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HomeMy WebLinkAbout86119 - MINUTES - City Commission ® MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING, CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF DANIA, FLORIDA, HELD JULY 7, 1965. The City Commission of the City of Dania, Florida, met in Special Session in the Commission Room at the City Hall. • 'resent were: MAYOR-COMMISSIONER FRANK SALVINO COMMISSIONERS ROBERT L. GRAMMER VERA L. HILL S. ELLIS YOUNG CARL ZENOBIA CITY ATTORNEY CLARKE WALDEN • CITY MANAGER LESTER CULVERSON CHIEF OF POLICE MONTIE SMITH CITY CLERK MARY THORNHILL The meeting was called to order at 8:00 A.M. by Mayor Salvino. • Mayor Salvino: The purpose of this meeting is because Mr. Cul- verson cussed me out and swung at me last night. Commissioner Young: Was that a one-way affair, or was that a two-way affair? Mayor Salvino: It was a one-way affair. Commissioner Young: Well I saw your arm swinging. Mayor Salvino: I swung too, after he swung at me. Commissioner Young: It was a two-way affair then. Mayor Salvino: That's alright, he swung first. City Attorney Walden: Members of the Commission, let me say this just to keep the record straight. . .I frankly don't know if the • absent Commissioners know it or not. . .but, the dommission did have a special meeting last night about midnight, where the Clerk and 3 members of the Commission were present. And I gather that no 6 hour notice was given. But the charter does say that even omis- sion of notice will not effect the validity of any action taken at the meeting. I feel that the action that you took at the midnight meeting last night was legal, subject to some possible question as to the legality of the charter provision.. So to. avoid any question as to that point, I suggest you in effect either confirm what you did last night or simply do it over if that is what you wish. I think in the sense of fair play, with all Commissioners present and the City Manager present, it would be the better procedure. Although I personally don't know if all the members of the-Commission and Mr. Culverson know of,the action that was taken last night. Mayor Salvino: At this time I would like- to see the City Manager's seat vacated. Commissioner Zenobia: Well I will say the same thing I said last night. . .I fought very hard to keep Mr. Culverson hereunder a lot of pressure. But what happened last night I don't think should have happened. It is disrespect. I don't think that Les should have taken a swing at the Mayor in public or .call him a SOB in public, which was done. And under the circumstances, I have to second the motion. City Attorney Walden: Mr. Mayor, let me suggest, since you made the motion, that you pass the gavel over to Vice-Mayor Young, and then restate your motion, if you will. A motion was made by Mayor Salvino to vacate the City Manager's seat. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Zenobia. : City Manager Culverson: I suppose you would like to hear from me. Last night after it was all over, I went into the Police Department, and the Mayor was standing there. And we talked about the investi- gation that he had asked for. And I said, don't forget Mayor that you are involved in this too because the City had bought some equip- ment from you. And he said you are a G-- D--- liar. And I said don't • call me a liar. And as far as swinging, I never touched the Mayor last night. Because, as far as I am concerned, he was still standing up.when I got through. I guarantee you, if I had gotten close to him, he wouldn't have been standing up. Mayor Salvino: If I had got. close to you, you would have been chopped • up in pieces. Commissioner Young: Do you have anything else to say, Mr. City Manager? City Manager Culverson: -What can I" say? A11, I;can say is the fact that some of these people I went down the line for, not mentioning • any names, and I came out. on the short end. I think I have done my job regardless, under very trying circumstances. Mayor Salvino: Nobody said anything about the job. It is the way you actdd last night. City Manager Culverson: Mr. Mayor, ,may I ask you a question, sir? Mayor Salvino: Yes sir. City Manager Culverson: Isn't it true that ever since I have been back that you have been trying, to get pressure on to get me fired? • Truthfully. And weren't three of you-"Commissioners, or two of you Commissioners, working on the third Commissioner trying to get me fired? Mayor Salvino: No sir. • City Manager Culverson: Well then, it is not a true story that I hear. I will have to leave it up to. . .in this case. . .and I hate to put him on a spot, but I will have to leave it up to Mr. Zenobia. . Commissioner Zenobia: You mean you are asking me a question? • City. Manager Culverson: I have to leave it up to you, Carl. Commissioner Zenobia: Well I don't want to get into any hassel over that this morning. Yes, there has been some pressure put in the past, that is all I will say about it. City Manager Culverson: I am trying to justify the fact, Commissioner Zenobia, that the "Mayor has been picking on me ever since I have been back. Commissioner Zenobia: The only thing I have to say about the whole thing, Les, you know that I have fought for your job. But, what • happened last night in front of so many people, I don't think this was for the best interest of Dania. - City Manager Culverson: Carl, this was a two-way deal. This was not a one-way deal, regardless of what is said out here. It was not a one-way deal. This was a two-way deal. And if there is any blame put • on anybody here, let's put it on the Mayor, and let's put it on me. I will take my share. Vice-Mayor Young called for further discussion. Commissioner Young: I would like to say this, I feel that the City . • Manager has worked hard, has done a good job, and I can't wholeheartedly approve of any fisticuffs or anything on behalf of a Commissioner, or -2- ® profanity. And I will say that I personally saw the Mayor attempting to swing at Mr. Culverson. And before that, I don't know, and I feel that that is being disrespectful to the condition of trust that the people of Dania gave to him. There are some other things too, and I don't approve of that action. • Mayor Salvino: You don't think I would be a dummy and stand there? After he took the first swing at me? Commissioner Young: I have no comment to make on that. Vice-Mayor Young called for further discussion. • Mr. Harrisori,­S:W'.12rid Street, stated.that he and his wife attended the meeting last night. He stated that he knows the City Manager has be harrassed continuously, and last night in walking down the stairs, Mr. Harrison and his wife passed a little crowd of peopl&, and this man. . .he didn't know him, he had never met him. . .but Bob Houston went afteb the City Manager. Mr. Harrison stated that he said, if it was the last thing he would do, he would have his job. Mr. Harrison said that at the meeting last night the Mayor read something from a piece of paper that Bob Houston gave him. Mayor Salvino: You are badly mistaken. • Commissioner Grammer: This is out of order, but a Commissioners: shouldn't have to be kept from somebody in the audience. It is his privilege to read from a newspaper or anything that he wants to. When he makes accusations that another man gave it to him, he has got no proof of that. • Mr. Harrison: I have no proof of it. Commissioner Grammer: Alright, well don't make the statement then. Mr. Harrison: I have proof: of' many, many things, Mr. Grammer. I will make this to you. The mayor called for an investigation last . ;. night. I am going to spend a fev� thousand dollars and have it in- «:i. vestigatcd. I promise you, there,are some on this Commission who will be sorry they met,'me. -. I am sick and tired of paying taxes in this town and having it run by one man',, Bob Houston. Waiters will tell you the same who is running this town. I think it is just about time that it was cleaned up. Mayor Salvino: You are mistaken about me. That paper was not written by Bob Houston, I will take an oath on that. Vice-Mayor Young called for further discussion. There was none. The roll being called, the Commissioners voted as follows: Grammer Yes . ' Hill No Salvino Yes Zenobia Yes Young .. No Vice-Mayor Young: Any further business? I Commissioner Grammer: Yes if you want to pass the gavel back to the Mayor I will make this motion. A motion was made by Commissioner Grammer that a resolution be drawn and passed to appoint Tony Salvino City Manager. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Zenobia. City Attorney Walden: May I suggest you amend it to show a salary to that we get it all in one motion? -r 4; . -3- ® Commissioner Grammer: At the present salary that the City Manager is drawing. Commissioner Young: Doesn;t the City Manager always start at a little less than full salary, or is this a special occasion? • Commissioner Grammer: Let's make it a special occasion, Mr. Cul- verson started at full salary when he came back. Commissioner Young: Well I don't think that is right. I don't think that any person working on a probationary period is entitled to full salary. Commissioner Grammer: Well, there is only two or three months left for this salary, as far as the budget goes anyway. It wontt amount to too much, so I will say at $8,500. Commissioner Young: The probationary period is 6 months, Bob. It • doesn't have anything to do with the budget. Commissioner Grammer: Alright, but it still amounts to only $250.00. So I will say $8,500. Commissioner Zenobia: The second stands. • Commissioner Young: I would like to say this, I think we are getting into a case of politics. I have known Tony Salvino for many years. I think this is nothing more than a political boondog; a case of the Mayorts own brother being offered the job. I don!t even know whether he has been contacted about it or not. Has he been approached to see • if he would accept the job? No,comments? Commissioner Grammer: Who are you asking, me? Commissioner Young: Anyone who knows anything about it. • Commissioner Grammer: Yes sir. , I have talked to him about it. Commissioner Young: Was that this morning? Commissioner Grammer: No sir. • Commissioner Young: Last week? Commissioner Grammer: Well, I have talked to him about it. Letts put it that way. Commissioner Young: Well , that in an off-handed way answers my ques- tion. I don't think it is prudent and good business to have a close family member, in view of the fact that this is not supposed to be a political job, or political appointment, or anything of that nature. I just donut think that it is in the best interest of the City to hire the brother of one of the Commissioners in that job. Commissioner Grammer: Well, Mr. Young, I don't want to argue about it, because I think Mr. Salvino is well-qualified for the job. I don't care whose brother he is. As far as done in politics, if you just check, even with the national level, when a president was elec- ted, he made his brother a very important job right here in this country. If it can be done on a national level, I don!4t see why it ® cantt be done on a city level. Commissioner Young:' Itm not saying it cantt be done. I said I don't think it is for the best interest of the City. Commissioner Zenobia: I think the record should also show that the O Mayor voted against his own brother twice before this because he was his brother. I think it is a well-known fact that Commissioner Gram- mer and myself wanted Tony for this job once before. It is.not that x -4- m�.r ® the Mayor was trying to push him in- We wanted him for the job before, before Mr. Culverson was hired, and before Mr. Neff was hired. Commissioner Hill: Do you know why, Commissioner Zenobia? 40 Commissioner Zenobia: Because he was his brother. Commissioner Hill: And a little pressure was. put on him. Commissioner Zenobia: - Well I don't know about any pressure being put on him, but I think the.-records should show that. As far as Tony Salvino being competent, I think the man could help us out in County politics and get some work dbne for us. Commissioner Young: What does he know about 'sewer programs? Commissioner Zenobia: Weill find out. • Commissioner Young: Business administration? Commissioner Zenobia: I think he knows plenty about that. Commissioner Grammer: He should know about that, I think he served on the County Commission I know at least 12 years. He probably served longer. Commissioner Young: That's very true, but that still doesntt make him an administrator. Commissioner Grammer: I still think the man is qualified for the job. Commissioner Young: Well letts get the roll ca1Li, Mayor, and get something done. The roll being called, the Commissioners voted as follows: Grammer Yes Hill No Young No Zenobia Yes Salvino Yes Mayor Salvino: Do I hear a motion? Commissioner Zenobia: So moved. ' City Attorney Walden: You may want to bring up the question of pay for Lester, I don't think that that has been discussed. Does he have , a severance pay? Otherwise, Mary is going to be on the spot as to what to give him. Mayor Salvino: I dont think he is entitled to a severance pay, as far as I am concerned. I don't know how the rest feel. He got a severance pay once. City Attorney Walden: Well I think the City Clerk needs some kind of instruction as to what to do. I don't believe you know, do you Mary. City Clerk Mary Thornhill: No sir. Commissioner Hill: Well I know he has worked hard and he has worked faithful, and I think he is entitled to it. A motion was made by Commissioner Young that Mr. Culverson be awarded a two-week severance pay. The motion was seconded by Commissioner_ Hill. ® Commissioner Zenobia: On the discussion. . .I like Les, believe me. But, he had two-weeks severance pay, he had two-weeks vacation pay. I would say, let him get the rest of this week, but I can't see another two-week severance pay. We gave him two-weeks severance pay, then we gave Mr. Neff two-weeks severance pay, then he came back and got two-weeks vacation. If we give him another two-weeks severance pay that will be 8 weeks pay in a year's time given out for no reason whatsoever. Commissioner Hill: Then you dontt think he deserves it? Commissioner Zenobia: Well thatts my feeling. ..I can be outvoted. . But that is my feeling. The roll being called, the Commissioners voted as follows: Grammer No Hill . Yes Young Yes Zenobia No Salvino No A motion was made by Commissioner Zenobia to give Mr. Culverson the rest of this week's pay. The motion was seconded by Commissioner • Grammer, and the roll being called, the Commissioners voted as follows: Grammer Yes Hill Yes Young Yes Zenobia Yes • Salvino Yes There being no further business on the agenda, the meeting adjourned. • Mary T ornhill City Clerk-Auditor • 9" C�tnuA Frank Salvino Mayor-Commissioner. • -(c ,