Loading...
04 City Council Special Mtg Min. 12-28-06 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF PARIS December 28, 2006 The City Council of the City of Paris met for a special session at 6:00 P. M. Thursday, December 28,2006, at the Love Civic Center, 2025 S. Collegiate Drive, Paris, Texas. Present: Mayor: Richard Manning Council Members: Tim Ray; Curtis Fendley; Mary Ann Fisher, Mayor Pro Tern; Kevin Gray; Jesse James Freelen; and Don Wilson City Staff: John Lestock, Assistant City Attorney; and Tammy Strickland, Deputy City Clerk 1. Mayor Manning called the meeting to order. Ronnie Grooms gave the invocation. 2. Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Ray led the pledge. 3. Reading of Procedures for Public Hearing, followed by Public Hearing, pursuant to Section 22 of the Paris City Charter, to receive City Manager's response to written charges adopted in Resolution adopted December 27, 2006, by the Paris City Council. Mayor Manning stated this item was a public hearing for the City Manager Tony Williams, granted to him under Section 22 of the Paris City Charter. He further stated the public hearing was not an adversarial proceeding, nor was it considered an appeal of his termination. He said the public hearing was provided to allow Mr. Williams the opportunity to present his response to the City Council's reasons for terminating his employment. Mayor Manning read the following charges: A. That the average evaluation rating of 2.4 for the City Manager, in the sub-category "Keeps Council informed," in the "Council Relationships" category, falls in the rating of below average performance and thereby constitutes an unacceptable performance rating. B. That through prior written evaluations, the City Council had informed the City Manager to improve his communications with City Council members, but that the City Manager did not do so, and also stated that he could not work with the newly- elected City Council. . ._" '..1' ....~ .t.- 0.".. Regular City Council Meeting December 28, 2006 Page 2 C. That the City Council of the City of Paris has lost confidence in the ability ofthe City Manager of the City of Paris, Tony Williams, to provide the level of leadership necessary to achieve the desired goals and objectives ofthe City Council, and that the Council's actions should be construed as a vote of no confidence in Mr. Williams. After outlining the procedures to be followed during the public hearing, Mayor Manning opened the public hearing. Tony Williams stated that he asked for the public hearing on the merits of the charges of his termination. Tony thanked the City Council for giving him the opportunity to work in Paris. He said he never questioned the authority of the City Council to terminate the position of City Manager. Tony stated the differences they had were not about his work product, but about their relationship. Tony Williams responded to the first charge of "Keeps Council Informed," by stating the evaluation score was 2.4. He further stated they evaluated him on thirty-eight criteria and 2.5 was considered to be a good score. He scored above 2.5 on thirty-seven of the criteria and scored a 2.4 on one ofthe criteria. Tony said he did not think all ofthose who rated him low, gave him a valid evaluation and to score him low was without merit. He stated it was hard to understand why he was scored low on controlling costs. He said there had been improvement in the financials from December 2004 through the present. When he was hired as the City Manager, the City was in the hole a million dollars and was having to use it's bond money to make payroll. Tony stated the second charge as follows: "Through prior written evaluations, the City Council had informed the City Manager to improve his communication with the Council Members, but that the City Manager did not do so." The charge further read that he could not work with the newly elected City Council. Tony told Council he had offered to them to make changes to improve the communications. He said there was not a prior written evaluation other than the fall of 2005, and the majority was fine with his communication. He also said that there was no counseling offered to him after the 2005 evaluation. With regard to the newly elected City Council, Tony said that after the election had taken place Mr. Ray went to city employees and told him that Council was going to get them a new boss. He further stated that if a Council would not support a manager and stop that kind of conduct, he did not know any professional that would want to work under those circumstances. Tony stated the third charge as a "Loss of Confidence" issue. He responded by giving Council a list of accomplishments and stated as a result of same, Council should have confidence in him. He said the financial numbers were not his numbers, but those of the auditor. He said the City had a history of spending more than it was taking in and depleting it's reserves. He stated that he made a plan, went to Council and Council had to make hard decisions. Tony further stated that the cash current was about eight-million dollars, a 'T Regular City Council Meeting December 28, 2006 Page 3 significant improvement from one-million dollars in the hole. Tony said the City had been dealing with their rural water customer, under a water contract that was thirty-nine years old. They negotiated over a year and entered into a contract that was good for both parties. He said it was a significant revenue item that would last for many generations. Tony said through working together, they had structured a way to demolish houses at a lower cost than in the past. He said the appearance of the community had improved, as over one-hundred dilapidated houses had been tom down. Tony told Council that the bond projects that were completed included the police department, the 24th Street Drainage Project, and City Hall. He further said that they were completed within the budget and in a timely manner. Tony said they had worked together and accomplished a ten cent tax rate reduction. In closing, Tony said he regretted their unwillingness to reconsider their decision about his termination. He stated he had served the community well, and with integrity. He said the Council needed to lead the community to a progressive state and not regress to the previous problems. He told Council he had enjoyed working in the community, it was a great town and he wished the community the very best. Curtis Fendley, 554 Church Street - spoke in support of Tony Williams and his accomplishments as City Manager. He asked that an item be placed on the next Agenda to consider rehiring Tony Williams. Brady Fisher, 3870 Lamar Ave. - spoke in support of keeping Tony Williams as City Manager. Don Wilson, 3110 Stacy Lane - spoke in support of Tony Williams and inquired about goals for the City of Paris. Linda Vanderburg, 540 21 st N.E. - she spoke in support of Tony Williams and stated she had never heard them say he had not performed his job as City Manager. Ed Seidle, 1363 Pine Bluff - spoke in support of Tony Williams. Carl Cooper, 3025 Pride Circle - spoke in support of Tony Williams. Jesse Freelen, 115 45th S.W. - spoke in support of Tony Williams. He stated to terminate an individual's employment, based upon on a low rating on one out of forty-four items was not right. Henry Maynard, 350 CR42530 - spoke in support of Tony Williams. Katherine Blackford, 1035 Laurel Lane - spoke in support of Tony Williams. She asked Council to recall Mr. Williams to the job, because there was no reason to terminate him. T Regular City Council Meeting December 28, 2006 Page 4 Melba Harris, 3315 Lamar - spoke in support of Tony Williams. Liberty Swim, 8451 Creekwood Drive, Dallas, Texas - spoke in support of Tony Williams. Mary Campbell, 2552 Clark Lane - spoke in opposition of Tony Williams. Will Biard, 436 S. Church Street - spoke in support of Tony Williams. Walt Brown, 354 W. Washington - spoke in support of Tony Williams. Robert "Bob" Bush, 503 CR32050, Brookston - he stated that the real issue was not being addressed. 4. Adjournment. There being no further business, a Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council Member Fisher and seconded by Council Member Ray. The motion carried, 7 ayes - 0 nays. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. RICHARD MANNING, MAYOR TAMMY STRICKLAND, DEPUTY CITY CLERK T