegotiation of the contract not coming through Finance Committee and he hoped she could understand his concern about the initial contract not going through Finance Committee. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright and Mr. Sabatino voting “Nay,” and Mrs. Riggs, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 5-2. Mr. Parker moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of three readings; Mr. Hackworth seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wright and Mr. Sabatino voting “Nay,” and Mrs. Riggs, Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Hackworth voting “Yea.” Suspension of Rules failed, 5-2.
3. MOTIONS:
A. MOTION TO CONTINUE EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER SECTION 121.22(G)(3), CONFERENCE WITH LAW DIRECTOR REGARDING PENDING OR IMMINENT COURT ACTION. Mr. Wiseman stated he felt it would be appropriate to continue the Executive Session regarding the purchase or sale of public property at the same time. Mr. Hackworth moved to continue the Executive Session under Section 121.22(G)(3), Conference with Law Director regarding pending or imminent court action and Section 121.22(G)(2), Purchase or Sale of Public Property for June 8, 2004, at 6:00 P.M.; Mr. O’Brien seconded the motion. Roll call was taken with Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. Parker, Mr. Wright, Mr. O’Brien, Mrs. Riggs, and Mr. Sabatino voting “Yea.” Motion passed, 7-0.
4. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Mr. Hackworth moved to adjourn; Mr. Wisniewski seconded the motion. Mr. Sabatino, Mr. Parker, Mr. Wisniewski, Mr. Wright, Mr. Hackworth, Mr. O’Brien, and Mrs. Riggs voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 7-0. The special meeting adjourned at 7:48 P.M., June 3, 2004.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
_______________________________
Lynda D. Yartin, Municipal Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________
David Shaver, Mayor