HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-18 - MINUTES - SPECIAL MTG (2)r, I CaT 1OF SANTA CLARITA
CITY COUNCIL
XDZUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING
3:00 P. M
MAY 18, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Weste called to order the special meeting of the City Council at 3:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmembers were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Carl Newton, City Attorney, advised that Section 2.08.100 of the Santa Clarita
Municipal Code specifies that the removal of the City Manager shall be effected only
by a majority vote of the whole Council convened in a regular Council meeting. Since
this is a special meeting, Council cannot take such action today and, if Council
wishes to pursue that action, an item would need to be placed on a future regular
meeting agenda.
Motion by Smyth, second by Darcy, to amend the purpose of the
Closed Session to say, 'To consider the termination of the contract of
the City Manager or alternatives determined by the City Council, and
the appointment of an interim City Manager if necessary.
On roll call vote:
Ayes: Darcy, Sellar, Ferry, Smyth, Weste
Noes: None
Absent: None
Motion carried.
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Smyth led the flag salute.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Addressing the Council at this time was David Peterson; Jason Smisko; Troy Brown;
Jan Heidt; Carmen Sarro; Kelli Lajer; Chris Deets; Roberta Veloz; Roberta Gillis;
Aleffis Heinz; Sydell Stokes; Gary Mast; Michelle Antaloczy; George Morris; Gus
Caravalho; Marceline Tapie; Mike Lebecki; Mike Berger; Nick Lentini; Caitlin
Dempsey; Craig Eomurian; Lori Powell; Marsha McLean; Steve Cornell; Glenda
Bona; Maria Chittum; Joe Hiltner; Karen Pearson; Lucia Esquieval; Richard
Patterson; Allan Cameron; Berta Gonzalez -Harper; Bahman Janka; Tom Di Ciaccio;
ZE Gonzalez; Tom Haner; Jack Boyer; Mary Navarro; Vera Johnson; Morris Deason;
Pat Willett; Dennis Ostrom; Chris Townsley; Susan Ostrom; Jim Lentini; Glo
Donnelly; Larry Bird; Valerie Thomas; Linda Townley; Connie Worden-Roberts;, and
John Grannis. Forty-one written comment cards were submitted.
Motion by' Ferry, ";second Jby '; ,': that' Council waive the
attorney/client privilege with, regard; toi the Joanes ease and give
approval for the City and the attorneys to provide information and
comment on the case.
Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.
Carl Newton, City Attorney, introduced Drew Bridges and Tim Davis of Burke
Williams & Sorenson who handled the case on behalf of the City. Mr. Bridges
provided information and described the key issues of the case and what was included
in the settlement.
CLOSED SESSION
Carl Newton, City Attorney, advised of the need to conduct a Closed Session for the
purpose of holding a:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
To consider the termination of the contract of the City Manager or
alternatives determined by the City Council and the appointment of an
interim City Manager if necessary, pursuant to Government Code Section
54957
RECESS AND RECONVENE
Mayor Weste recessed the meeting to closed session at 4:20 p.m. and reconvened the
meeting at 7:35 p.m.
CITY ATTORNEY ANNOUNCEMENT
Carl Newton, City Attorney, announced that no action was taken during Closed
Session that was required to be reported. However, Council, on a unanimous vote
after consultation with litigation attorneys in the Joanes case, recognized certain
incorrect statements in articles appearing in the Signal in the past 2 days. Council
directed the preparation of a letter from the City Council to the community
responding to these incorrect statements regarding the litigation.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Smyth stated Council has directed staff to conduct an audit with an
outside firm and bring back a complete review of all aspects of our trash removal
process including the current, proposed and past contracts. Special focus will be
placed on the impact of tipping fees, franchise fees and the impacts they have on
residential and commercial rates as well as our diversion. By an "outside firm",
Council means a big -6 auditing firm or an outside firm that goes through a request
for proposal that will report directly back to the City Council, with Council selecting
the firm.
Councilmember Kellar stated this City has progressed extremely well under the _
leadership of elected Councils, the City Manager, City Staff and the input of the
citizens. Because of our City's somewhat unique nature, we too frequently find
ourselves involved with difficult issues and decisions to be made. It should go
without saying that most matters have diverse issues associated with them and
therefore there is seldom consensus of opinion. Over recent months, there has (sic)
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Preen concerns that Staff has been on a course of action inconsiawnt.'with that of :the
elected leadership. This concern has been experienced; by a pegment of, the
community as well as Councilmembers. An inconsistency +of this nature however,
should be correctable through improved communications, guidance and leadership.
Yesterday's news article should bring concern to reasonable minds and yet be looked
upon with a great deal of scrutiny. News articles should not be considered a tryor of
fact and should not be relied upon to establish a person's ability to perform a task, or
their true character. Also important, is that information brought forth suggesting
possible inappropriate actions by a person in a position of trust cannot be ignored.
For the above stated reasons, the Council has held this special meeting. Extensive
discussion has been carried out, questions have been asked of the attorneys directly
involved with the case reported on in the newspaper, and concerns of the Council
relevant to the management of the City have been thoroughly discussed with the City
Manager and the Assistant City Manager. The Manager has agreed to the
improvements requested by Council. Furthermore, the Council has agreed to meet
on a quarterly basis with the City Manager and City Attorney for the purpose of
performance evaluation. The Council position on these matters is unanimous along
with our statement of support and confidence for our City Manager.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Weste adjourned the meeting at 7:39 pm.
ATTEST:
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