09/05/1984CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
! COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 5, 1984
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace was called to
order in City Hall Bldg. No. 4, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, California, on
September 5, 1984, at 8:04 p.m.
PRESENT: Hugh J. Grant, Mayor
Jim Rigley, Mayor Pro Tempore
Tony Petta, Councilman
Roy W. Nix, Councilman
Barbara Pfennighausen, Councilwoman
Myrna Erway, City Clerk
ABSENT: None
Mayor Grant stated, for the record, that he was approached Saturday
morning by a Councilman advising there would be a request made for a
special session of Council for the purpose of going into closed
session; was advised later that in order to effect this, would have to
sign a statement, which he did; not certain what the meeting involves,
since no one advised him what it involves officially. Understands it
�r is a request for a closed session involving personnel; has an aversion
to closed sessions; they are generally repugnant to him because it
smacks of something he doesn't think anyone wants; once in awhile it
is necessary in personnel matters and thinks this is the case tonight,
but feels every time a closed session is held, the newspapers print
the subject of the meeting and what it may or may not involve, then
feels the whole idea behind closed sessions is useless; feels it is
very unfortunate this kind of thing happens and that control must be
maintained in this kind of thing. Considered not participating in the
closed session, but since he would be excluded from voting on issues,
will go into closed session, otherwise his vote won't count.
Councilman Nix stated, for the record, that in spite of the
connotations that all probably don't want, there is a positive side;
there is a legal requirement side; is very anti -closed sessions to
discuss business that could be done in open session; Council has a
legal right to go into closed session if it involves a legal matter,
but is reluctant and feels it is wrong to go into closed session
anytime it involves a legal opinion. On the other hand, feels
Council has no choice if it involves personnel; doesn't think there is
a legal or moral choice. No public employee can be constitutionally,
nor should they be criticized just because they are a public employee,
in open session, where the press is in attendance, unless that
individual knows the accusation, the content, and specifies they want
it in open session. Thinks this is a legal entitlement;'doesn't think
Council has a choice.
Pace 1 -
975/84
Mayor Grant stated he also indicated his dislike for closed sessions,
but made it clear that he feels closed sessions are necessary, in the
case of personnel actions, to prevent what he feels is happening in
the newspapers - that information is being brought out without the
individual involved being involved. Since the newspapers will print
any news given them, feels Council must be judicious - if closed
sessions are going to be held, keep them that way; if the information
is not going to remain in closed session, then don't have them;
personnel matters must be discussed in closed session to defend the
integrity of the individual being discussed.
Councilman Petta stated in personnel matters, the individual being
discussed has a right not to be exposed publicly just on the basis of
rumors; it can be very dangerous to the individual and to the City
legally. Council has a responsibility to the individuals involved to
discuss them in private session, and then whatever action is taken
must be made public, but felt what is the use of closed sessions if
someone is going to go out and spread the word about what happened,
defeating the purpose of the closed session.
Councilman Rigley stated he feels he has been more vocal than anyone
regarding closed sessions; made a motion to go into closed session,
which died for lack of a second.
Councilwoman Pfennighausen stated she received a telephone call today
from an individual that was talking to Ann Petta; the individual was
concerned about what Ann said - that Councilwoman Pfennighausen
supposedly has contacted the press and started all this and admitted
it. Stated she did not contact the press and has admitted to nobody
that she did; the press has contacted her two times - tonight was the
second time, questioning the purpose of the meeting; stated she
advised them of the information indicated in the special meeting
notice; stated she is not responsible for the statements made by Bob
Yeates and at no time contacted the press in this matter; doesn't
appreciate someone going to her friends and saying she did.
Councilman Petta stated the newspapers quoted individuals.
CLOSED SESSION
Council adjourned to a closed session at 8:14 p.m., with all Council
Members present.
RECONVENE
The Special Meeting reconvened at 10:08 p.m., with all members
present. Mayor Grant announced Council met in closed session to
discuss the following subjects:
(1) Evaluation methodology of the City Manager position; Council
decided to select a methodology designed to rate the City
Manager; selected a form used by the City of Pasadena; Staff is
to convert that form into a City form.
Page 2 -
9/5/84
During open session at the meeting
agree upon the essential points to
of September 13,
be made; is to outline
Council is to
a
schedule for the evaluation of the
City Manager and
communicate
it to the City Manager and the public; each Council
Member will
be provided an evaluation form, as
revised, at that
time.
A meeting will be called for September 20 at 7:00 p.m.; at that
time Council will immediately adjourn to a Closed Session for the
purpose of submitting typed evaluations for discussion to assist
the Mayor in creating an aggregate of all five evaluations of the
City Manager position.
On October 1 at 7:00 p.m. another meeting will be held at which
time the Mayor will present a draft composite of the evaluation
of the City Manager to Council for review; the City Manager will
be advised at that time that Council will be meeting with him on
October 4.
Council clarified that the September 20 meeting date has been
firmly established; the October 1 and 4 meeting dates are
tentative.
(2) Council discussed their own actions relative to events that have
occurred and what Council should do in the future; the area under
consideration was comments that members of the council from time
to time may or may not make about matters discussed in closed
session;
(3) A letter of reprimand is to be issued to the City Manager to
criticize the method -of communicating with Council, the use of
judgment in the recent staff reduction and the method of
communicating with Council. Mayor Grant and the City Attorney
will prepare the letter, subject to Council approval.
ADJOURN
The Special Council Meeting adjourned at 10:24 p.m. The next regular
meeting will be held September 13, 1984 at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
E
i -. _.
nt�
APPROVED:
Page 3 -
9/5/84