MOUNTAIN VIEW — A town hall meeting held prior to Tuesday's Mtn. View City Council meeting was meant to allow public commentary and discussion of a controversial proposal to hire a city administrator. The position has reportedly had hit-and-miss success in the past and, some argue, the city can't afford the salary.
Other arguments against it have included a lack of experience in financial consulting among current candidates, the opinion that city Operations Manager Eddie Owens is already doing the job, and that the city council had already been cautioned in previous audits that it couldn't afford to pay for the position.
On the side of hiring a city administrator, council members argued other cities have had success with city administrators and have seen growth as a result, with the salary expense justified by a return on the investment, and that Owens has enough on his plate at this time.
However, the meeting got off to a somber start with the departure of East Ward Alderman Steven Sills, who left the meeting as soon as the vote was taken to accept his resignation. East Ward Alderman Murray Anderson and West Ward Alderman Lindell Vandevort voted to accept the resignation and West Ward Alderman Brenda Colter voted "no.” Sills cited personal reasons for leaving and thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve.
The meeting still had a quorum and proceeded from there, and despite the town hall meeting meant to give citizens a voice in the matter, tempers continued to flare during discussion of the city administrator position; several times, audience members argued with council members or Mayor John Krasuski or made derisive comments directed toward those present or the proceedings.
Robin McCullough was on the agenda as a speaker and Dwain Hockman was added at Krasuski’s request as the meeting started.
McCullough has been an opponent of the hiring, and argued the city couldn't afford the estimated $60,000 a year salary, citing 2021 and 2022 audit reports that said so, but added she wouldn't be against hiring a city manager if a candidate has the financial experience required.
Anderson replied that council members are trying to do the best they can for all Mtn. View citizens, adding that he felt those arguing against the city administrator position were doing so without taking that into consideration. He also reminded the audience that the mayor and council members have been entrusted by voters to make such decisions and if citizens are unsatisfied with any council member's performance, they are free to vote them out.
Later in the meeting, Hockman gave the opinion a city administrator is needed for the future growth of the city and fulfilling duties that shouldn't be expected of the mayor or aldermen, while admitting some of Mtn. View's past city administrators had not performed well. He clarified he wasn't there to advocate for any one candidate, but to advocate for the position itself.
After Anderson suggested council members go ahead with the second interviews of three candidates, Krasuski countered that none of the candidates have the financial experience needed. The mayor then suggested giving the title and, if warranted, a raise to Owens, since he is already performing those duties, and to hire a financial consultant as needed.
A motion was made by Anderson to proceed with the interviews and it passed. They were tentatively scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 28, in closed session, as is procedure with personnel matters.
Though most of the meeting was devoted to discussion of the hiring, other agenda items were settled.
An amendment to a city ordinance banning driver use of electronic devices like cell phones except when used with a "hands-free" feature was passed to bring city law in line with a recently enacted state law. Krasuski clarified that the offense is considered a secondary offense and that drivers cannot be pulled over for that reason, and City Attorney Deedra Nicholson added offenders will just be given a warning until 2025.
Owens presented bids for work on the municipal airport heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. In doing so, he commented the bids came out higher than expected at $5,000, but he believes about $1,000 could be shifted from money previously put aside to remove an airport fuel tank. The funds were left unused after he found a less costly solution to the removal, he explained.
It was decided the contract would be awarded to Woolsey Heating and Air for $5,000, with a 10-year parts warranty and five-year labor warranty.
Ashley Allen, representative of the Youth Center board, addressed council members to ask that a $7,000 utilities credit be reinstated. It was granted the credit would be given beginning in January, with the first $7,000 in utility costs waived. Owens did request that Youth Center board members take on the task of weed eating and trimming with the city continuing with the mowing, to which Allen agreed.
Ending the meeting, Krasuski presented his Mayor's Minutes and talked about the good turnout at the town hall meeting and expressed regret that Sills resigned, while reassuring audience members an appointment will be made to fill Sills’ seat as soon as possible.
He mentioned again his hope that council members will take into consideration everything that has been said about the city administrator position and think about delaying the hiring until the next budget window.
Anderson commented that he is thankful there have been no local hunting accidents to date this season, and reminded all that with the holiday breaks coming up, there will be more children out of school and playing outdoors, and to keep that in mind while driving.
He also asked about city office hours during Thanksgiving week, and City Clerk Sara Chowning confirmed offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after.
