MILTON— Monday’s Milton Executive Committee meeting ended with a discussion between council members that sparked disagreement.
Approximately 70 minutes into the meeting, Councilman Jeff Snow started a new discussion by reading a section from the current city ordinance pertaining to power and duties of city of Milton staff.
The ordinance states that appointment and removal of officers and employees of the city are vested in the city manager.
Snow wanted to amend the ordinance, allowing the council to have final approval by majority vote in the hiring and termination provisions of all contract employees, to include police chief, fire chief, all department supervisors with the city, as well as the special magistrate, and public information officer.
City Attorney Heather Lindsay suggested taking the matter up at the administration meeting on May 4.
Snow persisted and said he wanted to make a motion to have this voted on tonight. Councilwoman Peggi Smith seconded the motion.
“I would recommend that you not take any action on this until I look into the legal ramification of what you are suggesting,” Lindsay said.
City Manager Brian Watkins suggested making copies of the ordinance and the motioned amendment and providing them to all the council members.
“If you want to move it to next week (city council meeting), that way we at least have a chance for legal review and members of the council will have an opportunity to review,” Watkins said.
According to Councilman Casey Powell, the motion would have to go to council to pass regardless.
“We could vote on it tonight, and even if we have to vote on it again next week, so then you’re still talking two months out,” Snow said.
Councilwoman Mary Ellen Johnson was interested in waiting for legal examination before making a vote.
"I think since this was just brought up, it’s not up to us to really look at it,” Johnson said. “I think it should be examined from the legal point of view… Now is not the time for that to be voted on.”
Snow said he was sticking to his motion, and wanted it voted on by the council.
Councilwoman Ashley Lay was also hesitant to make a vote.
“It is interesting that I’m just now hearing of it,” Lay said, “and it’s a pretty big deal that there are quite a few other people that I’m kind of getting the sense that they already know what’s going on with this.”
Snow accused Lay of making accusations that she “knew nothing about.”
Councilman Casey Powell asked for the reasoning behind the sudden desire for an ordinance amendment.
“I feel that staff should have more accountability than just Brian,” Snow said. “And that would take a full vote of this council.”
Councilwoman Sharon Holley said that she believes the ordinance should remain unchanged, and the power of hiring and firing city staff should continue to be the city manager’s responsibility.
Milton Mayor Wesley Meiss asked Snow if he would be willing to amend his motion to discuss the topic at the upcoming administration meeting.
“I’m willing to discuss it then, but I want to make this a motion and whatever legal aspects that Heather feels the need to research then we move forward with it,” Snow said. “If there’s something that comes back that’s not legal statewide or something that we can't change the ordinance, then we go with that.”
Al Brewton, a resident of Milton, stood before the council to voice his concerns.
“All these proposals are just not good for the morale of the city and the general population of the city of Milton,” Brewton said. “It should be vetted before committee… instead of these eleventh-hour, sneaky, ‘gotcha’-type moments.”
Council members Johnson, Holley and Lunsford left the meeting.
“Having a walk-out every time is not being professional, is not serving the citizens of this city,” Snow said.
Lindsay said she would try her best and review the information before Thursday.
“This is not that complicated once you read the ordinances and go through it,” Snow said to Lindsay. “I think you’re highly qualified to do that.”
The motion was voted on with a second from Smith. It passed 3-2, with Johnson, Holley and Lunsford abstaining from the vote due to not being present.
An additional motion was made to put the item on the agenda for Thursday’s administration meeting – it passed.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Councilman calls for ordinance amendment to give council power over city staff