WESTOVER — Beyond the unanimous approval of a bid $90,000 less than expected for Westover’s Solomon Road improvement project, the city’s council meeting did not go smoothly Tuesday.
Tensions ran high as Mayor Dave Johnson stopped recognizing Councilman Ralph Mullins — cutting him off — before he was done asking questions of the city’s director of public works, Jason Stinespring.
Mullins was asking about a ticket given to Frank’s Arcade for working without a building permit which he said ultimately ended up being a miscommunication on the city’s part. However, the ticket is still being enforced and could carry a $1,500 fine.
Mullins said he thinks the fine “may be a little much” given the circumstances of the pandemic.
“That’s your opinion Ralph,” Johnson said. “We’re gonna move on. We’ve talked about this and we’ve had this discussion.”
Johnson then ended his recognition of Mullins.
Mullins told The Dominion Post he was planning to ask Stinespring about a $650 inspection fee the city is trying to charge the owner of Frank’s.
According to Mullins, Stinespring sent Joe Scotchell, the owner of Frank’, a text that said the fee was set by the mayor, not city code. Mullins said the mayor does not have the authority to set fees – only council has that power.
Following that, city attorney Tim Stranko said he’s seen pretty much everything in his three decades representing elected bodies and wanted to take a “mentoring moment.”
He said all the various complaints raised by citizens — be it about police misconduct, a problem with a business or more — need to be taken immediately to the administrative authority of the city: the mayor. If the mayor isn’t available, the city clerk is full-time and Stranko is also available.
The reason for that isn’t to feed the mayor’s ego or because of some perceived power trip, but because it’s the most efficient way to serve the constituents, Stranko said. Then, if going to the mayor doesn’t solve the citizen’s problem, you bring it up a council meeting.
He also said it’s hard serving on a quorum-based body because no one member can speak for or represent the city.
During Chief of Police Joe Adams presentation to council, Mullins asked if he had heard about two additional incidents involving a currently suspended officer. Adams said he had not. Stranko said he hadn’t heard about the additional misconduct, which was the most serious of the issues raised by Mullins.
“So, we need to share information and we need to share information through the chain of command,” Stranko said.
