Council splits over support of Franks

Fireworks exploded at this week's city council meeting when council president Mark Russell said he didn't trust one of the city's department heads.

That comment came after discussion arose surrounding the repealing of Section 3-3-1 of the Mountain Home City Code.

The section in question provides that, "20 percent of total gross registration fees be paid to the city by any person instructing a class for the city's recreation department."

The repeal was set to be read for the second time (it must be read publicly three times before it can legally be adopted) when Russell questioned parks and rec director Stan Franks about his reasons for requesting this repeal.

"A lot of instructors like to be paid in different ways, some want to be paid hourly, some want to be paid a certain amount no matter what parks and rec takes in," he said. "And some don't even want to be paid at all."

As the city code stands right now, each instructor is paid 80 percent of the gross registration fees.

"And what's wrong with that?" Russell asked. "That way the city is always covered, we always get our 20 percent."

"At a recent conference I attended, they said it was ludicrous to be paying instructors more than 60 percent," Franks said. "Doing away with this ordinance will allow us to do payments on a case-by-case situation and generate a little extra revenue for the city in the long run."

Russell asked what would happen if the instructor was promised a certain amount, determined by parks and rec, but the class didn't fill up.

"Would we then eat what it would cost to pay that instructor?"

Franks replied that they determine the minimum number of students each class must have in order for both the city and the instructor to be paid.

"If that minimum is not met, we don't run the class," he said. "We aren't out anything."

"But if an instructor doesn't want to be paid at all and we fill up a class, we could then take all the revenue," said Franks. "Not just the 20 percent we're promised right now."

Russell said he was still not convinced it was a good idea and Franks asked why.

Russell replied that he wasn't comfortable with the financial competence of Franks and his department.

A vote was then taken in which the proposed repeal failed.

Council member Richard Urquidi was the only council member to vote for the repeal and he voiced his concerns about Russell's remarks.

"It sounds to me like you don't have any trust in one of our department heads," he said.

"That's fair," Russell said. "You can put me on record for that."

After a brief silence, Mayor Joe B. McNeal then asked Russell why he would want to go on record about that.

"I don't want to go into all the history but I think if you look at the financial situation this last year in that department, you'll see why," Russell replied.

City treasurer Leanna Taylor then reminded council that this was a personnel matter.

"This should be discussed in executive session and not in a public forum," she said.

Tuesday, McNeal released a statement addressing the events of Monday night.

"Stan Franks is an outstanding employee of this city and he has not broken any rules. He works for the mayor and I am completely satisfied with his work. I therefore support Stan and the way he operates 100 percent. Is he perfect? No. Does he get the job done? Yes. And if any member of the city council has issues with him or any other department head, they need to present those issues through the formal process."

In other council news:

* A public hearing was held to obtain input on the proposed golf tournament fees and senior rates.

No input was received and both sets of fees were approved.

* A public hearing was held to discuss the proposed park reservation and stage rental fees.

No comments by the public were made and the fees were approved.

* Issues surrounding the management of the Basque Field were tabled until the next council meeting.

* The Kiwanis Club donated $100 to head librarian Luise House to purchase children's books for the library.

* Change Order #4 was approved for the West Sewer Interceptor and Lagoon Piping project.

The change order provides that Masco, Inc., will pave the entire roadway between the intersection of 12th South Street and 5th West Street and the intersection of Airbase Road and North Haskett Street.

The change order also increases the total cost of the project from $2,342,049.52 to $2,420,835.12 and will add an additional 30 days onto the project's expected date of completion.

* A proposed redefinition of the city's area of impact was sent to planning and zoning to be reviewed.

* Pulliam & Associates, of Boise, presented council with the city's annual audit report. It was listed as a "clean report" by a representative from the auditing company.

The report is public record and copies may be obtained from city hall.

* Issues surrounding the proposed turn lane on American Legion Boulevard were tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting.

* Several questions were raised concerning the setting of meeting agendas. McNeal asked if any council members had anything to add to next meeting's agenda to which it was asked if this was the only time council members could do so.

"What if something else comes up two weeks from now and I want it added then?" Urquidi asked.

"That would be fine. I have never left anything off the agenda that pertained to council business," said McNeal. "However, sometimes items are not suitable for city council meetings and I believe the governing body, in this case the mayor, has the right to set the agenda as he sees fit."

After consulting the city attorney, it was determined that the law is, "not clear" on this matter. All that was clear was that the city council could add an item they so desired as long as they had a majority vote.

Russell said he would like the E-911 Ordinance and E-911 re-addressing issues to be added to the next agenda.

A majority vote was obtained, the items were added and McNeal adjourned the meeting.

The next regularly scheduled council meeting is set for May 8 at city hall.