MILTON— The Milton City Council's April 11 meeting ended abruptly after a dispute between council members.
After a two-hour discussion between council members and concerned citizens about a possible southern alternate route, city leaders took a short recess. Councilman Jeff Snow arrived late to the meeting during the break.
Mayor Wesley Meiss decided to revisit the discussion of the southern alternate route, now that Snow was present, although the motion previously failed. Remaining residents showed outrage since many business owners had previously left the meeting.
Councilwoman Mary Ellen Johnson stated her concerns to Meiss about revisiting this topic, and Meiss decided to drop the discussion with no motion from the council.
As the meeting went forward, Councilwoman Peggi Smith called for the resignation of City Manager Brian Watkins with no warning.
“I am not doubting his ability; that is not my issue. My issue is with his alignment with the previous administration and not with his current city council,” Smith said. “I’m sorry that you’re surprised. Your experience with him has obviously not been the same as mine.”
“Mine has been more like Peggi’s,” said Councilman Alan Lowery, seconding the call for Watkins’ resignation.
Councilwoman Ashley Lay spoke, stating her enjoyable and professional experience with Watkins, surprised at the accusations.
“I don’t think you are ever going to find anybody that is more competent at doing the job well done, and has ever since I have met him,” Councilwoman Pat Lunsford said. “The man has always been available to any of us that have been on the council. He has always looked at Milton as his ideal and is trying to make it better."
Al Brewton, a Milton resident, stood before the council stating his shock with Smith’s motion.
“That man has been far better than any city manager that we have had,” Brewton said. “From a community perspective … he goes strictly by the book.”
Johnson accused Smith of making a bad and personal mistake by calling for this action.
A handful of residents approached the council, voicing their apprehensions. Holley had previously left the meeting but returned once Meiss began to speak with the council about this motion.
Four council members walked out over Smith’s motion: Lay, Lunsford, Holley and Johnson.
Smith said the timing of the call for Watkins’ resignation came because she needed the full council to be in attendance, and said that he “has to be served at a public meeting.”
Meiss said he was glad the council members walked out, ending the chance of a vote because it would have been his responsibility to cast the deciding vote in the case of a tie.
"I work at the pleasure of the City Council," Watkins said after the meeting.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton councilwoman calls for city manager's resignation