SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 3, 2000
PRESENT
IN ATTENDANCE
City Clerk Brenda Colegrove, Executive Officer John Pick, City Solicitor
Paul Wilber and interested Citizens and Members of the Press.
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The Mayor and City Council convened in a Special Meeting on August
3, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. in Room 301 of the City/County Government Building
for the sole purpose of reorganization of the City Council. Council Vice
President Scott called the meeting to order.
Mrs. Polk moved and Ms. Siggers seconded to reorganize the City Council. Council President Webster arrived after the motion and second were made.
Ms. Siggers, Mrs. Polk and Mr. Scott expressed their agreement with reorganization of the Council. Ms. Siggers noted that she spoke with Mr. Webster on numerous occasions in regards to Council doing things together and not as individuals. Mr. Scott voiced that Council should work as a body and one individual Councilmember should not go out on their own. Mrs. Polk related that she ran for office because she did not like the discord in the previous Council. She had made it clear that Council had to rule by consensus and they all had to be respectful of each other.
Mr. Stacey did not believe it was appropriate action at this time and the reasons given (i.e., independent actions on the President's part relating to twice a week trash collection and fire department investigation) did not warrant the removal of Mr. Webster as President of the Council. Mr. Stacey asked Council to reconsider, terminate the motion to reorganize, and mend fences. In Mr. Stacey's opinion, it would create a divisive Council if they moved forward with the reorganization.
Mr. Webster referred to the reorganization as sandbagging. In regards to the trash collection issue, Mr. Webster pointed out that he requested the City Solicitor in a public meeting on June 12, 2000 to draft legislation to return to twice a week trash collection. In his view, he was fulfilling his obligation to those citizens who voted for him in the election. As for the Fire Department investigation, he felt that something needed to be done other than the Mayor's Office investigation. He spoke to the newspaper reporter as an individual, not as a Councilmember.
Comments received from the public included: 1) the electorate should have ample time for input; 2) could see no reason for removing Webster as President of the Council; 3) didn't believe it was a wise decision at this time to reorganize; 4) concern for the hasty decision to remove the Council President; and 5) may cause discord among Councilmembers if moving forward with reorganization.
On the vote to reorganize, Mrs. Polk, Ms. Siggers and Mr. Scott voted in favor. Messrs. Stacey and Webster voted nay. Mayor Tilghman presided as President Pro Tempore and suggested the rules to be followed for the organization of the Council. Upon a motion by Ms. Siggers and seconded by Mrs. Polk, the rules were adopted on a 3-2 vote (Messrs. Stacey and Webster voting nay). Mayor Tilghman asked for nominees for City Council President. Mr. Stacey nominated himself as President of the City Council. Mr. Webster seconded the motion. Mrs. Polk nominated Lavonzella Siggers as President of the City Council. Mr. Scott seconded the nomination. On the vote for Mr. Stacey as President of the City Council, Messrs. Stacey and Webster voted aye. Mrs. Polk, Ms. Siggers and Mr. Scott voted nay. On the vote for Ms. Siggers as President of the City Council, Mrs. Polk, Ms. Siggers and Mr. Scott voted aye. Messrs. Stacey and Webster voted nay. Mayor Tilghman declared Ms. Siggers as the new President of the Salisbury City Council.
Council President Siggers called for nominations for the election of Vice President of the City Council. Mrs. Polk nominated Joe Scott as Vice President of the City Council. Mr. Scott seconded the nomination. No other nominations were received. Mr. Scott was elected Vice President of the Salisbury City Council on a 3-2 vote (Messrs. Stacey and Webster voting nay).
Council President Siggers thanked everyone for their comments and expressed her appreciation for the services rendered by all the Councilmembers and looked forward to the City forging ahead in a healthy and productive manner.
With no other issues to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
City Clerk
Council President