Session 08-08 a Special Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order at 11:47 a.m. on March 14, 2008 by Mayor James C. Hornaday at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PRESENT:               COUNCILMEMBERS:              HEIMBUCH, NOVAK, ROBERTS,                                                                     WYTHE                             

 

                                                                                        CHESLEY, SHADLE (excluded)

 

                                  STAFF:                                         CITY MANAGER WREDE

                                                                                        CITY CLERK JOHNSON

                                                                                        CITY ATTORNEY TANS

 

AGENDA APPROVAL (Only those matters on the noticed agenda may be considered, pursuant to City Council’s Operating Manual, pg. 5)

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Council.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

Kevin Hogan, city resident, told Council the City should defend these people. He asked what obligation it is to bring to light matters of somebody else’s actions? If there is another commissioner or commission in violation what type of whistleblower protections are afforded? City employees are protected by whistleblower actions; he would like same consideration for commissioners and the general public.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.                 Resolution 08-38, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Authorizing the City to Reimburse the City Official Defendants for Legal Fees Incurred in the Defense of the Lawsuit filed by Thomas Taffe. Mayor/Heimbuch/Novak/Roberts/Wythe.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Resolution 08-38 by reading of title only.

 

NOVAK/WYTHE - SO MOVED.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a recess at 11:53 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:57 a.m.

 

Mayor Pro Tempore Novak announced any decisions arrived at or made in Resolution 08-38 are not City Attorney Tans’ decisions; he only served to give advice. Decisions are the results of City Council presenting their own opinions and responses to the City’s responsibilities. Attorney Gordon Tans only does the legal work of drafting and answering questions. The City Council has certain obligations to commissioners that serve for the City.

 

VOTE: YES. ROBERTS, WYTHE, NOVAK, HEIMBUCH

 

Motion carried.

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

There were no comments.        

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney Tans thanked the Council.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

 

City Clerk Johnson had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Wrede had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

 

Mayor Hornaday noted the Clerk provided a booklet of Robert’s Rules of Order. It is time to shape up.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

Councilmember Wythe stated while the City Council reached a unanimous agreement to provide legal services it was not reached lightly, as it was discussed at great length. To have the assurance of qualified individuals serving the City it is important to weigh matters individually and provide some protection in certain circumstances. There is nothing to say it may be the same application as in this situation.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 12:01 p.m. by Mayor James C. Hornaday. The next Committee of the Whole is scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2008 at 4 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is Monday, March 24, 2008 at 7 p.m. A Special Meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. All meetings are scheduled to be held in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

 

______________________________

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

Approved: _____________________