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DAYTON–The City Council heard a slight explanation of the reasoning for the special meeting held for public comment on June 30 after the termination of three senior employees, City Administrator Trina Cole, Public Works Manager Jim Costello, and Planning and Community Development Director Meagan Hayes, by request of Mayor Zac Weatherford.
He stated at the special meeting on June 30 there would be a public comment portion at the regular July meeting. At the beginning of that portion of the July 14 meeting, the mayor clarified that it is not a question-and-answer section but a time for people to comment, stifling any inquiry of his actions.
To date, the only answer he has given for the terminations is the need for change. City Clerk Deb Hays emotionally read a letter to the public from Trina Cole and Jim Costello. One portion read, "Change is inevitable, change is difficult, but more importantly change creates new opportunities. We have the absolute and utmost respect for Mayor Weatherford. And although the decisions to terminate senior management without cause or more commonly known as 'with no wrongdoing' on the employees' part was made, we understand and appreciate his need for change and the need to create new opportunities for the City of Dayton."
The mayor has stated that the decision was his and with no input from the Council. He has said he made it within the bounds of the contracts with the employees of which the Council approved. However, Council member Delphine Bailey pointed out that they were told that the large severance payments were in the contracts to dissuade a new mayor from coming into position and firing staff. It is this reason that Council approved that portion of the contracts.
Community member Lisa Caldwell dispersed and read a statement with questions expressing concern over making severance payments to the three former employees. It should be noted these payments are being made while the City now has the added expense of a newly approved contract with the County for planning services at $4,000 a month.
Additionally, Weatherford has requested the Council's consideration to hire someone who could help with the financial needs of the City as well as someone for the City's planning obligations. Caldwell quoted from the Washington Mayor and Councilmembers Handbook that is found on the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) website. It recommends the mayor should consider consulting with council before a potentially controversial termination is carried out. It also warns of the potential for legal action from former employees.
She also quoted from the handbook about fiscal responsibility as well as the council's need to be kept informed about city business and situations to make decisions. "The residents of Dayton elected the Mayor and City Council to be stewards of the city and act in the best interest of the residents," Caldwell said. "The swift removal of three employees with no notice to the Council could lead one to believe the employees' actions were so egregious that the removal would be with cause and needed to be immediate to safeguard the city.
"However, recognizing that the mayor is under no obligation to divulge the specific reasons for removing the employees, I believe the residents of Columbia County deserve to have answers," Caldwell said. According to Caldwell, the Mayor has not answered any of her questions.
City Council candidate Laura Aukerman questioned about how long the city has to pay out the severance. Weatherford said, "A lot of these questions I have been advised by legal counsel that a lot of them I'm unable to answer. I will do my best to answer the written questions that are submitted." He suggested people email him with their questions. Aukerman has reported she has received no reply.
Another concern expressed was by City Council candidate Cindi John about how the city is covering for management in Public Works with not only the manager being terminated but the assistant manager being on medical leave. The mayor said he has been overseeing and meeting with crew daily. Another concern made by City Council candidate Marchand Hovrud was the relationship between the Mayor and Council and that it should be a relationship of trust.
Weatherford said he would like to "continue to move forward" after meeting with the finance and human resources committees to fill these positions, rather than focus on why they are vacant. Hovrud expressed the difficulty of moving forward with so many unanswered questions.
When it came time to approve the payroll voucher warrants, Councilmember Misty Yost questioned the payments to the former employees. Hays said they the payments were the final paychecks, severance pay, and insurance payments made to them directly. The mayor told council to contact Hays with any questions about payroll numbers. All councilmembers approved payroll with exception of Bailey.
As a final comment, Councilmember Michael Paris accused the public of whining for asking questions because they only come to meetings to complain. Paris apologized after receiving a negative response from some in attendance and continued by voicing support for the mayor, "I respect him for taking a position that is not a popular position. I believe in Zac and I give him the benefit of the doubt," he concluded.
